I can see why some folk might think of Karanka, and for sure Parker has his right to an opinion. It’s just miles off and he’d be a terrible choice is all... Without the double walk out he’d be someone I’d think of, but this clubs had enough fannies, cowards and dummy spitters to last eternity.
Former Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham says it is vital that the club’s next managerial appointment gives the fans a lift, and believes Phil Neville would do ‘whatever it takes’ to be a success if handed the opportunity. Neville has been heavily linked with the role in recent days, and Higginbotham, who spent a short time with him at Manchester United, thinks Sunderland shouldn’t be afraid to give a young manager a chance alongside a more experienced campaigner. He said: “From the short time I played with Phil Neville, the way he trained, his professionalism, I know that he would leave absolutely no stone unturned. “I think he’s fantastic and would do whatever it takes. If he went there with someone who knows the club, why not give a young manager an opportunity? “I don’t think we do it enough. Maybe something a little bit different would work for them. “You look at Roy Keane, it was his first job in management, he got the squad going from a similar position. When I came into the club the next season we were riding the crest of a wave really, we scored so many late goals. “You need to make the Stadium a happy place, to get people on the edge of their seats. “In my opinion the fans need a bit of a lift, so can you bring someone in who the fans can relate with, maybe someone who has had success at the club before? “Whether it be a former player or a former manager. Sunderland is a very special football club if you can get that relationship with the supporters. “Imagine the uplift if you had someone like Peter Reid there to oversee someone like Kevin Phillips, a young manager who wants a crack at it. “What’s important is that the manager who comes in gets the fans on side. It is a big appointment, simple as that.” Higginbotham made 22 appearances for Sunderland and scored three goals, one of which came in the Tyne-Wear derby. Now working as a pundit, the 38-year-old watched Sunderland lose 1-0 to Middlesbrough on Sunday in his role for Sky Sports and says the new manager will have plenty to work with. He said: “There’s something there for the manager to work with. With Middlesbrough scoring early on Sunday, the game could have gone one of two ways, they could have gone on to win comfortably or Sunderland could have stayed in the game, which they did. “I thought Darren Randolph made some fantastic saves. People say when a team is struggling the hardest thing to do is score goals but Sunderland have shown they can do that. “One thing I would say is I think the new manager would have to inject a bit of pace into the team. They’ve got some great creative players like McGeady but at times Lewis Grabban can be a bit isolated when they’re looking to get up the pitch. “They’ve got the creativity there and they’ve got midfielders who can get the ball and give it, but some pace might make a big difference.”
Not sure they're allowed to do that thought Danny! And what sort of steroid speeds up players like John O'Shea....
Few possibilities to take the Job with Reid as number 2, well up for Reid coming back in that role. Leave the modern tactics to the young manager while he works on discipline, bonding and getting them doing the basics right. Think it would create an excellent dynamic so with Higginbotham on this one.
A new name to add to the mix and perhaps the most left field name linked with the job, Paolo Montero. Former Juve legend currently managing in Argentina. Can't imagine there's anything in it but it's a rumour that's popped up today
South American news sources were reporting this last week. He's managing Rosario Central. I doubt Central even figure on Short and Bain's view of the football world seeing as they can't usually see beyond Rangers.
A name I'm surprised isnt being talked about more is Paul Lambert. Has a far superior cv than his names sakes Heckingbottom Hurst and Cook. I know the folk on here will dismiss it as they prefer unproven names without any foundation to their argument other than theyve not been sacked from a premier league club (because they are nowhere near good enough to be at a premier league club) All the points people have put forward for Cook for instance Lambert ticks all those boxes and has done it far better. Worked his way up through Wycombe and Colchester to Norwich where he won League 1 and gained back to back promotions and kept them in the Premier League. Didn't work out at Villa but since then went into Blackburn and Wolves in he last 2 Novembers and kept them both up. No compensation to pay so that money could be put to January budget plus he's proved himself at Championship level
Most managers career trajectories follow a kind of arc. They start off at a small club, gradually work their way up to a big club, and then tail off. Pretty much in the way that Lambert has done. Very few managers stay at the top for a long period. I'd favour someone like Cook or Hurst because they are on the upward part of their trajectory, they have fresh ideas and are bringing new approaches to their teams. Lambert may do fine, he might very well stabilise us but his career is on a downward trajectory. I would rather we had someone who came in looking to further themselves and their career and to build something long term. Not someone who is looking to resurrect a career that looks to be fizzling out.
I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS BUT I JUST WANT THE USELESS ****S THAT ARE RUNNING OUR CLUB TO GET THEIR FINGERS OUT AND GET A DEAL DONE FFS. Rant over.
I like the sound of that Bri. Could Phil Neville do a Roy Keane? Perhaps he could. Certainly talks more sense than his brother!
