I was reading some Espanyol forums and fansites earlier and some of them stated that the wheels had been in motion since before Xmas. Now whether NA was fully aware or not, we do not know. But Pochettino has supposedly been watching on and studying for weeks. We also now know that Wilkins told Echo reporters at Stamford Bridge that NA knew he was leaving after that game. So, at what point did NA find out about Cortese's scheming? All we know is it is some time before the Chelsea game. It also explains some weird comments, e.g. Forren when asked about whether VF was coming "ask the men who knows". Vegard then said yesterday he spoke to Mauricio the other day??? Interesting. Coutinho? There's enough about that to suggest that may well have been someone that had their name put forward by Mauricio. It's an odd and interesting situation. Sure, if Nigel knew early enough it was coming (but not totally sure of when), it was not a case of "Nigel Adkins - Manager" but "Nigel Adkins - Caretaker Manager" whilst we awaited the arrival of our new manager. It's a bit hard to stomach for us fans, and possibly Nigel - but I just wonder WHEN did Nigel find out.... DTLW
Like Pardew DTLW I don't think we will ever know. Nigel is too honourable to say anything and NC won't!.
Does it really matter?, according to a few Blackpool forums Adkins has been chatting to their chairman for weeks.
That's another thing. Peach said Adkins was touted to Blackpool by a representative a while back too. At the same time someone on SaintsWeb claimed to know that Nigel had been told he was free to apply for other jobs.
No it's not; it means we're not floundering manager-less for a bunch of games - that can only be good for the team.
It doesn't rankle with you at all that Nigel appears to have been undermined by the person who appointed him and said he was a long-term appointment? 2 and a half years not long enough in my book.
I suspect Cortese's regret with the Pardew sacking, quite possibly his only regret, was what happened immediately afterwards. Three defeats out of three was it under Wilkins? Including giving up our hold on the JPT trophy. I suspect Cortese learnt from that, and said to himself that he wouldn't let that happen again. Get the new man in place first.
He was a "Championship level" appointment and surprised everyone by getting us up at first go. had we spent a season or two down there, I suspect he would have gone in the summer. I'm 99% certain that Cortese has a business plan and roadmap for the club in his office - by doing so well, Adkins broke it and bought himself some time but that was all. Cortese's now brought in a "Premiership level" appointment in his view. It's succession planning - normal in every part of the business world apart from football. Like it or not, football is a business. This is the logical conclusion & I suspect that a fair few chairmen will have taken note and have replacements in place before they fire managers from now on. Do I like all this? No. Is it the future of football? Almost certainly.
Adkins rapid promotions may have cost him time. He was tasked with getting to the PL, but didn't read the script and did it in only 2 years. We can't complain about him being sacked by the man who appointed him...things change. Also we would have real cause for complaint if Adkins was sacked and we had no manager for a few weeks. Let's remember our great times with Nigel (our bus driver) and hope that both he and Saints have future success.
