Word on the street - or at least at the Hovertravel terminal in Southsea - is that Paul Cook is almost a "done deal", finally depending on whether or not Chesterfield win promotion via the playoffs to the Championship. The semi finals for Chesterfield v MK Dons are completed on 10 May, and the play-off final (if they get through the semis) takes place on the 24 May at Wembley, against either Swindon or Sheff. Utd. D-Day could be possibly either 10 or 24 May dependent on their play-off success ! Who knows ?!
I have to say this is a bit unfair on Chesterfield, to have this going on while they are in the mix for promotion to the championship.
Yes, you would have thought that their CEO/Chairman would have kept it quiet rather than make a meal of it in the press...... and instead of announcing to the world that PC has a buy-out clause in his contract. Pompey have still said nothing, the News picked up their gossip from the local Chesterfield paper.
Unfortunate timing from Chesterfield's point of view. Pompey likely don't care. Chesterfield's playoff chances aren't your problem, nor should they be.
Derby County were apparently after him as well, until Steve "Wally with a Brolly" McLaren turned down the Newcastle manager's job, to remain with them. It's all going on.
Well the word from the ITKs is that Paul Cook applied for the Manager's post - probably through his agent, but it wasn't a cold-call to Chesterfield.
It does beg the question though. Why would a manager who might be taking a team to the Championship feel it's a good move to run a club in League 2?
BBC Solent Sport @solentsport 24m24 minutes ago Our colleagues at BBC Radio Sheffield reporting a deal has been done between #Pompey & Chesterfield for Paul Cook to move to Fratton Park Sean Taylor @seantaylorpress 24m24 minutes ago Sources tell me the two members of Cook's staff offered deals by Portsmouth are Leam Richardson & Paul Mitchell #spireites #pompey We should get an announcement sometime this week.
Good to know that hopefully the matter is almost settled. Paul Cook obviously sees a lot of potential at PFC. With the possible arrival of Leam Richardson as Asst. Manager, and presumably Gary Waddock staying as First Team Coach, where does that leave Paul Hardyman ? Back to the Academy perhaps ? I really hope this is the start of a new era of success at Fratton Park. Onwards and upwards. PUP.
Channon, I'm not sure if your question is tongue in cheek - and I know you are occasionally fond of a wind up and banter - but in case it is a serious query I'll answer it (or rise to the bait). I'd say the lure is of a club with enormous potential, a strong, loyal and passionate fan base and a club with a proud history - couple that with a budget that is certainly at the top end of the division and I'd say it must be both appealing and a challenge that he fancies - I hope we get him based on all I've read and heard - the only other candidates I thought as promising were Darren Ferguson and Graham Alexander. Oh and it will be warmer 'darn sarf' than in Yorkshire.
Well, the general feeling from their fans is that even if they had got up to the Championship, there would be no extra funds available to the Manager. He had a player sold from under his feet back in January, apparently 2 players sold this year, that he wanted to keep, raised over £1m and the Manager saw none of it. Chesterfield fans know they were punching above their weight this season. None of them wanted to see him go but they understand he has taken them as far as he can with no extra money. This is all from their forum. Why would he like Pompey? Big club for L2 - definitely. Decent buget - definitely. He likes Pompey - made that clear in his interviews after we played them. All in all a good fit it seems. Plus he has the opportunity to shape the footballing side of the club to the way he would like - a challenge any decent Manager would relish. So sometimes a step back is better than staying where you are.
Good replies from you both to a mostly serious question It can work of course. Our own José Fonte joined L1 Saints from Palace, then in the Championship. He bought into the vision and Look at him now. He does at least have a track record of success on a tight budget. Looks a good choice to me.
