The rise and fall, and fall, of Lambert.

Paul Lambert is stepping down from his position as Blackburn manager at the end of the season. He seems to be in a downward spiral which shows no signs of slowing, let alone ceasing. He will always be remembered as an excellent manager for us, but that would appear to be the pinnacle of his career. We, at the time, thought that we would lose him to a higher rated club where he would go on to become a top manager. How wrong we were, and he was in joining Villa.

 

Thought this was a Rickie thread.

 

If we go down and AN is given the boot I wonder what odds you'd get on him coming back to us?

 

Five hundred million and two to one.

 

I think he has designs on the Celtic job....poor deluded fool!

 

According to the BBC website

Lambert has been quickly installed as odds-on favourite with several bookmakers to take over at Celtic, where he spent seven seasons as a player.

That probably would not surprise me in the slightest if it happened. That's not to say it would be a good move for him or Celtic but the fans will love him from day 1

 

I think Blackburn and Villa were impossible jobs for any manager, it has been said a million times but leaving us when he did was the poorest decision he made. But I don't feel any bitterness towards him, if he does go to Celtic then like always I wish him all the best.

 

I have no idea what caused the bitterness, secrecy and acrimony between him and NCFC but I'd suggest the grass isn't always greener! Just ask Lerner or the Venkys

edit I'd be happy to see him get the Celtic job but surely it would be more 'prodigal son' than proven manager in the ascendancy?

 

Wasn't there rumours something about his wife cheating? But I don't think the truth ever came out. Wonder if he regrets leaving? think if he stayed with us for another season or 2 he could have got the Everton job or a team like that.

 

He should have stayed with us another year before looking elsewhere.

 

I haven't got the stats in front of me but I seem to remember that results were in decline during the last few months of his time with us. Whether that was because his head was already turned, internal strife or as I wondered at the time, other teams were starting to suss him out. I remember at the time thinking maybe it his time was due. It wasn't a textbook exit but he was always a grumpy sod so no surprise he left on a sour note. Still absolute Norwich legend in my book for bringing us out of the poo with back to back promotions.

 

Great post HQMC. You're quite right that we did lose a lot of games in the last few months of PL's reign and I think this was mainly due to other teams sussing us out. Like you, I feel he was most definitely the right manager for us at the time and I'm sure we'd be struggling around mid table in the Championship at best.

 

Managers are not miricle workers, even if for a time they appear so. Lambert was a great manager for us, he got the best out of a bunch of players who just clicked. Right place right time.
Some credit has to go to the manager who can find the system/sytems and motivate the players to get the results , some of it goes to the players who adapt and perform for that manager and a huge chunk is luck.
Lots of managers impress and mess up in equal measure. Dowie, Lennon, Hughton, Bruce, Hughes, Moyes and others have all had at least one impressive stint, some more than one, but most of those listed you wouldn't want near your club after some very bad times at other clubs.
There is probably no such thing as a manager who could walk in and have success any where. There are too many other variables, but I think if Lambert gets a chance at another club that isn't a basket case, he will be successful again. Celtic is a nice easy job, but should a one horse race appeal to anyone with a point to prove?

Bah!

 

Nail on the head there, squire

 

Don't forget Rangers are back next year. But yeah, I see what you are saying.

 

I doubt unless they start fiddling things in the way that got them demoted in the first place that they will compete for a good few years to come.

Bah!

 

Yeah but at least it makes the SPL a little bit more interesting than the bore fest of the last few years.

 

They recently outplayed and beat Celtic in the Scottish cup winning on pens .

 

it is pretty rare for managers to be totally successful in their careers and the same goes for players.
Success at one club rarely follows and certainly not forever. I hold no particular grudge against PL but agree fully with an earlier comment that he left us at least one season too early. And taking my point above, look at our track record - Saunders to Man City, not good, Bond to Man City certainly below par, Walker to Everton I would say unlucky as it was a tough gig, but Everton thought he was rubbish, Lambert to Villa, enough has been said. Hughton to brighton is in reverse - thought to be underachiever here (not particularly by me I have to say) done pretty well at Brighton. Rodent to Stevenage.........

 

Yeah but they had Delia who is rubbish at all things football at the helm!

Bah!