It's Richie Barker with Steve Coppell Richie Barker is the man Pompey want to become their new boss. The News understands the Bluesâ seven-man board late last night voted for the ex-Crawley manager to replace Guy Whittingham. Barker will be joined by Steve Coppell in a director of football role, although it is believed Coppell will not be paid a wage. Pompey are now finalising Barkerâs contract details and other aspects with a view to officially unveiling him on Monday. If there are no late hitches, it will end an 11-day search for a successor to Whittingham during which a seven-name shortlist was assembled containing the likes of Oxfordâs Chris Wilder, Exeterâs Paul Tisdale and Steve Claridge. The final two â David Connolly and Andy Awford â were interviewed yesterday before directors were canvassed over their preference for the next manager. Chief executive Mark Catlin, who previously helped appoint Barker at Bury, did not have a vote in the process as he is not on the Blues board. Instead Iain McInnes, Ashley Brown, Mick Williams, Mark Trapani, Mike Dyer, Chris Moth and John Kirk came to the decision to put Barker into the Fratton Park hot seat. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-pick-barker-1-5733141
Good news to my mind. Sounds a bit like "You buy one, you get one free", in signing Richie Barker, and getting Steve Coppell for nothing I just hope that Andy Awford stays with PFC in charge of the Academy - we must not lose him. Hope Macca stays too. Good luck to Richie in his new job, and all the best to Guy for his future
Whether they would have been a success in the job, who knows - BUT, wouldn't it have been fun times with them in charge
I'd love Barker to appoint them as a joint Assistant Manager - so they can learn the ropes under him and Coppell. But won't it be a laugh if (when) the do take over as Manager............... one day.
Guy could make a return........ http://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/football/pompey-latest/guy-could-make-blues-return-1-5734502 Guy Whittingham could be offered a remarkable Pompey return. The former Blues boss was a development coach at the club before he was promoted to work with the first team under Steve Cotterill and Michael Appleton. Whittingham then became Pompey caretaker manager in November of last year and was given the job permanently in the summer. But there have also been rumours of him reuniting with former boss Cotterill at Bristol City. Although Pompey dismissed the 49-year-old from the manager’s job recently, Catlin believes the popular former striker could yet be welcomed back. ‘Personally, I would like it to happen,’ said Catlin. ‘I hold Guy in such high regard. He’s a great coach and commands the respect of everyone around him. ‘He is probably the one person in football I’ve never heard anyone have a bad word to say about. ‘That’s to his credit as a man. So why would you not have someone like him back at the club?’ Whether Whittingham would be prepared to accept another coaching role, having been the manager, remains to be seen. And with the club set to formally unveil their new manager next week, there may be a coaching reshuffle. But aside from his coaching credentials, Catlin pointed to Whittingham’s history with the club and his continued popularity as reasons on why he could yet be brought back. He added: ‘Guy is Pompey through and through. He’s still highly regarded – if not idolised – by the fans. He is a proper Pompey legend. ‘While I am here, I would always welcome him back with open arms in some role and some capacity.’
That would be good. I hope there is an opportunity for James and/or Herman to come back to the club as well. Bring him home!
Ordinarily I would be against such a move, the former relation between an ex manager and the players, it could be an awkward situation. In Guy's case, for the reasons given to us by Catlin, it seems like a great idea.
