The Wolves shortlist for a managerial replacement looks like this: Neil Warnock Alan Curbishley Steve Bruce If ours looks anything like that come June I think I might kill myself!
Benitez has been linked with them too, WY. Not sure what to make of that, to be honest. Curbishley's got a good top-flight record and they could do far worse, in my opinion. Basis of a decent squad there and I think he could turn their season round.
Its all going on at Anzhi....http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opi...-managerial-merry-go-round-article866513.html Roberto Carlos having influence in club decisions!
Mr Redknapp is getting close to retirement age and I am sure that Mr Levy has been thinking about his replacement for some time. When the time comes for Mr Redknapp to either leave to take the England job or to retire I am sure that a more than suitable replacement has been identified, courted and, as much as is possible, signed up.
Looking at that link, notso, I was amused by the links to the left of the page, listing a series of Robbie Savage articles slagging-off Arsenal If Robbie Savage ever posted on this forum, PESKIE would have him banned from the Gooners' board.
A word or two on Benitez. - He was successful at Liverpool until we sold to H+G. - His signings, when he is given the money, are good. Unfortunately at Liverpool, Rick Parry (no longer at the club) blocked certain tells in favour of marginally cheaper players. EG. We had a deal accepted for Dani Alves from Sevilla, he wouldn't up the fee by £2M and he went to Barca. We got Pennant instead of Simao for christ-sake. - He reformed our youth policy and squad. Now, we've seen Shelvey (a Rafa signing), Robinson and Flanagan play well for the first team under Kenny. - He WILL bring success in Europe. Tactically, he is one of the best around. - When he has the team he thinks is good enough, the football is great, slick and fast. I'd cite his title winning Valencia team, which taught us a lesson right before we signed Benitez up, and Liverpool up to 08/09 (which beat Madrid 4-0, Inter 3-0, United 4-1, Besiktas 8-0, Villa, Newcastle for 5 etc etc) HOWEVER - He sullied his media reputation with the 'facts' rant. - He can be too negative. - He prefers a Kuyt to a Nani, if you know what I mean. - He still loves Liverpool, and may not move, if offered.
The previous guy was sacked after two months - which is especially bizarre given the first phase of the Russian top flight finished in early November, and the second phase takes a break from late November to early March. It's also worth noting the Russian season ends in May, and if Anzhi fail to finish in at least third (guaranteeing entry into the Europa League playoff round) the trigger finger will get itchy once again.
once upon a time it read something like David Pleat Christian Gross Peter Shreeves Gerry Francis <shuddersmiley>
As an outsider, I think Roberto Martinez would be perfect. You may scoff, but look at the way Wigan ping the ball about, and imagine it with the calibre of players you guys have. On top of that, he's a class act, I think he could carry on Harry's work, and wouldn't have to change a thing. That said, I'm a Sunderland fan, so feel free to tell me I'm completely wrong on this!
Tbh, and not wanting to appear big-headed, just stating things as they are, Martinez would do well at at a mid-table club, which we are not at the moment. No other top4/5/6 club would clamouring for his signature, its nowhere near a high profile enough name to keep our best players and hopefully recruit a star or two in the summer...see thread re. Spurs takeover bid.
He needs to spend money, unfortunately, so I doubt it. He'd do a good job with someone like Levy behind him.
Everybody starts somewhere lads. Redknapp started at Bournemouth, hardly a footballing powerhouse. Ferguson was at Aberdeen. Mourinho was a translator for ****s sake! I know Spurs are a high profile, and dare I say it, quite a glamour club, but i'd suggest **** profile, and look for a manager who can keep the team doing exactly what Harry has them doing, which at the moment is play the best football to watch outside of Barcelona. That narrows your list straight down to a handful, mark my words, Martinez will go on to great thing, IMO, of course! Valid point on attracting stars mind, so on that basis, I concede! Assuming Hiddink gets the chop in 2 months (Anzi aren't in the real world), I guess it's him!
If Martinez took the Villa job last summer, we'd be able to better assess his acument - part of the reason he's got Wigan playing the way they do is because he's safe in the knowledge the chairman will back him even if they're relegated. If he moved to a club who were able to support his ambitions to a reasonable level and get results (for the sake of argument, let's say Fulham) he'd certainly start being linked to higher profile jobs.
I agree, but in all seriousness, that Villa job was a hiding to nothing, for anyone. I don't think it was a case of Martinez being loyal to Wigan over Villa, more a case of nobody wanted that job, hence McLeish bizarre appointment. He probably does need a 'steeping stone' before he goes somewhere of Spurs stature, but that's not to say he couldn't do a fine job.
