If we go down, first choice Rafa - I think he can put a structure in place throughout the entire club to get us back on a sound footing and get rid of the losing mentality. Five games unbeaten, even if we can't beat Villa, are to be applauded. If he'd had players that we SHOULD have signed (goalscorer, full back), we'd have won two more and already be safe. Second choice, an ex-player, specifically Temuri Ketsbaia - if we can't keep Rafa, then go for someone with heart who played for the club. Hughton had no experience and came in, gave it a good go and did well. I'd like to see a figurehead back at the club and in charge, someone with something about them. Ginola hasn't really got himself involved enough in coaching (badges aside) so would be too risky, but Temuri's done some apprenticeships and is a cracking character. There's no ex-player around to beat him, the likes of Clark are just not good enough. Third choice, Ian Cathro. Openly wants a shot at management and has had a year to get to grips with the club. Arguably Schteve's only useful input into the club, in the second tier I'd happily see Cathro try to prove himself. Our own Eddie Howe, someone who might one day make his own headlines but so far hasn't. I'd rather he be given a shot than some jobless no-mark. I can't get excited about any other prospect, I'm sorry. Pearson's probably the best of the rest because he's been at the club in the past, clearly did a lot right with Leicester and is a very bullish, strong-willed individual. If we got him, I'd be comfortable if unexcited.
As well planned as that all sounds had we appointed Pearson and he kept us up we'd have kept him on as manager. With regards to Rafa I think you're doing him a huge injustice. I don't know how much of us you've seen this season but we're massively improved under him tactically. Had McClaren left before our 18 day break (like everyone but Charnley knew he should have) then I believe he would have kept us up. I know there's an argument for an emotional manager to have came in, kicked us up the a*** and hope for the best, but i'm sure you especially can tell us that is hardly a winning formula either.
Steve Evans for me. I wouldn't mind giving cathro a shot. I think as Leicester have shown the lower league players can make the step up if good enough. However, foreign players seem to struggle in the face of adversity. We need someone to pick the gems from the lower league.
I don't think its a foregone conclusion that Rafa will go. Stranger things have happened in football recently. If he does leave, I can see Cathro being given the job. When McClaren and his Coaches were sacked, why was Cathro retained as Asst Manager by Rafa. Apparently Rafa received a good reference on him or he'd have been gone as well. Same situation as when Hughton got the job and i think he'd be worth the risk, just as CH was. If not him, it could be anyone - nothing would surprise me anymore. Whether some people like it or not, it will be one of the Top Managerial Jobs on offer in English Football this summer. Plenty of decent Managers/Coaches would crawl to get the gig, working with Ashley or not - Rafa has proven that and slammed the door shut on anyone thinking otherwise.
I heard Coloccini is retiring to become manager next season, Steven Taylor will be his assistant and Cathro will be the next Dundee United manager.
Doesn't say a lot Dundee United are an absolute joke, think they got screwed over financially by debts they were owned from the Rangers debacle.
Funnily enough, Bri did predict that Rafa would struggle to keep us up and said that someone like Pearson would be better. He isn't trolling and judging by the end result (forget the performances) he isn't wrong!
Pearson is the only choice I would make if I was Mile Ashley. Knowing Fat Mike he'll want a Londoner in charge, he'll probably go for Pearce which will end in disaster
There is no way IMHO that Pearson would have done a better job. He'd have had the same issues as Rafa.. and NOT had the fans onside. I honestly don't think him returning to SJP was or will ever be a reality given past dalliances. I've been wrong before though so who knows.
Who knows. Nobody can say for certain. The only thing I can say confidently is that I want the majority of this squad to bugger off before next season starts.
Lots's of media sources saying he is seriously considering staying today regardless, been offered full control over transfers, is having his input into the training ground complex listened to, promised he will basically be in full control of things NUFC a bit like McClown was meant to but clearly wasn't. Could all be tabloid BS but no smoke with out fire. http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...and-could-stay-at-newcastle-reports-1-7903728
Thing about Benitez @ NUFC is it just makes such complete sense. I mean, he's adored, right (JPF aside)? He's close to home, he's got carte blanche, would be a hero for sticking it out, will be paid the same regardless and has already won everything. Why not have a shot at taking a large but hugely unsuccessful club up the table? What alternatives are there? Everton? He couldn't possibly, it's sacrilegious! I'd be fcking made up if he stayed on, it would just be insanely good, even if just pending promotion at the first attempt.
The other glorious thing about it would be that surely with full control of transfers that would spell the end for Graham Carr and Charnley can go back to being an coffee boy for Benitez
IF RAFA LEAVES THEN WHO DO YOU WANT............ NOBODY Last one out the building should turn the lights off when they leave. If he goes we are doomed to years in the wilderness. I am literally praying that he sees the potential and agrees to oversee the rebuild.
Rafa is not going to stay. That is why there was a tentative 3 year contract, but with the option to cut and run at the end of this season depending on the clubs status. He is not going to build a club up, that is not what he does. He goes in to already successful clubs, adds some key signings and wins things. Then moves on. He is not going to look forward to a night at Rotherham and Preston NE, with the chance to add the Championship to his tally. This season as well the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing with Pep, Conte etc moving on, there will be clubs there needing managers who play at the top of the leagues in the best competitions. Even Swansea with Franco might be parting ways and that would leave a EPL club needing a manager.
Who's to say that he isn't looking for a change of direction in his approach to management? He's 56 now, he's managed top teams all over Europe none of whom he's likely to return to...except maybe Valencia. His family are settled in the UK, he loves it here, he loves the premier league, he eats sleeps and breathes football (went to watch athletico train on his honeymoon apparently). So outside of the top 4-6 teams in the premier league currently I can't see anything more attractive than a rebuilding project at NUFC where the city and its fans (much like Rafa) eat sleep and breathe football. The fact that we'll be in the fizzy pop league is immaterial I feel. We would still have the same cup runs (hopefully) we'd have in the big boys league and whilst trips to Rotherham, Brighton, Sheff Wed etc might not seem that attractive on the face of it...it's still football at the end of the day and maybe....just maybe Rafa is looking past all of this in the same way as I am and thinking that he could be on to an amazing thing here where he can see out his managerial years and disappear into the sunset when his work here is done! If he does go tho, there's nee way Pearson will be allowed near the place. He took the club to a tribunal after he was sacked, I can't remember if he won or not but he's pissed on his chips now and I'm pretty certain Ashley would rather **** in his own hands and clap than let Pearson within 100 yards of SJP! We need to unearth the next Koeman, Bilic or Pochettino, Cathro I think could do a decent job and he's surely learnt more from Rafa in 2 months than he ever did in the previous 6 or 7 under McClown. Fingers crossed for Rafa staying though.
