I forgot he'd been an international manager already - not that I should have after that match! It's not a bad call already. It's certainly desperate to say that England have "been down the international route" and it hasn't worked because it's all about the people, not about the fact they were international. I would also argue that they all did better than Hodgson anyway! So not a bad shout for Bilic (and Guus Hiddink for that matter), but considering how much the FA are prepared to pay, they should be able to get the best. And if you looked at Hodgson's record prior to appointment it really didn't stand up to much scrutiny even back when he was appointed. Can anyone remember what he was in the betting at the time - I don't want to drag up the Harry wounds again, but I don't think Hodgson was second favourite was he?
I doubt The FAckwits would even consider paying a club compensation, which means their selection comes down to which managers are currently available - and here's a few names from that list... Carlo Ancelotti Rudi Garcia Marcelo Bielsa Laurent Blanc Luis Andre de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas Roberto Martinez Garry Monk David Moyes Gary Neville Remi Garde Steve McClaren Dim Sherwood
Ancelotti is going to leave Bayern to manage our bunch of losers? I don't think so, the guy has a reputation to uphold .
I guess that rules out the tabloid's favourite Wenger, as reputation is what he's been dining out on for a decade...
For anyone missing a Scottish presence in the Euros, today is Heart's opening game of the season. They face FC Infonet of Estonia in a home game that kicks off at the same time as Poland v Portugal. That's their reward for coming 3rd in the SPL. Kicking off the campaign in June. Last season's Scottish Cup Final was played a little over a month ago on May 21st. How are you supposed to prepare for anything with a break that short?
Gayle goes in the opposite direction. I reckon he's a good player with more than a touch of Defoe about him.
Matt Ritchie has also joined Newcastle, for a reported £12m fee. Seems an odd move, especially as a bunch of Premier League teams scouted him, including us. Edit: I just tried to check the Premier League board to see the Geordies' reaction to these moves. Oops!
The BBC are reporting that Steve Mandanda is the latest player to join Palace, joining for an undisclosed fee: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36680273 Somebody really should tell the BBC that, as his contract with Paralympique Marseilles expired yesterday at 11:59pm, there is no fee involved at all - and, no, they can't blame Jeremy Corbyn for their latest shonky excuse for journalism.
