The "relegation is worse than death" quote was equally stupid IMO. It's not just that he is feeling the heat; more seriously he's showing poor judgement. I wouldn't be surprised if others on the board are less than chuffed about it.
Again, disagree. The majority of the fanbase is, at the very least, querying Hughton's continuing tenure. McNally had absolutely no choice but to make both comments - is that feeling the heat? I suppose in a way, but neither were poor judgement - he hasn't forced his own hand and yet has (to the extent of saying "your concerns are ours too") placated the most vocal of the fan base by saying so. Both comments have changed nothing for Hughton - they have, however, put pressure on the players to prove that they want Hughton to stay. "Feeling the heat" suggests that McNally is panicking about his own job or reputation. I don't think he is at all. Both press conferences were carefully calculated and timed - McNally knows that he has far more job security (and credit in the bank) than Hughton. Good PR - saying a lot of buzzwords without saying much at all. Gets the press excited, but changes nothing. To my mind it speaks volumes that the people who disagree with McNally's comments are in the Robbie/Superman vein of thought. Hughton's job is rightfully, obviously, at risk. All McNally has done is say it out loud.
i'm not sure what you mean by this. i can't speak for robbie but i for one think what mcnally is doing (in terms of searching for a replacement) is 100% correct, BUT i do not think he should have made this public as it increases the pressure to a new and imo unnecessary level which has played into the media's hands. i've said before, hughton will be replaced, whether its this season or the summer - he simply can't win enough of the fans back again, no matter what he does and mcnally knows this. that doesn't mean he can't still do a job for us in the meantime, especially if the number one target isn't available. mcnally has now made the situation worse by publicly stating that we are looking for a new manager. imo this was done in order to show the fans who are currently at the most negative end of the spectrum that the board are indeed keeping an eye on things but its backfired to my mind. as i say, i think mcnally is feeling the pressure and its beginning to show. he is human, after all!
But that's it - he hasn't said that we are looking for a new manager. He said that it would be silly not to have a list of alternatives in case a new manager were required (or words to that effect). I.e. he has just said what we always knew - McNally likes to plan for the eventuality that our manager might need replacing (for whatever reason). The way he said it (in the non-commital "it would be rude not to") is deliberately designed to allow people to read it how they want. So the fervent outers can say "great, McNally is hunting for a replacement", while McNally can say to Hughton "I'm just saying that it's good business practice to have a replacement in mind". But then we knew that. So that's why it's an awful lot without saying much. I've no doubt McNally is human. I think (though I'm happy to be proved wrong) that he should have fired Hughton in early December. What I don't think is that this looks like he's under any extreme pressure because it was a controlled response. This is nothing like Huw Jenkins and their erratic decision-making. McNally realised that he needed to say something to appease the fans, but has kept the initiative - he can still choose to fire Hughton whenever he likes because the script has not been publicly written. Smart.
Totally agree Rob, I was beginning to wonder why on earth this thread had reached such gigantic proportions, when at no stage in ´that´ interview did McNally suggest in any way that a Hughton firing was imminent. Yes, he said contingency plans were in place, if a sacking should become necessary, but then we all guessed that anyway. In fact he said quite clearly that the board and he himself, were backing Hughton to keep us up this year. If he does, remains to be seen, and what happens in the summer also remains to be seen, but my reading of that interview, was that he´s here until the summer at the very least.
Lets face it, McNally didn't use the questions to reaffirm his position of support for Hughton. Thankfully it looks like he will be pushed out for a fresh direction in the Summer. I cannot stand the prospect of Lennon and all that chest thumping rubbish.
So, best will in the world, who would be a/the viable candidate in your eyes. I'm sure I'm not the only person on the forum who'd like a tad more insight into your aspirations for our club?
It's like a transfer window about to close moment waiting to see what may transpire! Is there a deadline for the reply? I'm not sure what 'chest thumping rubbish' really means. Is this an antipathy to passion?
Pud, stop trying to flog our manager and our players to prove a point to the English that we are not ****e As to the question would Neil Lennon do ok? He's a prodigy of Martin O'Neil (as was Paul Lambert) ... (as was both O'Neil and John Robertson of Brian Clough). I think he does well because he works well with Johan Mjallby, who was also a member of the best Celtic side (under O'Neil and Robertson) for a generation. Between Lennon and Mjallby I think they know how to manage a football team. I think the very same was true of Martin O'Neil and John Robertson - and part of the reason O'Neil failed at Sunderland was because he didn't have a Robertson type figure at his side... So aye, I'd only take Lennon if he came as a package (and actually if I had to take only one of them I'd take Mjallby).
Rob, can I just confirm as to whether or not you think Hootun should have been sacked in December, possibly after the Liverpool game? It's just that you don't mention it much....
Sorry! it's just the one time I failed to mention it I got told I must be an "inner" because I said we might as well stick with him. Living in fear of being cast out by the "outers" ever since
To all who are "inners" or "outers": The sleeping bag, a poem: On the outside grows the furside. On the inside grows the skinside. So the furside is the outside and the skinside is the inside. As the skinside is the inside (and the furside is the outside) One ‘side’ likes the skinside inside and the furside on the outside. Others like the skinside outside and the furside on the inside As the skinside is the hard side and the furside is the soft side. If you turn the skinside outside, thinking you will side with that ‘side’, Then the soft side furside’s inside, which some argue is the wrong side. If you turn the furside outside – as you say, it grows on that side, Then your outside’s next the skinside, which for comfort’s not the right side. For the skinside is the cold side and your outside’s not your warm side And the two cold sides coming side-by-side are not the right sides one ‘side’ decides. If you decide to side with that ‘side’, turn the outside furside inside Then the hard side, cold side, skinside’s, beyond all question, inside outside. Herbert Ponting F.R.P.S. (Anyone who saw the film of Scott's last antarctic expedition will remember this from the Christmas Party scene. It is funnier when recited while struggling with a sleeping bag than just reading it through).
I was making a point? No such thing intended I'm afraid. Was just reminded of the poem (by the terms "inner" and "outer").
So we would need Robertson too Mick? It would be a good time for Celtic to blood a new manager as they have no rivals to speak of for a few decades.
According to this carefully worded 'soundbite' Lennon is going nowhere as he has unfinished business at Celtic. Though you could well interpret it as a "come and get me" statement. I don't remember hearing him mentioned in connection with Norwich until McNally spoke last week. If, as reported, he was at the Fulham cup replay, why didn't the rumour mill kick in much sooner? Although after the abject display he witnessed from us that night, he probably left before half time
Apologies, forgot to include link and stupid site won't let me edit post. http://www.clubcall.com/norwich-city/celtic-boss-still-playing-down-norwich-talk-1713733.html?
This first came up a month ago and was mentioned by the BBC on 19th January (as well as in the Mail and Star and other rumour mills around the same time). Lennon was actually asked about it then too. DM's interviews last week simply re-stirred the pot.
