Managerial Merry-go-round

[Paul Cooper]

Paul Lambert probably not going to sleep well tonight

At least he got his wish. The FA Cup won't ;get in the way' anymore!

[Mooro]

Bournemouth approached by both Torquay and Northampton for permission to talk to coach Chris Hargreaves, http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co ... p?a=344430
with him appearing to have opted for the south coast side http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/T ... story.html

Ian Holloway now odds on for Millwall, with Dave Jones at 10s, 20/1 bar these two
Caretaker Andy King has been told by Northampton to continue in charge for now, so is very much in the box seat for the permanent position, refelcted in 4/6 odds at the bookies. Martin Allen is at 8s, with Brian Laws and Iain Dowie at 12s and Hargreaves drifting out to 16s.

Another caretaker odds on to take over permanently is StuartGray at Wednesday, with Paul Ince at 6s and Ian holloway at 8s, 20/1 bar these three.

West Brom are taking an age to find the right guy, with Mendilibar now edging ahead of Mackay at the top of the pile and someone called Quique flores next in lne.


Meanwhile the Hammers board have issued an open letter of support for Big Sam, though the bookies are not impressed with him 2/1 on to be next Premier manager to go, with Lambert hovering between 6-8s.

[Mooro]

Ian Holloway now odds on for Millwall, with Dave Jones at 10s, 20/1 bar these two
.

....and this is why - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25624951

[Hog]

Hargreaves in at Turkey

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25628331

[Mooro]

Steve Burr goes at Kiddie to be replaced (rather quickly) by Andy Thorn.
Burr immediately goes into the mix for Noton at 2/1 behind caretaker Andy King - 33/1 bar these two.

Gray still in situ at Wednesday, with only Paul Ince (10's) at less than 33/1 - would he be looking to leave Blackpool once Tom heads to the Premiership?

West Brom seem to be taking an age to find the right man, with German Thomas Schaaf latest to top the list. Dave jones (4s) and Quique Flores (6-7s) next on the list. Stories exist that Zola has been interviewed, he's at 10s, while former favourite Jose Luis Mendilibar has drifted out to 16s as has Malky Mackay, now at 20s.
Schaaf started playing for Werder Bremen in 1978 and has been at the club ever since, becoming manager in 1999, but left in the summer after 14 years, 645 games, 6 trophies and 6 Champions League campaigns at the helm. Not sure he'll get any of those at the Hawthorns, but you never know!

[Mooro]

Pepe Mel, who headed the bookies list at one stage before being discounted by the club, has tonight been appointed by West Brom

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25677329

Good summary from Pat Murphy:
"West Brom can put as much gloss on this appointment as they wish - 'our number one candidate' said the statement - but they went back to Pepe Mel because they were running out of options. He was also available, with no compensation necessary, a matter close to the heart of chairman Jeremy Peace.

"If they were so keen on Mel, who we're told impressed them early in the process, why didn't they find the necessary wriggle room to land him a fortnight ago, rather than allowing the talks to founder over Mel's wish to bring in more than just one member of his support staff? Was there another reason why West Brom went cold on him?

"And if Mel was the outstanding candidate, why was the club still interviewing others up until late Wednesday, and hoping Keith Downing would hold the reins until the summer when a more suitable candidate could be found?

"I wonder if Mel will bring in more of his own backroom staff over the coming months. That'll give a clue as to who held the upper hand in his subsequent negotiations with West Brom. Did they go back to Mel because they'd been knocked back by several other candidates, and did Mel know that, thereby strengthening his negotiating hand?"

[Paul Cooper]

Chris Hughton and even Darren Ferguson (and Paul Ince?) could be close to the edge now.

My bet would be on Hughton to go soon especially with the PL riches and the growing differential financially with the Championship.

[A-Ro]

Paul Ince has parted company with Blackpool apparently.

[Mooro]

Paul Ince has parted company with Blackpool apparently.

Confirmed - Barry Ferguson to take over as player-manager until the end of the season....

No great surprise really as apart from the dreadful on-field run, 8 defeats in 9,
he also had a five match suspension for shoving the 4th official against the tunnel wall,
drove his son to a meeting in London with potential buyers in Monaco
& has yet to submit a list of potential targets to the Chairman to consider, with only ten days of the window left

Surely the end for him as a manager?

[SWA]

Graham Turner has left Shrewsbury Town

[Mooro]

Graham Turner has left Shrewsbury Town

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25833662

was 7th on the current list of longest serving, but that only refers to his second stint at the Shrews
Happy retirement Graham

[Mooro]

Interesting developments today at NOrthampton, who are reported to have approached another League two club for their manager (ie. Oxford)
Victor and StanJames have cautiously installed him at 2/1, behind caretaker Andy King at 10/11, while SkyBet have gone Wilder 7/4 & King 2/1......
All three have Juston Edinburgh at 7/2, although he is quoted as having turned down a direct approach (rather than to the club) from Northampton.


Meanwhile -
Stuart Gray is pretty much home and hosed at Wednesday
current captain and caretaker BArry Ferguson remains favourite at Blackpool, from Paul Hartley then usual suspects Appleton, Phelan & Coyle
and O'Driscoll top the pile to replace Turner at Shrewsbury, from caretaker Mike Jackson, departing coach John Trewick & Mr Appleton.

Interstingly, after all the interest in him of a couple of months ago, Wilder is not listed for either of the new jobs...

[slappy]

Uli Landvreugd & Dick Schreuder take charge at Barnet.

[JoeyBeauchamp]

Ultimate nightmare scenario - Wilder to Northampton and we end up with...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25888710

[SmileyMan]

So who currently fits the 'perfect' profile to replace Wilder?

1) Out of contract - we can't afford compensation
2) Experience at Championship/League One level - we should be aiming for promotion and have the knowledge bank to keep us up
3) Ability to work with existing squads and a tight budget rather than blowing a big wad on bringing in a new bunch of players

I'm not going to comment on styles, because I don't hold a lot of store by what whinging fans of other clubs say about their ex-managers, and we'll get what we get.

Ince and Lomas come to mind immediately, but I'm sure there's loads others.