We nearly had McClaren!

[East Stander 0]

Got a lot of respect for Steve Gibson and what he has done for his football club. An interesting piece on him in the Times today where he reveals how McClaren used the smoggs for his own self promotion and almost joined us.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3021988.ece

[Bombadil 0]

Speaking of McClaren, here's what Ince thinks about the England vacancy:

 

Former England international Paul Ince says it is a "sad indictment of us as a nation" that the FA is consulting so many foreigners about who should be England boss, and would re-appoint Glenn Hoddle or Terry Venables (Times).

 

[sandman02uk 0]

Speaking of McClaren, here's what Ince thinks about the England vacancy:

 

Former England international Paul Ince says it is a "sad indictment of us as a nation" that the FA is consulting so many foreigners about who should be England boss, and would re-appoint Glenn Hoddle or Terry Venables (Times).

 

 

that right there is why hes not even a football pundit

[Scottish Mag 3]

IT'S AL V MAC FOR TOON

 

Alan Shearer is ready to answer Newcastle's SOS call and take over from Sam Allardyce as their next manager.

 

But the Toon legend has a surprise rival for the job - former England boss Steve McClaren.

 

Wednesday's battling 1-1 draw against Arsenal earned Allardyce a stay of execution, but Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has made up his mind that Big Sam is not the man he wants, and is set to axe him in the New Year.

 

Top of Ashley's list is Shearer, and after being ruled out of the running for the England manager's job, the Geordie hero has told friends he is ready return to St James' Park and take charge.

 

The appointment of Shearer would be massively popular with the Toon Army, as he ranks among the greatest players to have worn the black and white shirt.

 

However, sources close to McClaren have revealed he is monitoring Allardyce's situation, and sees it as the perfect opportunity to make a rapid return to club management.

 

The former Middlesbrough manager, who still lives in the North East, said: "In the New Year I'm going to start getting back into some work, and involvement in football at some stage because I still believe I'm a football person. I'm a coach, I'm a manager.

 

"I've worked all my life in football and I want that to continue. Despite England only joining up every couple of months, you're not working with players day in, day out - I miss that. I miss it even more now, not actually being involved in something to focus on.

 

"I think I've still got a lot to offer football. It's only been two weeks, but it seems like a lifetime."

 

Allardyce continues to enjoy a fragile relationship with his players. Before the Arsenal game he blasted them for the leaks which have flowed out of the club in recent weeks.

 

That followed stories of unrest among the players after Allardyce told them they would be spending four days in London after Christmas when they would have preferred to remain with their families.

 

Another problem for Allardyce concerned reports that players found his training boring, and those stories were papered over when keepers Shay Given and Steven Harper issued a statement of denial. But the players are still unhappy with Allardyce's regime, and another bone of contention is the decision to appoint Geremi as captain, as the rest of the squad do not see him as a leader.

 

After being given close to £30million to spend in the summer, Allardyce wants more funds next month, and top of his list is Werder Bremen's Brazilian midfielder Diego, who is rated at £10million.

 

But Big Sam could be in for a shock as Ashley is thinking of putting a freeze on further spending and may instead save his cash for a new manager to spend next summer.

 

While Ashley owns the club, chairman Chris Mort has insisted HE alone will decide if Allardyce keeps his job. "On a day-to-day basis I run the club and Sam manages the team," said Mort.

 

"Mike is very determined to remain a supporter. He has got his day job running a very substantial business and he does not need another one."

[acrossthepond 899]

IT'S AL V MAC FOR TOON

 

Alan Shearer is ready to answer Newcastle's SOS call and take over from Sam Allardyce as their next manager.

 

But the Toon legend has a surprise rival for the job - former England boss Steve McClaren.

 

Wednesday's battling 1-1 draw against Arsenal earned Allardyce a stay of execution, but Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has made up his mind that Big Sam is not the man he wants, and is set to axe him in the New Year.

 

Top of Ashley's list is Shearer, and after being ruled out of the running for the England manager's job, the Geordie hero has told friends he is ready return to St James' Park and take charge.

 

The appointment of Shearer would be massively popular with the Toon Army, as he ranks among the greatest players to have worn the black and white shirt.

 

However, sources close to McClaren have revealed he is monitoring Allardyce's situation, and sees it as the perfect opportunity to make a rapid return to club management.

 

The former Middlesbrough manager, who still lives in the North East, said: "In the New Year I'm going to start getting back into some work, and involvement in football at some stage because I still believe I'm a football person. I'm a coach, I'm a manager.

 

"I've worked all my life in football and I want that to continue. Despite England only joining up every couple of months, you're not working with players day in, day out - I miss that. I miss it even more now, not actually being involved in something to focus on.

 

"I think I've still got a lot to offer football. It's only been two weeks, but it seems like a lifetime."

 

Allardyce continues to enjoy a fragile relationship with his players. Before the Arsenal game he blasted them for the leaks which have flowed out of the club in recent weeks.

 

That followed stories of unrest among the players after Allardyce told them they would be spending four days in London after Christmas when they would have preferred to remain with their families.

 

Another problem for Allardyce concerned reports that players found his training boring, and those stories were papered over when keepers Shay Given and Steven Harper issued a statement of denial. But the players are still unhappy with Allardyce's regime, and another bone of contention is the decision to appoint Geremi as captain, as the rest of the squad do not see him as a leader.

 

After being given close to £30million to spend in the summer, Allardyce wants more funds next month, and top of his list is Werder Bremen's Brazilian midfielder Diego, who is rated at £10million.

 

But Big Sam could be in for a shock as Ashley is thinking of putting a freeze on further spending and may instead save his cash for a new manager to spend next summer.

 

While Ashley owns the club, chairman Chris Mort has insisted HE alone will decide if Allardyce keeps his job. "On a day-to-day basis I run the club and Sam manages the team," said Mort.

 

"Mike is very determined to remain a supporter. He has got his day job running a very substantial business and he does not need another one."

 

 

Any actual quotes about the Toon job? No? Piss off.

The only believable information in this writeup is the bit about the decision to appoint Geremi as captain. But that is probably also invented, if plausible.

[Kid Dynamite 7317]

Id take diego like! He was rated on a par with Robinho when they were both playing in brazil

[Guest Patrokles]

http://www.toontastic.net/board/index.php?...mp;#entry354633

 

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Speaking of McClaren, here's what Ince thinks about the England vacancy:

 

Former England international Paul Ince says it is a "sad indictment of us as a nation" that the FA is consulting so many foreigners about who should be England boss, and would re-appoint Glenn Hoddle or Terry Venables (Times).

 

 

that right there is why hes not even a football pundit

I think maybe being a manager (and he's not doing bad at MK Dons) is why he's "not even a pundit."