by Libertine »
22 Mar 2013 14:18
USA_Loyal_Royal Libertine Well that didn't turn out as planned...
Poyet pulled a McDermott on us (not that big a deal, nor embarassing, and a bit expected tbf). And it appears Adkins has been ruled out because he doesn't want to manage a club which has a DoF. I guess, for managers currently in the UK, this moves Di Canio back into the frame, unfortunately. Or we can look to the continent for someone with no current ties to football in the UK...
I for one would be in for Blanc. Won a Ligue 1 title with Bordeaux, managed the French National Team, he is currently unemployed...in short a manager with some pedigree, and a relatively high profile to attract players, who doesn't have a job right now. Probably won't result in us loading up on French players (seeing the Toon have the FA's official "French Connection" for some reason), though I would expect to see some added. And I don't care of the players are from France, Russia, Japan or Mars for that matter...if they can play football at a high level I don't care where they are from.
If we are insistent on getting a manager whom has managed in the UK then poaching Mick from Ipswich is an option but, while he has done a decent job wherever he has been, I am a bit underwhelmed at/by the thought.
in for blanc coming here! not sure why he would though having managed France, quite a drop to come in and manage a team highly likely to return to the championship...
Well we are still in the PL for now. And even if relegated we'll have a decent shot of going right back up, though nothing is certain and in fact far from it. Sven managed England and also managed in the Championship. So I don't see possible relegation as a deal killer for a good candidate. We have money at our disposal to bring in players. Coming to Reading to break into English football would be an attractive option for managers from outside the UK. He did come here at the end of his playing career so he is familiar with the football culture in the UK. The question is does Blanc want to come to the UK to manage?
I have my doubts though...I would expect that we would hire Warnock before we would look to the continent. I think the club is bound and determined to get someone whom has worked in, and is from, the UK. So I doubt it will be any sort of a "bold move" on cautious, prudent, well run, Reading's part.