Pity, Cunningham is one of the Irish players I have had most respect for in the last 5 years. I would even tip him to be a successful manager himself in the future, if he chooses to follow that path. Maybe TV would do a good job but there is just something about him I really dislike and I don't want him anywhere near the job. As has been mentioned, if the rumours are true and TV is Delaney's 1st choice he should just come out and say it instead of hiding behind this farcical selection panel. Venables would not be the worst choice available but all other viable options should also be persued to see if we can do better and I think we can easily do better with the funds and the managers available, i.e. Haan, Hodgson.
I know there;s a great desire for a continental type manger here. The rational argument is that British style teams didnt do too well in qualifying. (I guess we also would all love to play like Holland or France). I have 2 problems with this.
British style teams didnt do that badly in qualifying. Scotland were a close third in one of the toughest groups of all time. It's no exaggeration to say they would probably have won in e.g. the Turkey/Greece group. Also, Northern Ireland did brillaintly. Against this was our failure and England's. All that shows is if you appoint someone not up to the job they will fail.
Even if we wanted to play a more continental game, this can't happen if all our players play in England and Scotland. It beggars belief to suggest that they play one way for 46 weeks a year and then turn into 352 players when away with Ireland.
That's a very good point but I feel that transforming the way we play isn't the main benefit, it's more to have a broader understanding of what you're up against at international level.
Getting our players organised & motivated, set up correctly, putting best players in best positions, making the right marginal decisions and getting the balance of the team right are the priorities, not whether we play fancy continental football or not. NI and Scotland did that but England rarely did in my opinion, though whether Venables should take any of the blame is a moot point.
However, the above should be the very basic requirement of any of our managerial candidates. You'd expect that Venables, Hodgson, Haan, O'Leary or whoever would at least do that much. Even Stan had us competitive at home to Germany & Czech Rep., two games that we could have won. Poor finishing in gilt edged positions cost us a win each time. Sure, we could have lost each game too, but don't tell me that wasn't the same when Scotland played France or NI played Spain for example.
If anyone then has something extra to bring e.g., a deeper knowledge of the current international game then that'd be an advantage. Squandering possession & speculative hoofs up the touchline should be anathema. You can be sure a "continental minded" coach would enforce that, you wouldn't be so sure a British style coach would. That's not the same as saying we should go all continental!
Coppell's name was thrown up again this morning. Despite the lack of international experience I think he can do the basics well and has shown that in the current game he can make a decent team of relatively ordinary players. I said ages ago I'd take Coppell in a heartbeat if he became available.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 04/12/2007 at 9:17 AM.
If we didn't have the players to play a better passing game then I'd agree with that but I think with the midfielders we have it's really important they play to their strengths which certainly isn't the hussle and bussle fast paced British style. Obviously someone like Kilbane would relish the physical battle but I'm hoping for a manager that won't be afraid to drop Kilbane.
According to Sky Sports, Coppell is stated as saying that he needs to take a break from football week in week out. International football could be just the ticket for him then, would love to see him manager.
"Well I think they'll be a little disappointed with that" - Matt Holland on TV3 after 5-2 drubbing by Cyprus
Here's the full SKY Rreport:
Steve Coppell is planning to quit Reading and take a break from the game.
Coppell took the Royals into the top flight for the first time two seasons ago, but has become disillusioned with life in the hot seat, and reckons he has taken the Berkshire side as far as he can.
"I'm looking very shortly at having some time off," the 52-year-old told The Sun.
"My first stint at Crystal Palace was nine years, bits here and there, and then Brentford, Brighton, and four years here. I am probably due a break.
"I'd do what Paul Jewell has done, play a bit of golf, get out of the environment a bit, and then try to re-educate. I'd love to go and watch all the top managers here and abroad.
"I can't enjoy management. I work all week to win a game. If we win I have an unbeatable high for 20 minutes, but then it's thinking about the next game.
"If we are beaten, it's a bottomless pit. It goes through my mind when I get beat, do I need this?"
that doesn't sound like a man who'd want to go and manage our rabble!!! I'd love him to take over but I think this job is 12 months too soon i.e. he'd probably fancy it once he had a bit of time off.
"If God had meant football to be played in the air, he'd have put grass in the sky." Brian Clough.
You'll NEVER beat the Irish.......you'll just draw with us instead!!!
If that's what he said, it doesn't for a moment sounds like a man who'd want to get involved in the less frequent, but potentially more pressurised world of International management.
Almost word for word what Dowie said before taking over at Charlton. Coppell would know that the FAI could'nt afford to pay off Reading for his services (probably about 3mil). He hinted last week that he would be interested in international management. He has no chance of getting the England job. Interesting development.
We aren't more attractive than Derby but it will be a killer blow if a manager would prefer to play a few rounds of golf instead.
I think coppell is pre-empting a very tought battle ahead for reading and his trying to sneak out with his reputation intact.According to Sky Sports, Coppell is stated as saying that he needs to take a break from football week in week out. International football could be just the ticket for him then, would love to see him
Coppell plays a very british style of football, how do you think reading would compare against relative teams in Europe? Not very good I would believe, do we really want a manager like that or someone more like stuts pointed out above, who knows what we are up against away from home and against continental teams?!
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
I see foot.ie gets a mention from Hyland in the Herald today as part of the gang up against El Tel getting the job!
bhs
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