Constant noise at the moment eh! About our new Director of Football and manager. On the one hand, it’s potentially an exciting time. But the longer it drags helps no-one. I suspect a Director of Football will be in place early April and then a manager to follow quickly (hopefully).
By the way – should the fans start singing ‘Come Feel the Noise’ when we get back to crowds? Appropriate for us in a big stadium! I also used the title of the article…..a song from Ian Dury….as an ironic twist to the fact that we have reasons to be cheerful, possibly….
Reasons to be Cheerful pt. 3
At the moment, we’re in a place where fans will either look at the lack of decision on a manager and director of football or we’ll feel excited at the possibilities on the horizon. My own take is we’re in a good place. There – it’s been said. We’re in a good place.
The number of suggestions, rumours and general noise about who will manage us next season is reaching a bit of a crescendo but looking at it on a weekly basis, there are some continuous names that keep cropping up. So to start with and look at the Director of Football position.
Fergal Harkin is the name that keeps cropping up and with an impressive cv in scouting – and at a very, very successful club – it would make sense that we appoint him. However, the structure going forward is vital and this could be a determining factor in who we appoint. If it’s Harkin, who would he work with best?
Enzo Maresca obviously knows Fergal Harkin well from their joint tenure at Manchester City and in many ways, it might make sense to appoint a dual combination from a successful club, that had a vision for the future. However, with a number of other managers potentially interested, it might make sense to look at the most likely appointments and give short shrift to some of outlandish claims in the press for the job at present.
The likely lads
• Enzo Maresca – great credentials but unproven at a proper level? This is a tough one to decide on, as he could be a great appointment but any manager coming in needs to understand the importance of long-term success (and a long-term project).
• Eddie Howe – I think Howe will realise the expectations. That’s a plus. However, he needs to see if it’s a long-term project he can invest himself in and have the freedom to do his own thing. There are also rumours that if he found a gig like Crystal Palace, it might be easier for him moving the family…..
• Jesse Marsch – What an appointment that would be but it’s hard to know as Jesse has talked up his link with Celtic but then said he is committed to Salzburg. Make of that what you will.
• Frank Lampard – rumours from McLeish? I’ll take that with a pinch of salt but he is a winner, he puts through young players although I would imagine he’s settled in England with his wife and would most likely see an EPL or Championship job as more suited to him
Doubtful
• Steve Clarke – he has the Euros coming up and we need a manager now so not happening.
• Jesse Marsch – Marsch has come out and talked warmly about staying with Salzburg, so perhaps doubtful now.
• David Moyes – his contract has been extended by West Ham so put that to bed.
• Roy Keane – Roy hasn’t been a manager proper for years now and as much as he is a serial winner, we need a young, innovative manager, so probably not him.
All of this just proves that we need the Director of Football in place asap. Perhaps we thought when Lennon left, we would have this appointment in place by April but given the speed which managers are available, it would make sense to appoint by the start of April and then look to secure a new manager by mid-April or late at the very absolute. This would give the new team time to plan for Europe (not much time but a wee bit) and then start to carve their new footballing template for a long-term project.
In all honesty, the Maresca/Harkin double act is appealing but perhaps we might get Harkin but go for someone else as manager. It really depends on how interested Marsch is or Howe. Either one of them would be a statement of intent, allowing the team to be shaped with a new footballing strategy and a long-term plan of fitness, coaching, youth progress and of course, winning.
All we can do is “wait and see”. We should find out before long though, as with season ticket renewals just round the corner, Dermot Desmond will want to appoint at least one of these roles in order to sell a future of success and accept the first league title of the new club. We have plenty of time to repair the damage – as long as we have the right team in place, off the park as well as on it. As Yazz said in 1988 – the only way is up.
Paul McShane
COMING SOON…
