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Please, Brian, we want some Mour!

Championship Leicester City
by Robbo Robson (U5722413) 30 November 2007
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Derek 'Robbo' Robson

Brian Barwick looks the picture, doesn't he? He's like a ginger version of Marlon Brando in The Godfather. And he's going to make someone an offer he can't refuse.

The FA are barking.... sorry, embarking on a search for a world-class manager. Surely that was their objective last time?

I've already put myself forward as the only English alternative. Redknapp might still be in the frame but the FA get pretty twitchy if a candidate lives anywhere near a police station, let alone sees the inside of one.

I can understand Harry being upset at the arrest. Sounds like the fuzz gave his missus a gentle reveille at six in the morning. About as subtle as a Nicky Hunt tackle.

My campaign to be the top man is gathering momentum. We have regular meetings and have set up an office - in the Blue Bell - which will be up and running as soon as Tony Thompson sets up some sort of wi-fi doo-dah in the saloon bar.

We've also received donations from a local secretary called Jenny Whatsit. No one's ever met this woman, she might not even exist, but we've decided to just be grateful and not question it. Incidentally, contrary to gossip, I am not a proxy candidate for someone else.

Of course there are those who ask me: "If you were Barwick, who would you choose?"

Well, first of all, I'd step aside and let someone who knows a bit about the game make the decision. It's all very well talking to every Tom, Dick and Harry (all right maybe not Harry at the moment) but frankly it all suggests that next time he's going to share the blame around a bit.

Sven-Goran Eriksson says it's the 'biggest job in football'. He adds: "You must win every game, not do anything in your private life and hopefully not earn too much money." Who knew the bloke had a sense of humour?

Jose would be a GodsendDerek 'Robbo' Robson

Sven's stock rises every day. Man City look great, and in the light of the recent shambles, he looks like something close to a genius. You can't blame the Swede for a flailing Seaman (not a phrase I'm comfortable with but you know what I mean) or a bunch of penalty-taking bottlers, can you?

To my mind, there is no alternative. If Mourinho wants the job, it's his.

Any coach could fashion a top team from the magic cashpoint called Abramovich. Looking at the way Av the Undertaker is coping, there may be some truth in that. Fact is, though, without Mourinho, there wouldn't be a team, just a bunch of mercenaries and John Terry.

Mourinho got them playing together. He made men out of boys like Joe Cole. He showed faith in the likes of Drogba, who for a year or so looked like a big, clumsy galloping foal and is now the best out-and-out centre-forward in the world.

And Jose still has loads of loyalty from his former players. How many footballers cry when a manager leaves? I don't suppose the next England dressing-room will be full of grown men's sniffles as they hanker for their last boss - they'll be more like grinning Cheshire cats.

I mean you have to say JT is still a little in love with Jose, though not as much, or in the same way, as my missus.

Indeed if you want more women coming to see the national team - and to be fair any distractions are welcome given their current form - then Jose'll help.

He won't get caught with his Sloggis down, he might get this bunch of bigwads to function as a unit and - hellfire! - he might get closer than anyone else to actually earning (some) of his wages.

Win, Lose or Draw (Danny Baker's finest hour?), Mourinho will be entertaining. In a post-match world of dreary repetitive cliches - I dunno about you but I'm a bit tired of hearing Stevie Gerrard droning on at the mo and I wish he could let his feet do the talking - Jose would be a Godsend.

So, Mr Barwick, have your series of long lunches and fine wines (somehow I don't see Bri as a Caesar salad and sparkling mineral water man, do you?), meet the great and the good, the old and the new, the thick and the thin (actually, no, give the Beckhams a miss) and then make your choice.

Mourinho. He's the only one I could step aside for.

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comment by superirons93 (U7366089)

posted Dec 2, 2007

mourinho or bust
he could get lamps playing properly
remember what lamps used to be like before the worls cup? thats right, brilliant

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comment by JM75UK (U2102011)

posted Dec 2, 2007

Lampard is the same as he has always been,a selfish,lazy,shoot on sight merchant who was lucky enough to have a short period where a percentage of his many shots actually went somewhere near the goal for a change.

We want someone in charge that has the "Genital fortitude" to not have faves and to drop Lampard if he does not realise that to be a CM you need to be able to graft/work hard/play for the team rather than yourself.

This also needs to be someone that realises that the England Captain should be someone that does not cry off for a "Massive" game and then play for his club three days later.

This person is NOT Maureen,he like Lampard is "Overated" and interested in his own "Image/Ego" rather than things that might actually benefit the team.

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comment by Ohound (U5480169)

posted Dec 2, 2007

Definitely O'Neil-whether he likes it or not. Definitely not Mourinho-he doesnt want it anyway.

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comment by DoctorBoroLove (U8303026)

posted Dec 3, 2007

All these muppets suggesting Mourinho isn't good enough should reflect on the reverse: that it is perhaps England which is not good enough for a manager of his calibre. I'm sure he's not that desperate for the money (unlike Capello) so let's not presume that he'll take the job.

Just as we should not have presumed we would qualify.

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comment by surrendermonkeys (U8232785)

posted Dec 3, 2007

comment by JM75UK
posted 21 Hours Ago

Lampard is the same as he has always been,a selfish,lazy,shoot on sight merchant who was lucky enough to have a short period where a percentage of his many shots actually went somewhere near the goal for a change.

hmmmmm.... i bet you love Gerrard though....? Bit hypocritical how Lampard can be labelled a "shoot on sight merchant" when Gerrard does the EXACT same thing! If my memory serves me right, the match that Lampard played in for England before the abysmal Croatia incident, he scored and won man of the match... that dosent seem lazy to me...

Anyway, O Neil has said no so he is out of the equation so i hope Jose gets it.

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comment by Boro_tyke (U10430034)

posted Dec 3, 2007

Robbo i think you are missing someone for the England managers job. Someone very close to home.......Gareth Southgate.

After all look what happened last time an ex Boro boss was given the job...........oh aye, maybe not then!

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comment by ChelseaPaul (U2007624)

posted Dec 3, 2007

Don't forget that Mourinho won the UEFA cup and then the Champions League with FC Porto. I think that proves even more than his three years at Chelsea that he is the best man possible.

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comment by Benfiquista (U3373691)

posted Dec 3, 2007

"All these muppets suggesting Mourinho isn't good enough should reflect on the reverse: that it is perhaps England which is not good enough for a manager of his calibre. I'm sure he's not that desperate for the money (unlike Capello) so let's not presume that he'll take the job."

I don't think Mourinho and Capello are only looking for money. After their success, they want also good challenges and a team with possibilities to win.
If Capello wants the job, it is because he believes that England can actually win something.

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comment by corzellian (U9314173)

posted Dec 3, 2007


Capello has a good track record at delivering quick success and is experienced in handling the biggest names and egos.

His English is bad... so he will have that in common with the players too.

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comment by Harry's_Super_Spurs (U10229053)

posted Dec 3, 2007

Brilliant article! ok

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