[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

The fact that Citeh have cut ties with Sven indicates that somebody, probably Hughes, has committed in some way?

I'd rather he went to Chelsea because the only benefit of going to Citeh over staying would be more money. A very unstable job choice.

[thenodrog]

Nicko, is this defo true then, MH to leave for Man Citeh? I can understand him leaving for Chelski, just not for Man Citeh, surely a man of his intelligence can see that their owner will sack him within 12months.

Not totally sure Nicko can offer any input here ihtd, apparently Mrs nicko has allowed him to place a large wedge on Hughes to Chelsea last week.

[mrsjansen]

Id be gutted if Hughes left us for city, think id be even more gutted if we got allerdyce. I can understand him wanting chelski but city? Surely if he went to city his status as a united legend would go out the window, and he wouldnt get the job there.

[modes98]

Replacement wise my first choice would Billic from the Croatian national team.

Billic would be a good manager in the premiership. The only issue is whether he would want to move on yet.

As Nicko says this has just come at a convenient time for Sparky and it makes you wonder how much of it is him and maybe even rovers just trying to get a definite response from chelsea and get on with the summer.

Edit: Got to the point that rovers have to stick a statement up on the website. Even if it just says that we have not received an approach for Hughes and we don't welcome any. Although that may wreck his games with Chelsea.

[philipl]

Thanks Nicko,

That piece in the Evening Standard reads exactly like a job application for Chelsea if you think about how each of the aspects of Hughes' performance is examined and ticked. (For Dunne changing his mind about leaving City, read Drogba leaving Chelsea)

And of course London readers really do give a flying one about what happens at Eastlands- hardly likely to get buyers rushing to the news-stands!

I wonder how Thaksin and Abramovich feel about being manipulated so publicly like this?

At some point today, there are going to be some long odds on Hughes going to Chelsea and Scolari to City.

[nicko]

I wonder how Thaksin and Abramovich feel about being manipulated so publicly like this?

It's the way the game goes...

At least we should have some results and actions in the next few days.

Chelsea HAVE to get an answer from Scolari today or before 'Thursday' or they could lose Sparky.

It strikes me Sparky is happy to use the Man City link because he's not fussed about going there. Has Thaksin suddenly found money?

In the meantime Sparky's Chelsea supporters can now tell Roman - 'hurry up or we might lose him, you can't wait for Big Phil to get his ass in gear...'

You can read it like a book.

[nicko]

Not totally sure Nicko can offer any input here ihtd, apparently Mrs nicko has allowed him to place a large wedge on Hughes to Chelsea last week.

I've also backed Scolari. Two horses in the race, big prices.

And remember Betfair's favourite is a non-runner.

[nicko]

MAN CITY TO APPROACH FOR YOUR MANAGER WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR...

It's getting interesting.

[nono91291]

MAN CITY TO APPROACH FOR YOUR MANAGER WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR...

It's getting interesting.

Now we'll really find out the intentions of Chelsea, this should force their hand if he really is in the top two for them.

[philipl]

MAN CITY TO APPROACH FOR YOUR MANAGER WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR...

It's getting interesting.

That's helpful in all regards, how does Hughes avoid showing City are not top of his hit parade whilst Chelsea are sorting themselves out?- he could easily betray the fact that City are an OK but not dream move and I suspect that would put a big dampener on Thaksin's ardour.

The simplest way for Hughes to stall on City would be for Rovers to chuck a little hurdle or two in the way. Hopefully JW will get whatever undertakings he needs from Hughes in terms of what Sparky will and will not do when/if he's elsewhere in return.

That said, too many papers have run the Zico story for him not to be on City's radar.

[ihtd]

I'm guessing Scolari has about 2/3 hours to tell Chelsea his real intentions because if Sparky is as highly regarded by the top brass at Chelski, then Roman is going to make his mind up very quickly. I can understand him going Chelsea, the fact he's played for them, supported them as a boy and then the money to match his ambition. Yet Man Citeh, a team he's never played for, a team with an owner who has pathetic expectations from a first season. Surely the fact he said he only wants to manage teams he's played for would make him not want the Man City job? Also if he ever wants that Man Utd job one day, could he really go across the city from Eastlands to Trafford?

Personally, i think this is going to be used to really force Roman's hand because otherwise, this is going to be a long-drawn out affair that's eventually going to affect us more than any of the other parties. The club needs to know where they stand so a replacement can be appointed and transfers can be made. We don't want a situation that come the end of the month, Sparky leaves on July 1st, Bentley leaves after, RSC, Samba etc and we have no manager and the spine of the team missing.

[den]

If City are to approach rovers, then Hughes has told City he'll go.

[EwoodGlory]

I'm not so sure he would go to City, this is to hurry Chelsea into making a decision, or getting £3m a year at our place.

[nicko]

If City are to approach rovers, then Hughes has told City he'll go.

Very good observation.

However I think the guy is ruthless enough to use this, go and speak to Man City, take a day or so to decide and give Chelsea an ultimatum in the process.

Mind you, if he does go and talk to Man City I don't think you can have him back - even if he says no.

You cannot have a manager tell players to abide by their contracts and then go off flirting with other clubs.

These are very vital times.

[rover6]

The Man City interest reminds me of Portsmouth's interest in Ryan Nelsen.

There we were, rather complacently, assuming that a move to Pompey for Nelsen wouldn't be attractive - and suddenly, shock/horror, Nelsen admitted he would consider any offer.

I fear that Hughes will seriously consider the Man City job, despite Chelsea's reported interests. City have much potential with a great youth set up, some top notch players and a benefactor. And if City treat him properly, Hughes may not wait for Chelsea. It would not be the first time that a coveted individual has opted for the less obvious choice when in talks with a number of parties. I remember Boumsong turned down Liverpool in favour of Rangers because, having spoken to both, he felt that Rangers genuinely wanted him and treated him with the proper respect.

[nicko]

City have much potential with a great youth set up, some top notch players and a benefactor.

And a record for losing them.

[philipl]

Not disagreeing with you Nicko but 'Arry has bent Pompey all over the place- at least Sparky hasn't spent a few months with the dingles mid-reign! Pompey have the luxury of fat pay cheques and picking slightly over the top players although Diarra is having to be told "do what I say and not what I've done".

[Craigman]

Just had an official text saying that Blackburn have had an official approach from Man City to speak to M Hughes.

http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/New...1322185,00.html

[nicko]

Not disagreeing with you Nicko but 'Arry has bent Pompey all over the place- at least Sparky hasn't spent a few months with the dingles mid-reign! Pompey have the luxury of fat pay cheques and picking slightly over the top players although Diarra is having to be told "do what I say and not what I've done".

So what do you say to Bentley, Roque and the rest when clubs come calling?

When it comes to managers talking to other clubs I'm about as soft line as Stalin.

[philipl]

Its at this point that David Brown's satelite phone packs up then!

[Eddie]

Yep, but football history shows that managers always feel that they will be the one to turn things around. Hughes will look at City and see the following things:

1) An impressive stadium.

2) A huge support base.

3) The possibility of large amounts of money (which he would obviously have to be assured of in order to take the job).

4) A squad that already contains players capable of being a part (some even a key part) of a very good team (Dunne, Richards, Petrov, Elano).

5) A squad that also contains players who may turn out to be the real deal (couple interesting keepers, Johnson, Bojinov...etc)

6) Pay rise.

The two major downsides:

1) Would he be able to manage United later on?

2) Not a great owner by the looks of things.

[rover6]

Just had an official text saying that Blackburn have had an official approach from Man City to speak to M Hughes.

http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/New...1322185,00.html

Let all Hell and it's wretched inhabitants break loose.

[Eddie]

So what do you say to Bentley, Roque and the rest when clubs come calling?

When it comes to managers talking to other clubs I'm about as soft line as Stalin.

Agree. If he opens the door at City he closes it at us.

[vintageadidas]

Bye bye Hughes! Gutted!

[roversmum]

Just had an official text saying that Blackburn have had an official approach from Man City to speak to M Hughes.

http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/New...1322185,00.html

Oh dear. The day wasn't going well to start with............................................