Settle down everyone – I’ll admit that was a cruel headline to have you spitting your corn flakes everywhere in disgust.
But, Steve Coppell resigned as manager of Reading last night after they were knocked out of the play-offs by a very impressive Burnley side. This despite John Madjeski’s earlier insistence on Radio 5 Live that they wouldn’t be discussing the managerial situation ‘until next week at the earliest’ regardless of the result.
Now, we know Sanchez lives in Reading (and played for them, of course). He used that local knowledge to organise that inspired swap – Seol for Rosenior, who looked absolutely gutted last night (as you would), poor chap. He’s been out of work for around a year and a half now. Okay, his last job didn’t exactly go to plan but he was great as Northern Ireland manager, you know?
So how about it?
Don’t scare me like that!
He would be ideal he perhaps could exchange Seol, back in exchange for Rosenior!
Sure, let him coach Reading, Man U, Man City, City Man, Biggleswade Town….whatever. As long as I never see him on a Fulham sideline again.
I don’t hate Reading THAT much. Hope it doesn’t happen but you’re right that there’s a good chance it will. I bet Lawrie won’t waste any time in letting them know he’s available and just wasn’t given enough time at Fulham.
Liam would just love that. I spoke to his dad a while back, who told what liam thought of Sanchez. He said that he was worse than anyone imagined – some statement!
I think Liam was fairly harshly treated by the boo boys towards the end of his career at Fulham. He wasn’t as bad as he was made out to be. That said his career probably hasn’t kicked on as he would hoped. I felt he made a mistake in challenging Thompson for the ball last night for the Burnley second, but that wasn’t the reason Reading lost the tie.
I’d welcome Liam back to Fulham like a shot. I’m probably being overly sentimental but I still think he could add something to our squad.
Sanchez got it wrong at Fulham, but has got it right other places, and can coach teams to great results. Even the greatest in their field can make bad mistakes. I don’t wish him ill (without him we probably wouldn’t have got Hodgson!, or had all that excitement towards the end of last season…..) and I hope he gets the job at Reading and takes them back to the Prem, where they belong. Then we can have the pleasure of him crossing the pitch at the cottage. I’m sure we will give him a warm reception!
Not sure about that James.
Sanchez was a truly horrific coach at Fulham. He changed our style of play from a passing, possession based game to long ball but then sold one of the two forwards who could make it work (McBride being the other) to Bolton. His buys were largely disappointing and when McBride got injured we had no Plan B. Not to mention the fact that the tactics meant we bypassed two talented ball players in the middle of the field in Davis and Murphy.
I don’t bear him any ill will either, I just don’t think he’s suited to Premier League management. I hope for the Reading fans sake he’s not able to get his hands on their side. The football’s really grim and makes you wonder how else you could spent your Saturday afternoon. As for Reading belonging in the Prem, last season showed they didn’t. They had a great first year but failed to kick on.
The man I feel genuinely sorry for is Coppell. A good man and a good coach. Can’t help feeling he was rather hamstrung in the second half of this season by his chairman’s desire to sell the club on.
Meant to add that, besides Northern Ireland, Sanchez’s record is pretty poor. Wycombe fans don’t speak highly of him. Any coach can manage the odd excellent result, but the best bring about some consistency. Sanchez wasn’t entirely lacking in that department – we were consistently awful when he was in charge.