Harry Redknapp may have ruled himself out of the vacant
Newcastle United managers job, but speculation continues to
surround the position.
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is the new bookies' favourite, despite
insisting he's happy at Ewood Park, while former Newcastle striker
Alan Shearer has the support of the fans.
Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, secure in his post at Old Trafford, is
convinced Newcastles top job is one of the toughest around.
I would say Newcastle are the most difficult club to manage in the
game, gobbling up managers and spitting them out again with hardly
a pause," he told United Review.
Their list of sacked bosses reads like a whos who of football
with some of the greatest players taking up the challenge, though
not for very long.
Its the demand for instant success that seems to rankle Sir Alex
most.
Top-class players like Jack Charlton, Ossie Ardiles, Kevin Keegan,
Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness
have all been and gone.
Surely one of that distinguished band of legends would have been
successful if the directors, supporters and media had shown a
little more patience and given the guys in the hot seat time to
plan and build.
Sam Allardyce had the job for only eight months after success at
Bolton and being tipped as the next England manager! If they
regarded their managers as something more than ships passing in the
night they might achieve the stability and consistency that is the
basis of success at any club.