Let's go Dutch - Koeman in frame to
take City job after Pearce pays price for failure
Manchester City have put PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman on their
shortlist to replace Stuart Pearce. On a remarkable day of
Premiership activity yesterday, City brought Pearces two-year
tenure to an end after another disappointing season, while Paul
Jewell resigned as manager of Wigan.
Pearce was sacked at lunchtime and City chairman John Wardle
immediately held talks about a replacement with former Thai prime
minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was visiting the club for the
first time ahead of his proposed takeover. It is understood that
City have not yet identified a No 1 target, but the Thai party are
convinced a foreign coach is the best way forward and have
pencilled in Koeman as a candidate.
The former Holland international has expressed an interest in
English football and is known to be seeking a way into the
Premiership. Koeman, formerly with Benfica and Ajax, said: "I am a
person who likes to go outside of Holland, it is good for your
experience. I like the way they play in England, how the people
react. "I think it is a pleasure to work there. The possibilities
for most English clubs are much bigger because of their money. So,
maybe."
City sources have indicated that a Thai takeover may not be far
away and although former Ajax boss Co Adriaanse and fellow Dutchmen
Louis van Gaal will be considered, they have ruled out moves for
Sven Goran Eriksson and Claudio Ranieri.
