I don’t expect Mancini to be managing in England next season. Sir Alex Ferguson looks like possibly winning his greatest league title. His youngsters have risen to the challenge and have overhauled Man City and don’t look like capitulating like their noisy neighbours. Will Ferguson want one final attempt at Champions League glory. Or will he hand over the reigns to a younger man. Could Mourinho or Moyes be ready to fill Sir Alex’s shoes. Is the great man ready to give it all up yet. I think we will see one more season from him.
Alan Pardew as I have continually maintained deserves recognition for where he has taken Newcastle. An unpopular choice when appointed, he now lives a god like status amongst the St. James Park faithful. They deserve a run in next seasons Europa League and regardless how their season finishes, Pardew will still be their manager next season.
Paul Lambert is the first of two highly respected newcomer managers in the league this year. His Norwich team are quite attractive to watch and he has built a real team ethic there. Obviously the second season is the test for newly promoted clubs but Lambert will still be Norwich manager. Mark Hughes doesn’t come across as a Championship manager.
Queens Park Rangers have home matches against Swansea, Tottenham and Stoke which they have to win. An away match at West Brom is a game where there are points to be played for. They also have away matches against Man United, Man City and Chelsea. If Hughes can achieve 3 or 4 wins and nick a draw here or there they might just be safe.
I’d like to think if QPR did go down he would stay and bring them back up. I think Hughes will stay there and rebuild his reputation. Unless the unthinkable happens and the FA offer Tony Pulis the England managers job, he is another who will stay in charge of Stoke next season. Infact I think the only job he would seriously consider leaving the Britannia for is the Welsh National Team.
Martin O’Neill is another manager who will start next season at Sunderland. He has worked wonders there since taking over and with a little cash to spend next season could really push for a European position.
Brendan Rodgers is another manager who is safe with his job. He has put together an impressive side and keeping hold of them all will be a test. Also the second season syndrome will be interesting but he won’t change his ethics and Swansea are another decent team to watch.
Harry Redknapp will stay at Tottenham if they secure Champions League football I believe. Why would he want to give up one of the most exciting teams we have seen and swap it for the drudgery of the England managers job. However if Tottenham do lose out then he might be tempted to have a crack at the Euros but I don’t think Redknapp is a long term candidate. I expect him to still be Tottenham manager next season.
Roy Hodgson is a manager I have respected over many years. He seems to do well wherever he goes and I still maintain he wasn’t given a fair crack at Liverpool. He had a want away Fernando Torres and some of his signings have since been sold to improve rival teams. West Brom won’t want him to leave and I don’t see him doing so. Roberto Martinez has had an aura about him all season that has suggested if Wigan did get relegated he would stick by them. That wasn’t a negative approach, just realism as to how much a fight it was going to be this season. It won’t be easy with Wigan facing 4 out of the top 6 before now and the end of the season but I think Martinez will stay regardless.
Terry Connor is one who will be gone. I don’t see anyway for Wolves to survive and the hierarchy must be regretting allowing Mick McCarthy to leave. It will be hard to see Wolves bouncing back but I do think Connor won’t be given the chance to try.
Written by Wesley Hillier @armchairstato.blogspot.com.
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Remind of some quotes from mancini or his players saying the title was a foregone conclusion around christmas? Think you’ve made that up pal, plus he’ll be here next year regardless, nice try though…