September 06, 2004

Souness to Newcastle!: Didn't see this one coming. This should make for some interesting dressing room talks. I would like to see Dyer and his cronies pull the same tricks on their new manager. Hopefully he will sort out some of the toon egos and disruptive influences. Mind you, is his track record with players that good? He seems to have fallen out with more players than he's ever bought!.

posted by Pete to soccer at 06:01 AM - 14 comments

One wonders how the King of Bling is taking the news. If Souness' past history is anything to go by Bling will soon stand for Broken Leg In Newcastle General. Couldn't happen to a nicer fella, except maybe Ratboy or Bellamy. Seeing as Steve Bruce was the press' favourite to get the job I must say I'm well chuffed with this appointment.

posted by squealy at 07:16 AM on September 06, 2004

I reckon Sounness will do quite well. Certainly better than Venables would have done.

posted by dng at 08:06 AM on September 06, 2004

An immense relief. Anyone but Venables. Well, almost anyone.

posted by taupe at 12:15 PM on September 06, 2004

Who is the King of Bling, squealy? Shearer? This is one of those really different from American sports situations, have to say. No way would one club just take the manager of another away during the season. An assistant, perhaps, or during the off-season (Howe to the Mets, for instance). Feels very odd to me.

posted by billsaysthis at 12:43 PM on September 06, 2004

Sorry bill, it's Kieron Dyer.

posted by squealy at 01:28 PM on September 06, 2004

Keiron Dyer is the King of Bling isn't he? He seems to be a unpleasant and mercenary individual who represents much that's bad about the premiership for me. I think there are rules about premiership clubs poaching managers during the season and Blackburn would be entitled to fairly substantial compensation from Newcastle. Having said that, I'm not sure that Blackburn would have fought too hard to keep Souness, they're bouncing along the bottom of the EPL and Souness isn't one for spreading peace and harmony wherever he goes.

posted by Pete at 02:04 PM on September 06, 2004

That article cites our old buddy Houllier as the leading candidate for Blackburn. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

posted by billsaysthis at 03:27 PM on September 06, 2004

Well if Souness can get the Newcastle job I guess anything's possible. They'd be mad to go for anyone except Strachan if he wants the job. There was an interesting pattern of betting around the Souness appointment. Rank outsider until late last night and then a flood of bets. He went from about 160/1 to 8/11 overnight. Nothing like a bit of insider knowledge.

posted by squealy at 04:10 PM on September 06, 2004

Sorry that was 33/1 not 160/1. Must learn to read

posted by squealy at 04:16 PM on September 06, 2004

Old betting wisdom: don't wager on anything that can talk

posted by owlhouse at 06:51 PM on September 06, 2004

So what's the odds on Houllier to Blackburn?

posted by worldcup2002 at 07:07 PM on September 06, 2004

And Bobby Robson to be the new Englang manager by monday

posted by dng at 07:43 PM on September 06, 2004

Richard Dawson in Newcastle? Wow!

posted by blarp at 07:07 AM on September 07, 2004

Join me for the Poland-England match at 1:30 over at the Guardian. Send in a comment, mention Sportsfilter!! http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1299684,00.html

posted by StarFucker at 12:36 PM on September 08, 2004

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.