Sunday Times running a story that Mick Mcarthy will be installed as manager after the world cup with YBR moving upstairs as Director of Football

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

Answers

Absolute Pants

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

What, return of the long ball. I thought we needed a Geordie, McCarthorse claims he's not even English

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

I don't think Bobby will want to be moved upstairs next year, he seems to be enjoying being manager too much. Plus he's potentially got the challenge of European football next year.

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

......no doubt we can look forward to seeing Niall Quinn playing in b&w then? The stuff of nightmares, actually.

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

For what it's worth, the following is from TribalFootball.com:

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is being lined up by Newcastle United as a replacement for current boss Bobby Robson next season.

The Sunday Times says Newcastle want McCarthy to replace Robson when he retires from management at the end of the season.

It's been suggested that the Geordies board is split over the benefits of grooming Alan Shearer as Robson's successor and instead want McCarthy to come in from outside.

Newcastle has already offered the post to McCarthy, who will lead Ireland into this year's World Cup. Bobby Robson will stay on at Newcastle as a director.

Ah well, the anti-Shearer brigade will no doubt be delighted by this proposition!

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

Clarky - even the pro-Shearer guys (like me) would probably welcome Al not going straight in as manager. We need someone IMO, as an interim manager. Whether for two seasons or five it doesn't matter, on the basis that Al may be in management for 20 years, so we can wait.

Don't know about McCarthy as a top manager though, so perhaps he isn't the most suitable replacement for BR.

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

Wouldn't like to see MM as a manager here in the near future, but in his favour the Ireland side is defensively very strong with a set of defenders that most people think are sh*t (with the exception of O'Brien, who rarely plays anyway)

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

I'm not necessarily for the guy coming to Newcastle but to question his performance is amazing. In a group with two Euro 2000 semi finalists he finishes second.

With a country now over endowed with footballing brilliance he takes them to the finals, and manages to do so with McAteer in his midfield and with Quinn up front. So with clearly very little available playing resource he has done superbly, can see why our directors may be interested

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

1. McCarthy must stay with Ireland through Euro 2004! They need him!!

2. Not sure how he'd do at club level, but we could do alot worse. I'd give him a chance, but I'd rather Bobby stay on another year or two. Like until after Mick takes Ireland to Euro2004! :-)

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002

I think he'd be a first class appointment. He's always done well with limited resources and given some of the talent at StJames' I'm sure he'd be a success. Good bloke as well.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

He is a good blerk, and on reflection he might not be such a bad choice - considering some of the alternatives.

My opinion of MM is clouded by memories of him as Millwall Manager playing a very aggressive, long ball game.

However, I think that was his first appointment, and he will have had very limited resources. Since then he has done a very creditable job with Eire, and now has a lot of relevent experience.

We could probably do a lot worse, actually. I wonder if the Toon could be thinking of appointing AS as his No.2?

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

What about Mark McGhee? he seems to do well wherever he goes....

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Hmmm - very unsure about McCarthy...very unsure. But if it means stopping Satan buttoning his cloak on Tyneside, I'll be happy.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002