Maple Lions

He’s denying rumours that Freddy Sheppard has offered him the Newcastle manager’s job permanently, but his record speaks for itself:

Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder has played down speculation that chairman Freddy Shepherd is ready to offer him the job permanently.

Asked what he would do if Shepherd offered him the job, the 50-year-old Roeder told BBC Radio Five Live: “I’m not expecting him to say that.

“He’s given me no indication he’s going to do that. We’ll have to wait and see.

“I’m waiting to see what the chairman’s new management structure is - hopefully I’ll be part of it in some shape.”

[…]

Newcastle were flirting with relegation when Roeder took the reins but he has turned their fortunes round to the point where they have a chance of a Uefa Cup place.

The club have won 10 of their 16 games under Roeder. [emphasis added]

Speaking of which, the Geordies have to beat Chelsea next week, and Blackburn has to lose its last two matches, for Newcastle to qualify for the UEFA Cup.  (If Newcastle beats the Blues and the Rovers are limited to one point, it will come down to goal differential, a measure in which Blackburn currently has a two-goal advantage.)  So it’s a longshot, but now there’s finally some hope for next season.

Damian P. 

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Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin takes an in-depth look at how Jose Mourinho has restructured the Blues tactically for a winning edge.

Paul Canniff

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The 2005/06 Premiership race wrapped up today but Maple Lions has yet to hang up our boots.  Damian, Mike and I will be looking ahead to the World Cup and the progress of the England Team.  The shakeups in the Premier League have already started and more are in store.  And we’ll be there.

Paul Canniff

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Charlton will be on the hunt for a new gaffer.

And no, Curbs, Brian Barwick will not be calling you shortly.  One step off a high cliff in one week ought to be enough.

Paul Canniff

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The Blues only needed one point in their last three matches to clinch the Premiership title, so this doesn’t surprise me. I didn’t expect Man United to fold so quickly, though:

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho threw his medal into the crowd to celebrate his side’s second successive title after they cruised past Manchester United.The Blues only needed a draw to retain their crown but a 3-0 win saw them do it in style at Stamford Bridge.

And Mourinho said: “It is a fantastic feeling, unbelievable.

“This is my second in England and my fourth consecutive title if you include Porto. One day we’ll lose but, for now, we are the best team in the country.”

Damian P.

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Get the feeling Brian Barwick now knows just how Wile E. Coyote feels?

It’s not as if one couldn’t deduce this could turn out to be like keepie-uppie with an anvil:

Barwick is trying to convince Scolari to sign a pre-contract agreement which would enable the FA to call off the search for Eriksson’s successor before the tournament starts on June 9. However, while he has told friends he is keen to manage England, Scolari is refusing to budge on the issue, leaving the FA in an extremely difficult position. They are committed to appointing a new manager before the World Cup and that may force them to meet Scolari’s increased wage demands.

Paul Canniff

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I write one post chiding the FA for dithering and the next thing you, the’re on a flight to Lisbon to negotiate terms with Scolari:

Scolari is thought to have a gentleman’s agreement with the Portuguese FA not to commit himself to another job until his current deal runs out in July.

But it is understood part of the FA’s talks in Lisbon were about waiving this arrangement.

[…]

Last week, the FA claimed it had completed its interview process, and McClaren - part of Eriksson’s current England coaching team - was seen as the favourite.

But Barwick’s trip to Portugal seems to support claims that the FA board was unable to reach a firm decision.

Paul Canniff 

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I’m a Dad!  My wife and I had our first child on April 25th.  It’s a good thing that I’m a Churchill buff ~ as a Toffee fan, this kid will need all the inspiration he can get!

Mike C.

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Portugals’s football association reveals that it has a “gentlemen’s agreement” with Luiz Felipe Scolari to not seek any new post before this summer’s World Cup. Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that plans to move quickly on an appointment have run afoul:

Members of the Football Association board want to delay choosing Sven-Goran Eriksson’s successor, although they face opposition from those who believe daily speculation about a new England manager could have a detrimental effect on the team.

The FA have repeatedly said they want to have the new manager in place before the start of the World Cup finals in June, but some Soho Square directors believe it might now be better to wait until after the tournament.

They fear that the fortunes of the two favourites for the job, Brazilian World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and Middlesbrough’s Steve McClaren, could be dramatically affected by events in Germany. Scolari is coach of Portugal while McClaren is Eriksson’s assistant.

Truly, a display of dithering on par with the gone and forgotten Paul Martin. 

Paul Canniff

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Arsenal - playing an Englishman! - is through to the Champions League final.

I don’t see how the Spurs-Gunners battle can affect the Geordies’ run for a UEFA Cup place, so I’m kind of torn.  One one hand, an EPL club winning the European championship again would be great for English football.  On the other hand, it’s friggin’ Arsenal.

Damian P.

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