bald reynard

One of his Assistant Managers (Haris Medunjanin) has been a teammate of Begovic in the Bosnian national side for many years (so that link might help - though that would mean AB is likely to stay as Goalkeeping Coach!). Another Assistant (Ahmed Abdulla), is a real journeyman in English Non-league football (including Caretaker Manager at Bedford).

Yep - and he led Castellon to promotion to the Spanish Segunda division, so that is a promising CV!

Dean Smith, Christian Fuchs & John Terry - a whole 'package' for us?!

I think there's a pretty good chance this could happen. There was an interview with Smith a couple of months ago, when he said, he's loving Managing in the States, but, he wants to get back to English football, 'soon'. A Midland lad, with a 'real challenge' (!), at a Club he has 'unfinished business' with, could mean he'd consider coming back. Fuchs' experience as his Assistant at Charlotte and now, Newport, might well lead to an ideal partnership?

Lee Johnson's Assistant Manager at Lommel, is ex-Fox, Robbie Neilson. And Johnson's CV includes a lengthy stint at the Etihad, imbibing Pep stuff! Got to be on any McCarron/Top/Dudkin short list?!

https://onefootball.com/en/news/james-mccarron-managers-transfers-and-style-behind-leicester-citys-potential-sporting-director-42432883 While I would love Fuchs' appointment, I can't see it happening. Especially considering this article about James McCarron, our incoming Sporting Director. At Lommel, he only looked at appointing experienced Managerial/Coaching staff (Steve Bould, Lee Johnson) and went for people in the 'Pep / Maresca mould' - I don't think that's CF's style. I doubt if he'd pick Fuchs, though if Top / Dudkin wanted him, no doubt he'd be overruled. In any event, he would definitely want an experienced hand beside Fuchs.

Mark Smith, Fuchs' Assistant Manager at Newport, is also a Director of FSA. They run a great operation at Aylestone Park FC.

Dean Smith is Manager of Charlotte! Just saying ......!

He'd be my choice. Especially if he can bring some experience in, with his Coaching team.

Is the Saudi transfer window still open? And if so, is Fatawu's absence from the Stoke squad, down to a move, or injury?!

I think he lives in Derby, so that must have been a factor. It will be interesting to see what Assistants he'll bring in. I guess Mark Sale is guaranteed (he goes everywhere with him), possibly Callum Davidson (just got the boot from Ross County), but with King, Sadler & Hughes likely to stay in place, I don't think it will be more than 1 or 2.

I wonder if Callum Davidson will also be coming back. Just lost his job as Assistant Manager at Ross County. Of course, he was with us when Rowett was here. In previous clubs Rowett has made Davidson specialist Defensive Coach - I think we need one!

He was 3/1 morning, so a bit of money has gone on him and there's be no change with the other 3 being talked about (Rowett, Martin & Smith), so perhaps it might be something.

I agree, I think Skibala was the 'ambitious appointment'. All the runes last week, were coming down in favour of him . Rowett was probably surprised that Top & Dudkin were not following their normal 'modus operandi' and taking a gamble on a mainly untested guy, but one with great potential. Skibala, could initially have been attracted to a job at a higher level, with his hometown club, but being pretty intelligent (he must have a degree from somewhere,as a Teacher), quickly rumbled we are currently a total basket case (possibly plummeting in the opposite direction to Lincoln) and decided to steer clear.

If you fancied Hassenhuttl at BV, at 7/2, Chelmofox, youve missed out, he's 2/1 there now. Still, 5/2 at Skybet & PP.

Skybet and Paddy Power - both 5/2. Bet Victor have him at 7/2, if you want to fill your boots! Rowett, second favourite, 5/1, pretty much everywhere.

Hassenhuttl 5/2 with most bookies now, Rowett 5/1 everywhere.

He'd be my choice as well, out of all the names currently being touted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Skubala A Leicester lad. Gerrimin!

I wonder whether Rowett's criticism of 'the management' is a dig at Rudkin and KP, or our Team Manager's?! If the former, he won't be coming, if the latter, I'd say he could be nailed on!

Probably means he's not in line for our Technical / Sporting Director job, as suggested recently?

Well, he is a Jamaican International, with 2 goals from 14 appearances. And Opuku's loan to the end of the season, was agreed a couple of weeks ago.

Probably the first two, though I'd guess Begovic will step up to take coaching with Stolarczyk & Vieites (he has the A badge and is working towards the Pro Licence ).

Carlos Martinez was our 'Consultant Analyst' - only with us for 6 weeks! I'm sure you're right - him, plus MC, Calm & Ortiz.

I agree with Outfox, yes, of course, IF Top is very close to appointing the new Technical Director (and it's just the paperwork to do), he can be on board with any Managerial decision. I also agree with Outfox that Rowett is most likely to be on any shortlist that is drawn up. However, I do feel Hassenhuttl will also be on that shortlist and that he might well be interested in coming to us. He has been 6 months out of work, since losing the Wolfsburg job (and previously 18 months unemployed after Southampton), I think he would be keen to get back to work and would be up for the challenge that we are! Equally significantly, I think his links to Martyn Glover might also be a factor, together they had a fair bit of success at Southampton, maintaining a decent mid table position for 4 seasons in the PL and (I think) he was VERY unlucky to lose his job, with a 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle. His win rate at all clubs has been in the high 30's and at Leipzig, it as nearly 50%. He would be my choice.