Outfox the Fox

A 3 year contract - that is likely to mean he'll be first choice keeper! Vieites to battle out Jakub for the number 2 spot (or one of them to leave).

He's 22 and already had 4 loans out, so it could be a sale. Difficult to guess how much they'd want.

Yes behind Claudio Bravo & Joel Robles for a couple of years, so never established himself at Betis. Lack of opportunities doesn't mean he's no good, perhaps we could kick start his career!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_Vieites

Its VIEITES (an extra i), but you're right he does look good. I'm pretty confident he'll be our first choice this season.

I think Vieites could be first choice this season, his ability on the ball, in passing and awareness was clear in the first half against Northampton (far better than JS) and suits Martin's style.

I reckon Hamza will also be our first choice right back this season. Aluko / Joseph only backup. I can't see us signing any full backs. At least that would leave a space in midfield (along with lots of 'space' on our right, for opposition wingers to get crosses in - and allow them to face only 10 City players for a good chunk of the game!).

Why did Westerlo get rid of Simons, when he left them in a decent, just above mid table, position, at the end of the 24/25 season? I would have thought that was pretty successful for Westerlo. And what did he do / where did he go in 25/26?

Perhaps we've been trying to persuade Parker to come from United! Can't see it happening though.

My bet is that we've now reached agreement with West Brom to release Gill and there'll be an announcement tomorrow, saying he's coming as Martin's Assistant Manager. I think Rhys Owen will also be there. Parker is very unlikely and I reckon Begovic will stay as Goalkeeping Coach, so no Thornton. As to who Martin keeps from the current backroom staff, Kingy yes, Hughes probably not (hopefully) and I can't remember who the current Analyst is.

As Percy said this at the beginning of the week, I guess the main holdup, has been sorting out his backroom team. He would want Matt Gill as his Assistant Manager, but all the talk at West Brom, is that Gill is staying there. If that's the case, I dont know who else he'd want for that job. Rhys Owen (Performance Coach) is very likely to be coming in from Rangers. Dean Thornton, RM's usual Goalkeeping Coach seems to be happy at Millwall and Ben Parker, the usual Analyst, is well set up at Old Trafford. So, I would imagine there's been a lot of 'tooing & froing' going on, trying to sort out the backup staff

https://filbertway.com/2026/06/13/final-leicester-manager-push-makes-confusion-at-west-brom-as-matt-gill-admits-loyatly-stays-with-russ/ This seems to imply that I might be correct in thinking that the delay over Martin's appointment, has been held up, as we're trying to agree a deal with West Brom, for Gill to come in as Assistant Manager.

Thanks, Ric, its nice to have the feedback - I try!

As Percy said this at the beginning of the week, I guess the main holdup, is sorting out his backroom team. He would want Matt Gill as his Assistant Manager, but all the talk at West Brom, is that Gill is staying there. If that's the case, I dont know who else he'd want for that job. Rhys Owen (Performance Coach) is very likely to be coming in from Rangers. Dean Thornton, RM's usual Goalkeeping Coach seems to be happy at Millwall and Ben Parker, the usual Analyst, is well set up at Old Trafford. So, I would imagine there's a lot of 'tooing & froing' going on, trying to sort out the backup staff

Hopefully, he is in advanced talks with a host of other clubs - and does the sensible thing (for us and himself) in choosing someone else!

He's in talks with other clubs in the UK & Europe, please don't let on what we think of him!!

I've got a mixed view about Wagner, he was a bit unlucky at Norwich, getting the boot, straight after a Play Off loss, but did well at Huddersfield. Also, a Development Coach at Leipzig since 2024, is hardly a great thing to put on your CV. Perhaps the biggest negative is the fact that his Set Piece Coach at Norwich was a certain ..... Andrew Hughes! His Assistant at Norwich was Christoph Buhler, who currently is a Coach at Derby. As for Revell, he might be OK, he did well at Stevenage last season, but hasn't got a great win record in his time there.

Thank you - that's actually both helpful and welcome (the bit about us being 'well down the line for Martin').

I'm very confused, are you saying that you asked Nixon (in his Comments section?) about Martin .... or Challinor? The reply you got (from Nixon?) is Blackburn were interested (in Martin or Challinor?) and we are way down the line for him (Martin or Challinor?). As far as I'm aware, Blackburn have never expressed any interest in Martin .... but they have in Challinor and we have never expressed any interest in Challinor!! Who are you talking about?!

Yes, but he's just been 'bashing opposition sides', I can't remember him doing any damage to us!

Well, its a possibility, he has been trying to get back to the UK for a while now, but with most of his Managerial experience being in Aus and the Far East, (and his short stint in Europe with St Truiden, was a bit of a disaster), nobody has been willing to take a risk. Rangers came close last year, but didn't bite the bullet. His record with Melbourne, Yokohama and Shanghai is very good (but then it is Australian, Japanese & Chinese Leagues!) and he might be worth a punt in League 1. Obviously, Shanghai might well want some decent dosh for him, depending on his contract length and amount. One connection with City, is his Goalkeeping Coach at Shanghai, is Ian Walker.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pep-lijnders-man-city-guardiola-37209294.amp Sounds like Lijnders wants to move back to Holland.

McCarron never worked at Southampton! Before Man City & the City Football Group, JMc's only football experience was in Sports Science at Sunderland.

I agree with you, Nelson has a great record as a Manager and is only Assistant at Lommel, as Johnson was desperate for extra Coaching experience (and the City Group could afford to back him). I think he'd be a great appointment for us (and not only because he's an ex-City player).

As I've said before (posting on the 'League One - Who Manages Us' thread), I don't see Fuchs as being experienced enough to come in as Manager, but I do think he's got enough 'in his locker' to come in as Assistant, backing up an experienced Manager. That man, for me, is Dean Smith. Their history at Charlotte FC together, could mean a good working relationship for us. I think Smith didn't get a fair crack in his previous stint with us and left too early - he has 'unfinished business' and could be the man for us in League 1. Whether he would want to come, is another matter, as would, whether we'd pay Charlotte, to get him!