MON

[tedrub]

Through the last two weeks we have all been hoping for MON to say something - anything about returning to us. He has not and I cannot understand why.

He must be aware of the affection all LCFC fans have for him but his silence has (IMO) been damaging to the club and it's supporters. We all want to go back to the good times in football and other areas of life, but we rarely can. It's natural for fans to want MON back and who knows he may have even thought aboutnit himself..

By now we must assume he has been approached and politely declined. But why has he not said so? Whoever the new manager is starts with a disadvantage simply because he is not MON (and under those circumstances NP starts with the least disadvantage).

We all know MON is a bit quirky but if he really still had the club in his heart he would have taken the job at best and said "no" publicly as a second best allowing us all to move on. Staying silent was the worst thing to do to the fans (as if he or anyone else cares what we think).

So thanks MON for all the good times and the memories. And goodbye.

[Finnegan]

Whilst I appreciate your best intentions, let me reassure you of two things mate:

1. You may not be aware, so fair enough, but this thread has been done a hundred times before and unless we ever get a better manager (or he outright retires) nobody's going to "move on."

2. If we get promoted, still appear to have a bit of money, and whoever takes over gets the sack - O'Neill will be back in the frame unless he's at a top six club. We WILL go through this again.

[bob gregory]

Thanks for the memories ?? All the good times?? Moving on ?? Fvcks sake you make him sound like the ex girlfriend from hell. Forget the nasty little slut :-)

[jonthefox]

Thanks for the memories ?? All the good times?? Moving on ?? Fvcks sake you make him sound like the ex girlfriend from hell. Forget the nasty little slut :-)

[Fox92]

The thing is, he took Leicester to as far as he could possible do. He knows that, and deep down inside, we all know it. If he came back, what does he has to do to equal or better his last achivements? Win the FA? Win the Premier League?

Whenever we haven't got a manager, Martin O'Neill's name will always be around whether it is rumour or truth, but if he doesn't want the job for whatever reason then he doesn't want it. He is still a legend at the club, and always will be. Take into consideration as well, he could walk into any job in the Premier League.

[dannythefox]

Until next time Martin!

[MikeyT]

Whilst I appreciate your best intentions, let me reassure you of two things mate:

1. You may not be aware, so fair enough, but this thread has been done a hundred times before and unless we ever get a better manager (or he outright retires) nobody's going to "move on."

2. If we get promoted, still appear to have a bit of money, and whoever takes over gets the sack - O'Neill will be back in the frame unless he's at a top six club. We WILL go through this again.

Unless Nigel Pearson becomes the new Alex Ferguson and stays with us for years and years.

[Jon the Hat]

Take into consideration as well, he could walk into any job in the Premier League.

I disagree with that point to the extent that I will confidently say he will never be employed by Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal or Chelsea. Not in a million years. He will never fit those clubs. He likes full control, and they wont give it. The only person who has full control at a major club these days is Siralex, and he will be the last.

He probably wont be at Liverpool either, although they did employ Woy Hodgson last year so you never know if the get desperate, but I seriously doubt it. Spurs? Maybe, but unlikely. By all accounts he did not do himself any favours walking away from Villa last season.

[Guest BlueBrett]

I honestly believe the reason he is keeping quiet is that he hasn't yet decided what to do and is still involved in negotiations, whether over personal terms or transfer policy or whatever. Maybe that makes me a mug but I can't really see what else could be preventing him from ruling himself out. He knows how we feel about him so why would he want to put us through all this anxiety unless there was a genuine chance of him coming back?

[davieG]

I honestly believe the reason he is keeping quiet is that he hasn't yet decided what to do and is still involved in negotiations, whether over personal terms or transfer policy or whatever. Maybe that makes me a mug but I can't really see what else could be preventing him from ruling himself out. He knows how we feel about him so why would he want to put us through all this anxiety unless there was a genuine chance of him coming back?

You really think he cares about LCFC fans?

[B52]

I disagree with that point to the extent that I will confidently say he will never be employed by Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal or Chelsea. Not in a million years. He will never fit those clubs. He likes full control, and they wont give it. The only person who has full control at a major club these days is Siralex, and he will be the last.

Agree and MON is nearly 60 years old. Why would any big club hire him if it wasn't a desperate move. The same as for Sven. Neither fits the manager profile of a top club. Leicester though can be a fair move for an older manager but not optimal for us.

[Suffolk_fox]

To be fair to the OP though, if MON wasn't interested in joining us in the position we are in now with a decent squad, good financial backing and a 'not too bad' position in the league, then I doubt he ever will be.

His silence spoke volumes, and even though he helped us enjoy our 'Golden Years', we should accept the fact that he is never going to be Leicester Manager again.

[Guest BlueBrett]

You really think he cares about LCFC fans?

Perhaps not deeply but at a human level surely? Even if he doesn't it seems to me that people only refuse to rule themselves out of things that they are interested in.

[artursteppe]

You really think he cares about LCFC fans?

Absolutely! He never referred to how much he was adored by the Leicester fans. All he ever remembered were the famous 700 who wanted him sacked at the away match against Sheffield United. He was always banging on about it. Tosser!

I would have had him back this time because he is a good manager. Now he can 'Foxtrot Oscar' and we can move on.

Let's face it Martin O'Neil has always been a very long way up his own arse. At least Nigel Pearson ( and he wouldn't have been my choice ) wants the job and that is a very good thing!

[Finnegan]

I honestly believe the reason he is keeping quiet is that he hasn't yet decided what to do and is still involved in negotiations, whether over personal terms or transfer policy or whatever. Maybe that makes me a mug but I can't really see what else could be preventing him from ruling himself out. He knows how we feel about him so why would he want to put us through all this anxiety unless there was a genuine chance of him coming back?

I think you're being rather naive, yes. Given the complete information blackout our board managed during this saga, I think the fact so much has been spoken about Nigel Pearson in the last fourty-eight hours makes this pretty much a certainty. Especially with news coming out that Pearson has apparently asked to speak to us, which I imagine will have been leaked by his agent. Even were that not true, the story about us approaching Hull and them denying us is about as concrete as you can get.

It's possible Clark and Keane were misinformation deliberately put out there to fool, regardless of who we appoint I've certainly gained a lot of respect for the professionalism and the nous of our owners because they've definitely kept this under wraps. But I'd be staggered if we don't appoint Pearson now.

At the end of the day, O'Neill DID rule himself out through almost every major newspaper. It may not have come direct from the horse's mouth but stories like that often don't in football and I think we were massively clutching at straws by denying that it was likely as official a confirmation as O'Neill was going to give. As for the story about him "refusing to rule it out," that was just complete nonsense spawned by Stringer trying to be the centre of attention and it being carried by the national BBC somewhat blindly.

The twat just phoned him up, got told O'Neill didn't want to talk to him and then just milked it to give supporters false-hope. He's a complete and total **** and one of the worst journalists I've, literally, ever seen or heard.

You really think he cares about LCFC fans?

Yes, I think so. I'm not saying we're his favourite club but I don't buy in to any of that nonsense about him still holding a grudge from the way we reacted to his start. I'm sure he still wishes well for Wycombe, Forest, Celtic and ourselves and even Villa, really. Why wouldn't you?

[davieG]

I think you're being rather naive, yes. Given the complete information blackout our board managed during this saga, I think the fact so much has been spoken about Nigel Pearson in the last fourty-eight hours makes this pretty much a certainty. Especially with news coming out that Pearson has apparently asked to speak to us, which I imagine will have been leaked by his agent. Even were that not true, the story about us approaching Hull and them denying us is about as concrete as you can get.

It's possible Clark and Keane were misinformation deliberately put out there to fool, regardless of who we appoint I've certainly gained a lot of respect for the professionalism and the nous of our owners because they've definitely kept this under wraps. But I'd be staggered if we don't appoint Pearson now.

At the end of the day, O'Neill DID rule himself out through almost every major newspaper. It may not have come direct from the horse's mouth but stories like that often don't in football and I think we were massively clutching at straws by denying that it was likely as official a confirmation as O'Neill was going to give. As for the story about him "refusing to rule it out," that was just complete nonsense spawned by Stringer trying to be the centre of attention and it being carried by the national BBC somewhat blindly.

The twat just phoned him up, got told O'Neill didn't want to talk to him and then just milked it to give supporters false-hope. He's a complete and total **** and one of the worst journalists I've, literally, ever seen or heard.

Yes, I think so. I'm not saying we're his favourite club but I don't buy in to any of that nonsense about him still holding a grudge from the way we reacted to his start. I'm sure he still wishes well for Wycombe, Forest, Celtic and ourselves and even Villa, really. Why wouldn't you?

I wasn't alluding to the perceived grudge I just don't think he would let it affect his career decisions and he certainly wont be thinking oh those lovely LCFC fans how I wish I could manage them again like some on here seem to think.

[Dicko]

Absolutely! He never referred to how much he was adored by the Leicester fans. All he ever remembered were the famous 700 who wanted him sacked at the away match against Sheffield United. He was always banging on about it. Tosser!

I would have had him back this time because he is a good manager. Now he can 'Foxtrot Oscar' and we can move on.

Let's face it Martin O'Neil has always been a very long way up his own arse. At least Nigel Pearson ( and he wouldn't have been my choice ) wants the job and that is a very good thing!

It was the home match against Sheffield United and it was a lot more than 700 that were signing "F**k off Martin O'Neill", although weirdly i've never met anyone who admitted it.

But you're dead right in that he doesn't have any affection for our club or our fans, why would he? Lets's face it LCFC was as good for him as he was for LCFC. It was a working relationship that worked very well for both parties.

I don't blame him for not wanting to come back, after all what could he achieve this time that he didn't' before? We're never going to be Champions League. And he doesn't owe it to us to publicly state whether he wants the job or not, I can't think of any reason why he would or even should do this.

Way too many fans are here saying "bring him back, whatever the cost", and even saying that we should agree to just a 1-year contract and let him have the release clauses etc that he wants. F**k that! He is not bigger than this club, no-one is.

Would I have liked him back? Of course if the circumstances were right, he's a good manager, but only if he actually wants to be here. We shouldn't be having to convince MON or anyone else to come to LCFC, I want someone in charge who is committed and who wants to be here. O'Neill clearly (and who knows, maybe correctly) feels that this job is beneath him at this stage of his career, so he shouldn't even be considered.

Pearson wants the job, knows the club, has a good record, and understands our fans are how fickle they can be. So i'm fully behind him and I think this will be a good appointment.

[purpleronnie]

I just found it baffling (although somewhat amusing) that people genuinely believed he would be our next manager.

[dave the caveman]

Maybe he was asked by the club to keep quiet to prevent damage to our reputation of the sort created by everybody saying no. A bit like when you're at a club and about three girls reject you in front of everyone, the rest of the girls see it happen and avoid you because you've become associated with rejection. Or maybe he wasn't asked to keep quiet by the club but did so anyway out of respect. We don't know.

Personally I would have stood in the KP roaring like an orgasmic lion on his return but I can see why he said no. The owners naievity would have surely been a big concern. But mainly because he had nothing to gain. Even with heavy backing and massive success our maximum potential under these owners is pushing for 6th in the prem and some decent cup runs. He pretty much did that already so what more is there to do?

[Buzzell]

I think you're being rather naive, yes. Given the complete information blackout our board managed during this saga, I think the fact so much has been spoken about Nigel Pearson in the last fourty-eight hours makes this pretty much a certainty. Especially with news coming out that Pearson has apparently asked to speak to us, which I imagine will have been leaked by his agent. Even were that not true, the story about us approaching Hull and them denying us is about as concrete as you can get.

It's possible Clark and Keane were misinformation deliberately put out there to fool, regardless of who we appoint I've certainly gained a lot of respect for the professionalism and the nous of our owners because they've definitely kept this under wraps. But I'd be staggered if we don't appoint Pearson now.

At the end of the day, O'Neill DID rule himself out through almost every major newspaper. It may not have come direct from the horse's mouth but stories like that often don't in football and I think we were massively clutching at straws by denying that it was likely as official a confirmation as O'Neill was going to give. As for the story about him "refusing to rule it out," that was just complete nonsense spawned by Stringer trying to be the centre of attention and it being carried by the national BBC somewhat blindly.

The twat just phoned him up, got told O'Neill didn't want to talk to him and then just milked it to give supporters false-hope. He's a complete and total **** and one of the worst journalists I've, literally, ever seen or heard.

Yes, I think so. I'm not saying we're his favourite club but I don't buy in to any of that nonsense about him still holding a grudge from the way we reacted to his start. I'm sure he still wishes well for Wycombe, Forest, Celtic and ourselves and even Villa, really. Why wouldn't you?

Tbf Stringer is a bit of a bell end. Crap journalist.

As for MON, doubt he'll ever come back, maybe, if were get ourselves established in The Premier League he may consider coming back.

Anyway that's all in the past now, let's move on.

[Finnegan]

I just found it baffling (although somewhat amusing) that people genuinely believed he would be our next manager.

I don't see why not. I believe, entirely, that our board approached him.

They're throwing absolutely stacks at this club, there's money dripping off us left, right and centre. Whether or not it's coming from a stable, reliable source or it's going to all go spectacularly tits up is another matter; they're clearly capable of putting on a show.

They had the resources to impress Sven and I'm sure they'd have the resources to consider O'Neill viable. He's out of work, he almost certainly will take another job in management, we're keen contenders for promotion and the board are making healthy noises that - once up - they'd give ample backing to push on and keep the club up there.

We've a decent fanbase, a modern stadium, good facilities and a strong squad to start with.

Of course, a lot of it is speculative and it's obviously going to be a huge risk for whoever takes it, something O'Neill can do without at this stage of his career - it doesn't surprise me that he's declined at some stage of the negotiations and we've moved on to a target with far less to lose.

[Corky]

I just found it baffling (although somewhat amusing) that people genuinely believed he would be our next manager.

This really.

It's ok to dream but it was never going to happen in reality.

MO'N will get a bigger job than us.

[Saxondale]

I'm not sure he wants a bigger job. He's done Celtic which was a boyhood dream, he did well there. He's getting on and his wife has been unwell and he has cushty punditry work. I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see him in management again.

[Buzzell]

It was the home match against Sheffield United and it was a lot more than 700 that were signing "F**k off Martin O'Neill", although weirdly i've never met anyone who admitted it.

But you're dead right in that he doesn't have any affection for our club or our fans, why would he? Lets's face it LCFC was as good for him as he was for LCFC. It was a working relationship that worked very well for both parties.

I don't blame him for not wanting to come back, after all what could he achieve this time that he didn't' before? We're never going to be Champions League. And he doesn't owe it to us to publicly state whether he wants the job or not, I can't think of any reason why he would or even should do this.

Way too many fans are here saying "bring him back, whatever the cost", and even saying that we should agree to just a 1-year contract and let him have the release clauses etc that he wants. F**k that! He is not bigger than this club, no-one is.

Would I have liked him back? Of course if the circumstances were right, he's a good manager, but only if he actually wants to be here. We shouldn't be having to convince MON or anyone else to come to LCFC, I want someone in charge who is committed and who wants to be here. O'Neill clearly (and who knows, maybe correctly) feels that this job is beneath him at this stage of his career, so he shouldn't even be considered.

Pearson wants the job, knows the club, has a good record, and understands our fans are how fickle they can be. So i'm fully behind him and I think this will be a good appointment.

Agree with you completely, top post.

[MPH]

its definitely time to move on now.... he has just agreed to take over at sunderland. Although im sure most of us already had thanks to the great start Pearson has made. :-)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15997197.stm