Martin O'Neill?

[Libertine Dream]

From what I've read elsewhere Robertson didn't go to Sunderland because he didn't want to work away from home full-time any longer. Does anybody know where 'home' is?

From what I've read he's fallen out of love with it as well, disillusioned my the modern day footballer

[l444ry]

Of all the spurious reasons to oppose Martin's return (or not) to the club is that it might tarnish our memories of him. Get a grip! It's not as if anything decent has happened with first time City managers since he left. Dear oh dear!!

[BoneDog]

If he came back and didn't live up to expectations it still wouldn't tarnish my 90's memories of him.

Best footballing days of my life back in his reign.

[Raj]

From what I've read he's fallen out of love with it as well, disillusioned my the modern day footballer

He aint the only one!!

[MPH]

If he came back and didn't live up to expectations it still wouldn't tarnish my 90's memories of him.

Best footballing days of my life back in his reign.

Innit!!!

[dedlock]

Before Pearson was appointed it was reported MON met the owners at the Belfry.

Nothing came of those discussions. MON is proud but unpredictable.

I doubt anything will happen until end of season.

MON is his own man ,who knows if he would be interested if approached again.

I suspect MON has been less effective at Sunderland without JR.

At the time it was reported JR did not want to move to North-east.

[wurmer]

MON & Sunderland just never 'felt' the right fit, no disrespect to them, but a step down from Villa and Celtic. I didn't reals until today that JR wasn't with him - which may explain some of the problem.

He won't end up here - no matter what happens to Pearson - there will be other PL jobs coming up in the summer that he will hold out for, if he can be bothered and doesn't retire.

[bald reynard]

Before Pearson was appointed it was reported MON met the owners at the Belfry.

Nothing came of those discussions. MON is proud but unpredictable.

I doubt anything will happen until end of season.

MON is his own man ,who knows if he would be interested if approached again.

I suspect MON has been less effective at Sunderland without JR.

At the time it was reported JR did not want to move to North-east.

Where does John Robertson live now - is he still in the East Midlands ? If so, MoN wanting to team up with him again at (a 'local' club like) Leicester COULD be a possibility.

[MrSpaM]

I don't think its particularly far fetched, our owners did approach him when sven was sacked, and its not like he's going to get into another premiership side any time soon.

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

Doubt it'd happen, but even the possibility of O'Neill's return is quite exciting, should our current form continue till the end of the season. I like Pearson and think he should continue but I'm almost certain if we finish outside the playoffs he'll be fired, and O'Neill coming back would surely make the masses very happy. What he did for us was incredible, such a mental time to be a Leicester fan. Top half Premier League finishes, silverware, European football... I wouldn't have the same expectations but he's welcome here anytime

[49er]

Where does John Robertson live now - is he still in the East Midlands ? If so, MoN wanting to team up with him again at (a 'local' club like) Leicester COULD be a possibility.

I worked with someone in Nottingham who knows Robertson. He lives in the Nottinghamshire area. I think that his family is there and that is the reason why he didn't want to go with MON to Sunderland. Leicester is just down the road so that would be a definite possibility.

[coley1884]

Just out of interest, does anyone know if there's a clause in Pearson's contract which allows it to be reviewed if we don't get promoted?

[49er]

Doubt it'd happen, but even the possibility of O'Neill's return is quite exciting, should our current form continue till the end of the season. I like Pearson and think he should continue but I'm almost certain if we finish outside the playoffs he'll be fired, and O'Neill coming back would surely make the masses very happy. What he did for us was incredible, such a mental time to be a Leicester fan. Top half Premier League finishes, silverware, European football... I wouldn't have the same expectations but he's welcome here anytime

What the Thai owners may be contemplating: 1) How certain are we that NP will get us into the play offs based on current form? 50/50. 2) How certain are we that NP will get us promoted this season? 25/75. 3) Will NP still be our manager if we are not promoted? No. 4) If O'Neill was available is he more likely than NP to get us promoted? 50/50. 5) Will we get stick from the fans if NP is shown the door and O'Neill replaces him? No. 6) Shall we offer O'Neill the job until the end of the season? Yes - if he gets us promoted, he signs a contract and we give him substantial funds

[Corky]

Just out of interest, does anyone know if there's a clause in Pearson's contract which allows it to be reviewed if we don't get promoted?

Why would there be a clause? If the owners aren't happy they can sack him when they want, regardless of the timing.

[Deucalion]

I thought Pearson only signed a 2 year contract anyway.

[Monk]

Deja vu, think I've only seen versions of this thread appear about 10 times in the last 7 years on FT.

[crisp monster]

Love the guy - all time hero of mine and made me very proud to support city.

Those days are gone and if we were going to change the manager I'd rather go for someone like Solskjaer

[coley1884]

Why would there be a clause? If the owners aren't happy they can sack him when they want, regardless of the timing.

Yep, agree, but then they would need to pay compensation.

[shiv]

Just out of interest, does anyone know if there's a clause in Pearson's contract which allows it to be reviewed if we don't get promoted?

It'd take some serious ITK to know that!

[muzzy1981]

If Pearson goes, its a long shot but would love to see Neil lennon at the club. He might want a new challenge

[john ridley]

If Pearson goes, its a long shot but would love to see Neil lennon at the club. He might want a new challenge

after all who'd have imagined we'd get jock wallace after his treble at rangers :?

[Donut]

Has it all gone unnoticed that O'Neill's reign at Leicester was ages ago, times have very much changed at the club and in the league, plus the fact that he spent a lot of money at sunderland for little return, didnt have a particularly good record there and barely advanced them from the Bruce days who is a manager we love to knock.

[Happy Fox]

Some Interesting tweets tonight one from a journo and Steve Walsh

Brendan McLoughlin â€@bren_mcloughlin4m

Just a thought but Nigel Pearson might not be sitting so comfortably this evening knowing Martin O'Neill out of a job #lcfc

• 
  
  
  
  Bomber Taylor
  â€
  @
  JohnBomski
  9m
  
  
  @
  SteveWalsh5
  What see if we win ha ha no I know what your saying Lenny Lenny Lenny that's the talk even NP knows that
  
  
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Steve Walsh

â€

@

SteveWalsh5

7m

@

JohnBomski

pressures on too right NP ain't gonna hide time running out

[Jace]

Lets not forget last time Nigel Pearson was under this much pressure with the Redknapp rumours we went on an incredible winning run

[Guy]

ONeil could have the same effect for us that Davis has had at Forest. 6 winns from here would be nice

If MON had returned here after two years of being away, as in Billy D's situation at Forest then maybe - although the jury is still out on Pearson's coming back here after less than 18 months away of course! - but O'Neill hasn't managed at this competitive level since 1996 lest we forget and 17 years is a helluva long time to be away from something so day to day like in nature! Sunderland in the Prem. is quite different to the rough and tumble of the Championship I think