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Norwich Shouldn’t Rule Out Pardew

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So who do you think will fill the hot seat at Carrow Road?

I must admit to being more than a little disappointed at the appointment by Derby County of their former player, Gary Rowett.

He’s been out of work for months and I think he would’ve been a decent choice for our new manager. Once Derby came calling though there was only going to be one place he’d end up, even if we did want him.

He would’ve been my first choice.

Was he ever on the radar of our hapless board though? Due to their ridiculous dithering, wringing of hands etc, Alex Neil was finally fired about three months too late and because of that we missed out on the opportunity of speaking to Rowett – at least it looks that way from the outside.

Now that Rowett and Warburton (I wasn’t so sure about him) have got themselves new jobs, I’m wondering who will be the prime candidate now.

Radio Norfolk ‘understand’ that the club aren’t interested in Alan Pardew, although I have to say that I would be.

He’s vastly experienced, has a track record of Championship promotion and will no doubt have a very good book of contacts. He’s also a (fairly) big name in English football and that could also help draw new players in.

I’m overlooking the fact that he’s generally an objectionable bloke and trying to concentrate on his football credentials here.

I suspect though, that the first year to eighteen months might be great but then be followed by the inevitable decline that seems to blight many managers, Pardew included, before the board drag their heels and let it go on too long, just like Groundhog Day.

Roy Hodgson is another big name in English football, who hasn’t managed since he presided over England’s humiliation at the hands of Iceland and who is a friend of Delia and Michael.

Whether he wants a full time managerial role again or not, isn’t known. At almost 70 years old he might fancy a quieter life and maybe the role of Director of Football that the club seem about to announce might suit him better.

Hodgson upstairs and Pardew downstairs managing the team’s day to day running could be a decent option I reckon. It could be too expensive of course because neither man would come cheap.

Could we afford them both? Could we even afford one of them?

I’ve no idea but I do think that the board would be foolish not to be at least considering Pardew – objectionable or not, he’s a name that when you consider our position in the football league pyramid, could be the best man for the job.

By the way, I’m hearing from my sometime reliable source that City will be announcing their new structure as having a Managing Director (Steve Stone), a Sporting Director(!) and a Football Manager – who the last two will be is the million dollar question though. Let’s hope Ricky Martin isn’t the Sporting Director…

OTBC



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Editor - a forty something Canary, who has been following Norwich for 30 odd years. Family man with wife, kids, dog and a love of sport. Fan of Boxing, Vale 46, F1 and Rock.