Blazing_Saddler wrote:Hiddink would have been my first choice. Then Scolari. Having screwed that up, Big Sam
I don't think Mclaren did that great a job at Boro, he had shed loads of money, and one good run in the mickey mouse cup of Europe as it is now.
If Newcastle give Allardyce the time, he will get things right. It isn't an easy job, how many have been there and failed now.
Bolton were a team no one wanted to play, they got a reputation for the kind of football they played, but he just played them to their strengths.
And McClaren won the League Cup. No arguments that it's a Mickey Mouse Cup, but he's the only English manager to win a trophy with a Premiership club for over 10 years.
I agree with you about Newcastle actually. I just doubt that the board will give him time. They should be looking for halfway up the table this season, but I suspect that they're thinking top 6.
As I say, Allardyce did make Bolton tough to play - and did a good job. I just need him to go somewhere else and show a bit more adaptability before I'm convinced that he's a really top manager. There are plenty of managers who've had great success at one club but not really been able to adapt to a step up. Graham Taylor is one example - and I fear that an England side under Allardyce would follow the same pattern as Taylor's.
Obviously McClaren has been no better - and I can't honestly say that I'm surprised at that. I think that it was a toss-up between the two of them (having scared off all the top candidates) and McClaren probably got the nod for non-footballing reasons to be honest.