Our wee country is now up to 33 rd in the FIFA world rankings. This is the equal highest the country has ever achieved, the last time being in 1994. Given that Norn Iron were 124 th when Lawrie Sanchez took over, it’s pretty clear the Nordie Tiger is on the prowl.
This is welcome news in a week when ‘the Mexican’ opted for caretaker manager at Craven Cottage until the end of the season. No doubt some baksheesh from Al Fayed may have been in the offing. If Sanchez were successful in keeping Fulham in the Prem then it would be likely he would stay on full-time although there are rumours that Billy Davis at Derby is the preferred target.
Sanchez has made no secret that if something of interest came up he would consider, and it is with the blessing of the IFA that he has taken the helm at Craven Cottage. Whether Sanchez can see out his contract with Norn Iron and combine both jobs is, however, another matter.
“I talked to Lawrie on Monday afternoon and again he declared that he wants to see out his contract,” said Boycie this week.
“That’s what everyone wants. The dream scenario is that Lawrie takes us to the Euro 2008 finals.
“It is fantastic news that we have moved up to 33 rd place in the FIFA rankings. I knew we would rise from 47 th spot but I didn’t realise it would be so high. It shows once again what our international team has achieved in recent years.”
That’s all well and good, but we cannot just sit on our holes and assume that Lawrie will guide us to the Euro Finals. It is still going to be really difficult for us to qualify. If we don’t, and we must remember that to be quite likely, who will take the rap? Sanchez? Probably. The IFA? Aye.
Thankfully HD have Statto’s Lovechild currently working around the clock collating and programming terabytes of synoptic data that will eventually process the identity of Sanchez’ replacement. The HD news agency will keep you posted.
Perhaps Sanchez has been buoyed by the fact that it is alleged he gets £1K for every place they have moved up the rankings. Not bad. So, if he was getting £90K a year and assuming he will complete his third year, plus £91K rankings bonus that puts him on £120K. A drop in the ocean in football terms yes, but an improved contract would surely have to be offered to future candidates. Sparky tried to combine both jobs and look where Wales are now. 74 th.
Unfortunately, but they have to understand the humour in our reasoning, the Republic have actually moved up to 31 st, despite having Steve Staunton, an insomniacs fantasy, as manager and the fact they play shite, boring football. It Beggars belief!
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