What Will The New Year Bring?

Mon, Dec 21 2009

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We are nearly at the end of 2009 and, as things stand, could be managerless in the next few weeks.

With Brian Laws having been ousted at Sheffield Wednesday Nigel Worthington made it immediately known that should his old club be interested in his services then he would make himself available. This follows a meeting Thursday week ago where contractual talks with both parties being described as being at an "impasse".

What Northern Ireland supporters don't need is any doubt as we enter into a vital year that needs to see us off to a good start in the Euro Qualifiers. The problem we have is that all managers are always going to be tempted by club football, unless we can match them financially.

Lawrie Sanchez is still out of work so it will be interesting to see whether he puts himself forward should a vacancy arise. Certainly, most Northern Ireland supporters would welcome him back even if the local media didn't.

Meanwhile, the are rumours that Real Madrid are interested in Jonny Evans with English paper The People reporting that Manual Pellegrini is interested in the defender. However, it seems unlikely Sir Alex would entertain any approach with Evans successfully deputizing for Ferdinand and Vidic.

The weekend saw Kyle Lafferty score twice as Rangers stay top at the SPL.

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