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Dowie favourite, but new name enters Latics frame
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 07 February 2013
IAIN Dowie remains the main candidate for the manager’s job at Athletic — but the club is staying tight-lipped over whether he has received an offer.
Contact has been made with the 48-year-old manager, who left Boundary Park in 2003.
But Athletic officials won't comment on speculation that a contract has been offered.
His potential salary may scupper the chances of a deal.
Dowie, a former Northern Ireland striker who led Athletic to the League One play-offs a decade ago, has managed at Crystal Palace, Charlton, Coventry and QPR.
Former Derby, Hull and Preston boss Phil Brown remains second-favourite with the bookmakers and a new name is now being linked with the job — Southport manager Liam Watson on the list ahead of former England assistant Sammy Lee.
An appointment before Saturday’s MK Dons appears unlikely.
Dean Furman, who has not featured for Athletic since the 3-2 FA Cup third-round win at Nottingham Forest a month ago, could come straight back into the team for that game.
Comments
Speculation, speculation, it is inevitable that so many names are being linked with the vacant managers position at OAFC. Whoever is successful they will have a huge mountain to climb plus they will need to bring in their own back-up team to ensure that they are geared up for an almighty fight to clear the relegation positions. Already 7 points adrift of Shrewsbury who are but three places above the Latics indicates the task ahead. I am sure that S.C. has his finger on the button BUT ........!
Liam Watson?! The manager who has Southport at the heady heights of 13th in the Conference?! Is this some sort of joke?!
Dowie is a good option but the other names in this article leave me cold.
Sammy Lee ????????? now i feel sick !
Please tell me this is a wind-up :- Liam Watson, Sammy Lee !! Most fans are looking for a experienced manager / coach that has the ability to manage in the 1st division & keep us up - Nothing Less !!! There are good managers out there look at Crewe potential relegation fodder but their manager Steve Davies came in last year got them promoted with trip to wembley & looks like another wembley trip this year - When did we last play at wembley 1994 ? Any wonder we have rapidly diminishing fanbase !
Well I'm sure SC has a short list but who can he afford? My personal preference from those mentioned so far would be Dowie - and Phil Brown if that doesn't work out. Sammy Lee has been a very good coach but hasn't managed the step up and I have to say that Liam Watson is right off my radar. Has he got the right contacts, is he too low profile? Difficult task for Simon - this one has got to be right! Apart from that let's all get right behind the team on Saturday.
Sammy Lee and Liam Watson!! We'd be better off with Bruce Lee and Emma Watson! Experienced manager Latics!! Come on!! Grayson, Brown, Coyle etc. Dowie had biggest budget in division and only managed play-offs in the days of Chris Moore, so wouldn't want him back. Wise words Baku Blue!
Oh dear - hope we're not going to get a repeat of Talbot and Penney - advice taken from other quarters (Wenger in the case of Talbot)and an appointment made that every fan knows from day one ain't going to work.
lookers - "however lacks league experience. Only played for PNE in the 4th tier...!"
It doesn't matter where you played. Who did Mourinho, Wenger and Villas-Boas play for? How did Bobby Charlton do as a manager?
@Baku: Steve Davis was already at Crewe when Gradi stepped down, I think he was either assistant or coach?
Also, he cut his managerial teeth in non-league, a bit like Liam Watson has been doing. Doesn't Watson have a full time job though?
Sammy Lee on a short list that's just heightism!
Just can't take Dowie as a serious option, he has not been snapped up by other clubs because he just isn't good enough.
Keith Curle makes more sense having been sacked by Notts County for only being 10th.
Its a shame Philiskirk won't take the gamble as he has the respect of fans and has better knowledge of the players at the club including youth! We would at least go down fighting.
Liam Watson? You can have my season ticket and Everton ticket back then!
Sammy Lee?? His managerial record is P14 W3 D4 L7 which hardly brings any confidence.
I little bird has told me that Lookerstandandy has applied for the job!, after all he knows it all, done it all, says a lot, scoff at others a lot, blows a lot of hot air but contributes nothing....and he can do all this and keep a straight face! :).
Over fifty applicants and thats the top choices..Jeesh I would hate to see the rest! Please god dont let us be a learning curve for an ambitious none league manager. I didnt care too much for Dowie,BUT I think he would get control of the players and put the fear of god in them. I dont think there is anything wrong with the squad we have - It just needs a kick up the backsides. A rookie isnt going to manage that. Curle and Dowie would be a good team if thats the best we have - Can we afford both?
Nice one Ammy.... if you read carefully enough, you'll notice at no point do I rule him out.... on the basis that he might well be the man for job.... I simply don't know enough about him.... and neither do you.... hence my little bit of shared desk research!
Two candidates you can rule out, Phil Brown looks likes he is going to Partick Thistle, and Billy Davis is now back at Notts Forest.
Some shrewd judges have just given me a new name in the frame for the job - A Guy called Lee Hadfield anyone know his history ?????
Lee Hadfield Building Restoration
Hope Cottage Easthampton, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 9NZ
Ok now I am worried!! Cant see him running the team well BUT perhaps the new stand will be built by the end of the season
IOW Pete - The Lee Hadfield i am aware of i would not let him build a sandcastle never mind a new stand !!!
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Sammy Lee? Pleeeeeeeez!!!! Quite clearly never a manager in a month of Sunday's!
Watson looks interesting... a scouser... involved in the rise of Craig Noone (now Cardiff)... and got Southport into the conference and kept them there... albeit with a bit of luck with Rushden & Diamonds being liquidated. Doesn't come with the baggage of a Dowie or a Brown... however lacks league experience. Only played for PNE in the 4th tier...!
The best of luck Simon... it can't be easy making a decision!
By lookerstandandy @ 07/02/2013 14:26:22