by JBG » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:03 pm
1. Ferguson hasn't signed a new contract yet, and there's a rumour that from now on he will only get a 1 year roll over contract. He won't accept that. He has fallen out with John Magnier over the Rock of Gibralter and if Magnier and JP McManus end up taking control at UTD it could spell the end of Ferguson there......although a lot of this is merely speculation and it would be crazy to let Ferguson go.
2. If Ferguson gets the contract that he wants, he will stay at Old Trafford for another 3 years. I have a sneaking feeling that he might look for an extension in two years time (he has Bobby Robson written all over him). In that case, O' Neill will never get the Man Utd job.
3. If Ferguson goes early, O' Neill will be low down on UTD's list, as I predict they will go continental with their new manager. I think it will be a top name from Italian or Spanish football......look at how UTD have being taking on continental coaches lately.
4. Celtic are a better team than Liverpool, but they do not have better players. Balde is no Hyppia, Lennon no Gerrard, Larson no Owen. The reason why Celtic are a better side is because of O' Neill.
5. Where is the long term job satisfaction in beating Partick or Dundee 5-0 every week? O' Neill only has about 10-12 competitive games a season.....those against Rangers and those in Europe. At Liverpool he would have at least 40-45 competitive games a year.
6. He would get a massive contract at Liverpool, and probably have a guaranteed £10 to £15million a season to spend on players (more if they do well every year in the Champions League).
7. Even though we have fallen a long way behind our competitors there is still an aura of a "glory club" at Liverpool. We have an incredible, emotional history, and fantastic potential to rise again. O' Neill might like the challenge of awakening the sleeping giant.
Jolly Bob Grumbine.