rafa's no 2....??

[Exiled_red]

Isn't it about time Alan Hansen was given a real ****in job at his club?

Do you think Hansen would leave a cushy job with the BBC to risk his reputation in a coaching role? Same for any "full time" pundits

[Tee]

Do you think Hansen would leave a cushy job with the BBC to risk his reputation in a coaching role? Same for any "full time" pundits

There will be a time I am sure.

[Exiled_red]

There will be a time I am sure.

I can't see it to be honest, he's been retired from playing for about 16-17 years (by my calculations) and I wouldn't have thought he has coaching badges

[Tee]

I can't see it to be honest, he's been retired from playing for about 16-17 years (by my calculations) and I wouldn't have thought he has coaching badges

Didn't realise it was that many years!! I have always thought he would come back one day - possibly just a romantic notion of him returning and restoring us to the invincible machine we once were....

[dom9]

been a long time since paco left and the spot still lies vacant.
why?

i know this has been discussed before but **** it....

id have thompson back in a flash. man is pool through and through.

ideas??

How do you know there is a vacancy?

My impression is that Rafa is happy with the situation and he doesn't want / need a number.

[carlton]

Pako disagreed with the signing of Ryan Babel claiming he was a panic buy and would take a lot of time to groom to become a monster of a player. The other was Rafa changing the training schedule during the summer break and hiring that Valencia dude which Pako felt undermined him.

Havent we already been thru this? Peopel were also saying that Pako was trying to line up a senior position at a spanish club behind Rafa's back.

[El Jefecito]

Pako disagreed with the signing of Ryan Babel claiming he was a panic buy and would take a lot of time to groom to become a monster of a player. The other was Rafa changing the training schedule during the summer break and hiring that Valencia dude which Pako felt undermined him.

Rafa in a Spanish interview said that Pako was interviewing for jobs in spain and that was the reason he left. You are saying something different than that, can you substantiate or is this just an "internet rumour"?

[El Jefecito]

I can't see it to be honest, he's been retired from playing for about 16-17 years (by my calculations) and I wouldn't have thought he has coaching badges

He has consistently said that he doesn't want the pressure associated with management and coaching roles, which, to me, translates to, Punditry is easy money

[Skillz]

Rafa in a Spanish interview said that Pako was interviewing for jobs in spain and that was the reason he left. You are saying something different than that, can you substantiate or is this just an "internet rumour"?

Its an internet rumour from what I can see. From what Rafa says it appears what you say is right, moreso that Pako never advised Rafa he was looking at other jobs. It's appears Rafa took that as a betrayel of trust.

[El Jefecito]

Its an internet rumour from what I can see. From what Rafa says it appears what you say is right, moreso that Pako never advised Rafa he was looking at other jobs. It's appears Rafa took that as a betrayel of trust.

That's how I read it too. Seems he brought in some other spaniard, to perform exactly the same role as Pako. Only difference, according to Ballaque (sp?), is that Pako was prepared to push back on Rafa whereas the new guy may not!

[sitoca]

I agree with V here.

If the rumours of a falling out between Rafa and Pako because Pako disagreed with him over something and stood upto him about it, i fail to see how Thommo would be much different.

Thommo never stood up to Houllier. He was always supporting the manager to a T...... remember the Fowler incident.

Saying that, I would not mind him back. We don't need any more coaches but a motivator and he seems to be a good one.....seems to be but I'm not sure.

[Fubar]

I would love thommo to come back for the passion he could give but i am gutted that gary mac has got a new job. would still have loved him to come back. apparently all the players love him and he is the ultimate professional by all accounts

[dww]

That's how I read it too. Seems he brought in some other spaniard, to perform exactly the same role as Pako. Only difference, according to Ballaque (sp?), is that Pako was prepared to push back on Rafa whereas the new guy may not!

I think a more telling difference might be that the Paco De Miguel/Angel Vales team is far less personable than Pako. There have been several times when the press have latched onto the idea that our players feel that training has become 'too scientific' and when ever you read people in previous seasons talk of Pako it was always fondly. I think this might be deliberate on Rafa's behalf - trying to get a more aloof managerial team but I think that some players need a more friendly face to the team and maybe we lack that at the minute.

[meffin]

I would love thommo to come back for the passion he could give but i am gutted that gary mac has got a new job. would still have loved him to come back. apparently all the players love him and he is the ultimate professional by all accounts

the way leeds are playing, im sure gary will be available pretty soon

[steveheighwayrobbery]

Would cost a lot more to sack Rafa plus an assistant.

They are still paying the old one surely. Isn't he on gardening leave. It must be a bloody big garden.