Manchester City

[mrbojangles]

From skysports:-

City release Jordan

Manchester City have decided to release defender Stephen Jordan.

The 25-year-old, who came through City's youth academy, has been informed he does not figure in Stuart Pearce's long-term plans.

Jordan has not figured for City since the end of January and the arrival of Michael Ball pushed him further down the pecking order.

He follows Trevor Sinclair on his way out of Eastlands and Pearce paid tribute to both players for their contribution to the club.

"Stephen will be released at the end of the season, along with various younger members of the squad," he said.

"Both Stephen and Trevor have served the club very well down the years, we're sorry to see them go and we wish them well for the future."

Pearce also revealed the club are in talks with PSV Eindhoven about turning DaMarcus Beasley's loan move into a permanent deal.

However, Pearce suggested agreeing a fee for the American could scupper the move.

"At the moment we are talking with PSV in respect to his future, the price tag might be a sticking point but we are still discussing that," added Pearce

[mrbojangles]

I'm not too happy about this though

Redknapp keen on Distin

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he is keen on Manchester City's Sylvain Distin, but accepts he faces competition for the Frenchman.

Distin is considering leaving City with his current contract expiring in the summer.

A number of clubs are keeping tabs on Distin's situation at Eastlands and are ready to pounce should he decide to move on.

Redknapp has held a long-term interest in Distin and tried to sign him last year.

The Pompey chief is ready to make a renewed attempt to sign Distin this summer and he believes the former Newcastle man is one of the best free transfers around.

"I like Distin," Redknapp told The News. "He's a good player, a great free transfer for someone.

"But I think he's got plenty of offers.

"He is big, strong and quick - one of the best free transfers in the country this summer, a top player."

Redknapp has played down his sides chances of landing the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Jermain Defoe and Craig Bellamy.

Redknapp is an admirer of the striking trio, but concedes he is unlikely to be able to sign any of them.

"I also tried to get Anelka last year but I don't see it happening," added Redknapp.

"He'll probably be more expensive than last year when he cost £8million. He's scored his goals and has done quite well.

"Jermain Defoe would be lovely, but I don't think it is on.

"As for Craig Bellamy, there's no chance.

"'I'll just keep looking around and see what comes up."

[mrbojangles]

Well, one of our wish list is off

Sinclair to leave City

Trevor Sinclair has revealed he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

The former England international joined City from West Ham in the summer of 2003, but his stay at the club has been hampered by injuries.

Sinclair believes the time is right to move on and he is hoping to win a move to another Premiership club.

"After sitting down to discuss my situation this week with the manager, we have agreed that I will not be staying at City once the season ends and I will be looking for a new challenge in my football career," Sinclair told the club's official website.

"I have enjoyed my time at City enormously and have fulfilled my boyhood dream of playing for the club I have always supported. I'd like to thank all the staff and fans and wish them all the best for next season.

"I have not played as much as I would have liked recently and I am excited by the thought of a new challenge which will give me the opportunity to play more regularly as I feel I can continue to play in the Premier League for at least another couple of years, if not longer."

[mrbojangles]

Southgate admits interest

Gareth Southgate admits players of the quality of Joey Barton and Steve Sidwell do appeal to him.

Manchester City ace Barton and Reading man Sidwell have both been linked to Boro in recent months, with the pair expected to depart for new pastures this summer.

Southgate insisted he has not looked at doing a deal for either player - but admits they would be of interest to him.

"We don't know the situation with either of those players, but we are interested in good players," he told Sky Sports News.

"Anyone we feel could improve us we would be keen to bring them in."

Southgate also revealed that Malcolm Christie had left the club following in the footsteps of Abel Xavier - but insisted he wanted the likes of George Boateng and Mark Viduka to stay with the club.

"The only players that have moved on as it stands are Abel Xavier and Malcolm Christie," he said.

"Both of them are out of contract, everyone else is either under contract - or in Mark's case we are very keen to keep them."

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that striker Danny Graham will also be released.

[Bredbury Blue]

I'd be surprised if City got 5.5 million for Barton. In many ways, he reminds me of Lee Bowyer at Leeds - a midfield driving force and regular goalscorer, but always in trouble. When Leeds got in financial trouble, there was a time when a few clubs (liverpool particularly) came sniffing around and I think we agreed terms with Liverpool for around 6million until they got nervous about his 'turbulent' reputation. In the end we had to offload him to West Ham for 100,000.

I would agree with your similarity of Bowyer and Barton (on their day, and at their peak, i'd have Lee)

What club in their right mind is going to take on Barton? He's pure and unadulterated trouble.

I reckon plenty will take him on at 5.5M quid

Also, thank god he stopped taking all your set pieces. It started to get embarassing him screwing up corner after corner, finally letting the young lad (Ireland?) take over.

You are so right, he was bobbins at deadballs

I think he's a fighter, a reasonable player but far from great - rob savage type - and he can be replaced, easily

[Bredbury Blue]

If City are to let Barton go, they should be smart about it and pick up decent money or part-exchange for some one (not Beattie thank you very much). Sometimes i think we are a soft touch in the transfer market.

[mrbojangles]

Sometimes i think we are a soft touch in the transfer market.

I think most of the premiership is a soft touch now. Whenever the agent of a foreign player discovers anj English team is interested in him, his worth is doubled if not more.

[mrbojangles]

Richards reveals Gunners dream

Micah Richards can see no reason to leave Manchester City at the moment, but admits it would be a 'dream move' to one day join Arsenal.

The teenage full-back has been linked with a move to one of the Premiership's top four sides and concedes he would like to play in the UEFA Champions League.

But he is contracted to City until 2010 and is looking to repay Stuart Pearce's faith in him.

Richards also feels he can fulfil a lot of his ambitions at The City of Manchester Stadium, having already broken into the England squad.

"Obviously I'd like to play Champions League football, but time is on my side," he told the News of the World.

"I have three years left on my contract and I feel a commitment to the manager and fans.

"I like working for Stuart Pearce. He gave me my chance. I can learn a lot from him.

"I am ambitious and I'm flattered to be linked with the big clubs, but I got into the England squad playing for City, so there's no reason why I need to move at the moment."

Richards is likely to be spoiled for choice should he ever decide to move on, and he has revealed that Arsenal could be his preferred destination.

He said: "Arsenal are my team and it would be a dream move.

"I grew up supporting The Gunners."

[mrbojangles]

From skysports:-

Pearce bullish over future

Stuart Pearce is adamant he will still be at Manchester City next season.

The former England international's future at Eastlands has been the subject of conjecture after another disappointing season.

However, Pearce insists he has the backing of the club's board and they are ready to fund his transfer plans to bolster the squad for next season.

"I'm sure I will at this club next year," said Pearce. "I've been told nothing to make me disbelieve that. The board have never suggested to me I'm not the man to take this club forward.

"People may speculate I may not be here, but that's the nature of football and the expectation levels managers in the Premiership work under. Let's face it, people are half-expecting Jose Mourinho not to be at Chelsea next season.

"The board have told me there will be money to spend this summer and have intimated a figure, which is good news.

"The club has had its most consistent six seasons in the last 30 years of its history. We've stabilised ourselves and in the last couple of years we've had to tighten our belts financially, what with moving into the new stadium.

"I've not had a great deal to spend over the two-and-half years I've been in charge. Now we're at something of a crossroads and we need to push on and the board know that.

"In some ways the financial outlay has caught up with us this season. While we were never in a relegation battle, we know we've under-achieved."

[mrbojangles]

From skysports:-

Pearce hails City efforts

Stuart Pearce hailed his side for their efforts in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, but admits the club is in need of investment.

Manchester City could consider themselves highly unfortunate to lose the game as they matched the hosts throughout much of the encounter, and Pearce believes both goals - as well as the penalty missed by Jermain Defoe late on - were illegitimate.

"I thought we stuck in, we were resilient in what we were attempting to achieve," he told Sky Sports.

"I personally thought both the goals were offside. The first one, I thought Robbie Keane was in an offside position.

"The second one, my defender's gone to ground trying to stop a through-ball to Aaron Lennon, who's offside, so if he doesn't intercept that or the referee blows, Berbatov doesn't score.

"And the penalty was outside the box and probably not a penalty. But I thought we were outstanding today and we deserved something from the game."

With a takeover expected to occur during the summer, Pearce knows his own job could well be under threat.

However, he believes that is just the nature of the job and feels a takeover would bring much-needed investment to the club.

"I think that's Premiership football for you and probably the onset of a possible takeover of the football club.

"As I say, I just get on with my job, do as best as I possibly can, and just see what happens at the club.

"The one thing for sure is the club needs a touch of investment and it needs to be pushed on from there.

"The nucleus is good. We had four or five players from the academy out there who all played very well for me - the likes of Richard Dunne and Distin have all had fantastic seasons for us - and we need to add more cutting edge to us and off we go."

[mrbojangles]

Sturridge eyes breakthrough

Manchester City prospect Daniel Sturridge has set his sights on a regular place in Stuart Pearce's side.

The 17-year-old has come off the bench twice this season, playing a combined total of 20 minutes in the home defeats to Reading and Wigan.

But he is hoping to make a big impact next season and does not believe his age should stand in the way.

"I'm a typical No 10 with flair, dribbling ability and pace," he told The Times.

"Age doesn't matter to me. It's not about my age, it's about my abilities.

"I think I am ready for first-team action.

"Playing two games in the Premiership is a big thing for a 17-year-old, but I'd like to say it's not good enough for me."

[mrbojangles]

From city's web site:-

City announce record-breaking four year kit deal 14/05/2007 09:40

Manchester City Football Club is delighted to announce a record breaking four-year deal with Le Coq Sportif to be the Club’s new Official Technical Kit Sponsor.

The £10 million agreement, which is more than double the value of the existing kit deal, will result in the most competitively priced replica kit currently available for fans of any Barclay’s Premiership club. (about time too)

With prices of the new shirt starting at less than £30 for adults and £19 for juniors, with further discounts available for Seasoncard holders, the new kit signifies not only the best priced merchandise in the Premiership, but also the lowest at Manchester City for more than 15 years.

This exciting new deal sees the French-based sportswear manufacturer take up exclusive rights to provide the Club’s First Team, Reserve and Academy kits.

Additionally, the agreement brings with it a unique three brand arrangement in which iconic sporting and fashion brands Sergio Tacchini and Ecko combine with Le Coq Sportif under the brand house Focus Group, to supply premium leisure and travel wear to the Club’s players.

Speaking of the deal, Manchester City Chief Executive Alistair Mackintosh said: “A key consideration throughout our negotiations with the Focus Group was that of affordability and value. I am delighted that the outcome represents not only a record deal for the Club in terms of its worth to us, but just as significantly has resulted in the most competitively priced kit of its kind for our fans.

“The additional relationship with Sergio Tacchini and Marc Ecko brands brings with it an enhanced product choice of sport, fashion and leisure wear for both our supporters and players and is a clear sign that the Focus Group is buying into the future of Manchester City Football Club.”

Echoing these sentiments, Focus Group Sales Director Elliott Brown said: “We are delighted to announce this unique sponsorship agreement with Manchester City Football Club, it will resume a long standing relationship between the Le Coq Sportif brand and the club.

“The agreement also highlights innovative thinking of everyone at Manchester City to understand the benefits of providing their supporters with a multi-branded deal.

“The investment we have made with this agreement will hopefully enable the club to realise success both on and off the pitch.”

Orders for the new home strip will be taken on-line at mcfc.co.uk from today, ensuring home delivery of the kit on the June 9th launch day

[mrbojangles]

From city's web site:-

Boss rues luck as Blues go down at Spurs 13/05/2007 18:27

Stuart Pearce thinks that City were a touch unlucky to end the 2006/07 Barclays Premiership season on a losing note at White Hart Lane.

The Blues went behind to a Keane goal where the Irishman looked offside, but they battled back into the game after Bertbatov had made it 2-0. Emile Mpenza’s header set up a second half that City had the better of, and speaking after the game the Manager said:

“I could not fault the endeavour and the effort that they all put in, coupled with good passing and there were opportunities to win the game. We’ve reviewed the goals, both were offside and their penalty wasn’t a penalty, which disappoints me. The effort they put in was fantastic, not just today but throughout the season as well.

“We’ve shot ourselves in the foot at times, had the odd bad result or run but then the players have stepped up to the plate, and I thought they did that again today. I was pleased with them, and some of the youngsters are blossoming but we are still disappointed to lose.”

Despite being pleased with the side’s efforts, Pearce insists that his rebuilding work with the squad will start immediately, and he knows what areas he needs to address.

“We know we have got to add some more goals throughout the team, if we do that, get your nose in front in a match and then all of a sudden free-flowing football can occur. We need to address that in the summer and make sure that the right individuals come in.

“The club needs to invest in the squad, to put some talent on the pitch to give the fans a big lift. I’m planning for next year, and we need to go out and get talent, which is what I’m doing at the moment.

“The team deserved to get a result today, but tomorrow I’ve got to wake up, get my list of players out and get on the telephone to get players into the club for next season.”

[mrbojangles]

The match report:-

Spurs 2-1 City 13/05/2007 16:55

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

13th May 2007, k/o 3.00pm

White Hart Lane, Att: 35,426

Teams

Spurs: Robinson, Chimbonda, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 78), Dawson, Lennon (Malbranque 70), King, Gardner

Subs: Cerny, Huddlestone, Assou-Ekotto.

City: Isaksson, Onuoha, Dunne ©, Distin (Hamann 27), Jordan, Sun Jihai, Ireland, Johnson, Beasley (Samaras 80), Vassell, Mpenza.

Subs: Weaver, Laird, Dickov

Goals: 1-0 (Keane 10), 2-0 (Berbatov 32), 2-1 (Mpenza 40)

Bookings:

Spurs: Gardner (36)

City: Vassell (15)

Referee: S Bennett

Summary

City could count themselves a touch unlucky as they went down at White Hart Lane. Spurs' first goal looked offside, and Berbatov took advantage of a slip in defence for the second. Mpenza's header gave hope just before the break, and Isaksson saved a Defoe penalty late on, but it was just not quite enough.

Pre-match

City's team showed two changes from the one that started in the derby, with Sun Jihai replacing Didi Hamann and Stephen Jordan in for the suspended Michael Ball. 21-year-old midfielder Marc Laird made his first appearance on the senior bench, another feather in the cap for the City Academy.

The Match

City's team showed two changes from the one that started in the derby, with Sun Jihai replacing Didi Hamann and Stephen Jordan in for the suspended Michael Ball.

The game kicked off in torrential rain.

Spurs had the best of the opening spell, and they made their possession count after 10 minutes when Robbie Keane volleyed the ball home from close range after a chip over the top, but City were incensed that the goal stood as the Irishman was offside when the pass was made to him.

The goal seemed to galvanise City, who had more of the play up until 20 minutes, when a Vassell shot brought a fine save from Robinson, low to his left.

Sylvain Distin limped off after 27 minutes to be replaced by Didi Hamann, Onuoha slotting into centre back while Sun Jihai went back to right back.

The talk all week had been about Dimitar Berbatov and whether this would be his last game for Spurs, and on 31 minutes it was the Bulgarian who doubled the lead. Onuoha slipped as he blocked the striker, who took advantage with an exquisite strike from just inside the area that went past Isaksson to his right.

But it only took a few minutes for City to get back into the game, Didi Hamann chipping the ball over the defence to Emile Mpenza, who rose above his man to nod the ball high and beyond the static Robinson.

And City should have equalised a minute later, a deflected cross going to an unmarked Michael Johnson who nodded over with a goal there for the taking.

The rain relented over half time, but both sides were trying to take advantage of the greasy surface after the break, a skimming pass from Ireland just evading Johnson as the young midfielder moved towrads the area.

City's best move of the match nearly saw them equalize on 56 minutes. Mpenza did superbly to get his head on Beasley's cross, his efforts bringing an acrobatic save out of Robinson as the ball looped towards the top corner.

The Blues were making a decent fist of trying to get back to parity, and the home fans were getting increasingly restless as their side kept giving possession back to City. Their disquiet increased on 77 minutes when Mpenza was only just short of charging down a Robinson clearance from a back pass.

Defoe, on as a substitute, went close with six minutes left, whipping a free kick just over the bar.

For the third match in a row involving City there was a missed penalty, but this time luck was with the Blues. Referee Bennett gave a questionable penalty when Zokora tangled with Dunne, just outside the box. Defoe stepped up, but his poor spot kick was low to Isaksson's left and the big Swede saved with some ease.

A frantic last few minutes ensued, but sadly City could not get the goal their efforts after half time deserved

[Bredbury Blue]

Well Pearce finally got what he deserved. Take away the first fine run of games after Keegan left and look at his performance over the past 2 seasons and we haven't performed and if anything look like we're going backwards again in so many ways. I like him as a man but he doesn't seem to have what it takes to turn us around. We finished just above WHU for gods sakes!

[EastSaxCol]

We finished just above WHU for gods sakes!

You finished just above a West Ham that had won seven out of their last nine games mate - just above a team that had achieved that none other had for 30 years. That is, done the double over your rivals. So I can't for the life of me see the problem there. If we'd sorted the problems out earlier then you would have ended up several positions below us. Fact.

[muckypups]

Onwards and upwards for City perhaps..? From The Independent:

Van Gaal in the frame after City sack Pearce

The sacking of Manchester City's manager Stuart Pearce yesterday was carried out with the blessing of the club's prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, and the former Thailand Prime Minister was in England at the weekend when the club raised the question of a successor. City are determined to appoint a foreign coach to replace Pearce, with the Dutchman Louis van Gaal among the favourites.

The former Barcelona manager, currently at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, is not the only option on the list and has recently signed a new contract at the club. It is understood that Shinawatra's advisers are not at all interested in Sven Goran Eriksson, who is known to have admirers at the club. The level of influence that they are exerting on the appointment process would suggest that the £130m bid for the club is close to being accepted.

It is thought Shinawatra, ousted from Thailand by a military coup last September, is on the brink of receiving public backing from City's major shareholders. In the mean time, Van Gaal, 55, and Claudio Ranieri, 54, the former Chelsea manager, are under consideration along with the former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier, 59, now at Lyon. It would appear that the club's prospective new owners are keen to make sure that they have a big name in place to spend what could be a £50m transfer fund this summer.

As Shinawatra's consortium goes through the due diligence process with a view to buying the club, City have wasted no time in getting rid of Pearce, 45, who was told the news yesterday by the chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh. Although Pearce originally said when he took the job that he would waive any compensation in the event of his dismissal, he signed a rolling two-year deal in March last year, which should entitle him to around one year's salary as a pay-off.

Pearce's dismissal means that his successor will be the 12th City manager to occupy the post in the same 20-year time frame that Sir Alex Ferguson has reigned supreme at Manchester United. Mackintosh is a highly rated young chief executive, whom the new owners look certain to keep on after their takeover and he is expected to open talks with the successor over the next few days.

Among those from whom the Shinawatra consortium will also be taking advice over the new manager will be Keith Harris, the football finance expert who has advised on a number of takeovers, including Randy Lerner's acquisition of Aston Villa last year. City are looking for a big name, and Van Gaal, who won the European Cup with Ajax in 1995 and has one Uefa Cup and two Spanish titles to his name certainly fits the bill. As Barcelona manager he was Jose Mourinho's mentor.

Joey Barton's appalling behaviour has also not helped his manager's future, although the England midfielder is expected to be sold regardless. Despite reports, there are no immediate plans for a disciplinary hearing for the player, who was suspended for the last two games of the season for attacking Ousmane Dabo during a training session. Pearce also fell out with his board over his acceptance of the England Under-21 manager's job this season, which he took without permission from the club, and he will now be at liberty to take charge of that job full-time. The Uefa European Under-21 Championship takes place in the Netherlands next month, with Pearce due to name his final squad on 30 May. The Football Association has indicated that it wants Pearce to do the job full-time.

City's dismal goalscoring record they have not scored at home since New Year's Day was a key factor in Pearce's dismissal, as was the reluctance to hand him the transfer kitty that Shinawatra is likely to bring with him. Pearce's signing of the Greek forward Georgios Samaras for around £6m has become a symbol of City's failure this season. He has scored just six goals and none in the Premiership since New Year's Day.

Pearce's association with City has lasted five years in which he has been player, coach and manager. He was appointed on a tide of optimism at the end of the 2004-2005 season after taking over from Kevin Keegan. He won his second manager of the month award in August 2005 and was among those suggested as a successor to Eriksson for England.

[markg]

Wow. Some quite impressive names being touted about.

Good luck for next season. (Though i still think you're selling your souls to Thaksin)

[totlanh]

Well none of you will be suprised to learn that im delighted at recent developments as you will have ascertained that i was never a SP suppoerter!!I hope now City can move up a level now but im in no doubt that we would have been relegated next season should SP been allowed to stay.Lets just hope we get the much touted injection of cash and a manager and to borrow SP.s favourite phrase "cute enough"to spend it.

[mrbojangles]

I like him as a man but he doesn't seem to have what it takes to turn us around.

I echo that Bred. Good luck to him for the future.

We finished just above WHU for gods sakes!

You finished just above a West Ham that had won seven out of their last nine games mate - just above a team that had achieved that none other had for 30 years. That is, done the double over your rivals. So I can't for the life of me see the problem there. If we'd sorted the problems out earlier then you would have ended up several positions below us. Fact.

Calm down HH. I don't think it was meant in a condescending manner. It's just where you where in the table at xmas and the way you where performing we should have finished way above you. Thanks for beating United home and away though

[phuketsiam]

just wait until Thaksin gets his hands the reins

[mrbojangles]

A quick report from skysports:-

City axe falls on Pearce

Speculation has been rife over Pearce's position at Eastlands following an unconvincing Premiership campaign and the club acted immediately following their final game of the season.

A 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday left City 14th in the standings.

A statement on the club's website confirmed Pearce's contract had been 'terminated' with 'immediate effect'.

Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh added: "The board of directors would like to thank Stuart for his hard work and service during his six years here at Manchester City and wish him well for the future."

Pearce's position was undermined by his team's woeful form at The City of Manchester Stadium - City did not score a home goal since a New Year's Day win over Everton and ended the campaign with just 10 strikes to their name.

Pearce, who was in charge at City for two years, is the second Premiership manager to leave his post within 24 hours of the final programme of the season, following Paul Jewell's resignation at Wigan.

[mrbojangles]

just wait until Thaksin gets his hands the reins

I don't care if an ascendant of Attilla the Hun buys us, as long as we start to get some medals

[mrbojangles]

Just found this from the Sun on-line. Not sure if i want this to happen.

City want Sparky as boss

MARK HUGHES is wanted as new Manchester City boss by the consortium taking over the club.

Ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reckons Blackburn chief Hughes is the man to lead City towards the top end of the Premiership.

Stuart Pearce was sacked yesterday after two years and two months in charge.

And Hughes is sure to relish the prospect of taking on his old boss Alex Ferguson in the same city.

Sparky will have £50million to spend once Shinawatra completes a £58m takeover in mid-June.

Former Wales boss Hughes is seen as a name who can attract star players to the club.

The Thai group have inspected City’s books and will put in a formal offer on Friday which the board will recommend to shareholders.

Stock market rules mean there will be a gap of 30 days to allow any rival offers before the sale goes through.

The £58m bid includes £20m in repayments to chairman John Wardle and business partner David Makin for the loans they gave City.

Shinawatra, 57, was impressed after going on a tour of the club’s facilities yesterday.

And he is now even keener for the takeover to go ahead

[mrbojangles]

This also from the sun

Pearce paid price for Lions call

STUART PEARCE signed his own Manchester City death warrant the day he answered his country’s call.

Pearce defied the board over the England Under-21 job.

And his public criticism at the lack of investment drove a wedge between him and chairman John Wardle.

The attack was stinging for Wardle, who had put in more than £10million of his own money and released around £63m in all to his managers.

Pearce wasted much of the cash he had been given — not least the £6m on strike flop Georgios Samaras.

But Wardle was flabbergasted when Pearce announced without permission that he would be taking care of the Under-21s as well as City.

Had the club been riding high, it would have been bad enough. But it came at a time when their Premiership safety was far from secure.

In the end, City survived the drop by only four points after an horrendous run of form.

Wardle was debating whether to let Pearce manage the Under-21s in their friendly with Spain at Derby on February 6.

The City supremo certainly did not want him fronting the clash with Italy at Wembley on March 24.

That came slap-bang in the middle of two crucial league fixtures against Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

The European Under-21 Championships in Holland this summer was probably going to be OK but not ideal. The club expected Pearce to be scouring for new players.

So when Pearce told the Press he was taking charge of the lot after his side’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Southampton on January 28, Wardle was fuming.

From that point on, Pearce was a dead man walking at City.

He continued to dig his own grave with the team’s performances. Falling attendances and a poor renewal on season tickets hit the cash-strapped club even harder.

Pearce will probably now walk into the Under-21 job on a permanent basis — he is still scheduled to be the boss in Holland.

Wardle, meanwhile, is in the process of selling the club to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is promising to put in £50m immediately for new players as part of a £108m takeover.

Pearce has constantly said this year that the investment is much needed.

But the board saw this as a mere cover for his own failings.

Wardle had given former boss Kevin Keegan £50m to make City a force at the top end of the table.

When that did not work out, Pearce was given the job knowing the safe was empty.

Even then Wardle still found a further £13m for him to spend and another £4m to bid for Tottenham striker Mido in January.

Pearce was in charge for two years and two months — and he finished just as he started on March 19, 2005 with a 2-1 away defeat to Tottenham.

After that, he went on an unbeaten run of eight games — with the club just missing out on Europe. But recent statistics do not make such good reading. Since the start of March last year, City have played 50 league games — winning just 13, drawing nine and losing 28.

Their home form was terrible and they have failed to score or win since New Year’s Day. This season’s record of just 10 home league goals was the worst in any division.

Pearce claimed giant strides had been made at the club with the improvement in the training ground, academy and even ‘video analysis’.

The problem was what the fans saw live — and nobody wanted to own that on tape.

[mrbojangles]

This from city's web site:-

Pearce hopes Club is successful

Stuart Pearce leaves Manchester City exactly in the same way he started - with a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.

As a City player Pearce made 43 appearances, scoring three times, including a trademark free kick on his debut against Watford. He had joined the Blues from West Ham as a player coach in June 2001.

Famously, he missed a penalty during his final professional performance, had he scored it would have been a 100th career goal.

Pearce continued on the City coaching staff after his retirement and became caretaker Manager in March 2005, replacing Kevin Keegan, and after a strong run-in he was given the job on a full-time basis.

A promising start to his first full season saw Pearce collect the Premier League Manager of the Month for August - he had also won the April award the previous campaign.

This season though saw Pearce under pressure for the style of football his team played with, he also came under fire regarding the goalscoring record of his side and in the last six league games, the Blues picked up only two points.

Speaking yesterday following the Tottenham game he said: "From my position, I never worry about losing my job, my reaction would be exactly this – I’d thank the supporters and everyone connected with the Club.

"It’s a fantastic Club and you people [local press] know that better than me, you’ve been around the Club a lot longer than I have, but I’ll go and work somewhere else and prove myself elsewhere.

"I’ve got a feeling that I’ve got something good to offer management."

He rounded off yesterday's post-match interview by adding: "If they say to me, ‘Someone else is better than you Mr Pearce,’ I’d shake their hand and wish them all the best – I’d mean that as well. I hope Manchester City are successful."

[mrbojangles]

Pearce rues 'caretaker' role

Stuart Pearce has spoken of how he was treated like a caretaker manager at Manchester City in being starved of cash backing.

The Eastlands axe fell on Pearce on Monday after a campaign in which City set a new all-time low for the number of home goals scored in a top-flight campaign, a state of affairs that left the club concerned about season ticket sales.

Pearce was also accused of having lost dressing room discipline as a series of controversial incidents, involving the likes of Joey Barton, Ben Thatcher and Michael Ball hit the wrong sort of headlines.

However, while Pearce concedes his sacking came as no real surprise, he is firmly of the opinion a lack of funds was the principle reason behind what was an ultimately disappointing tenure.

His predecessor Kevin Keegan was backed to the tune of £50million and with a similarly healthy budget likely to be at the disposal of his successor, providing a proposed takeover is rubber stamped, Pearce cannot but feel his regime was hampered by a lack of genuine support from his board.

"Losing your job is all part of football management and I knew it would have to happen one day," Pearce told the Manchester Evening News.

"I wasn't taken aback, shocked or angered by the board's decision. I am not naive or stupid. I felt we were going in the correct direction but needed some finance to drive the club forward.

"The previous manager had around £50million to spend and if the club is taken over the next manager may have £50million to spend, so in that sense I feel as though I have been a caretaker with no money to spend, getting the books balanced whilst keeping the club in the Premiership.

"But I do not regret taking the job."

City finished the season in 14th place, just three points superior to relegated Sheffield United, but Pearce is adamant that his successor will inherit a squad capable of much more.

Confident that given more time he would have delivered a top six side, Pearce wishes his former employers the best of luck, for what he feels will be a bright future.

"I feel City are not far away from becoming the top six side they want to be and nothing would give me greater pleasure than this time next year to see Richard Dunne climbing the steps at Wembley to lift a major domestic trophy or the side to qualify for Europe."

[mrbojangles]

I think the links with managers from all around will go on and on

City considering Koeman move

Manchester City are considering an approach for PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman, according to reports.

Stuart Pearce was dismissed on Monday after a disappointing season at Eastlands, and City chairman John Wardle has apparently already held talks with potential investor Thaksin Shinawatra about a successor.

Shinawatra is believed to favour a foreign coach if he does complete a takeover, and former Ajax and Benfica coach Koeman has emerged as a leading candidate for the job.

Koeman, whose PSV side won the Eredivisie on the last day of the season, recently agreed to stay at the club for at least another season.

However, criticism from chairman Frits Schuitema had previously led to unrest, and the former Holland international has also become frustrated by the limited resources available to Dutch sides.

And with City now actively looking for a manager, Koeman could be given a route into the Premiership.

"I am a person who likes to go outside of Holland," he told the Daily Mail. "It is good for your experience.

"I like the way they play in England, how the people react. I think it is a pleasure to work there.

"The possibilities for most English clubs are much bigger because of their money. So, maybe."

[mrbojangles]

Here's the betting from PaddyPower. I like the odds on Joey Barton

C Ranieri 2 - 1 S Allardyce 25 - 1 S Coppell 50 - 1

R Koeman 11 - 2 G Hoddle 25 - 1 G Roeder 50 - 1

G Houllier 15 - 2 G Souness 25 - 1 M McCarthy 50 - 1

B Davies 8 - 1 D O'Leary 28 - 1 R Keane 66 - 1

P Jewell 8 - 1 N Warnock 33 - 1 T Mowbray 66 - 1

L Van Gaal 10 - 1 R Gullit 33 - 1 M O'Neill 80 - 1

S G Eriksson 14 - 1 K Keegan 40 - 1 P Ince 80 - 1

M Hughes 16 - 1 G Burley 40 - 1 N Clough 80 - 1

G Strachan 16 - 1 G Graham 40 - 1 D Wise 80 - 1

C Coleman 20 - 1 A Pardew 40 - 1 B Kerr 125 - 1

P Simpson 20 - 1 T Venables 50 - 1 J Barton 5000 - 1

[mrbojangles]

And from Ladbrokes:-

Claudio Ranieri evens

Gerard Houllier 5/1

Ronald Koeman 5/1

Billy Davies 8/1

Guus Hiddink 8/1

Paul Jewell 10/1

Sven Goran Eriksson 12/1

Van Gaal 12/1

Paul Simpson 16/1

Graeme Souness 20/1

Mark Hughes 20/1

Bryan Robson 25/1

Chris Coleman 25/1

David O Leary 25/1

Adrian Boothroyd 33/1

Glenn Hoddle 33/1

Iain Dowie 33/1

Neil Warnock 33/1

Paul Ince 33/1

Peter Reid 40/1