The Contenders - Who Will Replace Lennie?
Who's Arriving?
By Chris O'Brien
May 29 2005
Rumours have already linked a handful of football’s bigger names to the managerial vacancy at Ninian Park. Dave Jones and Dennis Wise are thought to be the leading contenders as Sam Hammam and Peter Risdale search for Lennie Lawrence’s replacement.
Lennie Lawrence only parted company with the club this morning, and already the rumour mill is churning out names regarding who will be the next Bluebirds boss. Supporters are anxious for a change in leadership with the cautious Lawrence criticised for a lack of motivational skills with the club approaching what looks set to be a very difficult time for all involved.
With season ticket sales drying up, fans are
anxious for a bigger name at the helm of the Bluebirds willing to lead from the
front on the touchline and offer inspiration with a player exodus expected over
the summer months. A number of names have already been mentioned, and though
nobody has yet thrown their hat into the ring, Hammam and Risdale are both
believed to have met candidates over the past 48 hours.
Dave Jones
The
frontrunner would seemingly be former Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers
boss Dave Jones. Hammam and Risdale have both met with Jones which fuelled
rumours that Lawrence was set to be relieved of his post as manager.
Jones enjoyed a good playing career, a strong, commanding centre-back who played
for Everton, Coventry City and Preston as well as a stint in Hong Kong. He then
went into football management. He has an impressive CV, boasting the title of
the man who masterminded Wolverhampton
Wanderers' return to the top flight of English football in May 2003. Years of
misery were over for followers of the Midlands club, though Jones couldn't keep
them in the Premier League and a poor start to this season at Molineux prompted
his departure. Prior to this, he managed
Mossley and Morecambe in the non-league before
taking the helm at Stockport County winning promotion before moving to
Southampton, spending three mixed years at the Dell.
Jones' management
career has been tarnished somewhat by a well-publicised court case. The
Liverpudlian had once worked in a care home and ten years on he was arrested on
charges of child abuse and faced a court date back in the north west. He was
cleared by the court, and made a spectacular return to football management by
promoting Wolves.
Dennis Wise
A friend to Hammam from his days at Wimbledon,
Dennis Wise is another man who has been much-linked with the
managerial post at Ninian Park. The former England star is in the market for a
new job after resigning as Millwall chief at the end of last season. His
departure came as something of a surprise though a fall-out with the Millwall
directors is said to have contributed to the decision. An impressive partnership
alongside Ray Wilkins at the Den helping Millwall challenge for the play-offs
two seasons in a row and also reach the 2004 F.A Cup final.
Hammam is a keen admirer of Wise, having tried to lure the now 38-year-old to
South Wales on a playing basis on two occasions since he purchased CCFC from
Steve Borley. The midfielder has not yet hung up his boots, so the Bluebirds
would not only get an exciting, young manager but would also inherit a talented
player who could help fill the void Graham Kavanagh's exit has left for a season
at least.
Stan Ternent
Ternent
suffered his first ever relegation when Gillingham felt victim to the
Championship drop zone on the last day of the season. The Lancastrian was a late
appointment, replacing Andy Hessenthaler at the Priestfield Stadium. He improved
the results of the Kent outfit, but still couldn't quite help the Gills beat the
drop and quickly parted company with the club heading towards Football League
One.
He is another big-football man who could bring great experience to Ninian Park.
He has managed at Blackpool, Hull City, Bury and Burnley before taking the helm
at Gillingham. He came so close to leading the Clarets into the Premiership, and
is sorely missed by supporters of the Turf Moor outfit. He has been in football
management for 26 years already.
Frank Burrows
Oh, Franky, Franky! Never can a managerial role at Ninian Park need filling
without fan favourite Burrows being linked with the position. A third stint at
Cardiff is surely unlikely for the flat-capped Scotsman, but he remains a
well-respected figure in the game having assisted Gary Megson at both West
Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest. He was in charge of the Baggies for two
games as caretaker in 2004 - his first time in charge of a club since leaving
the Bluebirds in 2000.
In addition to approximately 300 games in charge of Cardiff, Burrows has also
managed twice at Portsmouth and with the Jacks but now seems to prefer to be
away from the hot seat and act as a number two.
Nigel Clough
Nigel
Clough's success at non-league Burton Albion have seen him take the plaudits.
Having joined the club as a player/boss in 1998, he is now thought of as one of
England's best young managers. Son of the late Brian Clough, a real legend of
the beautiful game, the 39-year-old took the club to the
Unibond Premier League title
with a record points total in 2002 and has since maintained Albion's Conference
position and is laying the foundations for the club to make an unlikely leap
into the Football League.
His playing career was very successful spending nearly a decade at Nottingham
Forest and also spending time with Manchester City and Liverpool. He has been
linked with numerous Football League teams and would certainly be an interesting
appointment. He is young and enthusiastic, but also inexperienced. Still, his
father won two European Cups at Forest, so who knows?
Jim Smith
Jim
Smith has recently been made available by Southampton after leaving the St.
Mary's as part of a staff cost-cutting measure. He shadowed Harry Redknapp as
assistant with both the Saints and their arch-rivals Pompey and was a
charismatic figure on the touchline. Redknapp revealed his anger at the loss of
Smith who he regards as one of the country's best coaches.
He has been in the management game for an incredible 30 years, starting off at
Colchester United in the early 70's. This was followed by long spells at
Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Oxford United, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle
United, Portsmouth and Derby County. There is surely nobody more qualified or
experienced for football management.
However, Smith may prefer a number two appointment and also might not consider
such a quick return to the professional game having left the side of Redknapp
only days ago.
Terry Burton
Terry
Burton was appointed as assistant manager last season and his impact was
recognised with an improved set of results. Burton became the vocal man on the
touchline and his blend with Lennie's more thoughtful approach proving
successful after a dreadful start to the campaign.
He is an experienced member of staff, but has only managed one club - in charge
of Wimbledon for over 100 games during their crisis years of 2000-2002. He has
enjoyed a series of other roles at other clubs, assisting at Watford before
moving to Ninian Park. With the club in financial crisis, Burton would be the
cheapest choice for a new manager simply moving up an office with reserve
manager Paul Wilkinson likely to take over as deputy.
Hammam has previously said he would not replace Lawrence with Burton, but we
have been told a lot of things over the past few seasons!
Andy Legg
Andy Legg, who has just successfully come
through cancer surgery, is thought to have all the characteristics to step into
football management after an illustrious playing career. The throw-in specialist
always led by example during his playing days, and picked up coaching experience
when he took a player/coach role at Peterborough United before announcing his
retirement from the professional game.
Welshman Legg was a real fan favourite during his time as a player at Ninian
Park, and would be a popular appointment with the fans. His passion would be
welcomed, but with the club expecting a tough time of it next season, a man with
such little experience would find himself under instant pressure should things
go wrong.
No doubt, countless more names have been or will be linked to the club by either the press of supporters before a decision is finally made. However, Hammam and Risdale will have to act fast with a pre-season of uncertainty ahead. Leave your thoughts on who you think should be the new CCFC boss on the messageboard.