Mick McCarthy enters talks with Burnley
8:57am Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport
By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter
Mick McCarthy
BURNLEY have spoken to former Wolves boss Mick McCarthy over the vacant manager’s position at Turf Moor, the Lancashire Telegraph understands.
The 53-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in February as the Midlands side battled against relegation from the Premier League, ultimately unsuccessfully.
It is believed former Sunderland and Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy was interested in what the Clarets had to say, but has also had discussions with Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers, who sacked former Burnley boss Owen Coyle last Tuesday.
The Clarets board are thought to have met yesterday to work through a long list of applicants vying to be Eddie Howe’s successor, after family reasons led to the 34-year-old returning to take charge of League One Bournemouth.
It is understood Burnley chiefs were keen to whittle down the dozens who had indicated their interest in the Turf Moor hotseat down to a shortlist of two or three.
Portsmouth boss Michael App-leton and Barnsley manager Keith Hill were thought to be in the running, but McCarthy last night emerged as the leading contender after what was described as an ‘informal chat’ with the club.
Ex-Claret Graham Alexander’s chances cannot be ruled out either.
David Unsworth could also prove to be a rival for the role, with the Clarets said to be keen to hold discussions with the former defender. The 38-year-old could be considered a surprise option for the post, given that it would be his first in management. But he has connections with the club having spent a season at Turf Moor towards the end of a career which was spent largely at Everton, where he played under Joe Royle, Walter Smith and David Moyes, among others.
Equally, Alexander would be new to senior management, having recently taken over as head of youth at Preston North End after calling time on a lengthy playing career.
The 41-year-old's name is etched in Clarets folklore after making his 1000th career appearance at Turf Moor.
Those links could be important in the search for the club's fifth boss in five years.
One criteria that the board are believed to have set is that their next appointment is someone who can identify with the area.
They will consider candidates both in and out of work.
“The board has a vision of how they want the club to go forward and the philosophy,” said chief executive Lee Hoos.
“We have a progressive infrastructure. We have to maintain philosophy and infrastructure.
“Swansea have done that really well.”
Asked if that approach would narrow the search, Hoos added: “It makes it more focused.
“We know the criteria we want and the type of manager we want.
“It has got to be a progressive manager, someone who embraces sports science and uses technology to their advantage. Someone hungry.”
After a succession of young managers, Hoos said: “Age is not important. It's all about values and attitude.”
While the club have said they are in no rush to make an appointment, I understand the new manager could be in place in time for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday.
“This is a long-term appointment, we have to make sure we get the right person for the job,” said Hoos.
“Any sensible club would do the same. There's no time frame, but potentially it could be a quick appointment.
“We have a list of people we are planning to approach and not wait for them to contact us.
“We know what we want.”
Meanwhile, I understand there has been a verbal agreement between Howe and Burnley that their former boss will not come back to cherry-pick players until the summer.
Marvin Bartley could be the only exception. The Cherries were in the process of plotting a loan move for the midfielder three weeks ago while Paul Groves was still in charge.
Comments(23)
proud burnley lad
says...
9:32am Mon 15 Oct 12
A Darener
says...
9:42am Mon 15 Oct 12
Was that to ask him if he knewof anybody who would come and manage them?
jadmorty
says...
10:56am Mon 15 Oct 12
Graham Alexander for me.
Jadmorty.
buzzinfly
says...
11:22am Mon 15 Oct 12
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
Rovers1975
says...
12:25pm Mon 15 Oct 12
buzzinfly wrote:Big boys? You're linked with McCarthy and you big? What a clown. The only thing Rovers and the likes could learn of Bonley is how to have supporters who judge their success based on another club down the roads failure. I pity you.
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
Easily impressed.
Small minds. Small club.
ToffeeGuy
says...
3:24pm Mon 15 Oct 12
McClaret
says...
3:33pm Mon 15 Oct 12
As an aside, Gary Neville is highly astute, well connected and tactically superb. Surprised none of the local clubs are talking about him.
RUinsane
says...
3:41pm Mon 15 Oct 12
corfiot1764
says...
3:44pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Micky Mellon former claret,took fleetwood up with maximum points and now they are third in league. Gary neville yes! stuff inexperienced young managers. look at howe. I prefer phelan/mellon/nevill
e/or mccarthy. We need a strong manager. not a wuss.
corfiot1764
says...
3:47pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Micky Mellon done an excellent job at Fleetwood
Gary Neviile international
Mc Carthy experienced
We dont need managers who are not succeeding at lower league clubs, howe was a flop
It has to be a proven manager, or someone who has worked with proven managers
and get shut of the garbage players Howe bought, jeez.
RUinsane
says...
4:06pm Mon 15 Oct 12
no ney never
says...
4:12pm Mon 15 Oct 12
McClaret wrote:Agreed McClaret, I too would like to see Gary Neville take the job. I would like to see our board make an approach. McCarthy is a good manager, but i don't like his style of play and i'm not sure we have the type of player he would need to play his way. I would have steve cotterill back,a great coach, but he only ever seemed to point out the players weaknesses. Big Stan Ternent, if only to provide him with material for another book coz his first one was a good read!
Howe cherry pick Burnley players, if that was to happen what would it say about Burnley? Should never have let Alexander leave and when Coyle left I posted for the club to keep Stevie D and for them to be named joint managers till the end of the season. Ironically that would have avoided Laws, Iwelumo, Cort et al.
As an aside, Gary Neville is highly astute, well connected and tactically superb. Surprised none of the local clubs are talking about him.
Will be interesting to see what message the board give out about their intentions for our club since it will be the first appointment under their charge.
La Claret mas fina
fylde exile
says...
4:38pm Mon 15 Oct 12
donegal claret
says...
5:11pm Mon 15 Oct 12
proud burnley lad
says...
8:16pm Mon 15 Oct 12
buzzinfly wrote:haha dont worry you lot will speak to someone soon too dont get yourself upset were sending in special agent black in to finish the job heads up come on 25000 on v wolves dont talk **** your all back to supporting united
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
proud burnley lad
says...
8:19pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Rovers1975 wrote:dont pity me am good thank you just tc of black for us make him feel at home there's a good boy
buzzinfly wrote:Big boys? You're linked with McCarthy and you big? What a clown. The only thing Rovers and the likes could learn of Bonley is how to have supporters who judge their success based on another club down the roads failure. I pity you.
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
Easily impressed.
Small minds. Small club.
buzzinfly
says...
8:32pm Mon 15 Oct 12
proud burnley lad wrote:Their you go again, the word Boy in your post. A bit obsessive I think, or are you Jimmy Saville posting from the dead?
Rovers1975 wrote:dont pity me am good thank you just tc of black for us make him feel at home there's a good boy
buzzinfly wrote:Big boys? You're linked with McCarthy and you big? What a clown. The only thing Rovers and the likes could learn of Bonley is how to have supporters who judge their success based on another club down the roads failure. I pity you.
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
Easily impressed.
Small minds. Small club.
proud burnley lad
says...
9:26pm Mon 15 Oct 12
buzzinfly wrote:maybe who knows boy :>
proud burnley lad wrote:Their you go again, the word Boy in your post. A bit obsessive I think, or are you Jimmy Saville posting from the dead?
Rovers1975 wrote:dont pity me am good thank you just tc of black for us make him feel at home there's a good boy
buzzinfly wrote:Big boys? You're linked with McCarthy and you big? What a clown. The only thing Rovers and the likes could learn of Bonley is how to have supporters who judge their success based on another club down the roads failure. I pity you.
proud burnley lad wrote:Goodness me, You have spoken to somebody and you think that makes you a 'Big Boy' club. Maybe you just like the idea of having Big Boys around you! Whatever floats your boat. Just like all Burnley fans, their sucess is based on what their neighbouring Clubs don't acheive. How sad. Come back when you've done something.
it makes them b******s down rd look so stupid haha without a manager and struggling to write names on a paper atm embarrassing tut tut look at the big boys around you and learn from them UTMC
Easily impressed.
Small minds. Small club.
jellybiff
says...
10:21pm Mon 15 Oct 12
yeah right ;all of the usual suspects get mentioned and i for one won't be bothering to go on again.
bobinspain
says...
9:50am Tue 16 Oct 12
"We have a progressive infrastructure. We have to maintain philosophy and infrastructure,"----
--"It's got to be a progressive manager, someone who embraces sports science and uses technology to their advantage. Someone hungry."------"Someo
ne who can identify with the area."
Am I alone in thinking this shouts 'American bull$#it management-speak?'
Hoos would be better keeping his own counsel and have us think he's an idiot, rather than spouting this drivel and confirming it.
bobinspain
says...
9:54am Tue 16 Oct 12
I think he's a gobby bully with limited managerial skills.
If he comes cheap though, you can guarantee he'll be in the frame.
Rovers1975
says...
5:50pm Tue 16 Oct 12
bobinspain wrote:I agree bob. I tell you what though, if you lot get McCarthy before derby day and those 5h1theads who own us are still mincing around as per the norm, i think you might just get that result you've been waiting for........
Oh, and my two-pen'orth on McCarthy:
I think he's a gobby bully with limited managerial skills.
If he comes cheap though, you can guarantee he'll be in the frame.
Is Eckersley playing? says...
9:07am Mon 15 Oct 12