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xxDEFOE14xx · 29-11-2008, 05:25 AM

WHO WILL BE POMPEY’S NEW MAIN MAN???
With just over a month to go before Portsmouth get their 2008-09 season underway with the Charity Shield match against Man Utd, the question many are asking is who will be Portsmouth’s new manager?

With Tony Adams ruling himself out of the running for the top job, a number of suitable replacements have been linked to take over Harry Redknapp’s former post. Amongst the names linked with the club are former Inter boss Roberto Mancini, former Pompey forward Guy Whittingham, Celitc boss Gordon Strachan and the man Redknapp replaced at Tottenham, Juande Ramos.

Roberto Mancini was linked with Championship club Queens Park Rangers, before his representative played down the talk with a harsh statement for QPR fans, stating he had no intention of coaching a side not involved in top flight football. This could be a good sign for Portsmouth who have come off a relatively good season finishing 8th in the league and claiming the FA Cup, for the second time in club history, the first coming in 1939. Mancini would be a huge boost for Portsmouth who will be looking to continue on from their form from last season.

A proven professional, Mancini can claim the title of Inter’s best manager of the last 30 years, claiming 3 Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies. Unfortunately his failure to perform in the UEFA Champions League resulted in his eventual sacking, with Jose Mourinho taking over at Inter. Mancini has been very public about his desire to manage a team in the Premier League and was also linked with the vacant manager’s position at West Ham earlier this year, the role eventually going to Giafranco Zola. Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gadamak will have to tap into his back pocket if he hopes to sign Mancini, his performance over the past seasons will guarantee him a hefty salary, one that may be out of the reach of Pompey.

Whilst lacking the same class of coaching ability as the other names linked with the club, Guy Whittingham is a club hero and will be a favourite with Pompey fans. A late start to his career as a player saw Whittingham take the field at the age of 24 for Yeovil Town before joining Portsmouth in 1989, playing 160 games in his first of 3 stints at the club managing to score 88 goals in the process. Playing for a number of other clubs during his career Whittingham managed to notch up 401 appearances scoring 156 goals. As a manager Whittingham has had the misfortune of seeing two clubs run into financial trouble, he is currently a coach at Eastleigh FC. The step up to Portsmouth will be a huge leap back into the footballing limelight for the man known at Fratton Park as ‘Corporal Punishment’ and with the other names linked with the club it would seem the only way Whittingham will find himself in the manager’s seat will be if Alexandre Gadamak and Peter Storrie have lost their minds.

Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan has played down any talk about him leaving Celtic, but the Scotsman is yet to extend his contract with the Scottish club and many believe he is considering a move to the Premier League, to challenge long time rival Sir Alex Ferguson, in a league he has ruled for the majority of twenty years. Strachan has led his beloved Celtics to three consecutive Scottish championships and is said to be looking for a new challenge, despite his constant statements suggesting otherwise. Having played and managed for teams in England including Portsmouth’s rivals in Southampton, Strachan would be more than capable of taking on the role at Portsmouth. A pure Scottish fighter, Strachan will bring his aggressive attacking style to Pompey, and his rivalry with Sir Alex could work well to Pompey’s advantage.

Having knocked back an offer to manage Portsmouth in the past, which many believed to be solely based on the fact he managed Southampton previously, sees Strachan as an outsider in the race for Pompeys top job.

The unlucky Juande Ramos, who felt the wrath of a poor season with Tottenham was quick to express his desire to remain in England after being sacked by Daniel Levy. Despite his poor season with Tottenham, many still believe Ramos has what it takes to be a force in the Premier League, with his supporters suggesting other factors at Tottenham were to blame for the clubs poor performances. Having claimed 2 UEFA Cup Titles with Sevilla, Ramos displays the experience that Peter Storrie will be looking for in a leader to take Pompey on to the European football stage.

Ramos is held in high regard by many footballers, with many wanting to play under him. A factor that Pompey’s board members will surely take into consideration. The ability to draw big name players to the club will be a huge benefit for Portsmouth who showed last year they are on the verge of becoming a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

29-11-2008, 05:25 AM	#32 (permalink)
xxDEFOE14xx Rookie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 55	WHO WILL BE POMPEY’S NEW MAIN MAN??? With just over a month to go before Portsmouth get their 2008-09 season underway with the Charity Shield match against Man Utd, the question many are asking is who will be Portsmouth’s new manager? With Tony Adams ruling himself out of the running for the top job, a number of suitable replacements have been linked to take over Harry Redknapp’s former post. Amongst the names linked with the club are former Inter boss Roberto Mancini, former Pompey forward Guy Whittingham, Celitc boss Gordon Strachan and the man Redknapp replaced at Tottenham, Juande Ramos. Roberto Mancini was linked with Championship club Queens Park Rangers, before his representative played down the talk with a harsh statement for QPR fans, stating he had no intention of coaching a side not involved in top flight football. This could be a good sign for Portsmouth who have come off a relatively good season finishing 8th in the league and claiming the FA Cup, for the second time in club history, the first coming in 1939. Mancini would be a huge boost for Portsmouth who will be looking to continue on from their form from last season. A proven professional, Mancini can claim the title of Inter’s best manager of the last 30 years, claiming 3 Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies. Unfortunately his failure to perform in the UEFA Champions League resulted in his eventual sacking, with Jose Mourinho taking over at Inter. Mancini has been very public about his desire to manage a team in the Premier League and was also linked with the vacant manager’s position at West Ham earlier this year, the role eventually going to Giafranco Zola. Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gadamak will have to tap into his back pocket if he hopes to sign Mancini, his performance over the past seasons will guarantee him a hefty salary, one that may be out of the reach of Pompey. Whilst lacking the same class of coaching ability as the other names linked with the club, Guy Whittingham is a club hero and will be a favourite with Pompey fans. A late start to his career as a player saw Whittingham take the field at the age of 24 for Yeovil Town before joining Portsmouth in 1989, playing 160 games in his first of 3 stints at the club managing to score 88 goals in the process. Playing for a number of other clubs during his career Whittingham managed to notch up 401 appearances scoring 156 goals. As a manager Whittingham has had the misfortune of seeing two clubs run into financial trouble, he is currently a coach at Eastleigh FC. The step up to Portsmouth will be a huge leap back into the footballing limelight for the man known at Fratton Park as ‘Corporal Punishment’ and with the other names linked with the club it would seem the only way Whittingham will find himself in the manager’s seat will be if Alexandre Gadamak and Peter Storrie have lost their minds. Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan has played down any talk about him leaving Celtic, but the Scotsman is yet to extend his contract with the Scottish club and many believe he is considering a move to the Premier League, to challenge long time rival Sir Alex Ferguson, in a league he has ruled for the majority of twenty years. Strachan has led his beloved Celtics to three consecutive Scottish championships and is said to be looking for a new challenge, despite his constant statements suggesting otherwise. Having played and managed for teams in England including Portsmouth’s rivals in Southampton, Strachan would be more than capable of taking on the role at Portsmouth. A pure Scottish fighter, Strachan will bring his aggressive attacking style to Pompey, and his rivalry with Sir Alex could work well to Pompey’s advantage. Having knocked back an offer to manage Portsmouth in the past, which many believed to be solely based on the fact he managed Southampton previously, sees Strachan as an outsider in the race for Pompeys top job. The unlucky Juande Ramos, who felt the wrath of a poor season with Tottenham was quick to express his desire to remain in England after being sacked by Daniel Levy. Despite his poor season with Tottenham, many still believe Ramos has what it takes to be a force in the Premier League, with his supporters suggesting other factors at Tottenham were to blame for the clubs poor performances. Having claimed 2 UEFA Cup Titles with Sevilla, Ramos displays the experience that Peter Storrie will be looking for in a leader to take Pompey on to the European football stage. Ramos is held in high regard by many footballers, with many wanting to play under him. A factor that Pompey’s board members will surely take into consideration. The ability to draw big name players to the club will be a huge benefit for Portsmouth who showed last year they are on the verge of becoming a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title.