Ex-England manager Terry Venables is expected to decide on Thursday whether to take over as interim Newcastle boss … so the BBC tells me.
But is this such a good idea? Does Terry Venables really have what it takes to turn Newcastle around? What has he achieved since Euro 96? Will the Newcastle fans accept him as he is a close friend of Dennis Wise?
Terry Venables is known as a manager who gets results. He guided Barcelona to a La Liga title and a European Cup final. He secured the FA Cup with Tottenham. He inspired England to some glorious football and the semi-finals of an unforgettable Euro 96. Now he is in talks to keep a flailing Newcastle United’s head above the Premier League relegation watermark. Will it work out?
The St James’ Park hotseat is seen as a somewhat poisoned chalice, having had more than seven occupants in just 10 years. With owner Mike Ashley and director of football Dennis Wise becoming hate figures for the Magpies fans, is another close friend the answer?
Venables has not really achieved anything since 1996. His stints at Crystal Palace, Leeds and Middlesbrough were all drastic moves by the board to stave of relegation. It worked for Boro, but Palace went down and Leeds sacked him before he could do the same to them. He was also part of the ill-fated Stevie Mac era of English comedy in 2007. The signs are not good for Newcastle fans.
I could be proved wrong and El Tel could be the saviour of Newcastle, but once again, its saviour needs to avoid a relegation scrap, rather than bring in the silverware that the fans crave, and deserve, so much.