[seahawkdad]

In case you didn't already know, Souness is leaving Blackburn to become Newcastle's manager.

I'm not sure whether this is necessarily a bad thing for the Rovers...or a good thing for Newcastle. Some of their fans have voiced their opinion in letters to 365, and they aren't too happy about it.

[blkbrnrvr]

as long as Souness doesn't try to poach Blackburn's roster in January (i.e. Ferguson), I think this can be a good thing for Rovers. Over the last couple of years there have been too many bust ups and falling outs to keep the dressing room stable in my opinion. Tactically Souness has been questionable as well of late, considering his refusal to play Matteo everywhere except in the heart of defense, including left mid, while somehow relegating a talent such as Paul Gallagher to the depths of the squad. Does Tony Parkes take over again? At least he is familiar with the squad, so some continuity can be saved.

[352gialloblu]

Parkes will take temporary control: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlin...309386&cc=5739

I think Souness was getting a bit stale at Blackburn, so a change might be good. I wish him luck at Newcastle, but I hope we get a good manager in. Wish we could get Strachan, but if Newcastle couldn't get him, we have no hope.

[RoverMax]

I think it was time for Souness to leave. I just hope that he doesn't try to take some of our players in January, and this could happen since Newcastle has some money from the Woodgate transfer.

[blkbrnrvr]

Originally Posted by RoverMax

I think it was time for Souness to leave. I just hope that he doesn't try to take some of our players in January, and this could happen since Newcastle has some money from the Woodgate transfer.

I think it's safe to say that there won't be any approach for our forwards, since he'll have Shearer, Bellamy, Kluivert and Ameobi at his disposal, and I doubt he'll look to add anyone from the back, sans Friedel. I think his main targets would be Ferguson and Matteo.

[352gialloblu]

It's a strange squad for the new manager to come too. A few promising young players, and a few old defenders, and quite a few "battlers" that Souness collected (Dickov was perfect for Souness, but has now only played 4 games for him!). I think the squad really has Souness stamp on it, and I'm not sure how many other managers would really appreciate the group.

Anyway, I like the idea of Mark Hughes. Doubt he'll leave his Wales job, and doubt he'll try to take on both jobs at once, so...

[seahawkdad]

Here's the latest...

A quote from the article:

Blackburn Rovers, which has yet to win a game in English soccer's Premiership this season, said it appointed Wales coach Mark Hughes to replace Graeme Souness as team manager.

Hughes will take charge with immediate effect, the club said on its Web site, which didn't give any more details. U.K. newspapers had reported that the 40-year-old may remain part-time coach of Wales for World Cup qualifiers against England and Poland in October. Souness quit last week to join Newcastle.

Fox Sports has this, and more:

The Welsh boss, a former Blackburn player, takes over from Graeme Souness who succeeded Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United last week.


"Blackburn Rovers Football Club announce tonight that Mark Hughes has been appointed manager with immediate effect," said a brief statement released by the club. Hughes will be officially unveiled at a press conference at Ewood Park later tonight (Australian time).

[352gialloblu]

Originally Posted by 352gialloblu

Anyway, I like the idea of Mark Hughes. Doubt he'll leave his Wales job, and doubt he'll try to take on both jobs at once, so...

Guess I was wrong!

[blkbrnrvr]

Originally Posted by 352gialloblu

Guess I was wrong!

I'll forgive you for being wrong this time.
I'm thrilled by this hire. Hughes has done quite a job with Wales, and I think he will definitely be the breath of fresh air this club needs. I feel alot better about our survival this season, and I think that the January transfer window and next summer's window should allow him to put more of his stamp on the squad. If he just rights the ship this season, things may be quite promising next term.