As the title suggests...... William Hill have stopped taking bets on Mick joining Sunderland. Apparently they've said big bets by a couple of 'well-connected' punters have convinced them that its a sure thing.
And how would you Irish supporters view this, if it happens? Mick will be at home with his mates Niall, Jason, Phil and Kevin (Kilbane) - I reckon it would make relegation for the Mackems a certainty.
Yea....wait till he buys Harte so he can recreate that stunning world cup left wing relationship...... I will be in Landowne this time next week and i am certainly wondering whether it will be Micks last game in charge......if we lose it certainly will be. If he does leave it gives a new manager till March to plan before he has to get back into competitive Euro matches. closey
I hope it happens and the new manager has a squad meeting where a secret vote is held, bits of paper are handed around and handed back with the words "Yes" or "No" on them, if the majority say yes then let Keane come back, but it would have to be a big majority, about 70/30, to be sure.
Regardless of who gets the job, if McCarthy goes, Keane won't be back unless oul whiskey face gets it and there's no chance of that. Keane doesn't want to play for his country and has little or no respect for his less talented but willing teammates. I wouldn't expect too many would want him back anyway. As for your suggestion that a secret ballot should be held amongst the players, that's laughable, the manager decides who he wants in the squad not the players. Presumably the new manager will want Keane back but Dunphy won't let him return and he'll use the FAI as the excuse not to return. Phuck him.
Soccercentral are currently claiming an exclusive that Sunderland have sought and received permission from the FAI to speak to McCarthy. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Sewer Journalist is linked to this site. Anyway, better give them the plug: http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstory.asp?mainheading=Republic+of+Ireland&id=8182&viewstory=yes
Thinking about it, its perfect for the conspiracy theorists. Three of the major Keane bete noires from the summer (Staunton, Quinn & Alan Kelly) all retired. Mick looking odds on to leave. Looks like most obstacles to Keane's return are falling away gradually (even Trigger is injured!) For my money, we won't hear anything until after the Swiss game - would be massively unprofessional of McCarthy to engage in any speculation before it. But as soon as its over, I can see Sunderland approaching him and him jumping ship by the end of next week. Then the debate over a replacement can really begin.
Reminds me of an event that happend at Ajax in the Seventies when the new manager asked for a secret vote on who the captain should be for the forthcoming season (Cryuff was the current captain). Cryuff was ousted by a significant majority and he never played for Ajax again, he signed for Barcelona within weeks!!