A week after the departure of Dave Jones, Cardiff City fans are still yet to see who will replace the Liverpudlian. After speculation on messageboards of managers such as Chris Hughton, Roberto Di Matteo, Sam Allardyce, Martin O'Neill, Mark Robins, Billy Davies and a few suggestions for Paul Tisdale and Lee Clark, CCFC have so far have kept quiet regarding the vacancy.
However names being spouted on Messageboards has dwindled with managers coming and going places in the past week. Martin O'Neill is favourite for the Fulham job vacated by Mark Hughes. With Hughes odds on favourite to take over at Villa Park and one of the front runners to take over at Stamford Bridge although Hiddink is the front runner there. Sam Allardyce has taken a role at Championship outfit West Ham United. Also with Carl Curtis claiming that the club has gave up on Martin O'Neill due to financial blocks, fans have started focusing on two main candidates. These are Chris Hughton and Roberto Di Matteo. Lets start with the former.
Chris Hughton
Chris Hughton was an English born Republic Of Ireland full back. He has 53 caps for his country. Chris is currently unemployed and is 52. His only managerial experience is at Newcastle United when he led them to Championship glory at the first time of asking and was leading them to a midtable finish in the PL before being harshly sacked.
Even though he was a success in Toon many City fans do not want a man in charge with so little experience. However what people may not know is his extensive knowledge in coaching. He has been assistant manager for 12 years. Ten of those were assistant at Tottenham Hotspur, helping ten different managers along the way. Most recently Martin Jol.
He also worked as assistant for his country for two years from 2003-2005. Then came his managerial chance, given first team duties after the club could not agree terms with Alan Shearer due to the King of Jokers, Mike Ashley. After a string of impressive results he was given a permanent deal.
'He got a premiership squad promoted. So what?'. Good question. However those who work will know, you can be the best at your job but if your head is not right you are not going to get the job done. Maybe thats the reason City have failed in the past?. Newcastle were a huge club, but relegated and in serious danger of debt. Mike Ashley was trying to tell St James Park, Players and the club. Fans were turning on the club and it was a real terror time up North. Pre season Newcastle's first team were battered 6-1 by Leyton Orient to further worsen the matters. Heads could have dropped but no, they went on to winning the Coca Cola Championship with a staggering 102 points.
He was then sacked Christmas time when Newcastle were 11th being replaced by Alan Pardew. He has a huge about of tactical knowledge and superb man management skills. Something City definitely need. Toon fans were so angry that they held a protest outside St James Park against Mike Ashley and in favour of Chris Hughton.
Chris Hughton also believes in the youth and will make a mix of experienced first team players and academy players something we severely lacked under the Jones reign. Hopefully if he does take charge then the likes of Wildig, Alex Evans, Nathaniel Jarvis and Ibrahim Farah get a decent run in our team. Or at least a bench appearance.
Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo is an Swiss born Italian midfielder who played for 5 clubs, the main two being Lazio and Chelsea. Like Hughton, Di Matteo is currently unemployed following his departure from West Brom. He is 41 years old. He completed his coaching badges whilst playing for The Blues in West London and was handed a crack at management at MK Dons when Paul Ince left. He impressed in his first season and guided them to a 3rd place finish before losing the Play Offs on penalties to eventual winners Scunthorpe.
That summer he was snapped up by West Brom following the departure of Tony Mowbray. Same as with Newcastle, WBA were widely tipped to go back up being a 'yoyo club'. Bounced back is what they did and they got 2nd place and automatically got promoted. Di Matteo saw his side humiliated at his once castle Stamford Bridge 6-0 on the opening day of the season, however a rise straight away and a victory over Arsenal at the Emirates and a draw against Manchester United.
However poor form after Christmas resulted in the board sacking him with The Baggies in 15th place. Fans were upset but not angered like Newcastle as Di Matteo played attacking and attractive football even if the defence was lacklustre. His mentality was 'We'll score more than you'. Although it hardly paid off mind.
Verdict
Chris Hughton for me. Attacking football, gifted tactician and superb man management skills give him the edge on Di Matteo on. However these two are really similar and both would be good choices and whoever gets the nod i'm sure I will be a happy bluebird. So, Who do you want?
Before and After? or Spot the difference?
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