Ollie swaps Plymouth for Leicester
by Josh on November 21st, 2007
| 234 words |
Any regular reader of Caught Offside will know that the writers are often accused of supporting, and (more importantly) hating, whatever team is convenient for to slag them off. Usually this is about as accurate as a James McFadden finish, it happens that this writer couldn’t give a jot about who wins what in the Premier League. However, he will nail his colours to the mast by saying ‘Leicester are a thieving bunch of c**ts, give us our bloody manager back, you have ruined everything!’. Yes, Ian Holloway is moving from Plymouth to Leicester, according to the Plymouth Evening Herald. Adopts funereal tone:
Ian Holloway has resigned as manager of Plymouth Argyle, according to a source close to the 44-year-old.
It is believed Holloway is having talks with Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric today about taking over at the Walkers Stadium.
Unbelievable, what a terrible decision, everyone knows Milan Mandaric is a nigthmare to work for, NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Holloway, who has been the Pilgrims’ boss since June 2006, did not arrive for work at Home Park this morning.
It was the second successive day the Argyle squad had trained in the absence of their manager as the players were left in limbo about the future of Holloway. Coaches Des Bulpin and Geoff Crudgington, plus physio Paul Maxwell, took the session at the Harper’s Park training ground.
And now the search for a new manager begins, as the Championship descends into farce.
Gaf the Horse in Tears - November 21st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
A few mixed feelings about this one. To be honest Ollie is about the only person who could turn our bunch of under-performing misfits into anything approaching a team. On the other hand I feel bad about Plymouth being shafted again, (although there are rumours that you might get Sturrock back), by a bigger club (well, we’ve got a bigger stadium anyway), with more money. Blimey, it’s happened to us often enough, (although Bolton were welcome to Megson). Add to that my in-laws all being Cornish and therefore Argyle fans and you can see that I won’t be wearing my shirt next time I’m staying with them.
I’m a bit surprised that he is actually coming as I was reading in his BBC column about two weeks ago that he has finally bought a house in Plymouth and was in the process of moving. His missus is going to be well hacked off
I wish Plymouth all the best. Had a great day out when I went there for the Leicester game this season. All the fans I met were very very hospitable. Probably won’t be so nice next year.
John Motson - November 21st, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Crying shame, its similar to the Bruce to wigan incident.
Melbourne Fox - November 21st, 2007 at 11:05 pm
I have mixed feelings too.
I think that Ollie has the type of personality needed to galvanise a team to better things, but at the same time he has the type of chirman that will clash with that. We already had that type of manager in Martin Allen and at least he had a summer to build a squad.
I’ve always had tremendous respect for Ollie, and for Plymouth, but there is also the nagging doubt that that’s the best he has ever done. He has no proven history above Championship level, and if he was desperate to get into the Premier League, Plymouth are every bit as good a bet as Lesta these days. We delude ourselves if we think we are a big club with money.
I hope - as ever - that my team will confound us all and become competative - get promotion even (give it a year or 2 though).
Sorry Plymouth. I feel for you as it has happened to us often enough.
One more note. One of my first games at Filbert St was against Plymouth and we beat you 4-0. The Plymouth fans in pen 1, opposite where I was still applauded and cheered their team when they came over at the end of the match. At the time I didn’t even realise how far you had travelled. It was an early lesson in what it is to REALLY support your club.
John - November 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I must say, as an objective fan (I am neither a Plymouth, nor a Leicester, nor even a QPR fan)I am extremely disappointed with this decision. Holloway has spent the last year nattering on about the bond he shares with the Plymouth fans, his love of the area, and even pointed out in last week’s BBC column that managerial longevity was at a ridiculous low in the Championship. So what happens? He takes the first “big” job offered to him, despite the fact that Plymouth seem to have as good a chance at promotion as Leicester. Had Boothroyd suddenly been appointed England manager (and with Barmy Barwick anything is possible, though at least the Booth is not so gormless), I’d have understood Holloway wanting to jump ship, but for this? I’m afraid to say that perhaps the money going into Holloway’s pocket is the real key.