From London to Lagos, there is only one question on everybody’s lips: who will replace José Mourinho? Guus Hiddink is in the frame, the name of Pep Guardiola will do the rounds, Diego Simeone could be a sound fit and even a return to Stamford Bridge for Carlo Ancelotti is not out of the question. But who is to bet against those betraying players managing themselves?
You could have Cesc Fàbregas in charge of tactics, Eden Hazard taking care of skills, Diego Costa and John Terry in joint-control of motivation. It would probably be more effective than Juande Ramos getting the job, and it would be rather amusing to see how Roman Abramovich, looking for his 12th manager in 11 years, deals with sacking the entire squad when he inevitably grows tired of them failing to live up to his expectations.
And where next for Mourinho? Might he make a pioneering move to the Indian Super League? There are whispers of a move to China and suggestions he could go on a sabbatical because that is what all the best managers are meant to do when their ideas become tired.
Meanwhile, raise a glass of orange juice to Alex Neil of Norwich City, who is now the only manager not to have been moved on from the bottom quarter of the table. Hurrah! He should celebrate by becoming the latest manager to leave the once upon a time daunting Old Trafford with a result this weekend.
Also on the wrong side Rémi Garde has been told he can spend, spend, spend Randy Lerner’s money in January to keep Aston Villa up, but the French manager also warned some of his under-performing players know they must step up or pack up. It would, of course, be fashionable for him to sign players from his home country considering the impact of Dimitri Payet, N’Golo Kanté and Yohan Cabaye. It’s just a pity that the four signed from French clubs in the summer have all ended up being flops. Don’t let that diminish the impression that Ligue 1 is incroyable, though, so here are some bright young things from Ligue 1 (not that the Rumour Mill is angling for a move to recruitment from churning out this piffle on a daily basis): Juan Fernando Quintero, Bernardo Silva and Michy Batshuayi.
Elsewhere, Eddie Howe wants to bring Callum McManaman to Bournemouth from West Bromwich Albion, Ronald Koeman is looking towards the Eredivisie again to supplement his slumping squad and John Stones rumours that absolutely nobody believes persist. What we can believe though is that Marko Grujic will join Liverpool and Crystal Palace have signed the teenage winger Randall Williams from Tower Hamlets after he impressed in a trial with the club – though he will initially play for the club’s under-21s.
