Bound for Forest

Heckingbottom has "refused to rule himself out" of Notts Forest job - is that just a way of saying to the new consortium that if they don't offer him a better deal he might be on his bike. I think Forest would be mad to take him on. He has no experience of picking up a club from the floor; he has no emotional links to the club. I think it would be a big mistake on his part. The only other factor is if the consortium have their own man in mind (but they have not made noises like this)
I really can't see him going, but you never know....

 

He didn't rule himself out before Warburton got the job either

 

What a clown to come out with that. You twist **** better than our lass.

 

So. Overnight Hecky is in to 1/3 (from 2/5) with BetVictor and has been cut to 1/5 (from 1/3) with Skynobet. These markets are always volatile, and often not a good guide. But when a managerial appointment is made, the successful candidate inevitably shortens up at the end. Whether the Forest job is at that stage, we may discover within the next 24 hours. For me, it looks ominous. The unknown is whether Forest can offer substantially better terms and any more security than our new owners.

Emotional links. It cuts two ways, doesn't it? Whilever Hecky manages Barnsley, his job is 24 hours a day, being a local man who wears his heart on his sleeve. It's fair to say both Neil Warnock have enjoyed considerable success at Bramall Lane while being lifelong supporters of the club. But on the other hand, I recall an interview on Radio Sheffield earlier this season with Nigel Pearson. It was at the '150' celebrations, and there was unrest at Hillsborough over Carlos, as there was for much of the Portugese's time at S6. Asked whether he could ever envisage managing Wednesday himself, Pearson gave an interesting reply. He said (paraphrased): "I've always lived in Sheffield, ever since my playing days. It's a great city; I enjoy living there, and my family has been raised there. Managing in the city would alter all that, so I can't envisage taking that role if I was ever asked." Hecky could of course commute to Nottingham and still live in Barnsley with rather less attention. That might appeal, particularly if his relationship with the new owners and Gauthier Ganaye is significantly different to those with PC and Ben Mansford. It's not exactly been a secret that Paul has been less than happy with our recent recruitment dealings. All that said, it's right to remind ourselves that so far as we know, no approach has yet been made (or not publicly).

One thing I do forecast. If Hecky does go, get ready for a French coach. I can't see the consortium wanting an English manager from the usual 'merry-go-round' with fixed ideas and/or baggage, and a continental coach might be more open to new ideas and a different way of working.