Phelan tipped for Burnley job

trevor baxter

January 06, 2010

UNITED'S assistant manager Mike Phelan is the bookies' favourite to replace Bolton-bound Owen Coyle in the Turf Moor hot-seat.

The move comes as Bolton are all set to welcome the 43-year-old Scot by settling Burnley's demand for compensation - believed to be £3m.

Coyle removed the last major obstacle to succeeding Gary Megson at the Reebok by telling the stunned Clarets he wanted to return to his former club.

And Trotters' chairman Phil Gartside won't jeopardise the deal by quibbling over Burnley's cash demands.

Bolton, bizarrely, continue to remain silent over Coyle's imminent arrival but could break their silence before tonight's Premier League game at Arsenal.

It makes Old Trafford assistant Phelan odds-on favourite to replace the former Republic of Ireland striker at the ambitious Lancashire club.

The 47 year-old Lancastrian began his playing career at Turf Moor before moving to Norwich and then Old Trafford.

Burnley fans reacted with predictable anger on hearing the news of Coyle's imminent departure.

One supporter suggested the compensation package was "30 pieces of silver."

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Horace Hughes, Salford (06/01/2010 at 12:09)

Il come and drive him there myself! We need a top assistant manager who will question Fergie on some of his judgments, not a yes man, who just agrees with everything himself. As I have stated before, Our team played their best football when Kidd, McLaren, and Queiroz were there. Top coaches with ideas, not yes men. Ok none of them made good managers, but behind Fergie with a word here, and a tweak there, made all the difference.

neal 07, south stand lower (06/01/2010 at 12:22)

Oh if only this were to happen, talk about a late Christmas present...get this 'yes man' out of our club...bring in the legend that is OLE20 or an up and coming manager like Mark Robins!!!

Red Pie, Wigan (06/01/2010 at 12:23)

Hope this one is true, lets hurry up and get him out and get a good number two back in.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (06/01/2010 at 12:39)

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2OLEGEND, Lancaster (06/01/2010 at 12:42)

go on phelen...SCATTER!!

Alias Smith, over the moon (06/01/2010 at 12:43)

IF Phelan were to go, I wonder if Sparky would fancy a stint under the great man? If not, than Ole is the dream ticket, though Rene would probably be promoted.

Red Afro, Derby (06/01/2010 at 13:16)

I'm desperate for this to be true. I wonder what I have to do to push Phelan to take this "wonderful opportunity" and leave OT. Can M.E.N help by quickly putting this question on the Poll, "Should Mike Phelan take the Burnley job"?

better off red (06/01/2010 at 13:21)

i'll add my yes to the yes camp.

venkman, manchester (06/01/2010 at 13:33)

Horace Hughes, Are you serious when you say we played our best football under Queiroz? This is the man that brought us the dire 4-5-1 formation. Some of the dullest performances I've ever seen. I do agree that we need a top assistant manager. You can understand promoting someone from within to keep coninuity if we had a new manager every season like certain other clubs. But Fergie has been there long enough not to need that. The squad has been in decline for 3 seasons now, Ronaldo's departure has highlighted that. We need a fresh pair of eyes and maybe someone who knows about some young talent from other leagues.
Lauret Blanc would be an ideal choice, with a view to then maybe taking over. But i'm not arrogant enough to suggest that being assistant manager at United is a bigger job than managing the French League Champions.
All hyperthetical at the moment but if Phelan does go I hope the new man brings a few new players with him.

Scholsey passed me the ball... (06/01/2010 at 13:48)

I wonder how Burnley fans feel about this....

Barry Lee, USA (06/01/2010 at 14:04)

Odds on Darren Ferguson replacing Phelan if he leaves??

Drago 34 (06/01/2010 at 14:38)

Please be true!

Scottie Man, The Beautiful North (06/01/2010 at 15:01)

Phelan was a mediocre player and is proving to be a mediocre No2...Ole or Choccy to replace Mickey P. Thanks but, he definitely is our weakest link...GOODBYE!
Can I just mention, those of you calling for SAF tenure to be ended, hang your head in shame...Last year Mourhino was mentioned, you jump on the bandwagon...now Blanc......next week Klinnsman...or whoever...get real and get behind the team. New blood is needed but, not at the helm!

Red Afro, Derby (06/01/2010 at 15:45)

Scholsey... "I wonder how Burnley fans feel about this...."

If Phelan were to be offered the Burnley job there'd be an uprising at Turf More. At OT they'd be a celebration reminiscent of winning the CL trophy. Burnley don't even mention Phelan as potential successor to Coyle.

tooth&claw, manchester (06/01/2010 at 16:00)

I'm yet to hear any single example of something that Phelan has done wrong or poorly in his position as No.2 to SAF. He gets a slagging here for no apparent reason. No other club's fans give a monkey's about the assistent or want him sacked, so what's wrong with United fans that they have to behave in this ridiculous manner?

Red Culture (06/01/2010 at 16:01)

This could be the best thing to happen to United. The best news this year. I am ecstatic! I really cannot stand this guy, I for one thinks he has destroyed United.....

Knowall, stretford end (06/01/2010 at 16:50)

please let it be true:-)

There's Only One Keano, Baltimore, USA (06/01/2010 at 17:20)

Gill should even offer to pay the 3m in compensation for Coyle in exchange for getting Phelan to Turf Moor ASAP. Harsh on the man, I'm sure, but it does seem clear to most that SAF needs a stronger, more tactically astute #2 with some continental expertise. Even if that type of coach isn't readily available, getting someone with a few of those qualities will certainly be an upgrade. However, I don't think 20LE is quite ready to make the leap to first team #2....

Bill Wirral (06/01/2010 at 17:54)

Actually I think some of you are being a bit too harsh on Mike. He was an exceptional player for us with his never ending stamina and good running and his passing ability was second to none. As for a number two well I have to say is there really anyone better. Oyh!!!!!!!!!........FFS who threw that red pie? That would not 'ave been funny if it it me head. Jeez Neal07 that f....... did. Ahh gerroff. Help me out here Alias. That's it I am not syaing on here to get pelted I'm off. If you don't want my true assessments just say.

Sparky, Salford (06/01/2010 at 18:01)

it would be the ideal opportunity to bring in a number 2 who could be groomed to take over but sadly the only candidates would not countenance such a position (EGO!?) and we could afford the required salary. Are Mourinho, Blanc or Pep really going to give up their current top jobs - NO! Ole or Rene then

Ben Taylor (06/01/2010 at 18:08)

I have nothing against Phelan and I think he is a very good coach, but I'm hoping he gets the Burnley job. The reason is that I feel Ferguson needs to get a foriegn number 2 like Quieroz. I know Queiroz use to get stick but he was vital for Manchester United. He helped develop our style of play which has become lost since he has left. The progress of Nani and Anderson has also suffered since he left. We use to play some fantastic football in 2007 and 2008. Even though we won the title last season it was not pretty, it was built on defence. When it was Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo we played some great football, but sadly Tevez and Ronaldo have gone and Berbatov has floped hard. I don't blame Ferguson, as Phelan probably deserved the promotion, but if he goes there nothing stopping him getting a new guy with fresh idea's. I think Ferguson needs someone to challenge him rather than just be grateful to be standing next to him. It will benefit Sir Alex and the team, depending on who we could get to come in. We need a small rebuilding job to prevent us going into a bad patch like we did in 2005. I think Rooney needs a new strike patner next season, someone who can spark him like Tevez did. I don't think he enjoys playing with Berbatov much and it looks forced at times. A new long-term goalkeeper perhaps, although I'm a fan of Van der Saar. Nevile and Scholes may have reached the end of the road and with there contract up it might be best to let them go. They are legends for the club but Fergie normally knows when to let players go.

Horace Hughes, Salford (06/01/2010 at 19:15)

Venkman I meant we play better generally with a recognised No 2 than under Phelan. Queiroz seemed to get the best out of Anderson and Nani when they first came. Since he left they and Carrick have got steadily worse

Serge, Europe (06/01/2010 at 20:10)

Please go to Burnley. Prob a decent coach, but one of the biggest clubs in world football needs a proper number 2 who is more than a yes-man to Fergie.

venkman, manchester (06/01/2010 at 20:12)

Horace,
Yeah fair enough I'll have that. I saw an article on Sunday from the Timesonline about Fergie changing the team. Sunday was the 99th game in a row where he changed the starting line up from the last game. It's no wonder our midfield has looked like a bunch of strangers playing together for the first time in most games this season. I must point out that I don't want Fergie out but when he says he has £80 million to spend but doesn't need too he is either lying or he's deluded. I almost hope it's the former. It's a tribute to Fergie and his ability to get the best out of the players that we're still 2nd and could win our 4th title in a row. But the number of average players is gradually taking over from the class players.

blacksocks, stretfordend (06/01/2010 at 20:17)

I'll even promise to pay your taxi fare Mike....

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