Steve Clarke – next up for United hot-seat?
Rumours are growing and becoming more solid by the minute that Steve Clarke, former manager of West Brom and before that assistant to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, is currently “in dialogue” with Leeds United regarding the newly vacant Head Coach position at Elland Road. A quick trawl through the saner end of the Leeds Twitter newsfeed reveals that this would be a highly popular appointment. This blog shares that opinion, and will be getting extremely drunk in celebration – should Cellino be able to pull off such a coup.
Make no mistake, Steve Clarke ticks all the boxes for “ideal appointment” under the current regime in LS11. Well used to the role of Head Coach and apparently happy and comfortable with that title, Clarke’s coaching credentials and club pedigree are impeccable and command respect. In our current position, Leeds United could hardly ask more or better than someone who has worked well and successfully with the Special One, not to mention the legend that is Dalglish. Along with the apparently “imminent” (God, how I hate that word) signing of Adryan, the appointment of Clarke would salvage a hell of a lot out of what has been a miserable time for the Whites since a slightly fortuitous win over Middlesbrough.
The buzz around the internet over the past couple of days has been that Cellino simply has to get this next appointment right. It’s very difficult to argue with that assessment; there is a season to be rescued and some faith and belief to be restored among the most important people of all: the Leeds United supporters. In Steve Clarke, Cellino might just be looking at the candidate who could form the cornerstone of his reign as President/Sheriff/Duce of Yorkshire’s premier club. If there’s a definite chance of getting Clarke, where else should he realistically look?? Massimo should move heaven and earth to secure this man for Leeds.
For Clarke himself, Leeds could be the kind of club that offers him a real chance of becoming a living legend. Get United back to the top, and he’ll be revered as the Messiah, remembered forever. It’s that kind of club, with that kind of support. If he’s as sensible as I hope and trust he is, he’ll nail down the terms of reference for his role at the club before he signs anything. It seems he’s better as a coach than as a spotter of transfer targets; Clarke and Salerno could just be the dream ticket under President Cellino.
Please, please – make this happen. It feels right, it sounds right. It hits the back of the net as the most goal-bound rumour I’ve ever wanted to emerge as a fact. Clarke – one nil!!
Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Yes please
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Rob, I take it you’ve put a tenner on this happening and then putting out your undying love for Steve Clarke, well done fella!!
To be honest, my mum could have done a better job than Hockaday and she’s never kicked a ball in her life. My only regret is putting a pound bet with some colleagues that the Hock would be UB40 before the end of August then not putting a mere substantial bet on with the bookies.
If Clarke comes in then expect things to settle down, hopefully we can have a first team coach who MC respects and they both feed off their mutual benefits to our club.
Either way a rollercoaster of a ride for this season has already begun.
Xx
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Hockaday perhaps overachieved, (poor chap)… He’ll benefit though.
You have written perhaps the key word for Cellino and any new man.
Respect.
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I think you may be right about the rollercoaster ride NOW beginning, hopefully we can leave the donkey derby behind us…….
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Best British option by a country mile … just dip your pocket Massimo and make it so.
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Yep agree would be good. We have had a lot of big names come in as manager who simply think the players owe them awe. Any manager we get with this bunch of players is not going to get that unless he is super well known. It needs a grass roots manager and if had a choice it would be either Clarke or Macca
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Leeds owe nobody nothing, nor do we supporters after what we have put up with over recent years. Whoever takes over at Leeds will have to earn our respect and that of the players, and rightly so…..
…. but they will get that respect if they deserve it!
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COMPLETELY AGREE ROB,I THINK CLARKE WOULD BE JUST THE CALMING INFLUENCE WE NEED.HE SEEMS THE STRONG SILENT TYPE WHO WOULD CONTROL THINGS AND GET US PLAYING THE RIGHT WAY,IE GOOD MOVEMENT,ATTACK MINDED,HARD WORKING,HONEST,THE LEEDS WAY
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I must stop commenting, as again I totally agree with you. I am quite excited at the prospect, even Chris Hughton as a 2nd choice will do for me if we don’t get Clarke..
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Clarke is the ideal candidate. He would prefer to be on the coaching side and that would suit Cellino. His achievements as coach are extremely good and that should prove vital to him getting the job.
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Am not quite as excited as You
His push from West Brom was possibly a bit harsh but looking at his last 60 game stats they are not that progressive compared to his initial season. There is always a reason for a result but I’m just not jumping up and down at the moment….. Convince me. Thank you for the read.
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sounds good to me , bring it on…
bit worried about Alan sending you kisses tho rob !!! ha
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I’m that loveable – who can resist?? đŸ™‚
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as ever Rob your spot on, i wanted him from day one i think he is the ideal fit and probably the only option because of Cellino’s remit, fingers crossed!!!
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For a bloke that goes back nearly as far as me Rob, it sticks in my craw to see you referring to managers that might be ‘special’ or ‘legends’ to their own fans with the same reverence. I might have had a few pots tonight, but my inbuilt resentment of the establishments lack of recognition of Revie’s achievements, prevent me from giving anything but a grudging acknowledgement to other teams personnel or achievements. Bitter and twisted and proud of it. Shame on you for kissing ar$e.
Apart from that, I generally enjoy your missives. MOT!
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Sheesh – can’t do right for doing wrong!! đŸ˜‰ MOT
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Agree with you Wriggy, up to a point. For me the best two managers ever have been The Don and Wilko, anyone else has to go a long way to join them.
Having said that, if they did get us back up into the top tier and keep us up then they WOULD be up there….
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Clarke… 1-0!
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We can only hop eh Rob? Btw good to read you again, keep it up. ALF
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Things could be taking an upward turn here. Fingers, toes, arms, legs, eyes, buns all crossed for this one. MOT
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Ticking the boxes. Hoping Cellino makes it happen
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I will trust in judgment Rob, Steve Clarke is not that well known to me but alot seem to think that he will be ideal. I am a Gary McAllister fan, but I will go with the majority. MOT
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I’d snap his hand off, always rated him, but it’d take a brave or desperate manager to work under Cellino right now. Suspect we’ll get Festa or some other pushover. Living in hope.
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i will go to bed happy now that you are back rob would look forward to seeing clarkes calming presence in the dugout
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Judging by the comments I would love to see the guy at Leeds. Like Gordon I only know what I have read and already Im excited. I’m sure Cellino has leant some kind of lesson employing Hock and this can only be good. Bring it on.
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Finally!!! “Dad, what did I say to you around 5 years ago?”… What’s That!?! Steve Clarke would be the perfect appointment for us… You bet your bottom bleedin’ dollar he would! Massimo, move that mountain to Mohammed, move those metaphorical heavens and earths, build Rome in a day; get the bleeder signed up! Good night and MOT!
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I totally agree with you Rob, Steve Clarke would be a very good choice, but I sincerely hope that Cellino treats Clarke or whoever, with a lot more respect and dignity, than he did with the inexperienced Dave Hockaday.
I have got a horrible feeling that Cellino has absolutely no respect for any manager or coach and will constantly poke his nose into the team selections and also ridicule and publicly humiliate the manager, just like he did with McDermott and Hockaday on many occasions.
Everyone knows that Hockaday should never have been given the Leeds job in the first place, but whole horrible situation has looked like bullying from Cellino and I am surprised that anyone now wants the Leeds job.
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Absolutely spot on Rob. The Sheriff MUST ensure he appoints Steve Clarke. He cannot afford to get this appointment wrong if he has real desire to see us back in the promised land.
We await with baited breath for the announcement.
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Yes, yes, yes! He would bring modesty, integrity and respect to the role – perfect fit! He even looks good, looks really good for the touchline! Please Massimo, do not degrade tge man by insisting that he wears a track suit on matchdays. We know that you are in charge but we dont want him to look equal to the special one et.al.
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Freedom of attire is the sign of someone who is his own man.
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Good article Rob. I agree with the last post from Bruce. MC has realised the untried and untested route does not fit still Elland Road and a very strong character with good coaching credentials is now needed to mould the players MC has purchased into a team. Steve Clarke for me is the right man and the timing is now perfect. MC will want his outlay on assets maximising and something excites me when I think of Steve Clarke working with them. His experience (successful too) with lots of different nationalities at Chelsea and Liverpool tells me he is the man for the job and things only started to go wrong at WBA when he lost the sporting director (ashdown) who was in place and bought his 2012/13 team. Clarke is really a great man manager and coach which is just what we need. Leave the high level contract negotiation and player signing to others (providing a respected coach gets consulted) and get the most out of the players you have at your disposal. Excited and expectant.
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Thanks Nigel – that’s a great summary of why I feel excited and expectant too.
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Totally agree rob. Clarke could be a great fit. I think we should see how we go today though , as I expect NR to put the kids in and see how they go. Not sure if you were at the Accrington game but for me Lewis Cook made the best home debut I’ve ever seen. As NR has brought him and several others through he is more aware than anyone of their potential. I hope he gives them their chance today. Hope things are picking up for you and yours. MOT.
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Thanks man. I’ve heard a lot of good things about young Cook – be good to see him get some sort of outing today. Three points and then a two week break would be ideal right now – a mini pre-season for a new coach and completed squad? Fingers crossed.
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Cook and silvestre were both top quality today.
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Agree 100% mate. As much as the Hock was inexperienced Steve Clarke is the exact opposite . He has worked with arguably the best two managers around in the last decade and run a top flight club himself . He is certainly someone I would like to see in the hot seat . He will obviously need to thrash out what his remit will be with Mass but if he can sort things out ? then with his years of experience with the special one he can take us forwards . MOT
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according to a young lad who works with me (he is a Manc never mind) Tells me Steve Clarke lives in North Camp not to far from Aldershot, not to far from me (southern soft bastard, with a heart of Yorkshire man) I shall be round his gaff insisting he signs if Mr Cellino doesn’t convince him first Ha, get him in along with these 3 players, international break get them all in training hard, brain storm the whole situation, get this debacle sorted, before the rot gets any wetter.
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That’s the spirit, do your persuasive best for Leeds United đŸ™‚
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Cellino’s come out & told us not to expect a big name boss, quelle surpreez! Would he not have been better served signing 2 or 3 less players then splashing out a bigger wage packet on a decent gaffer instead…makes sense to me! Is there no Italian translation of ‘common sense’?!!
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Erm – buonsenso??
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Very disappointing to hear MC comments regarding a non big name taking over and Rolando Maran would seem all but nailed on, especially as we’ve been signing lots of players who have played under him previously at Italian clubs. MC must have been liaising with Maran while the Hock was still in charge and discussing which players to sign. I very much hope I am proved wrong and The swave of Clarke support has convinced MC to pay hi the money he wants and give him the freedom to build something successful at ER. Time will tell but I feel we won’t have long to wait and see…… Judging by the speed of everything else at Leeds just now.
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I’m liking lots of the potential names being put out… Clarke, macca, Garcia, houghton, but I suspect cellino will give redders the job if he keeps winning.
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