City To Have A Backroom Disco??

A few years ago Manchester City, with Robinho, Elano and Geovanni played Samba football. Before that it in 1999 it was just classic rock as City tried to survive. Nowadays there is a mixture, Spanish Flamenco, Argentine Tango and even a little Italian Opera at times. If reports in the papers and online are true you can add Disco to that also, in the backroom at least.

Niall Quinn, it has been suggested, will be the man to replace Garry Cook as CEO of Manchester City. Currently his position at Sunderland is less than solid in recent weeks. After the defeat to Chelsea, club officials had to move to deny rumours Quinn had quit. Add to this reports that Sunderlands American owner has brought in his own people and it certainly looks like Quinn may not be with the Black Cats much longer.

Now City fans need no introduction to Quinn the player after his time with us and numerous goals. Brought to us by then manager Howard Kendall Quinn became an instant crowd favorite. That move incidently secured his World Cup position in the Republic of Ireland squad that travelled to Italy. He scored on his debut for City and for Ireland in their last Group game against Holland to put the Irish men through to the knockout stage (where they went all the way to the Quarter Finals before being beaten by hosts Italy). He would score 78 goals for us before leaving in the relegation season of 1995/96. However the game that sticks out in my mind was the 2-1 win that relegated Derby County. After scoring early in the game Quinn was put in goal following the sending off of Tony Coton just before half time (at this point it was rare to name a goalie as a sub). Quinn saved and played the rest of the game in goal we won, they were relegated AND we finished three points above United!

That all brings back fond memories but what about Quinns Business credentials? After all Cook had a business background, not a footballing one and with the amount of money and crucial decisions needed to be made what can Quinn bring to the table? Obviously he successfully headed a consortium that bought the controlling stake in Sunderland FC. He was also named the Patron of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

In all honesty I do not think that this rumour will blossom into truth but with Brian Marwood being Quinns bestie since their days at Arsenal certainly stranger things have happened. Honestly players returning to the club in a business capacity really hasn’t worked that well. Anyone remember Francis Lee’s return? The only long term success was Dennis Tueart and we let him go. Also with Marwood stating that they would ‘Scour the world for Cooks replacement’ wouldn’t it be a shame if he only got to travel 140 miles north! Keep your Disco pants up in the attic people, they may very well be better than Adam and the Ants but I don’t think City should be looking at Quinns business pants!  

Written By: PA Cityboy