Fulham linked again with a move for Mick McCarthy

[Charnwood]

Fulham continue to be linked with a summer move for Mick McCarthy, The Cottagers, who are 20th, eight points off the relegation zone despite receiving lucrative parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League, were previously mentioned in connection with McCarthy last month.

According to today’s Irish Independent, Fulham owner Shahid Khan is willing to meet Town’s compensation requirements to land the 56-year-old with a four-year contract worth €10 million (£7.3 million) - including a promotion clause - and a big budget on offer at Craven Cottage.

McCarthy, whose family home is still in Bromley, signed a new three-year deal with the Blues last summer.

Current Fulham manager Kit Symons took over, initially as a caretaker-boss, following the departure of Felix Magath in September and is contracted until the end of the season.

There comes a time when rumours start to become serious, when bookies odds move to odds on that's when we can be pretty sure he's on his way, at the moment no odds are available which is good news for those who want him to stay.

[hallamblue]

Do you want him to stay Charny?

[number 9]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if MM takes the Fulham job. Why wouldn't he?...closer to home...big budget for transfers. And to be honest, I'm prepared for that to happen. I'm not saying I want MM to go. I'm just acknowledging the possibility. I can only hope that ME and the illustrious board of directors have considered the possibility of MM moving on and are in the process of finding a replacement...just in case. Which brings us to another debate really, doesn't it? If indeed MM does bugger off...who'd be the best replacement? Warburton has been mentioned already, and I dare say big Sam Allardyce will be in the picture as well. Any ideas....?

[Bluemike]

Won't happen, as far as I am concerned it is idle paper gossip.

[herforder]

Saw the piece on TWTD yesterday, but decided against repeating it again - given that tensions already running fairly high on here! But it does bear raising and commenting on.

Unlike us supporters, and a small minority of 'one club' players, managers, coaches and players do not have an unshakeable loyalty to a single employer in their DNAs. If the right deal comes along, and can be done to suit all parties, then it will be: that's the way soccer works.

Personally, I'd like to see MM continue for a further season, hopefully supported sensibly by ME, and continue to build and progress. However, whilst he's on record as saying he always understood the financial limitations under which he had to operate, the chance of moving to an environment without such tight constraints, with an ambitious and appreciative board etc, and one which would undoubtedly suit domestically, then it might prove too great an opportunity to pass on. ME provided him with an opportunity to rejuvenate his career, and he's taken it with both hands!

But am sure nothing will happen publicly until post 2 May, or hopefully slightly later. If he does go, however, then we can look forward to some lively debate regarding compensation terms, and of course a successor!

I suppose we're in 'no smoke without fire territory' right now.

[Bluemike]

He has never quit a job mid stream and he won't be starting now, the Republic of Ireland job diodnt entice him away and no way will the Fulham job, why would it ? Why go back to sqaure one and face another almighty rebuilding job ? It makes no sense whether there is money there or not. Mick is not motivated by pots of money and more importantly he has a great relationship with ME who lets him get on and do the job without any interference from above. I believe there is zero chance of this happening, unfortunately it will run and run all Summer and become totally tedious and boring but we coped with the Didsy and Mings rumours for months and I am sure we will cope with this one.

[marko69]

He has never quit a job mid stream and he won't be starting now, the Republic of Ireland job diodnt entice him away and no way will the Fulham job, why would it ? Why go back to sqaure one and face another almighty rebuilding job ? It makes no sense whether there is money there or not. Mick is not motivated by pots of money and more importantly he has a great relationship with ME who lets him get on and do the job without any interference from above. I believe there is zero chance of this happening, unfortunately it will run and run all Summer and become totally tedious and boring but we coped with the Didsy and Mings rumours for months and I am sure we will cope with this one.

For me......, Mick McCarthy is a very very good manager. But he's not a "great" manager.

If true, Mick will be making serious considerations over a possible 30 grand a week. You'd have to be off your head to think otherwise. A club with that kind of dough....., if it goes tits up, then he gets sacked with millions of pounds worth of compensation.

And let's face it, he's good at getting clubs up the Championship table......., Fulham need him. Should ITFC get promoted......, will Mevans keep him? He struggles in the EPL.

Here's what will happen; he will get 30K a week fir an entire season and get Fulham promoted. Then he'll be emptied and handed 10 mill for his services. Then he'll be sorted until his dying day, and manage Barnsley in League Two.

Meanwhile, Ian Holloway will arrive at ITFC with his Doc Martin voice and take ITFC to the EPL.

[Bluemike]

Holloway would take us down, nowhere else. I won't be losing sleep over this rumour.

[herforder]

He has never quit a job mid stream and he won't be starting now, the Republic of Ireland job diodnt entice him away and no way will the Fulham job, why would it ? Why go back to sqaure one and face another almighty rebuilding job ? It makes no sense whether there is money there or not. Mick is not motivated by pots of money and more importantly he has a great relationship with ME who lets him get on and do the job without any interference from above. I believe there is zero chance of this happening, unfortunately it will run and run all Summer and become totally tedious and boring but we coped with the Didsy and Mings rumours for months and I am sure we will cope with this one.

Admire your certainty, Mike, and hope that it's ultimately well placed. Not so sure, however. Did he actually turn down the RoI job? Recall that he sat on the fence for some time, refusing to confirm or deny his interest or intentions, until M O'Neil was appointed?

[Bluemike]

I am not sure if he turned it down or not but he made overtures along the lines that it was never going to be an option for him.

[ashfordblue]

He has never quit a job mid stream and he won't be starting now, the Republic of Ireland job diodnt entice him away and no way will the Fulham job, why would it ? Why go back to sqaure one and face another almighty rebuilding job ? It makes no sense whether there is money there or not. Mick is not motivated by pots of money and more importantly he has a great relationship with ME who lets him get on and do the job without any interference from above. I believe there is zero chance of this happening, unfortunately it will run and run all Summer and become totally tedious and boring but we coped with the Didsy and Mings rumours for months and I am sure we will cope with this one.

For me......, Mick McCarthy is a very very good manager. But he's not a "great" manager.

If true, Mick will be making serious considerations over a possible 30 grand a week. You'd have to be off your head to think otherwise. A club with that kind of dough....., if it goes tits up, then he gets sacked with millions of pounds worth of compensation.

And let's face it, he's good at getting clubs up the Championship table......., Fulham need him. Should ITFC get promoted......, will Mevans keep him? He struggles in the EPL.

Here's what will happen; he will get 30K a week fir an entire season and get Fulham promoted. Then he'll be emptied and handed 10 mill for his services. Then he'll be sorted until his dying day, and manage Barnsley in League Two.

Meanwhile, Ian Holloway will arrive at ITFC with his Doc Martin voice and take ITFC to the EPL.

Fooking heck Marco are you Psychic or what, you could be right??? but £30'000 a week plus open ended spending, he would be an idiot to turn that down, and on his own door step, we will see how it all pans out in May, but if we don't make the playoffs, and Micks left to have nothing in next seasons spending budget, he will foxtrot Oscar for sure, quit while the goings good for his CV, and we will possibly loose a whole host of our team, but I think we need someone like Warburton, don't get me wrong with the right resources Olley could well do a good job, BUT ME wont spend as he uses our 86 million debt as a tax loss against his empire, so it might be we are stuck in this league for some time to come.

[Charnwood]

Do you want him to stay Charny?

I'd prefer to see him stay because our football club desperately needs some stability and he definitely provides that. I don't find his style of play particularly exciting but I guess that's more to do with the budget constraints he has to work within than any lack of ability as a manager.

If ME can afford to I'd like to see him give MM a little more money to play with to bring in a couple of players with a little more flair, because if this team falls apart at the end of the season and he has to start all over again I can see the club going backwards.

I just find it so frustrating that there was no REAL money injected to underpin our year end position because I don't think we were far off having a side capable of pushing for promotion.

I know some on here still think we can make the play offs and win promotion this season, and of course I'd love to see it happen, but as I've been saying since the end of January, I don't really think we're good enough and our current 8th position is about where we deserve to be, and to be honest I think MM and the team will have done well to finish this high and is an improvement on recent seasons.

I don't think McCarthy will be looking for a move, but sometimes an offer can be too good to turn down. I think a lot will depend on the timing of any offer and what discussions he's had with ME regards to next year. If McCarthy see's his current squad falling apart and knows he's no money to spend and a good alternative is put in front of him, he may just be tempted away, not because he's not loyal but simply because he's not backed fully by the owner and genuinely thinks he can't do anymore to improve the football club.

At the moment I don't think he has been approached because if he had the bookies would be sure to have had a sniff and odds would already be available.

Apols for the ramble....

[tractorollson]

I would like him to stay

[jackscat]

To us mere mortals who have to work until our dying day what these guys at this level of football make is a pipe dream. Pretty sure Mick doesn't need their 10 million as nice as it sounds. At his age he could have retired several years ago to live as one of us. So its for the glory. It takes money to buy glory and if Fulham can come up with it why wouldn't he go?????? It's apparent that Ipswich will never shell out again until they get the EPL cash so it's a Catch 22 situation - roughly translated it means buggered if you do and buggered if you don't (for those of you old enough to remember the story) and he'll walk to the glory.

[barmy billy]

If we miss out on promotion I think he will be off like a shot. Money talks and along with other factors already mentioned plus his age, I would fully appreciate his decision.

I know the season is not yet over, but between them I think Evans and MM have cocked up the best chance we have had in years. Evans for his unwillingness to release funds earlier in the season and MM for the way he has signed players who have not been fully fit or not playing regularly. Williams for example. The bloke has been out of football for 5 months so what can he realistically offer? A complete waste in my opinion.

Also, let us not forget the 'g' word which has not been mentioned on here lately - gelling for goodness sake.

[goldandblack]

Won't happen, as far as I am concerned it is idle paper gossip.

I agree blue, Mick wont walk away from an unfinished job. I don't think its in his nature, anyway Fulham

[arana peligrosa]

If McCarthy were to depart this close season, I wouldn't imagine it would be to Fulham. Ok they may have a good offer on the table regards salary but for those not motivated entirely by greed, sorry, money - it's not the most attractive deal when you consider the London club have only just survived a relegation by a close call. I'm not 100 per cent happy with McCarthy as team manager and that goes for the prospect of having the same name for another year (or two) but as before, whether this is just another wild rumor or some (desperate) hacks looking for a story, having a hard time seeing McCarthy in place as Fulham manager.

[Bluemike]

If we miss out on promotion I think he will be off like a shot. Money talks and along with other factors already mentioned plus his age, I would fully appreciate his decision.

I know the season is not yet over, but between them I think Evans and MM have cocked up the best chance we have had in years. Evans for his unwillingness to release funds earlier in the season and MM for the way he has signed players who have not been fully fit or not playing regularly. Williams for example. The bloke has been out of football for 5 months so what can he realistically offer? A complete waste in my opinion.

Also, let us not forget the 'g' word which has not been mentioned on here lately - gelling for goodness sake.

I hate to say I told you so, but.......

[marko69]

Saint quote:
it's not the most attractive deal when you consider the London club have only just survived a relegation by a close call.
End quote.

Which makes me think there could be something to this story......, he arrived at ITFC when the club were rooted to the bottom of the league....., and he will have arrived for less money.

It is all about money really though, Saint isn't it? I mean it has gone extremely mental in recent years from a players aspect, but for Mick; beginning of his later years, he has a family, probably grandchildren etc..... I'd just be very surprised if he turned down such offers, should they arise.

[number 9]

Won't happen, as far as I am concerned it is idle paper gossip.

I agree blue, Mick wont walk away from an unfinished job. I don't think its in his nature, anyway Fulham

Hey G&B, what sort of football did Wolves play under MM's leadership? Sorry to say I never really followed your boys...even though I do have a soft heart for Wolves for some reason. Were you lot playing a lot of hoofball then? Also, did MM make any major changes to tactics after being promoted?

[number 9]

If we miss out on promotion I think he will be off like a shot. Money talks and along with other factors already mentioned plus his age, I would fully appreciate his decision.

I know the season is not yet over, but between them I think Evans and MM have cocked up the best chance we have had in years. Evans for his unwillingness to release funds earlier in the season and MM for the way he has signed players who have not been fully fit or not playing regularly. Williams for example. The bloke has been out of football for 5 months so what can he realistically offer? A complete waste in my opinion.

Also, let us not forget the 'g' word which has not been mentioned on here lately - gelling for goodness sake.

I hate to say I told you so, but.......

Don't forget SEB...I still remember many of you anticipating the resurgence of SEB's career when he came. I remember saying "I hope it's not just a mate(MM) helping out an old mate(SEB)".....well?

[barmy billy]

If we miss out on promotion I think he will be off like a shot. Money talks and along with other factors already mentioned plus his age, I would fully appreciate his decision.

I know the season is not yet over, but between them I think Evans and MM have cocked up the best chance we have had in years. Evans for his unwillingness to release funds earlier in the season and MM for the way he has signed players who have not been fully fit or not playing regularly. Williams for example. The bloke has been out of football for 5 months so what can he realistically offer? A complete waste in my opinion.

Also, let us not forget the 'g' word which has not been mentioned on here lately - gelling for goodness sake.

I hate to say I told you so, but.......

I know you did and if you recall, I was one of the few who agreed with you.

[withamblue]

mm has done a good job with the lack of funds he has been given I would love to see him stay till the end of his contract if he was given say a twenty/twenty five per cent rise in funds im pretty sure we would be in the prem BUT will he have the rise in money I doubt it.

as for Fulham well I don't see them as been a bigger better club then us so if it was me id say no and try to get Ipswich up and wait till a bigger club came in

[Bluemike]

If we miss out on promotion I think he will be off like a shot. Money talks and along with other factors already mentioned plus his age, I would fully appreciate his decision.

I know the season is not yet over, but between them I think Evans and MM have cocked up the best chance we have had in years. Evans for his unwillingness to release funds earlier in the season and MM for the way he has signed players who have not been fully fit or not playing regularly. Williams for example. The bloke has been out of football for 5 months so what can he realistically offer? A complete waste in my opinion.

Also, let us not forget the 'g' word which has not been mentioned on here lately - gelling for goodness sake.

I hate to say I told you so, but.......

Don't forget SEB...I still remember many of you anticipating the resurgence of SEB's career when he came. I remember saying "I hope it's not just a mate(MM) helping out an old mate(SEB)".....well?

Pretty sure I wasnt one of them

[goldandblack]

Won't happen, as far as I am concerned it is idle paper gossip.

I agree blue, Mick wont walk away from an unfinished job. I don't think its in his nature, anyway Fulham

Hey G&B, what sort of football did Wolves play under MM's leadership? Sorry to say I never really followed your boys...even though I do have a soft heart for Wolves for some reason. Were you lot playing a lot of hoofball then? Also, did MM make any major changes to tactics after being promoted?

Just the same as Ipswich are now mate, full of kids that came cheap, was good to watch his teams after putting up with these old journey men after a last pay day he inherited from previous managers, Hoddle even paid Birmingham to take sick note Anderton of there injury list to put on ours.

trouble was when these kids got us to the prem Mick had to sign class players to build a premier squad, it split the whole place, not Micks fault just a crossroads that without loads of cash to inject is a dead end.

Enloy the ride your on with Mick. Div One and a cold winters night in Wallsall was not that much fun after we parted company with this Legend

[number 9]

Here's a thought...G&B's comments not withstanding...what if we fail promotion and MM/TC depart. I'd like to see Klug take over the first team. We just may have a gem in the halls of Portman Road.

[Charnwood]

Here's a thought...G&B's comments not withstanding...what if we fail promotion and MM/TC depart. I'd like to see Klug take over the first team. We just may have a gem in the halls of Portman Road.

No thanks, this league is not the place for a manager to learn his trade. Only my personal opinion as Klug no doubt is brilliant in his current role, but this league needs an experienced manager.

[Bluemike]

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he must being doing something right if he’s being linked with jobs elsewhere, with Championship strugglers Fulham reportedly keen to poach him in the summer.

“I’ve got a two-year contract here,” McCarthy said when quizzed on the reports. “Somebody told me about that the other day. There’s nothing I can do about it.

“If somebody mentions my name it means I’m doing a good job elsewhere - great if someone thinks that.”

McCarthy, 56, signed the new deal running until June 2017 last summer having taken over at Town in November 2012.

Fulham are currently 20th in the Championship, nine points off the relegation zone, and have had a poor season following their relegation from the Premier League last May, despite the significant advantage of parachute payments.

Current manager Kit Symons took over, initially as a caretaker-boss, following the departure of Felix Magath in September, agreeing a deal until the summer of 2016.

McCarthy says he’s happy with Town: “Absolutely, but if Manchester United come and ask me to go up there I’ll be going. That is the case in point.

“But Man United won’t be asking me and I won’t be going up there and I did sign that contract and I’m happy with it, I’m delighted to be here. And I cannot do anything about what people write.

“But do you know what? I’m kind of glad my name does get a mention because I see some of the names which get a mention for jobs and I think ‘How the flipping hell is that happening?’ when I’ve been doing it for 23 years and I’ve got as good a record in the Championship, probably better, than anybody else who is doing it. But I can’t do anything about that, I’m happy here.”

The former Ireland, Sunderland, Wolves and Millwall boss recalls being overlooked in favour of younger, less experienced but perhaps more fashionable managers along with Hull City boss Steve Bruce prior to his appointment at Town.

“Remember me and Brucey were out of work and we were both having a little bleat about it? Maybe we’re seen as the old school. But kind of works, doesn’t it? And I don’t know how many new ideas there are, to be honest with you. I want to get promoted with us, that’s what I want to do. That’s my bag.”

I doubt this will be enough to convince the doomongering conspiracy theorists amongst us, but it confirms what I already knew.

[herforder]

A clever response from MM, who doesn't actually address the Fulham issue head-on. I'm more than happy to take his continued commitment at face value - and personally hope he remains, for reasons of stability and, hopefully, continued progress.

However, the sub-text is also pretty clear: if the right offer comes along, then all options remain open. But, hey, that 's just football! Big question for MM and the club remains, what constitutes the right offer? Clearly not Man U - but what? Can't see MM's comments drawing a line under this - but will continue to generate further debate on here and elsewhere. (Some of it possibly sensible).

[Bluemike]

I think he's made it pretty clear to be honest, only an idiot would expect him to turn down Man utd. He has stated on Two or three occasions within that piece things that make it pretty clear to me he won't be going anywhere unless it was too a club of the ilk of Man Utd which just isn't going to happen. We had all this nonsense with the ireland job and evetyone saying why won't he just come out and say it isnt going to happen, but why should he when it isn't he who has started this nonsense.