Mowbray could still be tempted by Premiership

Craig Levein

AMID the obvious relief that Tony Mowbray had turned down entreaties from Ipswich in favour of staying at Easter Road, Steven Whittaker was prepared to inject a note of caution and realism.

Hibernian’s young full-back appreciates that this is one story which is not going to go away. “Eventually he’ll be snapped up. He’ll go on to bigger and better things, there’s no doubt about it,” said the 21-year-old.

“The gaffer knows what he wants from a management job, and if he didn’t fancy this one, then it’s his decision.

“We’re obviously happy he decided to stay at Hibs, but everyone knows he’s a quality manager and there’s going to be clubs coming in again and making approaches for him. He’s going to be in demand and that is part and parcel of football.”

That Middlesbrough – another former club – remain managerless has led to much speculation that Mowbray may still have an eye on a job in the Premiership, but yesterday Dave Allan, spokesman for the Riverside club, scotched any suggestion that an appointment was imminent.

“We are starting the search properly now, rather than what some papers have been suggesting that we are ready to make an appointment,” said Allan.

Mowbray may well be a candidate in that race, rather than a front-runner, but it is hard to imagine him turning down an approach from England’s top flight, should it emerge. The lure of the Premiership would be too strong.

Just ask Billy Davies. The Preston manager, who has guided his team to the play-offs in successive seasons, will be interviewed for the vacant manager’s job at Charlton tomorrow, with all indications that the Scot now tops the list of candidates to replace Alan Curbishley.

“I am ambitious and I will travel to London to see what Charlton Athletic have to say to me. I am going with an open mind,” said the 42-year-old.

With Peter Taylor, the Hull manager, having already decided to stay with the Championship club, and Colchester turning down the Addicks’ request to hold talks with their manager Phil Parkinson, Davies has the chance to win a seat at the top table with a club which is neither burdened with unrealistic expectations or ravaged by the constant threat of relegation.

It sounds a perfect fit for an ambitious young manager.

Taken from the Sunday Herald