The day Peter Grant took over at Norwich, I spoke to a member of staff at West Ham. They were happy he'd got a manager's job but questioned whether he would be a success, giving the reason that he was such a nice bloke.
Strange, that. Particularly when you consider that over these last 12 months Grant has made David Brent look like a genius in man-management.
From slagging off the fans, to slagging off the club's best player, to slagging off a new signing who had just scored two goals, and then slagging off a teenage striker who had bad game in his first start of the season against Rochdale. And, I'm sure I've probably forgot someone.
This ability to upset absolutely everyone in the workplace was not only stupid but astonishingly counter-productive. Clearly a good coach, he simply was not cut out to be a manager and his personality changed as a result.
When you look at his comments, he was just too honest, unable to bite his tongue in public and as a result, caused deep resentment in the dressing room.
The other issue, obviously, was his signings. We could talk all day about this one, although some were okay others downright awful. Again, we go back to the fact he was unable to get the best out of any of them because he was just way out of his depth.
So, who now? The options are limited and for me, there are only two choices.
Although first let's look at the ones we have to steer clear of. The name of Steve Staunton keeps cropping up although I hope it is one Norwich will avoid. Although none of his Irish players will go public for obvious reasons, there is a feeling that he is not a good manager and some of his preparations ahead of games are pretty strange.
Neil Warnock? Well, he going to Crystal Palace and wouldn't have come here anyway. Micky Adams or Martin Allen? Do me a favour.
Mark Bowen? There was some interest in him a year ago, as we know, and while Mark Hughes has publicly said his no 2 is going nowhere, he probably wouldn't stand in his way. But I think the club will steer clear of bringing in another assistant manager.
Steve Bruce? Still at Birmingham but clearly unhappy and ready to leave. It wouldn't be the first time he has left a club in the lurch and clearly has some affection for Norwich.
But he has done only a reasonable job with bucketloads to spend so not sure he'd be too clever with a more modest amount, even though the Turners are going to put some more money into the club.
How about Geraint Williams at Colchester? Once again doing an excellent job on limited funds but think he would be too much of a gamble.
So my second choice, and the obvious one, is Paul Jewell. Forget his eight months or so at Sheffield Wednesday. There was all sorts of stuff going on there behind the scenes. He did a brilliant job at Bradford and again at Wigan. Whether he could be tempted remains to be seen, but I'm sure the interest is there.
As he proved, Jewell is able to get the best out of limited players – Matt Jackson being the obvious example.
Yet the first name on my list would be Paul Ince.
He's not everyone cup of tea and he's certainly not mine. You could argue, like Williams at Colchester, he is unproven. Yet in football circles, it is generally accepted that he will be next in the Alex Ferguson production line of United players who turn into decent managers. If only we'd gone for Roy Keane?
Having done well at Macclesfield and now at MK Dons, Ince is not only a capable manager but I think he has that something extra. That fire in his belly. A determination to succeed. Although one of the lads as a player he has been able to distance himself and earns great respect from his players. Something Peter Grant was unable to achieve.
Ince would be a good addition to Norwich and we should get him first before Birmingham. Because I hear that if and when Bruce leave St Andrews, David Gold will be knocking at Ince's door.
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