Whelan keen to manage Sky Blues (1 Viewer)

Coventry La La La · Apr 5, 2011

FORMER Coventry City striker Noel Whelan has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next manager of the Sky Blues.

Speaking exclusively to The Observer, the 36-year-old, who retired from football in 2009 after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, revealed he applied to become City's manager before Aidy Boothroyd took charge at the start of the 2010/2011 season.
And while Boothroyd's recent sacking came as no surprise to Whelan, he feels he has the necessary experience and qualifications to be given a shot at management in the Championship.

"I'll manage Coventry City for free just to prove a point," Whelan said. "I applied for the role just before Aidy Boothroyd took charge but the board decided to go with him.
"Football management's like a merry go round. It's hard for any manager these days because things can change so quickly.

"I have worked at Derby County as a youth coach and worked alongside the likes of Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet, I have all my coaching badges including my UEFA B so I am raring to go if the club gives me the opportunity."

Whelan spent just under five years with the club at Highfield Road, making over 150 appearances and scoring 39 goals before moving to Middlesbrough at the end of the 1999/2000 season.

He joins at least 50 other former Sky Blue heroes at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday for the club's Legends Day, organised by the Coventry City Former Players' Association
Speaking about the club's current troubles on and off the pitch, Whelan said his sympathy was with the fans.

"The current situation at the club's not great, " he said. "It's not new because the club's finances have not been the best for a long time and what’s bad is the fans don’t know what's going on.

"The Championship is such a tough league these days because you have so many strong teams. Coventry were in the top six before Christmas but the board decided not to invest when other clubs around them did.

"Sometimes it's not all about money, it can be about the players and manager wanting it, but if you are going to get out of the division that way you need have the right man in charge," Whelan added.

"There is not a happy harmony at the club at the moment and that filters down to the players and the fans. The board need to sit around a table and sort it out because it's not good for the football club."

Wheelan is a City legend but he wouldn't be my choice as next manager.

AngryAnt · Apr 5, 2011

We've all these former players/ex managers who'd do the job for free just to prove a point.. Mayber we're not in such dire straits as we all think?... Or maybe they have just been sniffing too much wacky backy. Still, must say something for them to want to do it for free.

We'll_live_and_die · Apr 5, 2011

If Whelan wants to do it for free let him have a crack. Three losses on the bounce and we bring in Gould, who would also do it for free. Why pay shit managers when we can get them to do the job for free. That makes good business sense.

rob9872 · Apr 5, 2011

One of my favourite City songs (not that I encourage indiscriminate violence your honour )

There were ten shop windows in the street (in the street)
There were ten shop windows in the street
There were ten shop windows, ten shop windows
Ten shop windows in the street

And Noel Whelan kicked one in (kicked one in)
And Noel Whelan kicked one in
And Noel Whelan, Noel Whelan
Noel Whelan kicked one in

There were nine shop windows in the street ... etc etc

And to finish - a rousing chorus of "Whelan, Whelan, Whelan"

Quality that an alcoholic troublemaker can be such a cult hero and doesn't say much about us, but I loved Noel. Genius on his day, unfortunately not enough of them, but still one of the best we've had and would get into most peoples first XI from players of the past 20 years I think.

Lloyd · Apr 5, 2011

rob9872 said:
One of my favourite City songs (not that I encourage indiscriminate violence your honour )

There were ten shop windows in the street (in the street)
There were ten shop windows in the street
There were ten shop windows, ten shop windows
Ten shop windows in the street

And Noel Whelan kicked one in (kicked one in)
And Noel Whelan kicked one in
And Noel Whelan, Noel Whelan
Noel Whelan kicked one in

There were nine shop windows in the street ... etc etc

And to finish - a rousing chorus of "Whelan, Whelan, Whelan"

Quality that an alcoholic troublemaker can be such a cult hero and doesn't say much about us, but I loved Noel. Genius on his day, unfortunately not enough of them, but still one of the best we've had and would get into most peoples first XI from players of the past 20 years I think.

Whelan was one of my favourite city players growing up, but why do I not remember that "chant"? :|

Nick · Apr 5, 2011

Whelan was my era and was a legend along with Hucks

Coventry La La La · Apr 5, 2011

I Would like to know what kind of style Whelan would like to play as I'm enjoying Thorn's system at the moment. :thinking about:

Nonleagueherewecome · Apr 5, 2011

Whelan was great, maybe never quite fulfilled his early potential, but a class footballer at the City. Loads of great memories. The Juke finish on Saturday reminded me so much of the way Noel used to just lift it over the encroaching 'keeper. He also speaks very well whenever I hear him interviwed on the radio. Maybe he doesn't have the experience for manager yet, but I'd love him to be on the coaching staff.

My standout memory of him is a strange one. We were deep in the relegation mire, looking doomed, possibly the season it went to the last day at Spurs, and he'd been out injured for AGES. He was meant to be out for the season. Then the teamnews for the Palace match came on SKY, that "Coventry will be boosted by the early return to training this week of Noel Whelan", accompanied by a shot of him jogging at Ryton with Shawsy and a few others, massive grins on their faces...I knew then we'd be alright-my Uni hosuemate at the time said he'd never seen me look so happy!

Nick · Apr 5, 2011

Coventry La La La said:
I Would like to know what kind of style Whelan would like to play as I'm enjoying Thorn's system at the moment. :thinking about:

I reckon he would give them a few beers for halftime teamtalk and a promise of a good night down fatties if they won

rob9872 · Apr 5, 2011

Lloyd said:
Whelan was one of my favourite city players growing up, but why do I not remember that "chant"? :|

To be fair most of the time it was just a thoughtless "Whelan, Whelan, Whelan" (we are often rubbish at songs for our players) but the shop windows song did make me smile

Covstu · Apr 5, 2011

Great player but a doubt he will become an accomplished manager in my opinion! The players would be wrecked by half time, he would swop the powerade for lager!!

rob9872 · Apr 5, 2011

I heard that when Aldridge was in charge at Tranmere, Pat Nevin was fined for not getting p*ssed at the Christmas party. I could imagine similar scenes of utter carnage. Good for team bonding though

Whelan keen to manage Sky Blues (1 Viewer)

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