Sanchez quits Northern Ireland for Fulham

[Rahul]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ham/6646959.stm

 

Sanchez quits NI for Fulham post

 

Sanchez took charge for the last five games of the season

Lawrie Sanchez has resigned as Northern Ireland manager to take over at Fulham.

The 47-year-old has been handed an "indefinite, rolling contract" after steering Fulham to Premiership safety following a spell as caretaker boss.

 

He said: "Obviously it is disappointing to not be taking Northern Ireland to the European Championships.

 

"But having discussed this at length with the chairman and the board, I understand the importance of focusing solely on the task ahead."

 

The IFA will be considering its position over the next few days

 

Irish Football Association statement

 

Sanchez took over from Chris Coleman for the last five games of the season, and it was initially thought he may combine managerial roles with Fulham and Northern Ireland.

 

But Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed wanted Sanchez to concentrate on matters at Craven Cottage.

 

He added: "During my last month or so at Fulham I became increasingly enthused by working daily with players on the training pitch, and the satisfaction that I felt at seeing the end result on a weekly basis.

 

"The club has an incredibly professional infrastructure worthy of its Premiership status and it is my aim to finish higher than we have before, and to bring the success that the chairman and the supporters deserve for their continued commitment."

 

Sanchez said:"I believe that the trust placed in me at this time needs to be repaid with 100% commitment.

 

Sanchez added: "Northern Ireland will be a great job for someone and I leave the team in good shape with them at the top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

 

"I wish them all the best for the future. They're disappointed but I hope they understand my actions."

 

The Irish Football Association released the following statement on their official website www.irishfa.com: "The Irish FA is obviously aware of the situation between Fulham Football Club and Lawrie Sanchez.

 

"And we would be the first to congratulate him on his appointment as their new manager and to recognise the outstanding job he has done for Northern Ireland football and the IFA."

 

 

 

Didn't see that coming.

[Guest Scot]

What a t***

[Chili Palmer]

Ungrateful c***, hope he gets sacked 3 games into the next season.

 

I wonder would Rafa do it part time?

[Herbie von Smalls]

iain dowie for norn iron

[Guest Jude]

Wonder if Gerry Armstrong will be offered the job full time.

[Ostrich Man]

too "catholic"

[Guest Jude]

too "catholic"

 

 

 

Ever see his young Spanish girlfriend

[jimmylibel]

Well that's Fulham down next season then.

[Crazy Horse]

Shame for NI, but can't blame him really.

[Sion]

I'm gonna lay big on Fulham to go down now. He's a championship manager at best, managing a tinpot league 2 club that shouldn't even be in the PL, so they should suit each other well.

[Herbie von Smalls]

ffs. what've you got against fulham? they've been consistently better than clubs with much bigger bank balances and support.

[jimmylibel]

ffs. what've you got against fulham? they've been consistently better than clubs with much bigger bank balances and support.

 

Spent very heavily when they first came up though - and to get themselves there. They've been on a downward spiral since and I actually don't think Sanchez is that good a manager (despite his success with NI). Have a feeling them and Bolton will be knocking around the wrong end of the league next season.

[stressederic]

ffs. what've you got against fulham? they've been consistently better than clubs with much bigger bank balances and support.

 

And as reward for all of that Chris Coleman got sacked.

[Guest LittleMark]

f*** Him - ungrateful lying b*****d!!

 

He can rot at Fulham, on a rolling contract, league 2 manage at best, he'll be out by November and sicken the b*****d!

[San Diego Red]

f*** Him - ungrateful lying b*****d!!

 

He can rot at Fulham, on a rolling contract, league 2 manage at best, he'll be out by November and sicken the b*****d!

Glenn ratfaced Roeder to follow in December then.

[Rahul]

f*** Him - ungrateful lying b*****d!!

 

He can rot at Fulham, on a rolling contract, league 2 manage at best, he'll be out by November and sicken the b*****d!

 

Wasn't there some sort of agreement that he would stay with NI until the end of the Euros?

[Maldini]

Is anywhere doing odds for next season's relegation yet?

[kenny7]

A rolling contract benefits Fulham. This should mean they can sack him after a few months without the large compensation, say a five year contract would have.

[Guest JV]

Is anywhere doing odds for next season's relegation yet?

I take it your thinking fulham aswell

[MFletcher]

I'm from NI, and was quite shocked to hear Sanchez had resigned. It's the fact he said he'd see his contract out that is the most annoying thing. It makes him look like a ****.

 

I do expect him to be sacked within the next 18 months or so. He's nothing special and Al Fayed will probably wield the axe when they fall into the relegation zone around December time.

 

I might have a bet on them being relegated actually.

[Guest Finnan3]

He will surely take Fulham down to the Championship, I could have kept them up I reckon.

[John am Rhein]

Sanchez seems to have done a remarkable job with Northern Ireland who weren't even competitive for years. How did he mnage this if he's such a no mark? Did he have a decent assistant? is that assistant still there?