Post by DJ on May 8, 2006 10:41:36 GMT 10
Butcher on his way to Sydney
By John Taylor and David Lewis
May 8, 2006
TERRY Butcher will fly to Australia this week for talks with the Sydney FC board as moves to shore up a deal with the former England international begin to solidify.
Sydney chairman Walter Bugno revealed yesterday that Butcher would be shown around the city and offered a two-year deal.
"We've worked feverishly over the weekend doing our external references to his style and persona," Bugno said.
Two of those references have come from international managers Sir Bobby Robson and Walter Smith, and Bugno continued: "We've had nothing but positives about Terry with people we've spoken to from England and Scotland.
"He's already watched a video of our grand final [against the Central Coast] and has his impressions of the players.
"He'll meet with the board first and then the staff and it's important for him to chat with Ian Crook [assistant coach] about the players.
"He could be here as early as Wednesday but we won't know more details until Terry speaks with his chairman."
Back in Scotland, after rounding off the Scottish Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United on Saturday, the Motherwell manager hinted strongly that he might well be the man to succeed Pierre Littbarski at Sydney.
"I can't put a time scale on it as it is a monumental decision," he told the BBC. "It's not like it's just down the M74 or M6 but the lifestyle change does have an appeal.
"It's only a fledgling league with only eight teams but it's still quite exciting."
Talks have so far been restricted to the telephone with Butcher, 47, keen to see for himself how brightly Bling FC still shines after all its recent upheavals.
"They love their football out there," he added.
"I know other sports are the main sports, but it's not like America where it's almost a sport that's hidden away.
"With the World Cup this year and the A-League having a good year and Sydney winning it, it's really hit the spotlight."
Butcher was feted by fans at the end of the clash with Dundee United, mingling with supporters on the pitch in what looked very much like a farewell.
"It could be goodbye," admitted the former Rangers and England centre back who wants the matter resolved within a week.
"It might be, it might not. I cannot say right now. If it does come to an end, it's been a magnificent four years. If it does not then I still have another two years here [at Motherwell]," he added.
It's unlikely that if Butcher does come to Sydney he will bring with him Motherwell's Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, who is known to be seeking a move to a bigger club, even though he has two years left on his current deal with the mid-table outfit.
Meanwhile, Bugno will this morning seek to thrash out the future of fans' player of the year David Carney, who is out of contract and seeking a substantial pay hike to stay in Sydney.
Carney, 22, is expected to miss the club's first training session under caretaker coach Ian Crook as the A-League champion shake off the cobwebs at Centennial Park, explaining: "They want me to join them [for training] but I'd rather get a contract done and dusted first.
"I love the club, the fans and the city. And, as I've said, my preference is to stay, so long as I can get a fair deal."
By John Taylor and David Lewis
May 8, 2006
TERRY Butcher will fly to Australia this week for talks with the Sydney FC board as moves to shore up a deal with the former England international begin to solidify.
Sydney chairman Walter Bugno revealed yesterday that Butcher would be shown around the city and offered a two-year deal.
"We've worked feverishly over the weekend doing our external references to his style and persona," Bugno said.
Two of those references have come from international managers Sir Bobby Robson and Walter Smith, and Bugno continued: "We've had nothing but positives about Terry with people we've spoken to from England and Scotland.
"He's already watched a video of our grand final [against the Central Coast] and has his impressions of the players.
"He'll meet with the board first and then the staff and it's important for him to chat with Ian Crook [assistant coach] about the players.
"He could be here as early as Wednesday but we won't know more details until Terry speaks with his chairman."
Back in Scotland, after rounding off the Scottish Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United on Saturday, the Motherwell manager hinted strongly that he might well be the man to succeed Pierre Littbarski at Sydney.
"I can't put a time scale on it as it is a monumental decision," he told the BBC. "It's not like it's just down the M74 or M6 but the lifestyle change does have an appeal.
"It's only a fledgling league with only eight teams but it's still quite exciting."
Talks have so far been restricted to the telephone with Butcher, 47, keen to see for himself how brightly Bling FC still shines after all its recent upheavals.
"They love their football out there," he added.
"I know other sports are the main sports, but it's not like America where it's almost a sport that's hidden away.
"With the World Cup this year and the A-League having a good year and Sydney winning it, it's really hit the spotlight."
Butcher was feted by fans at the end of the clash with Dundee United, mingling with supporters on the pitch in what looked very much like a farewell.
"It could be goodbye," admitted the former Rangers and England centre back who wants the matter resolved within a week.
"It might be, it might not. I cannot say right now. If it does come to an end, it's been a magnificent four years. If it does not then I still have another two years here [at Motherwell]," he added.
It's unlikely that if Butcher does come to Sydney he will bring with him Motherwell's Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, who is known to be seeking a move to a bigger club, even though he has two years left on his current deal with the mid-table outfit.
Meanwhile, Bugno will this morning seek to thrash out the future of fans' player of the year David Carney, who is out of contract and seeking a substantial pay hike to stay in Sydney.
Carney, 22, is expected to miss the club's first training session under caretaker coach Ian Crook as the A-League champion shake off the cobwebs at Centennial Park, explaining: "They want me to join them [for training] but I'd rather get a contract done and dusted first.
"I love the club, the fans and the city. And, as I've said, my preference is to stay, so long as I can get a fair deal."
