NEW ASSISTANT?

Last updated : 05 October 2003 By Editor
The Indie reports:

‘Frenchman Luis Fernandez last night emerged as the surprise
front runner for the role of assistant manager to Sir Alex
Ferguson at Manchester United. Fernandez, who has been out
of work since the summer when he left Paris Saint-Germain,
looks to have beaten the likes of Bryan Robson, Martin Jol
and Mike Phelan to the coveted position.

‘The former midfielder and French international Fernandez,
who has plenty of coaching experience with two separate
stints at PSG and two successful seasons with Athletic
Bilbao, is seen as the perfect choice. Fernandez also won
the Cup-Winners' Cup with PSG in 1996, further adding to his
credentials as the right man to help lead a fresh assault on
Europe.

‘A club spokesman refused to comment yesterday - it was a
matter for the manager - but negotiations are said to be at
an advanced stage for the man who was part of France's
magical midfield quartet in the 1980s. Fernandez, who won 60
international caps, played alongside Michel Platini, Jean
Tigana and Alain Giresse as Les Bleus won Euro 84 on home
soil and then reached the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup
in Mexico.

‘As a manager, he has never won a championship, but has had
success in cup competitions, both in France and Europe. He
is also a tough disciplinarian who favours working with the
back-four. This would suit the more attack-minded Sir Alex
perfectly, thus leaving Fernandez to help shore up an often
shaky looking defence.’