Despite not having a managerial role for over four years, Alan Curbishley is certainly not the forgotten man of football.
Since resigning from his post at West Ham in 2008, every time a vacancy in the dugout has opened up his name has appeared like clockwork – not to mention reminding us of his presence with numerous TV appearances because producers know he’s always available.
For instance, he can be found as low as 25/1 to be the next Everton manager, 12/1 to be the next Stoke City manager, and even 20/1 to be the next England manager.
More amazingly, when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement earlier this month, there was a brief period of time in which Curbishley was 10/1 with certain bookmakers to replace him. This placed him higher on the list than some of Fergie’s former players such as Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and Roy Keane.
Why is it, then, that Curbishley is apparently so sought after? And, seeing as he has publicly declared that he only wants to come back into management with a Premier League club, what makes him think he deserves to return straight back to top-flight football?
Well, to be fair to him, he’s had a pretty successful career so far.
After a playing career of over 400 games for clubs such as West Ham United, Birmingham City and Brighton & Hove Albion, Curbishley’s first role in management came at Charlton Athletic in 1991, where he spent four years as joint manager with Steve Gritt before taking sole command in 1995.
He guided The Addicks to promotion to the Premier League in the 1997-98 season, but a last-day defeat to Sheffield Wednesday meant they were immediately relegated to Division One the next season.
Curbishley got them to bounce back though, and they earned promotion again automatically in 1999-2000. Their first season back in the Premier League was never in doubt, and Charlton finished the season comfortably in 9th place.
Supplemented by two mid-table finishes – 14th in 2001-02 and 12th in 2002-03 – Curbishley had assembled a capable squad including players Scott Parker (who was sold the next season to Chelsea for £10million), Luke Young, Jason Euell and current club manager Chris Powell.
In 2003-04, Charlton claimed their highest league position since 1953 under Curbishley when they finished in 7th place, before further solid campaigns saw them secure 11th and 13th the next two seasons.
Curbishley’s reign at The Valley (at several points during which he was tipped to take over at Liverpool) ended in 2006 as he resigned after 729 games in charge.
A brief stint away from the game was followed by joining West Ham in December 2006 in a spell which only enhanced his reputation as a manager. Seven wins in their last nine games – the most famous being a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on the last day courtesy of a Carlos Tevez goal – kept The Hammers in the Premier League despite being relegation candidates all season.
Another top ten finish was confirmed in 2007-08, but a dispute over player sales led to his resignation in September, and, although bookies haven’t allowed us to forget him, Curbishley hasn’t been seen on the touchline ever since.
However, next time a manager gets sacked – and you shouldn’t have to wait too long in today’s game – pay attention to the name ‘Alan Curbishley’ (as laughable as that may sound), because with a record like his, eventually a club might take a punt on bringing him in from the not-so-distant wilderness.
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Four years is a very long time in footballing terns. I personally think he would not be able to cope with the Norsemen game, it’s changed a lot since he was a “manager”.
You’re right. Without trying to detract from what he achieved, it’s slightly ludicrous to expect a return straight to the Premier League. He’s probably still capable of success with a Championship club though.