TASTE OF THE TERRACE: Why did Crawley Town abandon search for manager with local knowledge with appointment of Harry Kewell?

Crawley Town fans had three bits of news in the past week '“ one good, one not so good and one that is a definite maybe.
Crawley Town season ticket holder Geoff ThorntonCrawley Town season ticket holder Geoff Thornton
Crawley Town season ticket holder Geoff Thornton

Now we have confirmation of the rumour, Reds fans are digesting the 'maybe' news that the new manager is to be the former Liverpool star Harry Kewell.

It strikes me as unlikely when Crawley Town are linked to a top flight former player, rather than to a journeyman from the lower leagues, but John Gregory and Dean Saunders with their international caps, gave the lie to that.

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Early favourite Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was in the same mould so why not Harry Kewell?

Harry Kewell goes off injured for Leeds United v Manchester United in 2002.
Picture by Mark Bickerdike.Harry Kewell goes off injured for Leeds United v Manchester United in 2002.
Picture by Mark Bickerdike.
Harry Kewell goes off injured for Leeds United v Manchester United in 2002. Picture by Mark Bickerdike.

Some will certainly wonder why? Whatever happened to the search for a manager with the relevant experience and local links?

Gareth Southgate would have been perfect, but I believe he is otherwise engaged.

Kewell is no more local than Watford, where he coached their under-23s until he was sacked in April because of poor results.

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I do not consider that relevant managerial experience (which was significant in Dermot Drummy’s demise) and it’s no track record of success either.

Why certainly is the big question.

Many fans will also be concerned that although Kewell is lauded at Anfield, he is not flavour of the month at his first club Leeds United.

We shall see, and I will cross my fingers for the lad whilst I remain very firmly balanced on the fence.

On the plus side Kewell may well appeal to Reds’ female fans.

And so to the good news – Dannie Bulman is back.

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I am sure Matt Harrold would readily hand over his legend crown and I think you would be hard-pressed to find any dissenters amongst the faithful.

Nobody could understand why he was released the first time, let alone the second time around.

At 38 years of age Dannie might not expect to be a regular first choice.

But neither did Glenn Morris, so we shouldn’t rule it out.

His experience and knowledge is first class and I can’t imagine anybody would be more pleased about his return than Harry Kewell now he has inherited the hot seat.

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Although Carlisle United remain in League Two, the relegation of Hartlepool United has reduced the distance travelled to away games.

In their place we look westwards with some expressing no great enthusiasm.

Newcomers Forest Green Rovers do not attract quite the antipathy that is shown towards Aldershot Town and Dover Athletic, but many Reds fans simply do not like them.

It may be the club’s bizarre vegan set-up or the traditional stories of weird goings on in the Forest of Dean, but I hope we can give them a couple of whackings that help them straight back down to the National League.