Newell suitors tread a tricky path

Just like Steve Cotterill at Burnley it now seems to be a case of heads I win, tails you lose for Leicester City managerial target Mike Newell.

Steve Cotterill reportedly won a new contract from his chairman after being closely linked with the City job and now Luton Town appear ready to go ‘bearing gifts’ in a bid to keep Newell.

You get the feeling that if Leicester are going to secure his signature they have got to move now and yet Newell might well see Monday as a potentially better day to make his decision.

By then he might have a clearer idea of Leicester’s likely status next season.

In reality he has no need to risk his reputation at all at Leicester, via the prospect of being seen to take the side down.

But he has become frustrated by the limitations at Luton and realises that City have the potential to fulfil some of his Premiership ambitions.

Luton know this and are reportedly ready to make their play, with a new contract, more money for players and renewed commitment to a new stadium (possibly via new investors).

The question is, how long will it take to put the money on the table and to realise the main target of building a new stadia. What also about delays and pitfalls along the way?

Leicester’s impressive ground is a reality. It is just their status that is in doubt and victory at Brighton on Saturday would do much to ease those relegation fears.

But, a draw or defeat however would leave the axe still dangerously close to City’s neck and certainly close enough for Newell to consider the downside might be too risky though surely not more risky than when he applied for the job.

Decision-wise Newell must feel that he is trying to find the one safe path through a treacherous swamp but all the time, conditions underfoot are changing.

Meanwhile, his suitors are frantically trying to build a golden pathway safely ahead of him and they know that one of them is bound to lose.

The problem is which of the suitors will fall foul of the swamp leaving the other to help Newell towards his goals?.



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