Roeder Complications

Newcastle may discover today whether they can appoint Glenn Roeder as their permanent manager.

Having spent the past three months deliberating about a successor to Graeme Souness, Freddy Shepherd’s decision to promote Roeder from his caretaker’s role is — typically — fraught with complications, which a Premier League board meeting is due to discuss imminently.

Shepherd has already received permission from the organisation to extend Roeder’s temporary control of first-team matters beyond the normal 12-week maximum and has now asked whether further leeway is an option.

Roeder does not possess the Uefa Pro Licence qualification that is mandatory for new managers in the Premiership and leading European leagues. While there are mitigating circumstances, Uefa insist there are rules to be adhered to.

As of last night, the Premier League’s stance was firm: 'As things stand, Glenn Roeder does not have the Uefa Pro Licence so he will not be allowed to become the next permanent manager of Newcastle United.'

Shepherd has asked for two options to be considered:

1) allowing Roeder’s dispensation to continue for another year, while he completes the Pro Licence course.

2) rejigging Newcastle’s coaching structure by making Tommy Craig — the reserve-team coach, who possesses all necessary qualifications — a managerial figurehead.

Under the latter scenario, Roeder would still run the first team.

Newcastle have a strong moral argument in their favour. If Roeder was to be successful, Craig is almost certain to be named as his assistant.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.