Offering an idea for sale to the week’s sport In the North London derby tomorrow afternoon, Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino will enjoy a welcome break from the tedious business of narrative control.

New Fulham manager Felix Magath has warned now is “not the time to dream” and vowed there is only hard work ahead as the Cottagers battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League.

Former Fulham coach Ray Wilkins has announced he is struggling with ulcerative colitis in order to dispel rumours of a drinking problem.

Former Fulham coach Ray Wilkins has announced he is struggling with ulcerative colitis – the same condition afflicting Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher – in order to dispel rumours of a drinking problem.

The future of Fulham’s backroom staff should become clearer on Monday as newly appointed first-team manager Felix Magath looks to build on a constructive first day at the office.

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough hopes his embattled side will gain new impetus from an FA Cup upset that left Fulham counterpart Rene Meulensteen answering fresh questions about his future.

Ray Wilkins has become the latest high-profile member of Rene Meulensteen’s backroom staff after being named as the new assistant head coach of the Barclays Premier League strugglers.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson insists the general philosophy of management has not changed in his 38 years as a boss – you still need to win football matches.

Owen Coyle firmly believes he has left Bolton in good shape after he was relieved of his management duties yesterday morning.

West Brom are already searching for Roy Hodgson’s successor even though England’s new head coach will remain in charge for the final two games of the domestic season.

England fans’ spokesman Mark Perryman has backed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as Fabio Capello’s successor, but warned supporters to forget any prospect of winning a trophy for at least four years.

Terry Connor is not convinced someone else would have done a better job than he has so far in his time in charge at Wolves.

Wolves owner Steve Morgan has challenged caretaker boss Terry Connor to stake a claim for the job on a permanent basis after being appointed for the remainder of the season.

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan insisted the club were right to sack Mick McCarthy after the appointment of his assistant Terry Connor as their new manager until the end of the seaso

Former Rangers manager Walter Smith has emerged as the new favourite to take charge of Wolves as Mick McCarthy’s successor, it is understood.

Steve Bruce remains a major contender to become the next Wolves manager even though other candidates will be interviewed during the next 48 hours, it is understood.

Wolves continue to be frustrated in their bid to replace sacked manager Mick McCarthy with hopes of securing the services of Alan Curbishley and Brian McDermott having faded, it is understood.

Wolves are continuing their search to replace sacked manager Mick McCarthy with Reading’s Brian McDermott emerging as a potential new candidate, it is understood.

Wolves still hope to appoint Mick McCarthy’s successor as manager by the weekend with Steve Bruce emerging as one of the favourites, it is understood.

Jez Moxey believes Wolves “are just about on schedule” to appoint sacked manager Mick McCarthy’s successor in time for Saturday’s clash at Newcastle.

Wolves playmaker Jamie O’Hara insists the players have to shoulder the blame for Mick McCarthy’s sacking as the search continues today for his replacement.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle believes Mick McCarthy’s successor will have a “fighting chance” of ensuring the club guarantee Premier League survival for a third successive season.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle believes Mick McCarthy’s successor will have a “fighting chance” of ensuring the club guarantee Barclays Premier League survival for a third successive season.

Striker Kevin Doyle insists he never lost respect for sacked Wolves boss Mick McCarthy even though he was ousted as the club's first-choice striker by Steven Fletcher.

Wolves will start their bid to find Mick McCarthy's appointment in earnest today with bookmakers favourite Alan Curbishley set to be interviewed, it is understood.

The managerial vacancy at Wolves is a role that finally whetted the appetite of Alan Curbishley, according to his agent.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial post at Wolves.

Skipper Roger Johnson insists the Wolves players and not sacked manager Mick McCarthy are to blame for the club’s current plight.

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey insists club owner Steve Morgan’s dressing-room outburst after the home defeat by Liverpool earlier this month did not contribute to Mick McCarthy’s downfall as manager.

Aston Villa were meeting managerial target Alex McLeish at a secret location in London today, as their bitter battle with the Scot’s former club Birmingham continued.

KEVIN KEEN’S record as West Ham manager is played two, won none.

ALAN PARDEW is expected to be confirmed as the new Newcastle manager today.

Alan Pardew is expected to be confirmed as the new Newcastle manager within the next 24 hours.

Bookies favourite Alan Pardew attracted just 14 votes in a newspaper poll of fans on who they wanted as the new Newcastle United manager.

NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley is stepping up his efforts to find a replacement for sacked manager Chris Hughton before the weekend.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was today launching his search for a new manager after Gordon Strachan tore up his contract with the struggling club.

Gerrard Houllier is due to meet French Football Federation president Fernando Duchaussoy tomorrow amid reports that he is set to become Aston Villa’s new manager.

Aston Villa hope to appoint Gerard Houllier as successor to Martin O’Neill in the next 48 hours.

Gerard Houllier could work alongside current Aston Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald in a director-of-football-type role if he links up with the midlands club.

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Martin O’Neill as Aston Villa manager.

It is understood that former Aston Villa player Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O’Neill as manager of the midlands club.

Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in making a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa, according to sources close to the former England coach.

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will begin the hunt today to find a successor to manager Martin O'Neill with fellow American Bob Bradley amongst the potential candidates.

Alan Curbishley feels he is unlikely to be offered the chance to return to Barclays Premier League management with Fulham.

ROY HODGSON could be about to slam the door on one of England’s management options.

Guillermo Franco is to be released by West Ham after helping the club to escape relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.

League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan has backed Gianfranco Zola to bounce back from his sacking by West Ham and criticised the Barclays Premier League club for not providing the Italian with the right support at the top level.

THERE’S no more appropriate week than Easter to have hostile forces closing in around you.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND legend Roy Keane admits he can empathise with managers who have become violent in dressing rooms.

Chairman Adam Pearson is adamant Hull’s new manager will have time to make an impact as the club bid to stave off relegation from the Barclays Premier League.