Hamilton's options still open on City post

SOMEONE much wiser than your average football manager once said: "It is hard to believe a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you were in his place."

The quotation came to mind on Saturday afternoon as Bryan Hamilton met the media at Windsor park. After a brief Hamilton analysis of a disappointing draw with Armenia, the hungry - press finally got on to the tasty Hamilton main course - Manchester City.

A flurry of rumour and speculation had preceded this World Cup qualifying match and it all concerned Hamilton's relationship with Maine Road had he been approached?

Hamilton's response was similar to that which he had given before kick off. "I just take it as a great compliment." Beyond that he would not confirm if there had been an approach and said he would not comment. Then, as managers do, he began to comment.

"This job is not for ever," he said. "And I would always like to go back into club management." Hamilton then gave what amounted to a verbal CV of his time in charge of Northern Ireland - a joint second finish in the European Championship group, a "great" result against Germany before the summer and the development of a nucleus of promising young players. "And I've loved it," he added, past tense.

Then he left and today Hamilton is on a jet bound for Frankfurt. There he hooks up with the Germany team bound for Erevan to face Armenia on Wednesday night. Unless, of course, Franny calls.

That is not entirely unrealistic. Lee badly needs someone with enthusiasm, and this is Hamilton's greatest asset. A lot of managers might regard the Maine Road job as dead end, but not Hamilton.

Having struggled at Leicester, Tranmere and Wigan (twice), he is familiar with the reality of adversity, and over the past two years as Northern Ireland boss has become reacquainted with the feeling.

In every possible way Windsor Park is smaller than Maine Roads particularly after the last two underwhelming Irish performances. August's defeat by the Ukraine was at least put into perspective by Portugal's loss in Kiev on Saturday, while this tepid draw may seem hotter after a few teams have visited Armenia.

And that is the problem for Hamilton and any future Northern Ireland manager the least populated country in the group is finally becoming the weakest team. The Armenian coach recognised, this saying: "We came here for the victory and lost two important points."

A Frenchman called Eric had given the Armenians a sight of all three points with a well constructed, well taken goal after seven minutes. Assadouryan of Guingamp only qualifies for Armenia because of the grandmother ruling and this was his debut.

Lennon, whose mistake led to the Armenian goal, atoned on the half hour with a flukey volley that gives the Irish one point out of six. The Germans are next, although Hamilton will have noted that Manchester City are at QPR on Saturday.