THE notion that former England managers just fade away, their experience jettisoned almost as soon as they clear their desks at the Football Association, received a corrective jolt last night as Bobby Robson was on the verge of taking over at one of the most famous clubs in the world Barcelona.
The 63 year old coach of Portugal's Porto was having talks in Madrid yesterday with Barcelona's president Jose Luis Nunez although those discussions appeared to be about when he would assume control at the Nou Camp in succession to Johan Cruyff rather than whether. A formal announcement is expected in the next 24 hours.
England's manager between 1982 and 1990, was reported as saying "The job is mine. I am signing a two year contract with Barcelona. That is all I want, then I will bow out of football.
"There are only a handful of really top jobs in world football Manchester United, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona. They are big, big clubs. I am so excited by this, even at my age.
"I have come abroad and got my nose down and I have worked hard. My record is good. I know that and obviously Barcelona have done their homework on me. Having just won the league in Portugal again with Porto I did expect to stay here, but what an opportunity this is."
Robson, who was twice asked to manage Barcelona while he was at Ipswich Town in the 1970s and 1980s, is believed to have been offered a contract worth £100,000 a month. This follows a spectacularly successful club career after giving up the England job.
Robson's reputation has been steadily enhanced since he led England to the 1990 World Cup semi finals. In addition to winning the FA and UEFA Cups with Ipswich in 1978 and 1981 respectively, he has since claimed the Dutch championship twice with PSV Eindhoven and won two Portuguese titles with Porto.
His new job also marks a complete rehabilitation for Robson, who had a facial cancer removed at the end of last year, and confounds the growing trend in Britain for younger managers, personified by Glenn Hoddle's appointment as the England manager at the age of 38.
According to the Spanish sports daily Marca, Robson's appointment will be an interim one until Barcelona acquire their main target, Louis Van Gaal, coach of the European champions Ajax. He is likely to succeed at the Nou Camp next year, when his current contract ends, with Rob son taking a back seat role.
Cruyff's position, meanwhile, is unclear. Barcelona have strenuously denied reports of his dismissal and the Dutchman was in charge of training yesterday, but an announcement is expected in the next few days.
