Holloway flattered by Pompey link

Ian Holloway has admitted he is flattered fans have linked him with the vacant Pompey job.
Ian HollowayIan Holloway
Ian Holloway

Yet while the 52-year-old is eager to be back in management next season, he has declined to reveal his interest in the Fratton Park post.

The Blues are seeking a new boss following Monday’s exit of Andy Awford by mutual consent.

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Holloway’s name has immediately been mooted, along with the likes of Phil Brown, Harry Redknapp, Martin Allen and Darren Ferguson.

He is presently out of work after last month being dismissed by Championship side Millwall.

But the former Blackpool manager does not presently want to comment on whether the Fratton Park job would appeal. Holloway told The News: ‘It is always very flattering and very nice whenever fans link you to jobs – you need fans on your side and I didn’t have that at Millwall in the end.

‘I have been working flat out for however many years, I had three play-off finals out of four years with a relegation by one point on the last kick of the season at Blackpool, so I am just trying to sort my life out.

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‘I don’t anticipate doing anything apart from a bit of BBC work around the play-offs in the next couple of weeks.

‘On a personal note about Andy, it is a very sad day for me, I think he’s a great fella.

‘During my dealings at Millwall with him over Paul Robinson he was nothing but a gentleman.

‘Andy is a great fella and I am just getting over my situation.

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‘For me to talk about a job when someone has just left is outrageous and I won’t be doing it, particularly for somebody like Andy.

‘I’m coming up to 870 games, I would love to get to the 1,000 mark and hope I will, you learn all the time and hopefully somebody will want me.

‘On Monday I moved house away from a club I thought I was going to be at for a long time (Millwall), it is all a bit weird.

‘I am sure Andy feels the same way. In football you never know what is going to happen.’

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Holloway’s Millwall exit was the first time he had ever been dismissed.

And he has criticised the short-termism of football management these days.

He added: ‘It all boils down to are your players good enough to get you to where you want to be?

‘It’s alright your fans wanting success – and deserving success – but you are only where you are because of the standard of your players.

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‘Manchester United supporters sang “You’re going to get sacked in the morning” to Mr Pellegrini. I just think it’s absolutely outrageous.

‘Who was the biggest load of rubbish all summer? Arsene Wenger. Now look at him, second in the league.’