Now I know it’s only the betting market, which can be artificially manipulated, but there are a few betting markets out there with Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson as hot favourite to take over at fellow Championship side Reading.
Wanderers and Reading are struggling this season and so it is surely for his firefighting abilities that the Royals might look Parky’s way.
Bolton fans have been clamouring for a managerial change for some time now, with our current shambolic run being one of many that we have embarked upon with PP in charge since his appointment back in the day. Therefore, I am of the opinion that this mooted switch might well be the best thing for all parties.
Wanderers would benefit from a change. I think that is hardly in doubt.
We appear to have gone stale under a manager who has preferred to bring in a huge number of over-30 year old signings at the expense of any sort of youth and as such the style of play can be ponderous and seemingly devoid of inspiration.
Parkinson must surely be sick of having to deal with Wanderers’ shit, to put it plainly.
To have to work with one hand tied behind his back for his entire tenure, coupled with dealing with how we seemingly lurch from crisis to crisis - to even being denied his contractually-obligated bonuses for the incredible feat of keeping us up last season.
For Reading they will be bringing in a hero. Someone with over 400 appearances for the club and with a shout to have earned the opportunity to play with a more balanced deck than he has ever had at the Reebok.
For chairman Ken Anderson it would remove the awkwardness of having to sack a man who is generally admired and respected amongst the supporters. What may mean even more to a man like Ken is that he wouldn’t have to pay compensation had he might should he have decided to sack him. It just all makes sense.
It may well be just paper talk, but I think when all things are considered it really might be the best way of separating.
Goodbye Phil and thanks for everything.