Comment, by Peter White

AS Blackburn Rovers step up their search for a new manager, there is only one simple requirement - they must get the right man.

Sounds frighteningly obvious doesn't it?

But, as all the likely - and unlikely - names are bandied about during the next few days, people's particular preferences for a certain type of manager won't matter a jot compared to the biggest question of all.

Is he the right man in the right place at the right time?

Ray Harford left as he reigned - even in troubled times - with dignity intact and showing an immense amount of character, as well as loyalty to a club he has grown to love.

I'm glad about that, because his contribution over the past five years should not be overlooked, nor forgotten.

But it could be argued that Harford was, in some respects, the right man in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He has always said himself, and repeated it yesterday, that the best position of all was not to follow Kenny Dalglish, but to be the next but one in line for the job. The man who follows Harford has only one way to go - we hope - and that is up. He will not have to carry the millstone of taking over someone else's champions.

As Harford again rightly pointed out, survival will be a degree of success for the club this season after what has happened.

Do the board know what qualities they are looking for? Unless, of course, they have already pinpointed their man and are set to make an early announcement.

Rovers need a manager capable of attracting world-class players from anywhere, they need someone who is big enough and brave enough to take over a club which is bottom of the table yet has the resources and capability to be top.

And they need a man who will demand that, while others look after the finance, football decisions are his alone.

The club are charged with finding "Mr Right", and as quickly as possible.

The alternative is too bleak to consider.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.