Curbs: I need a chairman to take a gamble

Alan Curbishley has thrown his hat into the ring at Reading, at least according to the Currant Bun. After four years out, he would love to get back into football management and is quoted as saying: 'My record's good but I have been out for some time. I need a chairman to take a gamble.'

However, he may not be receiving any phone calls from Reading. Paolo di Canio is currently favourite to galvanise the Royals, an appointment which would certainly overcome a reputation for blandness at the club. Nigel Adkins is also in the frame and alongside him and di Canio Curbs looks a bit rusty.

Salvation may come from Yorkshire. Brendan Ormsby is using his column in the Yorkshire Post to campaign for Curbs to replace Neil Warnock. The 'former Leeds legend' said: To be honest, I wouldn’t mind Alan Curbishley up here. I know he has been out of the spotlight for a year or two now, but I like him as a manager. I played against him as a player and have known him for quite a long time. He has handled one or two big clubs [nice to see Charlton referred to as abig club] and he tries to get teams playing the way he used to. Curbs was a ball-player, and not aggressive as such. As an individual, he is also calm. But with him being out of the game for a while, you wonder if he wants to get back into it – you wonder if he has an appetite for it.'

That is a relevant question. Moreover, Ormsby obviously doesn't realise that Curbs has a preference for jobs in and around the M25. His phone may remain silent for some time, but journos can always insert his name in a story when a higher level managerial vacancy occurs. And he does rank sixth in terms of games managed in the Premier League.