Cookie Watch # 8 - The final one

Chris Coleman's Spanish adventure has finally come to an end then. He appeared to be on rocky ground ever since "the night club incident" and when President Maria de la Pena resigned the end seemed close. He was asked to stay on until the new president was elected and last week it seemed like he and Steve Keane were going to stick it out. The objective had clearly changed though and promotion was now expected with money being available to bring in new players, instead of relying on building a side based on home grown talent. The first signing of the new regime was Fran Merida, who arrived on loan from Arsenal. He's considered the new Cesc Fabregas (as ridiculous as that might sound) and I saw him play briefly for the Arsenal reserves last season (he's OK). However something must have happened in the last 48 hours, maybe despite saying nice things the new president didn't really want Cookie to stay, maybe Cookie just realised he was on a hiding to nothing and cut his losses while he could. There's been a suggestion (though I wonder if this didn't actually originate from TFi) that Coleman could join Keegan at Newcastle. I think that's the sort of job that would be ideal for him. Wherever he ends up I wish him the best. Below is a round up of the last few weeks with Real Sociedad.

Results since last post

23/Dec/07 - Real 2 Tenerife 1 - Come back win for Real.
6/Jan/08 - Salmanca 3 Real 2 - Dodgy 94th minute penalty seals Sociedad's fate.
13/Jan/08 - Real 1 v Alaves 0 - Goal in the last minute of stoppage time ensures victory over local rivals in what turned out to be Coleman's final match.

Chris Coleman's Daily Mail column links

Postcard from San Sebastian No. 16 (23rd Dec) Chris discusses the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez and states he would not be in the frame to return to Fulham.
Postcard from San Sebastian No. 17 (3rd Jan) Chris talks about the forthcoming Sociedad presidential elections and the ramifications for his own position.
Final postcard from This Is London (15th Jan) Just two days before quitting Chris talked about how the support of the fans had convinced him to stay on.