American_Mary
Well-known member
Brian Little is the answer to the OP's question, in the 7 seasons preceding 94-95 Little had been promoted twice with Middlesbrough as a coach, been promoted twice with Darlington, been beaten play off finalist twice with Leicester and had just won the play off final to get Leicester promoted, at the time there were ongoing internal wrangles at Middlesbrough between Gibson, looking to exert more control and influence at the Club, and Henderson, who was more cautious and saw an unproven manager and relocation to a new stadium in tandem as unnecessarily risky.
Henderson remained friendly with Little following his coaching spell at the club and saw him as the ideal safe pair of hands and there was, I believe, an agreement in place that if Robson, who was Gibson's first choice, turned us down then we'd approach Leicester for permission to speak with Little, who apparently viewed Middlesbrough as a better long term option and would have taken the job.
Lawrence spoke to both Robson and Little about the job and sided with Gibson, arguing that whilst Little was a good manager, Robson had the greater potential and a standing globally that would help quickly raise the profile of the club.
Henderson remained friendly with Little following his coaching spell at the club and saw him as the ideal safe pair of hands and there was, I believe, an agreement in place that if Robson, who was Gibson's first choice, turned us down then we'd approach Leicester for permission to speak with Little, who apparently viewed Middlesbrough as a better long term option and would have taken the job.
Lawrence spoke to both Robson and Little about the job and sided with Gibson, arguing that whilst Little was a good manager, Robson had the greater potential and a standing globally that would help quickly raise the profile of the club.
