Will Curbs ever leave?

In my opinion, Alan Curbishley has proved he is one of the country's best football managers. However, I would argue that he may as well sign a 10-year contract with Charlton because he will clearly never be offered a job which offers the security and upward potential of his current one. What Curbs has achieved at Charlton is fantastic.....period. However you have to seriously ask, "Is there any likelihood of Curbs being offered a 'top five' job?" In my opinion, the simple answer is, "..of course not." Can you imagine him becoming manager of Arsenal or Chelsea? The concept is absurd.

Unfortunately for Curbs (and fortunately for all genuine Charlton fans), he has kept a low profile ever since he came on board in 1991. Perhaps, unlike perennial self-publicists like Graeme Souness, he has become 'typecast' as a Charlton man through and through.

In recent months, job openings have appeared at Spurs, Chelsea, Blackburn, Newcastle, and Liverpool. Yet it seems Curbs has not been seriously considered for any of these positions. Given that he will never get offered the Arsenal or Man Utd job, it begs the question, has he become too comfortable at Charlton?

However, when Charlton play as poorly as they have for the majority of this season, it is reasonable to ask at what point does the Board question Curbs' long-term abilities. However when one puts his genuine alternative prospects in perspective, it is clear that there is a risk that he may become 'part of the furniture' in absence of better opportunities elsewhere.

I was in a boring meeting today, and in order to kill some time, I tried to write down my best current XI.....it wasn't easy, especially at center-back. I haven't seen El Karkouri play, but try picking two from Perry, Fortune, Fish and Turner, with any confidence. Move into midfield and the situation seems no better - playing Rommedahl is exciting, but the thought of Euell and Kishishev alongside him feels me with fear.

We knew Scott Parker was special, but perhaps we didn't appreciate fully the impact that one outstanding player can make, and moreover the extent to which money cannot replace genuine talent.