Smith linked with Old Trafford role
SIR ALEX FERGUSON may be poised to bring former Everton boss Walter Smith to Manchester United as his new assistant, after his fellow Scot was sacked by the Goodison Park club on Wednesday.
The Toffees quickly replaced Smith with David Moyes, who moves over from Division One side Preston.
With Smith free to move on, there is the possibility that Ferguson might call on his good friend to become his new number two at Old Trafford.
Smith might be considered an ideal replacement for the departed Steve McClaren, who left United to become Middlesbrough manager last summer.
Ferguson has only just put pen to paper on a new three-year deal and he may call on Smith, who worked with him during Scotland's 1986 World Cup squad.
However, the disappointment of being sacked might stop Smith from making a quick return, despite United going for more success in the Premiership and Champions League this season.
Smith may not want to return to the world of football as an assistant, having been made boss of Rangers and Everton during his time in football management.
However, Smith's problems at Goodison Park stemmed from a lack of funds to build a side and he may find a move to The Red Devils tempting, considering the amount of world-class talent on hand at the club.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has stated his delight at making the Champions League quarter finals but warns that his side must be more successful against the big clubs of Europe.
On making the last eight, Ferguson said: "I don't think we've been bad in Europe in recent seasons. I think that, overall, our form has been good.
"This is our sixth quarter final and that is a terrific effort. That tells you about the consistency of our performance.
"But against the best teams? That is an area we need to do better in."
The Scot has admitted to re-thinking the club's European stategy, after the disappointments of the last two seasons in the Champions League.
Ferguson added: "Last season we had to hold up our hands and admit Bayern well and truly had the better of us in the quarter-finals.
"They beat us home and away. They were worthy winners and our meeting left me with a great deal to think about, coming as it did on top of the previous season's disappointment at falling at the same hurdle against Real Madrid.
"I had to re-think our European tactics and I believe we can see an improvement.
"We've had our setbacks but, overall, I think we've offered something different which I hope will reap an even bigger reward as we get to the more critical stages.
"I believe we're gradually developing a style that gives us a better chance of taking us further in the competition than at any time since we won it in 1999."
SIR ALEX FERGUSON may be poised to bring former Everton boss Walter Smith to Manchester United as his new assistant, after his fellow Scot was sacked by the Goodison Park club on Wednesday.
The Toffees quickly replaced Smith with David Moyes, who moves over from Division One side Preston.
With Smith free to move on, there is the possibility that Ferguson might call on his good friend to become his new number two at Old Trafford.
Smith might be considered an ideal replacement for the departed Steve McClaren, who left United to become Middlesbrough manager last summer.
Ferguson has only just put pen to paper on a new three-year deal and he may call on Smith, who worked with him during Scotland's 1986 World Cup squad.
However, the disappointment of being sacked might stop Smith from making a quick return, despite United going for more success in the Premiership and Champions League this season.
Smith may not want to return to the world of football as an assistant, having been made boss of Rangers and Everton during his time in football management.
However, Smith's problems at Goodison Park stemmed from a lack of funds to build a side and he may find a move to The Red Devils tempting, considering the amount of world-class talent on hand at the club.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has stated his delight at making the Champions League quarter finals but warns that his side must be more successful against the big clubs of Europe.
On making the last eight, Ferguson said: "I don't think we've been bad in Europe in recent seasons. I think that, overall, our form has been good.
"This is our sixth quarter final and that is a terrific effort. That tells you about the consistency of our performance.
"But against the best teams? That is an area we need to do better in."
The Scot has admitted to re-thinking the club's European stategy, after the disappointments of the last two seasons in the Champions League.
Ferguson added: "Last season we had to hold up our hands and admit Bayern well and truly had the better of us in the quarter-finals.
"They beat us home and away. They were worthy winners and our meeting left me with a great deal to think about, coming as it did on top of the previous season's disappointment at falling at the same hurdle against Real Madrid.
"I had to re-think our European tactics and I believe we can see an improvement.
"We've had our setbacks but, overall, I think we've offered something different which I hope will reap an even bigger reward as we get to the more critical stages.
"I believe we're gradually developing a style that gives us a better chance of taking us further in the competition than at any time since we won it in 1999."