LIKE any other ex-manager, I was deeply saddened to read this week about the passing of Frank Burrows.

Frank was so popular throughout the game, because of his honesty and ability. He was of course up the road at Portsmouth on a couple of occasions and that was one of the many clubs he helped get promotion.

I also had the pleasure of him working, although briefly, with me at Sunderland, where I needed as much help as possible!

He was respected and admired right throughout the club from dressing room to boardroom.

He has had tributes from right across the board and people like Howard Wilkinson and Richard Bevan, both from the League Managers Association, have praised his commitment to the game, that never wavered. He achieved things from clubs at just about every division.

We all pass on our sincere condolences to his lovely wife Wendy and three children, such a sad time.

New deal for Gareth

Football-wise, it was good to see that Gareth Southgate, the England manager, has extended his contract.

It wasn’t exactly as if time was running out, but basically to look forward with a new three-year deal on top of the time he had left, which will cover the next World Cup and the European Championship in 2024.

I think it’s important for the fact the current manager has obviously looked at just about every player from the Premier League and lower down. He knows who is best suited to international football and who will be able to build on this for the biggest competitions in football.

The other thing of course is that there are not many English managers around at the top level, if you look at the clubs. And I think he has proved he can handle the difference that international management brings.

Why is Sir Alex not involved?

Man United have been such a big club and obviously hit the headlines more than most.

And since the parting of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, we’re all waiting to see what happens. I think it was strange to see there would possibly be an interim manager from now until the end of the season.

And then a full-time manager appointed going forward.

The names mentioned as possible contenders are mainly from abroad. But the thing that surprised me was one comment I read which said that Sir Alex Ferguson would have nothing to do with the new appointment.

I personally cannot believe this, unless there is something political happening within the club. He is obviously the best man around anywhere to judge whether a new appointment is right for any club, but particularly United, where he is a total legend next to people like Sir Matt Busby.

So I suppose I have to accept things are different these days, but I will be interested to see who takes over.

I will be interested to see if the temporary appointment of Michael Carrick, who was on the staff with Ole, continues the way he started with the win against Villarreal in the Champions League.

How would he feel if he kept winning and was only doing it until the new appointment came in!?

But I suppose like everything in the world, things are changing. The problem of course is that Manchester United are expected, by not just their own supporters but everyone watching the game, to be in the top four. At present they are eighth. I suppose that’s the reason there is some hesitation.