FOOTBALL: SO HOW GOOD IS YOUR RIGHT-HAND MAN? A GUIDE TO THE PREMIERSHIP'S DEPUTIES

Pat Rice (Arsenal)

Irish Londoner brought up within earshot of Highbury. Arsenal to the core (member of the original Double- winning side). Dedicated to coaching but titled assistant manager to Arsene Wenger. No love of the spotlight.

Steve Harrison (Aston Villa)

Wide coaching experience including with Graham Taylor during his time as England manager and at Watford and Villa. Also with Millwall, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Preston. Speaks the players' language. Likes it that way.

Tony Parkes (Blackburn Rovers)

Always ready to stand in as a competent caretaker manager (as he has done several times before doing it again after Roy Hodgson's departure). Good football mind. No one would begrudge his taking the next good offer.

Keith Peacock (Charlton Athletic)

Popular long-time staffer. Made his debut for Charlton back in 1962. Reserve team coach until promoted to assistant manager last summer. Could make a surprise move into management, though probably not in the Premiership.

Graham Rix (Chelsea)

Gwyn Williams is officially assistant manager, but the former Arsenal player Rix is senior coach. Has experience playing abroad. Well- qualified to become a manager, but preoccupied with remaining a star in the five-a-sides.

Garry Pendrey (Coventry City)

Tough,knock-'em-into-shape style coach. Management experience with Birmingham City, for whom he also played. Happier on the training pitch than behind a desk and likely to remain so.

Steve McClaren (Derby County)

Appointed early in Jim Smith's reign. Tipped to take over when Smith finally loses his touch or enthusiasm - but that could be a long wait. Seems happy to let others do the talking... usually Smith.

Archie Knox (Everton)

Brought to Goodison by Walter Smith when he moved from Rangers in July. They worked hand in glove in Scotland, with obvious success, and were players together. Previously No 2 to Alex Ferguson, of course. No sign of management ambitions.

Eddie Gray (Leeds United)

A star of the Don Revie era. Had three years as manager at Elland Road in the Eighties. No 3 to George Graham but moved up to No 2 when David O'Leary became manager. More likely to retire than move on.

John Robertson (Leicester City)

Former team-mate of manager Martin O'Neill in Nottingham Forest's European Cup-winning side. Stayed with O'Neill as coach when he moved to Wycombe and Norwich. Could accept a management opportunity, but more likely to keep shadowing O'Neill.

Phil Thompson (Liverpool)

Brought in when Gerard Houllier took sole charge of the club, partly to retain a hint of Boot Room continuity but mainly to combat the "show us your medals" attitude among the players. He has the medals but no obvious sign of management inclinations.

Viv Anderson (Middlesbrough)

Former England wing-back before the phrase was invented. Hands-on coach with plenty of voice. Has been a No 1, at Barnsley, and might find it difficult to turn down a good offer.

Steve Clarke (Newcastle United)

Left Chelsea shortly after Ruud Gullit, his former boss and team-mate moved to the North-east. At 35, still learning coaching. Too soon to think of management.

Liam O'Kane (Nottingham Forest)

Forest's longest-serving staff member. Joined in 1968 and after a successful career stopped playing in 1977. Remained as a reserve team coach. If he wanted to be a manager, he would have done so by now.

Frank Barlow (Sheffield Wed)

Former Sheffield United half-back. Had three years as a manager (of Scunthorpe) and says "never again". Coached at Chesterfield, Barnsley and Birmingham City.

John Mortimore (Southampton)

The club spread their coaching responsibilities, but Mortimore, who has served the club on and off for thirty years, continues as the senior assistant to Dave Jones. Happy still to be involved.

Chris Hughton (Tottenham)

Worked his way up from player to youth-team coach to assistant head coach under the confusing Christian Gross. Now with George Graham. Not yearning for management.

Frank Lampard (West Ham Utd)

Harry Redknapp's assistant and brother-in-law. Steeped in West Ham tradition. Popular, hard-working player in his day. Would badly miss long-term daily involvement with the training ground routine.

Lawrie Sanchez, David Kemp, Mick Harford (Wimbledon)

No official No 2 to Joe Kinnear, so coaching is delegated according to players' positions (forwards, midfield and defence). Expensive? Not according to a Dons spokesman: "Three for the price of one at most other clubs." Any of them management material? "You're joking."

COMPILED BY NORMAN FOX