The ‘will he, won't he' debate has been the focus of sports' bulletins on TV and radio, formed the central topic on many a phone in, filled hundreds of column inches and has kept internet messageboards busy as football fans the world apart follow the wooing of Terry.
The Scottish and Australian media have carried lots of quotes from the Sydney chairman, Walter Bugno, along the lines that ‘he's the man for the job' and ‘the A-League is going places'. Meanwhile or very own John Boyle got himself caught up in the entanglement and, despite suggesting that he regretted that the speculation had become so intense, added "Terry is hugely popular at Fir Park and has proved to be an excellent manager - so it's no surprise that we would like him to stay." Cue the headlines “Boyle Pleads with Butcher”.
Meanwhile, the man at the centre of the struggle for his affections lets it be known that he love Motherwell FC and feels that his work here is unfinished. On the other hand a change of lifestyle seems attractive and the development of Australian football is exciting. On radio this morning he stated the ‘the question is still open' (but Maurice Malpas would get his vote as successor).
At least the extended engagement has allowed ‘Well fans time to come to terms with the likely loss of the manager who has steered through the last few seasons. Many have accepted that he is history and take the view that change is inevitable and that Mo should take up the reins. Others hold on to ever decreasing hope that he will turn the suitor down and that the attractions of a freezing November morning on the training grounds of Cleland will turn out to be more attractive that spending Christmas at a sunny beach barbie with a few glasses of red wine.
Whatever the outcome, let it be soon. This unedifying public negotiation does nothing to further the credit of club or manager.