My feeling is unless they've somebody lined up and they are convinced he is going to be better than Brian, I think their decision has been made in haste.

He also writes a regular Preston North End column for the University of Central Lancashire's Students' Union newspaper Pluto and a weekly column for the Liverpool Daily Post newspaper. Lawrenson made his first start for the team at left-back in a 1–0 league defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 29 August 1981. One of his most memorable moments as a pundit was when he shaved off his trademark moustache after betting on Football Focus that Bolton would be relegated from the Premiership in the 2001–2002 season.

After a short career as a manager he has since been a radio television and internet pundit for the BBC TV3 and Today FM. Mark Thomas Lawrenson (born 2 June 1957) is a former professional footballer a defender in the Liverpool and Ireland football teams of the 1980s.