Not long before Rosenthal posted a recent item regarding the possible inability of potential 49ers G.M. Trent Baalke and potential head coach Jim Harbaugh to coexist, a league source was expressing to us a very strong feeling/hunch that Harbaugh would be paired not with Baalke but with NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi.
“Lombardi and Harbaugh have a close relationship,” the source said, pointing out that they worked together in Oakland. “I think Lombardi is ending up there.”
Lombardi was interviewed last week, and he later declared that Baalke will be getting the job. It meshes with what everyone else in league circles has believed -- that the parade of unemployed front-office types to interview for the G.M. position was aimed at creating the impression that the team was doing its due diligence, and that Baalke eventually would be getting the gig.
But with owner Jed York wanting a one-two Bill Walsh-John McVay punch to lead the team while on the same page at all times, Harbaugh’s reluctance to work with Baalke and Harbaugh’s apparent interest in working with Lombardi could change all of that.
As always, stay tuned.
