20 Dec 2015 22:01:34
Hello Eds and all!

I have been reading this page borderline religiously over the past few months, and it has been a fantastic read and I can only thank and commend the ED's on their tremendous insight and information. I'm a first time poster on this page, but a long time lover of Manchester United.

A quick warning, this is a very long post but being a long time reader and a first time poster, there's a few things I want to cover, so my apologies in advance.

I've seen a lot of talk recently with regards to Pep/Mourinho and who would be best suited to taking this great club back to where it belongs - the top of the pile. One thing that is clear is that it seems that no matter people's opinions, everyone wants one thing, what is best for Manchester United; whether that be keeping LVG or getting rid of him, and in the case of the latter - who we get in.

I'd just like to throw my two cents into the ring and offer up a few opinions/arguments for the two aforementioned managers, and maybe offer up some new alternatives.

Firstly, Pep. He was a revolution in football when he went in at Barca, they were irresistible to watch and won everything. Then he went to Bayern Munich, after they had won the treble. A hard act to follow but few can argue that he's done a great job there as well, and of course everyone is pining for a manager that can get two great teams playing such fantastic football. As much as I think Pep would be an extremely shrewd acquisition by Manchester United, I'd also like to propose a note of caution. I'd also like to state at this point that I believe he is on his way to City, though in the world of football, you never know. My note of caution is this; competition. Pep has managed in Spain - a league contested between two teams, three now. He's managed in Germany - a league contested between two teams. He has never done it in the Premier League. He's always had a winter break to allow his players to refresh. He's never managed in a league where the competition is so fierce; would you see Getafe or Hannover sitting at the top of La Liga or the Bundesliga respectively? I don't need to mention the benefit of a winter break. I'm not denying his managerial skills, I'm just saying he is not yet proven in this league and there's a chance he may not find life so easy or successful in England. Of course, there's also an argument that he will be. I just think that we don't need to be so disheartened should we lost out on Pep.

Now, onto Mourinho. We're all aware of his fantastic CV. He's always found a way to win major honours at whatever club he has gone to. The big difference for me is that he has done it in the Premier League. He's coped with our media, he's coped with the competition and he's coped without the winter break. Yes he's an ego but he's entitled to have an ego when he's won everything there is to win. I for one wouldn't mind seeing Mourinho in the United seat and with the financial backing our club could offer him, and the 76,000 fans getting behind him week by week, I truly believe he could bring sustained success back to our club. Everyone says "look at his track record, he's never lasted more than three seasons"; a fair point, but I say - look at his track record, he's won everything at club level in the game, and he's done it at clubs with half the stature of Manchester United. Some may argue that he didn't succeed at Real Madrid, but that club is being run by Florentino Perez, the deluded dried up Chorizo, who only cares about what names will sell shirts as opposed to what men will win football matches. Ancelotti (a fantastic manager) won the CL but got fired the season after, so that goes to show you how that club is being run at the moment. At this moment in time, if we're to get rid of LVG, Mourinho would be my choice.

That being said, there has been a few names pop up that I'm sure would also be suitable candidates. Conte has been mentioned on more than one occasion and, though I don't know a lot about him and his style of play, I know he worked wonders at Juve, and who's to say he couldn't tempt Pogba back?!

Now looking at EPL proven managers, just as potential alternatives. I rate Poch very highly but there's no way he'll leave Spurs, and rightly so. He's doing a great job and all the best to him. He's mid transition at that club and with the new stadium, he could really turn Spurs into at least a top four team. Koeman is another great manager, but I'm not sure I'd want him. It seems to me as though he's waiting for the Barcelona job in a few years and I've never really warmed to him. If I'm being honest, and I'd never thought I'd be saying this after last season, if I could take any of the other managers in the Premier League right now, I'd seriously look at Alan Pardew. He's not a big name, and he might not pull in the big guns, but in his first season at Newcastle, they played some brilliant football (so much so they offered him an 8-year contract) okay, things turned sour there, but I think that's down to the running of the club more than anything. Now he's gone to Palace with limited funds and he's got them firing on all cylinders. He plays exciting football and he's not afraid to be honest and say when the team have under performed. But the biggest thing for me is that he's not afraid to let players play football. I'm not saying he'd be my number one choice, I'm just arguing he deserves a shot at a big club which is run properly, no disrespect to Palace, as I think they're fantastically run, they're just not a power house.

There's also the option of Sparky. Mark Hughes. He deserves a lot of credit for what he's done at Stoke. He's bought wisely, and for cheap, and he's got a superb team there that is going from strength to strength. Maybe he's the OT legend we need instead of Giggsy?!

Finally, let's look at our options closer to home. Firstly, since I mentioned him just above - Ryan Giggs. Something tells me that he would have gone for the Swansea position unless he knew something? Whenever I see him on TV, he looks miserable. I think this is down to the football LVG has us playing. Giggs (like Scholes) wouldn't be happy playing in this team. I agree, he's unproven. Yes, he's risky. But wasn't Guardiola a risky appointment at Barca? For me, Giggs needs to get some experience before he can manage Manchester United, and if he's offered the Swansea job, he should bite their hand off. It'll be a great chance to test his own managing 'philosophy', and for us to see whether he's got what it takes to win matches and trophies from the other side of the white line.

And finally, LVG. He's clearly been brought in to do a job. To rebuild this club and lay foundations for the next manager, whoever that may be. It may not be a pretty job, and we as fans may not accept the fact we have to go through this, but it's a job someone has to do, and just maybe he's the right kind of character to do that. Many call him arrogant, others call him egotistical but he's here to put us on the right path. In his defence, he said he has three years to win the Premeir League, is everybody jumping the gun in asking for his head? Many of you on here have suggested that maybe the blame for our 'shoddy acquisitions' lie with Ed Woodward, and I tend to agree with them somewhat. LVG made no secret of our chafe for Ronaldo, Bale, Vidal etc. but still none of these names surfaced. Is that LVG not drawing the big names (as has been suggested), or is it Woodward not getting the deals over the line? I'm just offering up an argument for discussion, I'm not saying I have the answers.

So, Mourinho would be my choice right now if we had to replace LVG, but SAF was a risk appointment at the time and was close to getting fired himself. So let's not lose all hope. You never know, if we make a 'risk' appointment, it might just be the best thing we've done since appointing SAF. Never say never in football. One thing is for sure, whoever is in charge, let's get behind him and support the team all the way back to the top.

Well done on anyone who made it all the way to the end, I didn't intend for the post to go on this long, but I can't help it. I'm passionate about Manchester United and when I start talking about this club, it's hard to stop. I look forward to your comments on this.

One last thing from me, I'm a big fan of Ander Herrera and when he's fit, I think should be starting every game. I just think he sees the game differently and is a different class at times. There's a reason Barcelona have been looking at him (albeit reportedly) . If I could choose my midfield/attackers I'd have Scheiderlin holding, Herrera in the hole, Mata on the right, Depay on the left (I believe he'll come good given a string of games and when Luke Shaw is back, I think they'll be a deadly partnership), and my striker would be Martial/Wilson if we recall him. I think Rooney has been amazing for us over the years but until he proves he's the player we all knew two/three years ago, I say give youth a chance. As long as we're not scoring, we might as well be not scoring while giving the youngsters a chance to prove themselves.

I look forward to your comments and thanks again to all the ED's once again on a great platform for us all to discuss all things Manchester United.

{Ed002's Note - A great post and you might want to keep thinking about Conte and Koeman.}

1.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 22:21:00
Ed002 is that a cheeky hint that the club are considering either Conte or Koeman to take the manager spot one day?

{Ed002's Note - The club has a manager.}

2.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 22:25:48
Thanks Ed002! I woundn't be upset with either being appointed, though Conte would be my preference out of the two.

3.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 22:45:51
Good read, United, and welcome to the site. Enjoy reading this sort of thing, rather than a big long rant with no paragraphs and text speak!

Agree with a lot of it. I don't think Pep is the second coming either, and the likes of Poch and Koeman are worth a shout.

Have to agree to disagree on Jose. Can't stand him, or his footballing style. He's like Marmite though, I appreciate that, and he'll always have his supporters.

Interesting times ahead. Start posting a bit more regularly.

4.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 22:55:08
Thanks Noucamp99! Yeah, I respect that Jose splits opinion, and I respect that controversy follows him around like a bad smell, something which should never be welcome at Manchester United.

However, I always think back to his comments after his Real Madrid knocked us out of the Champions League at OT years ago. During his post match press conference he said "the best team lost tonight (United) " - I haven't heard him say that about other teams that often and something tells me he has a soft spot for United. He's always wanted a legacy, and he's always idolised SAF, and from an egotistical point of view, what better place to prove he's the best manager in the world than at a club that was previously led by the best manager in the world? Of course, he also might come in and plunge us into disrepute as some have suggested. But only time and circumstance will tell.

Im just being sceptical and offering up potential scenarios. Love the site and will certainly be posting more from now on.

5.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 23:02:02
Welcome to the nut house United in red. 😁😁That was a good read,
I'm in agreement with Stevie on jose, but if he were to be appointed I'd be right behind him.
I think lvg will be given the stoke game at least. But I Might be wrong.

6.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 23:24:50
Thanks Ken! Great to be here. 🙃

I think that's the important thing, is that whoever comes in, everyone backs him. And I'm sure our amazing fan base will do so. When we failed to get the Mourinho the first time I was a little disheartened to be honest, I think it could potentially be a perfect fit. Again, it could also be a big mistake. One thing is for sure, wherever he goes he has a point to prove. And what better way to prove a point than taking United to the title ahead of the club that sacked him twice!

Either way, like Noucamp99 said, interesting times ahead.

7.) 20 Dec 2015
20 Dec 2015 23:12:24
I think the board are reluctant to pull the plug on LVG and the whole Mourinho thing is purely down to him being a free agent. We could of gone for him when he flirted with us when fergie left, we decided not to pursue him. For me I think only a couple of losses to stoke and Chelsea ( quite likely ) could start to make things happen.

8.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 05:03:35
Good morning United in Red. Really enjoyed the post. And I'm of the opinion that if lvg gets sacked (and ed2 has said several times that might not be the case), but if he gets sacked, then we should keep all options open.
You rightly pointed out that Pep has not managed in a league as competitive as the PL. However, I honestly think that given the right backing, he will be a sensational manager here.
I also agree with your views on Mourinho. I think if we did appoint him, then he will bring success. It might not be an easy ride, but this guy knows how to win trophies. Many wanted hime to replace sir Alex. I also think under the watchful eye of his friend, sir Alex, he might be a slightly different manager and person to the one we've seen so far.
As for the rest, there are several good choices as you pointed out. Conte did a fantastic job at Juve and was very clever in the transfer market. While lvg has been exactly the opposite.
I'm not keen on the idea of Giggs taking over at United until he has managed another club. I think this job comes with a lot of pressure and needs experience to handle all the aspects, and not just the footballing aspects.
I think Mark Hughes has done a super job at Stoke and sooner or later, has to be considered for one of the top jobs in football. His time with a big club will come soon enough.
Of course, no matter who we appoint, or if we decide to keep lvg, then all these decisions have a risk element attached to them. No one is guaranteed success and that's the beauty of football and following our great club.
Thanks for taking the time to write the post which I really enjoyed reading and welcome to this site. We all have different opinions, but we all have one common cause and that is to support United and see them successful again.

9.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 07:08:45
United in Red,

Welcome and good first post.

I wanted Mourinho to replace SAF because I felt it needed someone extremely confident with a strong personality to follow a great. However now my preference is Pep, yet I believe we have missed the boat on him.

My thoughts are that right now LVG is a dead man walking and I actually don't know why the club are dithering over a decision on him. Why give him the Christmas fixtures to lose more points and drop further off the pace. He has lost support both of the fans and it appears of the players.

Perhaps there is one reason. Mourinho, well when a manager of that quality is available the club have to consider him, like him or not his record demands that. I wonder if our scheduled game against Chelsea is something the club want to avoid having Mourinho in charge for. Too much hassle so soon after leaving them and want to avoid the emotional attention it would bring. So if the club do go for Jose it could be after the Chelsea game or of course perhaps not at all. Then the club may well have let the worlds top three managers through their fingers when all were available and I would like to hear Woodward explain that.

10.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 07:28:09
Welcome United in red.

A very good read and there's a lot there I'm in total agreement with my friend.

I look forward to reading more.
It's always refreshing to come on here when there's new posters and your first post was a very good start.

11.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 07:34:16
Welcome on board, good post. I'm with Stevie in that I can't abide Mourinho but in terms of your points, I'm not sure he would deliver sustained success. He doesn't seem capable of staying anywhere more than3 years.

12.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 07:34:23
Welcome United In Read, and as the others have said, very good post! I agree with most of it, especially your concerns about Pep never having managed in the EPL. The same goes for Conte.
The way the site has been recently, you would think there were only 3 other managers in world football, ie José, Pep and Carlo. This league is so different from any other, and in my view, ANY manager is a gamble to some extent. No one guarantees success, especially in the short term as is expected.
On name you didn't mention that I am a fan of, as Ed 025 well knows!, is Roberto Martinez.
He seems like a top bloke who is very honest and has integrity. It is hard not to like him, and he plays an attractive brand of football. My only concern with him, and it is a significant one, is that he is a little naive defensively. But with the right players, and backroom staff I'm sure that is something that he could address.
He is also at the right sort of age. He has experience in the EPL, but is still young and could potentially manage for a long time, although appointing a manager with the expectation of replicating SAF in terms of longevity would be a mistake.
Just my view, because I like Martinez as a person and manager. I don't think it will happen though.
One final point in response to your post. Alan Pardew - Nnnoooo! lol.

{Ed001's Note - betty if you hire Roberto Martinez it would make me extremely happy. He is just lucky he is a nice guy so everyone likes him and no one in the media wants to point out how hopeless he is. Awful manager, who refused to even allow his players to practice set pieces, as a goal from a set piece, according to him, was not a real goal. In time he will take Everton down, if they stick with him, he would do the same at United.}

13.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 08:38:20
Thank you all for your kind words and warm welcome.

Red Man, I agree that I think LVG days are numbered, as long as results continue to go the way they have been. If results improve, then the club will see no need to sack him. I've never thought about the Chelsea game being a potential factor and, if the club are looking to change manager, maybe you're right in that they're waiting for that game to pass so they avoid any kind of unwanted soap opera.

Furthermore, I'd also like to say that I agree with Schmidfield, Pep could be a fantastic fit for our club, but I just get the feeling City have had him in the bag for a while now, like Red Man said.

Betty, I'm not so sure about Martinez. He seems like a lovely bloke but I'm not sure that's what we'd need. I've seen Schmidt mentioned a couple of times and he seems like he's doing a good job at Leverkusen.

Finally, I remember SAF saying on the BBC documentary about himself that when he was asked about Moyes and why they chose him, he said something along the lines off; "when I knew I was retiring and had announced to everyone I was leaving, we began our search. We asked Mourinho but he had already agreed to go back to Chelsea, Ancelotti was off to RM and we missed the boat on Pep. " Sir Alex knew these were the top three managers in world football (after him), surely the club can't afford to miss out on all of them twice?

14.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 09:49:19
Great read United a very balanced post.

15.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 11:02:09
Ed001, WOW is he really THAT bad? I guess I wouldn't really know about his training methods etc, but I do like him as a bloke. I would have thought that with him being Everton manager, you would have been more complimentary lol.
All hypothetical anyway cause its never going to happen!

{Ed001's Note - it is true mate, if you did a quick search on Google you can find many of his former staff and friends discussing the lack of work on set pieces. To me that is being overly arrogant. Plus the defending of all his teams are awful.}