13 Feb 2016 20:23:51
@Ed001
I noticed on the Chelsea page what you said about our managerial situation. I too think Jose will be considered, but I don't think he is "done and dusted" as many are predicting.
I don't see Pochetino moving on. In any case, good manager that he is, I think he will be the wrong choice, simply because the United job is like walking on the red carpet with the paparazzi flashing cameras constantly. Its very bright and there is no place to hide. Every small move is analyzed to its absolute minute detail, debated a hundred times on tv and in the papers and the level of scrutiny and opinions is unreal. This is no environment for a young and upcoming manager. Its the same reason I think Giggs would be the wrong appointment too.
Carlo Ancelotti would have been perfect I think. He has managed big clubs, especially a club like Real Madrid with similar scrutiny and has done really well. But in his absence i see only two choices.
My first choice would be Allegri. He did very well with a struggling Milan side and has been top drawer at Juve so far. He is also someone who can work with young players and revive old players too. He too seems to have the sort of calming influence Ancelotti has.
Jose would be the obvious second choice imo. Say what you want about him, the man is a winner, is a genius tactician and can win football matches with inferior teams. Ruthless pragmatism is his style. He has supreme self belief and a large ego and to be honest is the closest to Sir Alex. Many ignore the fact that Sir Alex's behavior was far from saintly and had he not won consistently and kept in the top 3 always he would have gotten a rough ride from the media too.
Jose will attract the likes of Stones, Varane to the club and he fits in with the counter attacking style which has been the identity of United imo. He also likes using quick wingers. He will buy the right players, I have no doubt about it.
I think Jose will want to exhaust the possibility of the United job before he even considers any other job.
One more thing I would like to see is a change in the boardroom. Nobody there has appointed managers before or have any idea about how to manage the football side of things, or the intricacies of the transfer market. I think the owners after the last 3 years must seriously be considering a change. Just look at City, they brought top people in who had already run a top football club and implemented that blueprint. Have you heard anything regarding a change at the top? There were rumors of Andrea Berta recently.
I don't think its possible but I would get the guy at Juventus, Marotta. He is an evil genius. I don't remember a bad Juventus transfer or managerial appointment for quite a while. The old lady's transition from relegation to reaching Champions League finals has been beautifully managed. Morata, Pogba, Evra, Pirlo were all very shrewd signings for a very small cost. Even Vidal. He is the only executive I think who has overseen a huge turnover of players and transition, the kind which we are seeing at United.
What are your thoughts?
{Ed001's Note - that is one change I expect, and is part of the reason for the lack of activity in the winter window. They want someone new to head up that area, Berta is certainly a target for that. I don't know if he is interested or not in taking the job, but the club would like to discuss it with him.}
13 Feb 2016 21:12:27
redfaith
best post I've read in a while pal.
13 Feb 2016 21:45:23
Great post RF. I agree with most of that.
13 Feb 2016 22:11:09
Ken
I agree.
13 Feb 2016 22:53:18
Conte has to be in contention, the guy managed Juve's rebuild. He's taken over Italy and shown massive flexibility by moving away from his preferred 3 at the back, he also likes to bring the youngsters through.
I agree about Jose, the guy is a winner with a huge hunger to prove himself again. As you say counter attacking football with wingers, it's a good match. The irony if he became a huge success here would be worth it alone!
13 Feb 2016 22:54:55
Allegri took Milan to 11th. Not exactly pedigree.
13 Feb 2016 23:26:00
Great post and i agree we need change at the top.
14 Feb 2016 08:06:50
Eric, Jose left Chelsea just above the relegation zone. Klopp has a relegation on his CV. Every manager has something or the other on his record that isn't exactly stellar.
Allegri did an excellent job at Milan with very little money and is taking Juve forward and building on the foundation laid by Conte.
The only reason I wouodn't consider Conte is because of the late start due to the Euros and him playing a 3 at the back system which I don't think will work in the EPL.
14 Feb 2016 09:42:08
I'll give you that RedFaith fair point indeed. I still don't get the sitarist links somehow though it just seems illogical to me. Mourinho or Koeman for me. If have liked Bkanc but he's just signed a deal at PSG which leads me to believe Jose has turned them down so they've tied up Blanc.