03 Jun 2016 10:25:36
In the last three years we have sacked more managers than we have in the last 30.
I might be being slightly disingenuous with that statement. But I said it to raise an interesting point.
What is the minimum expectation you have for next season, and how poor would the club have to perform for you to deem in necessary to sack Jose Mourinho?
I'm in a devils advocat kind of mood if you haven't guessed. Lol.
03 Jun 2016 10:39:01
i honestly don't think next seasons final position is all that important (unless out of top 10) it's the standard of football we're playing for me.
i can take been out the champs league for a season or two if there's progress on the pitch.
i want to be entertained!
03 Jun 2016 10:42:15
League : I expect at least a third place finish, preferably a title challenge with a decent brand of football played, preferably fast counter attacking.
Europa League : Give the youngsters a run out, make it to the knockouts at least.
FA cup, League Cup : Quarter Finals (but I wouldn't blame the manager for not focussing on these areas)
The main focus should be automatic Champions League qualification, improve the style of play and score more goals. Also address the lack of pace in the team, creativity in midfield and the lack of steel at the back. That just has to happen.
I'd be happy with a strong third. But I believe Jose won't be and he will be aiming higher and genuinely believes we can win it.
03 Jun 2016 11:25:43
Jose will be expecting top 3.
I'm not expecting wonders, I'm just expecting better than the last three years.
It's at a point now that if we sacked him we would have no where better to go.
He will be a success, he always is.
03 Jun 2016 11:31:25
Hmm I think that depends on what our strategy is
If we bring in several young players, sell most of the older players and look to build a team capable of dominating the league and Europe for 5 years then so long as we make top 10, play attractive football and give players time to gel that's OK
If we sign big money star names at or past their peak like Zlatan, Higuain, Matic then I would expect us to be challenging for the title
Next season will be tough with Pep, Conte, Klopp, Wenger, Poch, Raneiri and Jose all looking to strengthen their squads. There's a lot of competition for top 4
I think Jose, love him or hate him, is a top manager and should be given time, finances and support. If things don't go as planned I doubt we could find anyone better than Jose to replace him
I expect great things but think we need to be prepared to be patient.
03 Jun 2016 11:43:38
The club have set a precedent since fergie left and that is top 4 at the very minimum.
I would like them to stick to that as it seems a fair requirement given the backing the managers receive.
03 Jun 2016 12:50:38
Top 3, win a trophy either domestic or europa would be nice. I think what I am most interested in is seeing a plan and a direction, style of football that makes us serious contenders for CL in 3 years. I have the utmost trust in our manager and happy to give him time and see how he goes about bringing back the fear and aura of United.
03 Jun 2016 13:20:23
Top 4, our commercial contracts are linked to being in Europe. Also not being in Europe for multiple seasons hits the drawing power we have on players, not being in Europe again will make the club a hard sell to both current and prospective players. Recruitment and money make a club, we need European football.
03 Jun 2016 14:06:41
So a slightly mixed response, but general consensus is a top four finish is a must.
So with that in mind come this time next year if we've finished 5th I can bring the pitchforks but someone else will have make the banners. Lol.
03 Jun 2016 14:29:17
Shappy
We had the same problem after Sir Matt, and eventually got our winner, SAF, but even he was not an instant success. Now we all know the money has changed football forever and SAF would not have been given that time if he had been appointed this year. Instant is the new way because of the money. Jose has 2 years to win the league I suspect, but could hang on longer if he keeps getting top 4. I hope he proves everyone wrong and stays for years and years and builds the third dynasty, integrating stars and mourinho's minors! To me that is the interesting thing, SAF followed Busby's style and culture, now will the Special one? If he does he will be forever special.
03 Jun 2016 14:48:17
No Shappy the pitchforks and banners only start after the manager spends millions, let's perfectly good players go without replacing them and finally in his 2ND full season plays the most boring football anyone has ever witnessed whilst finishing outside the Top 4 and scoring less then every other team apart from Stoke in the Top 11!
If that happens under JM I will help you myself lol.
03 Jun 2016 15:47:59
I expect a title challenge. If Leicester can go from escaping relegation, changing their manager, and winning the title the very next season, then it's not beyond the realms of possibility that a club with our players, resources, and a manager with Mourinho's CV, should be doing the same.
03 Jun 2016 16:43:49
Chorlton, I thought they had banners after 8 months of Moyes.
03 Jun 2016 17:00:09
Noucamp,
You hit the nail on the head.
Next year i see us being in the top two and we will have a very good chance of winning the league if we can get a player like ibrahimovic and a top centre back.
03 Jun 2016 17:01:26
And they were widely derided by the majority of decent fans, Shaps. Especially that stupid airplane stunt. It's the same with the Mourinho scarves being sold while LVG was still here. Tossers out to get their face on the telly, while most of us cringe with embarrassment.
03 Jun 2016 17:31:11
Shappy
The banners should have started after 1 day for him pal as it should have been Mourinho to begin with.
Playing Devils Advocate is easy pal. Did you want Moyes in charge then?
03 Jun 2016 17:58:33
You have to say Chelsea are favourites, no Europe and the players looking for redemption for last season. I am hoping for 2nd or 3rd but would be happy for 4th. Any lower than 4th and we have set a precedent in that no Champions League and sack the manager. would we stick to that with Mourinho?
03 Jun 2016 19:10:19
OK guys, theoretically speaking. this summer DDG leaves for Real, woody spends all summer chasing superstars and when we start next season we have an average keeper, 1 new good not world class CB, no IBRA and a few prospects signed. City sign Gundogan, Laporte and kroos. Chelsea get Pogba, arsenal sign a decent striker and klopp buys 4 or 5 players
If Jose finishes 5th you'd still fire him and if so who would replace him? No CL most the top managers already at top clubs. Giggs? You are all glad SAF was given time and lament that managers now aren't given time.
If there is clear direction and progress being made, unlike with LVG, I don't see why finishing 5th regardless of circumstances warrants instant dismissal.
03 Jun 2016 19:44:29
Spot on Stevie, I'm just asking the question about the mentality of modern fans. I suppose it started going down hill when we stopped being called supporters and started being called fans.
Chorlton, Whether or not I wanted Moyes is irrelevent. I supported him until it became obvious he had lost the dressing room. No manager can come back from that, ask Jose.
I just merely want to know at what point do we deem Mourinho a failure? Because some are saying if he developed and improves the squad with young players then that might be enough. Although isn't that what LvG done.
Surely if we have sacked two managers in three years for not getting UCL qualification then the same should be the case for Mourinho?
03 Jun 2016 20:46:09
Shappy I don't think Moyes or LVG developed the youth significantly. Yes LVG played some of them, sometimes BUT apart from Lingaard and Rashford (when he had 0 fit strikers) none of them were given a run of games. He said himself that as far as he was concerned none of the youth were good enough for the first team. Hardly inspiring.
He played youth to cover for injuries due to a lack of depth in the squad. That has been proven by how the youth, with the exception of Rashford, lost their place when players came back from injury.
I see the logic of your top 4 is the standard that has been set BUT I don't think that is the only criteria to judge by. Moyes looked lost from day 1, made a mess of his first transfer market, was unable to deal with the press and lost the dressing room
LVG insisted on playing a system that he insisted he didn't have the right players for and kept playing people out of their best positions and never seemed to settle on a CM pairing. Plus it was dire to watch.