20 Mar 2024 12:16:11
I’ve read that perhaps the main blocker to keep ETH on as manager is the issue over how much control he’ll have over transfers (his current contract allows him significant input)
However, if new regime take these decisions out of his hands and just want him to coach, ETH might find this a bit undermining.
So guess what kind of contract INEOS offer him if they want him to stay.
Also read Rumours that, if he doesn’t get a significant say in issues and transfers, he’ll go back to Ajax - so might leave anyway.
20 Mar 2024 14:23:47
I never heard that ETH had control of transfers at Ajax. He had Overmars and Van Der Sar above him. I don’t believe it was a factor in him leaving Ajax that he didn’t have control of transfers so we have to ask the question why did he want it at United? Quite possibly it was because previously United have shown to be very incompetent in that department and he wanted a greater hold on this. And I’m sure the usual lot will jump on this and point out his transfers but, it’s believed some of his 1st choice targets included Mazraoui, Timber, De Jong, Gakpo and Kane. All of whom as we know he didn’t get so to judge him on HIS signings maybe harsh. Either way, there is no suggestion that he wouldn’t be prepared to work under a more structured hierarchy apart from the current set up where he has most of the control on transfers but we don’t know the reason for this as previously he worked, successfully in a structured regime.
20 Mar 2024 14:29:09
Nothing will happen before the end of the season I suspect.
Very few people know for sure what will happen.
Does eth have a lifeline? Is he even under pressure?
Have they made up their mind to change regardless of how the session finishes?
Will eth want to stay if they have a different structure?
It's a wait and see situation.
We all have our own hopes, expectations and fears about what's about to unfold this summer.
Should be good craic watching how it all unfolds.
20 Mar 2024 15:36:57
I have to say the prospect of Southgate fills me with dread, he has the inspirational qualities of half a pound of sprouts, the players have thrown better than him under the bus. They will eat him alive.
His record as a premier league manager is 114 matches in charge and the grand total of 29 wins! 33 draws and 52 losses, 115 goals scored and 159 conceded. Average of 1.05 points per game.
ETH is 66 games in charge 38 won and 8 draws and 20 losses 95 goals for and 82 against. Average of 1.85 points per game.
I really hope ETH is still here next season, I feel he deserves the opportunity
IF, and obviously it's an unknown, this should come to pass all the optimism I have felt since SJR's deal was confirmed will instantly disappear and be replaced by a sense of foreboding I have never before felt in over 50 years as a supporter, and that also includes being in the Stretford End that day in 1974 against City when Denis Law backheeled the ball into the goal down at the Scoreboard End.
Please, please NO, NO, NO.
20 Mar 2024 15:50:55
There is certainly a lot saying Eth will be replaced in the summer including ed002. I just don't see it. I don't think the fans are clamouring for it as they were on previous managers, I don't think there would be great justification for a sacking due to the amount of side issues eth has had to deal with and in fairness he has dealt with it well. Maybe ineos want to start on a blank sheet but the board is not yet even in place. I see him being here next year and maybe he deserves that.
20 Mar 2024 16:53:32
How can you compare Southgates club management stats to ETH'S club management stats.
Southgate managed mid to lower Middlesborough team that had pretty much bang average players.
ETH has had the luxary of spending spent over 400 million pounds.
It's just nonsense comparing the two.
That's not to say i like the idea of Southgate getting the job, i think ETH deserves another season in my humble opinion.
20 Mar 2024 17:46:59
I want our trophy back
I was in K stand in 1974, remember the feeling well, awful. Have to say I felt that terrible sense of dread when Moyes was appointed and again when Ole was made permanent. The club just seemed incompetent. If they appoint Southgate they will look incompetent again.
I am not getting younger and to be honest, if they give Southgate years I may not live to see another league title or European cup. As I sat in the stadium waving the red flag in 2013 I had a very strong sense it could be the last time in my life because I knew about Moyes, about how poor the team looked.
Let’s see what the new owners do but Southgate sends all the wrong messages and our rivals will start the laughter again
Wallace
Yes control over transfers is a sticky point. Can understand ETH wanting some control based on what he came into, but he has not done well at all. Mention the ubiquitous Antony but a lot of the players seem to have to have some connection, be directly or indirectly through the Dutch league. That cannot be allowed to continue.
Said for a long time, actually since SAF retired, move to a coach not the all powerful manager, have one direction under a DOF and stop this must give five years nonsense.
Personally I think ETH will leave, Ed has said so but new broom sweeps clean is an old saying and I suspect apt here.
20 Mar 2024 20:06:05
Sim, how else do you make a rational and informed decision about such a significant and important decision without looking at previous achievements, or otherwise.
You say Southgate managed a mid to lower team, but the point is if someone is managing such a type of team then you get a much bigger job by being a success, not by being bang average. Many have started at that level, been successful and got a bigger job on the back of it, he did not. Let's not also forget he had an excellent owner in Steve Gibson who was supportive of his managers financially.
The point of making a comparison with ETH was to see how Southgate performed at a lower level against ETH performance at a much bigger club. Given the significant differences in achievement then how can any credibility be given to the idea Southgate offers a superior option to ETH.
The only other way of assessing Southgate is from his record as an International manager and that would not be of any real value as it bears no real similarity to club football and is nothing more than a false equivalency.
Again, your referencing of £400m does not equate, as cost comparison from 20 years ago makes it totally meaningless given inflation in football.
Your opinion that it is nonsense to compare the two records seems to me to be complete nonsense, as how else can can any assessment of suitability be made without any form of examination of the facts.
20 Mar 2024 20:37:54
Red Man, you are quite right about the message this would send to other supporters. I am quite sure they would all be desperately keen to see Southgate appointed as our manager. That really say's everything that needs to be said.
I too have very vivid recall of that day in 1974, leaving the ground and returning to the coach, parked alongside the cricket ground, the journey back to North Wales in a virtually silent atmosphere. Then the next day returning to London for work on the Monday, knowing full well how my work colleagues would enjoy the moment!
Having said all that I still had huge positivity about the future, I was totally convinced we would return to Div 1 straight away and indeed everybody who tried to take the pi** I challenged to make a £5 bet we would go straight back up. I ended up making something like 35 or so bet's. That could of been of been quite awkward if thing's had been different!
The point about this being I felt more positive about the future following relegation than I would now with Southgate in charge. Like you I hope to see success again before it is too late and that includes seeing a new state of the art stadium. Just my view, but no Southgate and that is perfectly possible, feasible and likely.
21 Mar 2024 12:57:28
I want our trophy back - You cannot compatre the two managers and the positions that they are and were in.
It's just stupid!
21 Mar 2024 13:21:03
Sim, instead of just being insulting, try saying something sensible.
Of course you can compare people's previous achievements, they do not have to be concurrent.
22 Mar 2024 11:56:46
agreed Ken.
No one knows. Andy Mitten and David Ornstein are probably the two most reputable journalists with their ears to the ground on all things united and they seem to think that SJR and INEOS are remaining very silent on the whether or not a new manager comes in.
I think they'll have a plan, but it all depends on how ETH finishes the season. With stronger players coming back and the run we have, I hope for a strong finish and ETH forces their hand.
My opinion, it would be a huge mistake to get rid of him. He will walk into a much more structured club and do very well. Whereas, should we remove him, there is absolutely no inspiring names that stick out.