10 May 2026 16:14:59
Yesterday highlighted continuing performance issues with Carrick. I think there is sufficient evidence now to suggest that Carrick shouldn't be top of the second tier of coaches considered. The top tier is small - Nagelsman, Enrique, Pochettino are amongst this group. Second tier has Carrick, Iraola, Glasner, etc. And I think there are too many unanswered questions around Carrick to not push for top tier. And Iraola must be regarded above Carrick too imo.
If we can't get those then Carrick has shown he can get results. As described ad nauseum we need a coach that can play more than just counter attack and can show an ability to set up systems of play that demonstrate a control in games.
It's a big summer ahead. If Ederson rumours are true, that's a good start. Huge upgrade on Ugarte. Good enough to start, but we need two more CMs.
10 May 2026 17:47:28
I am not convinced. How can you be sure that Poch is in the top tier? Based on what exactly?
10 May 2026 18:17:31
A lot of people do, but you are focusing on a minor detail. You're just raising a straw man there.
10 May 2026 18:36:04
Like focusing on the detail of 'he won nothing', I guess that’s where I am going wrong. Yeah, let’s have another who won sweet FA, like Ten and Amorim, Moyes to name a few. Surely, if it’s the like of Poch, we might as well stick with Carrick.
To mention Poch in the same breath as Enrique is a step far, far too far. It’s like stating Yoro is world class, or Ugarte is a supreme midfielder. It’s just utterly ridiculous on a global scale.
10 May 2026 18:41:29
It's all a bit odd, Don. He's smashed the points pwr game, but the football has often been pretty dire and uninspiring. I also wish he'd show a bit more emotion. I'm all for calm and considered, but he takes it to extremes in the desire not to say anything controversial.
Enrique, I get. Nagelsmann much less so; the players at Bayern basically laughed at him.
I used to like Poch, but his career took a strange turn. Iraola is interesting, I worry about the step up, but he could get Bournemouth into the Champions League, which would be mad.
I struggle to see great candidates, but that doesn't mean I think Carrick would be a good appointment. ?
10 May 2026 19:14:55
Your argument collapsed when you mentioned Nagelsmann and Poch as top-tier coaches.
The best three coaches in the world at the moment are Pep, Ancelotti and Enrique. Unless we are signing one of them, which we aren't, everyone else, including Carrick, is a risk.
10 May 2026 19:32:21
Ok then, Grim, read what I said with those names. Top tier merely means those coaches that would be in contention for any major job that comes available. If you don't agree those names aren't mentioned in that context, I think you are mistaken. It's clearly not the main point. Wood from the trees, lads.
11 May 2026 03:42:44
Poch has not been named for a top job for ages, in fact he is like the forgotten man. Nagelsmann only ever gets mentioned on these pages, so hardly top-drawer coaches either of them. I would say I would prefer Carrick, as he is less of a risk than either of them, but he is not a great choice.