This isn't an "I told you so article" because I am wrong quite often. I didn't want Jose to get the job, not because of lack of success, but because I knew I would not like the playing style, I did however think he would win things. And to a degree that is true, a Europa cup and a League cup. Also second in the league whilst not actually winning something is not too shabby either. But this season looks a bust. I think he needs to go by the end of the season at the latest.
My preferred options as manager are either Laurant Blanc or Eddie Howe. Blanc won every trophy except the CL with PSG, and also won the title with Bordeaux, no little record.
He played for us for a little while, speaks good English, plays attractive football and is on a sabbatical so available.
Howes record and style is there for all to see, he has done wondefully well bearing in mind it's Bournmouth ffs, not some footy hotbed or a sleeping giant.
Though they are my preferences I don't say they would be the only choices, I am no expert on continental managers, in fact am pretty clueless, so if there are better then good let's get them.
Woodward has proven himself a good business man, so let him run the business and get a football man as a DOF. I don't really know who would be perfect for that role but would go for Gary Neville. He knows the club and what we want, he has shown as a pundit he is bright enough. The failed time at Valencia gives him an insight of managing, and would stop him trying to overbear the manager, but rather to help him.
It would be nice to think that the three would form a team, have regular meetings, plan the way forward, agree on players needed.
Make sure we have a good network of scouts so we don't miss out to often, and use the league cup to blood youngsters where possible and to promote if good enough.
Nothing radical, nothing new or that hasn't been said before. But this time I hope we don't just fire Jose without the next set up ready to go. I do feel this would give us a stable club playing good football with good results. I think it's City's turn to dominate for a while, sadly, but it's a little childish to expect to be at the top of the tree for ever. If we can enjoy the games, win our share, then the wheel will turn and we will have our turn again.
What next ?
posted on 4/12/18
It's part of his job to get the right manager. He also has a business role.
posted on 4/12/18
You could go even further into the United Hierarchy and state that the Glazers are partially to blame for this as they have left Woodward in charge of hiring and firing managers. Who at the same time seems reluctant to pull the trigger in fear of being accused of a third failure in his managerial selection.
But the main problem at our club aside from others is Jose. He will never change his ways and especially when things fail him.
posted on 4/12/18
Should have kept LvG
posted on 4/12/18
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 30 minutes ago
If Ed got a manager in who'd get us playing and winning then of course that would be him doing a good job. Problem is we don't and therefore he's not.
Very much like blaming Jose for our players playing poorly Ed has to take responsibilty for the manager not performing IMO.
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So basically Woodword is good if the manager does well and poor of the manager doesn't. Why have his role then? Just get in a good manager and then you don't need the other role.
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Yes, but there is some thought and logic that goes into appointing a manager that Woodward (or whoever is involved in these decisions) doesn't seem to be applying.
LvG was rightly sacked, but i'd always said he laid a good foundation there. We were possession based, we always looked to control games and take initiative, and we were very positive in promoting youth.
What we should have done at that point was looked to build on that. A proper football man would have. By appointing Jose, we ripped it all up and now we are back to square one.
The manager is of course at fault for the shambolic state of the team at the moment, but the reason he's in place is because of a complete lack of strategy and direction from the people above him.
posted on 4/12/18
I had no real emotional investment in whether Jose came or not. Basically knew he would arrive with greater circus trappings than most others, but i was far more concerned that the club was in, what looked very much like, a directional crisis.
If he stays or goes it makes relatively very little difference if the club do not make very conscious strategic decision to alter direction. A directional change that involves moving from being a club that follows trends, being content with anually generating top 4/last 8 CL position income and playing shapeless, gutless, characterless football. Or go back to being radical and progressive, using the name of the club to attract players on epl ability and quality alone, instead of reputations built in less competitive leagues. And getting in those that at least have the basics right.
3 managers, 6 seasons+, and during that we have seen at the club every position - for a sustained period (albeit at different times) - inadequately filled with substandard players (by united quality players that is).
None of that is SAF, Moyes, LvG or Jose's singular responsibility, but it is certainly the responsibility of the club.
Getting the squad COMPLETELY, immediately and simultaneously sorted out is far more important, than deciding what to do about the coach/manager.
posted on 4/12/18
Howe isn’t going to be moving away from Bournemouth anytime soon, he’s very settled in the area and his short stint at Burnley only confounded his desire to stay in the Bournemouth area.
If he does want to test himself at a bigger club then I imagine he could do what Redknapp did and commute to London.
posted on 5/12/18
Well put bloodred. I made a similar point in another thread.
posted on 5/12/18
Get the director of football in should be the first thing, get the new manager sorted and sack Jose.
The sooner the better, you would be crazy to wait till the end of the season and try to do all that in pre season.
posted on 5/12/18
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 20 hours, 14 minutes ago
I keep asking this question but never get an answer. If a manager came in, spent well, got the team playing good football, which excites the fans and challenging on all fronts, is Woodward then doing a good job?
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I think the issue with woodward is his lack of planning and ability to plan, and also willingness to plan for the football side of things.
He has certainly given managers money to spend, but that cant be the only measure of a man whose job encompasses both the financial running of the club and the success of the football management he appoints
posted on 5/12/18
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 19 hours, 10 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 30 minutes ago
If Ed got a manager in who'd get us playing and winning then of course that would be him doing a good job. Problem is we don't and therefore he's not.
Very much like blaming Jose for our players playing poorly Ed has to take responsibilty for the manager not performing IMO.
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So basically Woodword is good if the manager does well and poor of the manager doesn't. Why have his role then? Just get in a good manager and then you don't need the other role.
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This is a silly comment. His role is both financial and sport. He picks the man who is going pick the team, pick the tactics and style of play, and he has final say on buying players as was shown in the summer. To absolve Woodward of any blame for this is ignorant in the extreme. He is a money man and should not be making footballing decisions, appointing the manger is a footballing decision