Many in the press as well on here and other places have mentioned Di Matteo's time as caretaker manager at Chelsea back in 2012 and how he was kept on due to winning the FA Cup and, of course, the CL.
The similarity is that they took over from Portuguese coaches that the players fell out with due to their methods. Also out of the league Cup at the time of taking over. And so far, that's where it ends.
What people don't talk about is league form under him. He took over in March. They had 11 games under him in the league. Winning 5, drawing and losing 3 each. They lost to City (A), Newcastle (H), and Liverpool (A). They drew to Tottenham (H) , Fulham and Arsenal (both away). They kept only 3 clean sheets during these 11 games. They scored 18 goals, with one being a 6-1 win over QPR. They conceded a 14 goals, with a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool.
(https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/chelsea-fc/2012/3/)
While they, Ole and Di Matteo, were great players for their clubs, the comparison isn't the same. Di Matteo was assistant to Villa Boas at the time and took over when VB was sacked. There were 3 months left of the season when he took charge.
While winning the CL and FA Cups were great achievements, the league form and goal difference show ample reason why Di Matteo shouldn't have been given the job in the first place. The league, as they say, is the bread and butter.
Ole has a longer run (close to double that of Di Matteo had at Chelsea), so it would be different when it comes to assess how he has done come the end of the season. He has more managerial experience when he took the job over Di Matteo's time at Chelsea.
If our league form ends up similar to that of Di Matteo, even if we win a cup or two, we will have to be wary and have our heads rule our heart. Though right now, my heart and head are in sync as Ole has so far proved to be much better than we expected and better than Di Matteo (who hasn't done any better since his time at Chelsea).
Other than Herrera, he doesn't really have any leaders in the Squad, unlike that Chelsea side who had Drogba, Lampard and Terry. This may be an advantage for Ole. He has also worked with a few of them at reserve level so there is already respect for him as a coach as well as his time as a player.
Come the end of season, we'll have a better idea about Ole, his team of coaches and this United team under him.
The Di Matteo comparison
posted on 16/1/19
Try half that.
posted on 16/1/19
Fluked it against Napoli, Benfica, Barca and Bayern. Seens about right.
posted on 16/1/19
Do Mattel cannot be compared to Ole Gunner Solskjaer!
posted on 17/1/19
Pretty much what Jose did when Europa was attainable. But he took the easier route to the CL.
The problem I had is people like Ex Palace chairman, ex players like Ince, and other media people thinking that this is natural response and in Ince case, they could do as well (in Ince's I highly doubt it. And Jordan was wrong about Sanchez, who was trying but was poor under Jose rather than be against him).
posted on 17/1/19
Nope CIC!
posted on 17/1/19
Zahra, Jose didn't take the easier route to the CL? Di Matteo didn't have a chance at top four when he took over? What are you disagreeing with exactly?
posted on 17/1/19
Di Matteo's achievements cannot be compared to those of Ole Gunner Soskjaer.
posted on 17/1/19
That's not what's being compared, Zahra.
posted on 17/1/19
Sorry OP, I had refused to read this article until now because of the title. I was expecting more of the same bs lazy pundits and fans kept spewing.
Finally read it and I could not agree more with what you say.
posted on 17/1/19
Thanks. I made the article due to the constant comparisons and the rubbished spewed by the likes of Jordan and Ince.