I would say this is the overriding feeling that I had. Lampard was the only candidate that stood out for me, but on our budget Hurst seemed like the best of some uninspiring candidates.
PTC is right to a point, but I would take it further. The problem is having one man in charge of the whole club when it would be better to have football people in the Directorship so the manager can focus most of his energy on the first team and there is some continuity for the facilities, culture, youth set up, playing staff between managerial appointments. At the moment every time we make an appointment we are taking a punt with the entire club and the manager is having to put in ridiculous hours when he should have the opportunity to unwind, reflect and just think. Certainly burdening an inexperienced manager like Hurst with all that is even more problematic than the people ptc is suggesting.
Yes, Hurst would, and still could, benefit from some experienced footballing heads around him, particularly from people with managerial / extensive experience in the Championship. Unfortunately, like his predecessor, Hurst seems more comfortable controlling all first-team affairs himself and wielding influence and power in all aspects of football management. It's an understandable viewpoint and is fairly prevalent in British football, but I honestly believe a more joined-up approach with a Director of Football is what we need. Evans unfortunately has a knack of hiring managers that are intent on controlling everything and refusing a DoF set-up, rather than a 'head coach' type of character.
This quote about having a good feeling regarding the Hurst appointment did make me chuckle, Hampy. Interestingly, the only fans who had misgivings about Hurst on this thread were Warky and Spanish, but they moan about almost everything, so not sure we can take much from that
Yes this was about the play off final. I still think Hurst is a capable manager and he has assembled a capable squad but because of the pressure seems to have lost his head.
Is it that Hurst wants to do all this or that this is what has been asked of him? I think it's far more likely to be the latter. There is a big difference between knowing everything that goes on in your club so you can steer it and having to be responsible for everything yourself.
I totally disagree about the appointment of a Director of Football, it will totally undermine the manager. As long as your coaching set up is all good, then you don't need the manager getting too involved on the training pitch. At the end of the day, he should just be the conductor, who brings everyone together. The coaches coach the team, and the manager manages the team. If you bring someone else in as DoF, then what confidence does that bring to the manager - especially at this stage of his career (if the DoF was already appointed before the manager comes in, then that isn't so bad - but not 3 months into his post here!
stretchy totally agree, unless the manager requests for that structure to change then you probably have to do it in between managers, although having said that the owner could sound the manager out about the idea and if it's a positive reaction perhaps ask if he would find it a help or a hindrance.
I understand why some people have misgivings about a Director of Football, it's not a traditional role and we are used to having our managers in charge. But if we did have a Director of Football in place, maybe somebody with the reputation, passion, and knowledge that George Burley or Bryan Klug possesses, then that role would help rectify the lack of football knowledge and direction that has not been coming from the top. Evans, Milne, and the rest of them upstairs do not have any footballing credentials and they do not seem too fussed about ensuring their 'five point plan' is being implemented. My opinion is that is having a negative effect on the running of this team. The other solution, as discussed, is that we bring in more experienced coaches to work alongside Hurst, but presumably Hurst has a major say in who is part of his coaching set-up? Going back to the DoF role, I seem to recall a recent interview where Hurst dismissed the idea of a DoF, but I cannot help but believe such an appointment, despite looking like an infringement on Hurst's authority, would provide him with more value and guidance than he is currently getting from his backroom team. And let's face it, if we are to persevere with Hurst and stick to the club's traditional ideology of giving managers time and patience, then Mr Hurst is going to need all the help he can get and something has got to change at the club around him.
We didn't particularly need that role at the club in the past because the Cobbolds were running the club for something like 100 years and there was something of a continuation under Sheepshanks' Chairmanship but blimey has that experience been lacking over the last 10 years.
Valid point, and one of the reasons why I think a Director of Football is required with this current ownership. The Cobbolds and Sheepshanks (although the latter is hardly the most popular man around these parts) were undoubtedly passionate and knowledgeable about football and Ipswich Town FC. Marcus Evans is nowhere near that level of commitment, although he is a successful businessman, albeit with some dodgy practices and marked by controversy. The Director of Football role is hardly a rarity at Championship level these days. Off the top of my head, clubs like Villa, Leeds, Brentford, Birmingham, and Forest currently have a Director of Football in place.
The question is: Was that a Hurst decision, or one that was forced upon him? Some people seem desperate for there to be some sort of conspiracy theory and talking up needle between Evans and Hurst, but I can't see it in this appointment as I think it makes sense to add some more depth to the coaching team, particularly someone who has been around the place for a number of years
A name that I've heard being mentioned a couple of times this week is Michael Appleton.. Not sure he'd be interested, but he's out of work and seems well though of & was linked with the West Brom and Sunderland jobs (among others) in the Summer. His record is a bit sketchy, but that does include 3 basket case clubs on the trot with Portmouth, Blackpool and then Blackburn so difficult to judge him objectively based on that club history, but would probably be one of the more realistic options if Evans were to pull the trigger.
If there is to be a change and there's no indication of that at present then do we look for experience to steer us out of this self induced mess? Or do we pursue a lower league manager policy? I think at the moment we need a strong experienced hand to basically do the same as MM did 5 years ago, our league status is vital for our Club.
If you're a fan of podcasts, the Not The Top 20 podcast is good listening for Championship, League One, and League Two football. They have recently posted an in-depth interview with Michael Appleton, who comes across very well and appears knowledgeable about the game. While I think we could do better, I echo the preference for a manager with Championship experience. Appleton's record in the Championship does not make great reading, despite being at basket case clubs like you say. Speaking as somebody who is appreciative of our club's tradition of giving managers time and only having 16 permanent managers in our storied history, I'd prefer we avoided the hiring of a stop gap and go with somebody who will have a similar. long-term remit as Hurst did when he first came in. I don't think we can rule out achieving lower-league managers, despite Hurst giving them a bad name, but we clearly need to do some due diligence and further research before appointing a manager. I'd almost argue taking the decision out of Evans' hands and handing it to a committee containing the likes of Klug, Burley et al.
Hey cheers Nuggets, moan about everything, hmmmm! MM, yes I detest the guy and still think he was the wrong appointment! Hurst I felt was the wrong appointment but I said that he needs to be given time and that I would reserve judgement. Although I feel he is getting it drastically wrong at the moment, I'm still not screaming for him to be sacked. I hope he turns it around but alas I fear the worse!
Nuggets,Your last sentence makes very good sense. Let a respected cttee of very experienced, knowledgeable Ipswich thru and thru men, make a collective recommendation for Evans to rubber stamp. There is clearly something devastatingly wrong with our beloved club, its structure, its direction, its policies ( one exception being Youth academy and U23's) its core fabric, and I do fear that we are now facing the dreaded trap door. Every game will become a must-win, morale and confidence ebbing away, crowds like-wise. Blame & criticism, pass the buck follows, any natural talent and flare is squeezed out. We desperately need something to change. On the field for starters. Bart back, and then Scowey's 4-3-3 and not leaving Sears alone and short up front. Most important, players actually playing on their right position ffs! Am I drooling at the prospect of driving up the A12 one day soon. Sadly not! We are the last chance soon. Cue, a morale boosting 2-2 away draw tonight...if only.
