Amen to that, but I don't think that we will ever know the real reasons why Cortese left. My theory is that Kat felt that he had become a bit too powerful and megalomaniacal and it was her family's money after all. He was asked to stay but felt it was time for him to move on.
He wanted to make it a modern day, successful sporting club. They wanted a modern day, successful business that made them money.
I loved having a football legend as our manager though. He had as many personality flaws as he had assets - who doesn’t - but I think a larger than life character like him is what’s needed to galvanise this team. Ron took over a club in turmoil, let’s not forget that. Okay, so he got lucky with the replacements, but we lost half a team the summer he arrived, yet he gave us two seasons of living the dream.
We’ll never know what could or would have happened if Marcus hadn’t died, and Nicola hadn’t walked/been pushed out. But the lower we fall now, the bigger the Cortese legend will become.
I believe that Koeman took over from the exceptional work that Adkins and Poch had done before him. I know he had to replace a lot of players, but the team spirit was fantastic still, we had a lot of talent and they were still super fit after pochettino. He did well for us, but he was the beneficiary of all before him more than being an amazing manager (IMO). Unfortunately the culture at the club is the exact opposite now. We have players like Hoedt who moans and gives up instead of leader like Fonte.
Adkins benefitted hugely by the work Pardew did, we would never have had the success we had if it weren't for Pards
100% He had his flaws, and I don't like the stories about how he treated people poorly. But, I have no doubt that he could sort us out right now, though obviously he'd also need money to back him up.
I was thinking more of if you look at the team that got from League 1 to the Premiership they were all here prior to Pardew or he signed them. He built that team that everyone loved so much, I can't think of a player Adkins signed who was a regular in it, apart from Danny Fox who was ****ing ****. I'm probably forgetting someone though
On the subject of whose return would be more welcome, Poch vs Koeman, big Ron’s occasional blazer and chinos combo just swings it for me. That, and press conferences in English, with humour.
You’re over thinking it imo. No one wants Pardew back because his ego would be unbearable, and his hairdresser bills alone could potentially bankrupt the club. Poch and Koeman also have egos (Poch May hide his a bit better), but both are less punchable.
Yep, now sadly becoming tarnished. His status as a player was reason why I was happy to see him given the chance to resurrect his managerial career with us. In hindsight, that seldom works out anyway. Did with Ron though
I don't want Pardiola back. He has had his time. I just think he deserves a bit more credit. Adkins is treated like a God when I think he is annoying smug bastard who was never really that good. But we will never know how anyone else would've fared taking a team in League 1 with 5 (6 maybe?) future internationals in it to the PL.
