I think I've stated several times i don't want him as manager. Its also there in that last post "Regardless I think we have to be looking to do better than the Bruce/Rafa types." I understand people thinking both Bruce and Rafa did a good job under difficult circumstances. They did it by playing largely defensive football. Bruce probably has entertained more, but its still a far cry from calling it progressive! We are talking about being the richest club in the world. With Steve Bruce or Rafa Benitez boring our pants off? I'm hoping the owners have a bit more ambition than that. No offence to either.
My ****s better than your ****. I can guarantee! Nah thanks Bruce for the season of dull football but it’s time to move on.
It’s just business at the end of the day. If a better player comes along Steve wouldn’t hesitate to drop one for said player. So why not managers.
Taking over a side that has been drilled within an inch of its life for 3 years, had 2 years of stability as a mid table side in the Premier league. One of the best goalkeepers and top 8 level defence. Bruce couldn't have wished for a better setup to walk in to. Then he got to spend more money than Rafa could have wished to spend. Bruce then admitted that he has been using Rafas tactics to get results as the players won't play his system, he luckily spluttered his way in the cups, had a high amount of injuries because his training is awful. The players like him because he let's them do what they like, get more time off instead of training. Got some very lucky results in the league and is now being revered simply because he has friends in the media, who just happen to be either bitter old rivals of Liverpool or Ashley sympathisers.
To me (and of course this is on the assumption we get taking over by the Saudis) is the comparison with Man City. Now Man City kept Mark Hughes and built from there - to me Rafa would be the Mark Hughes in our scenario where as Steve Bruce just isn't capable of doing that. In an ideal world I would prefer Poch as manager but think we would be too early into a project for him.
I may be wrong but Bruce didn't pick any of the players that came to the club at the start of this season,did he not join with a week or two before the start?
I think Bruce may still be here next season. I think the drawn out sale of the club has put off managers joining until the season has finished. If other clubs sack their managers, I think prospective managers will look elsewhere first and use us as a last resort. Take Rafa for example, could easily have joined West Ham, Everton or Arsenal, chose not to because he thought we were being taken over and we were priority. We know Poch was sounded out, he wasn't really bothered, made ridiculous demands and instead insisted in the press that he wants to return to spurs and has no interest in moving away from London, the general feeling was that he wants a top 2 side. We know Rafa was sounded out, told the press that he wants to return to us, reports got out about the players and staff that Rafa wants on board. From what was reported Rafa thought he would be in charge ready for the restart, Dalian even went as far as lining up a replacement for Rafa, the uncertainty over the sale of us has led to Rafa returning to China. Arsenal fans are now begging for Rafa to replace Arteta, Villa fans want Rafa to rescue them from relegation, there's been several reports in Italy and Spain linking Rafa with Fiorentina, AC Milan, Atletico and Betis. We know West Ham have a long standing link with Rafa. So it really wouldn't surprise me if he ends up elsewhere next season.
It's a win-win situation for Bruce to be honest. First of all, he's done a really good job and I'm optimistic that we'll still pick up more points over the next eight games. Staying up was the aim and we'll do that. Anything more is a bonus. So if we finish 11th-14th we've had a good season. If Bruce leaves then its a job well done for him, and pundits will say its unfair. If he stays, he'll have a role to play (albeit limited) in a new era of the club. He'll always be the Geordie who was the first Newcastle manager of the new era. He's bedded in some youth (Matty), brought the best out of certain players (Miggy getting more attacking quality, Hayden and Manquillo, and ASM) and has given us some good moments. Obviously it's not been all good and there have been some tough days but on balance, he's done well. Imo.
So on the takeover: - Every legal mind says AS/RB/PIF cannot fail O&D test. - WTO report although condemning KSA action, actually mostly finds in favour of KSA dropping a number of Qatar charges and doesn't implicate the Royal Family/PIF in any way. - Buyers AND seller both frustrated by endless delays. - Rumours abound that KSA are promising to invest heavily in area, backed up by Reubens involvement - Govt urges us to welcome KSA investment into the country - KSA allow Bein boxes to broadcast and shut down BeoutQ permanently - KSA football federation sends a bunch of letters to all major sporting authorities highlighting its efforts to crackdown on piracy. - KSA buys rights to Serie A and potentially Bundesliga. - Premier League.....releases results of Coronavirus testing. I mean, just how unfit for purpose are the PL? Surely we're now down to a point where every passing hour without action makes them look increasingly pathetic? At what point does someone intervene?
It's precisely the right thought. At what point does either the buyer or seller think "something ****ing fishy is going on here"? No doubt the PL should be made transparent, depending what comes out of this.
