As you've probably gathered this past week I agree with these sentiments 100%. I'm still a bit bemused by what exactly people think they have achieved so far that gives some such faith in what is going to happen next. Yes they paid off the debt which undoubtedly would have crippled the club sooner rather than later and for that we should all be grateful...but that was a business decision and the reason they saw a good deal and took it. What worries me most is that they seem to know so little about the game and don't seem certain who are the best people to advise them on the game. It was Comolli, but now its not, Kenny was brought in by them then sacked a year into his contract (and I don't buy the "fans choice" excuse simply because fans don't give out contracts for managers to sign). Who is advising them now? Do they just want a guy who is good in front of the cameras? How long will he last if for instance we are not successful straight away or he gets things wrong with Fergies media cronies? Will we get proper answers as to how plan A went wrong and what is plan B? (And why will it work better and faster than plan A). I can't fault them for being ambitious but as stated before...just how much is hot air and how much will actually come to fruition?
What were the targets and expectations? Every club has as much success as possible as a "target." Top 4 was a target but not a condition of Kenny's contract continuing to be honoured. Tom Werner said in the Wembley dressing room, as he and Henry proudly held the cup up, that "progress" was their only must-have for this season and even if we hadn't won the Carling Cup we have made progress. Their tune has changed from what I can see. They've shaken my faith in their claim to be long-term thinkers because sacking Dalglish simply on league placing rather than on the potential of this team to continue to progress was rash. The gap between us and the top four is not as huge on the pitch as it looks in the table. And I think Kenny knew better than them what the club needed - silverware. Now that's done and the media have been shut up on that matter so he could've dedicated energies and resources to the league next season. Now somebody else is going to carry on that work in a more unsettled environment with no more guarantee of a top four finish next season. So in essence I agree with you but I do think Henry and Werner have a romantic heart beating beneath their corporate outfit, which was evident from the way they respected the Sox's traditions, but that just makes sacking Kenny all the more mystifying to me. Some have said they're in a panic over the Sox having a really bad season and it's affected their normally calm and reasoned decision-making. Could be. They're reliant on advisors rather than being informed in the way they are as baseball fans.
What kind of statement are we making if we hire a manager who was sacked by one of our rivals though?
That our players do not manage our club? We are shrewd with our managerial signings. We're not kneejerk and right off one of the top up and coming managers of Europe after one small period in difficult circumstances??!!
What worries me are the stories of AVB being a disciplinarian - he'd stand on a balcony looking at his watch to see when players showed up for training. The players all started turning up with a minute to spare and waving to him. That's not healthy and it makes me think of the way Hodgson alienated players.
But doesn't 4 managers in two years suggest we are exactly a knee jerk club now?? Granted the players probably don't manage the club at Liverpool but does the manager anymore?
The more I think about it the more I like the thought of AVB. He is young ambitious, plays good football and is respected in the game. Think he could be the one to move the team forward, as long as we can keep expectations under control
B4F - You could have won the league with that Porto team. AVB has 3 years managerial experience - 2 of those with the easiest job in football and the other he failed miserably. You can't blame the old guard for his failures, do you honestly think a decent manger (for example SAF or Moyes) would have put up with their **** - they would have gone in and said **** the lot of you I'm in charge now, and you listen to me or **** off. AVB didn't have a ****ing clue how to manage a big club, that's the reality. Yeah he looks the part and is very emotional on the sidelines - but tactically so inexperienced. He literally set the Chelsea team up every week to play to their weaknesses and didn't have the bottle to adapt to a different style of play. He needs a job in a less pressured league for a few years to gain the experience he quite clearly lacks.
To be honest Sky that's all opinion and no facts! I could win with that Porto team? Come on. After one little period he's gone from one of the hottest prospects to nothing. I find it really surprising.
Because he failed at Chelsea. I know the players didn't make it easy for him, but look how well both Ancelotti and Di matteo did with the same squad.
I'm not going to slate AVB but if our owners didn't have the patience with a manager who got bad league results with a team heavily in transition why would they replace him with a manager who also got sacked from his job for getting bad league results trying to initiate transition with a team? Both are seen as too stubborn by their now ex bosses. One blamed the old guard the other blamed luck, neither managed to turn it around in the too short time given to them. Why (in the owners view) would AVB be more suitable other than he is younger & means nothing to the fan base?
You could mate. Give me another reason for AVB's (false) reputation? He's a young manager that is far from ready to manage in the PL - that's been proven, by his massive fail at Chelsea. The old guard to blame? All that shows is a weakness in his management skills.
It's one thing winning the league with Porto but to win it being undefeated and only dropping 6 points throughout the entire league campaign is extremely commendable. And if you don't rate the Portuguese league, don't forget that AVB also won the Europa League.
I'm not saying that AVB is my favourite person for the job, because I've made it clear that Rafa is the best man for the job and I don't buy into this 'never go back' bullshit. But AVB is one of the best AND realistic choices out there. Klopp, Pep and Jose are very unrealistic.
Okay maybe he's rubbish. Lets get Big Sam in. Proven at this level. I don't see us getting any better than ABV.
I'd fully back him if he got the job, like I would anyone. I just really don't think he is the solution we're after. Personally I'd have Martinez over him any day.
Seriously? Do you not think the fact we couldn't get better than AVB is a serious worry then? If we are seriously going after a former Chelsea manager would we not be better to go for the one that won them the double rather than the one that lasted less than a season and seemed completely out of his depth??
