I know what you're saying Lovelocum here, but I have to say I've always found MP's personality far easier to get on with from day one. Perhaps I'm in the minority there, but he strikes me as a very professional, bright and amenable type. I have to be brutally honest here and admit that I used to cringe during a large number of Nigel's press conferences - I just found his pop psychology and quotes cheesy rather than amusing or, dare I say, inspiring. As I say, it may just be me, but I think MP would be interesting to go down to the pub with (though he's probably go to bed early), whereas I think Nigel would do my head in..... As we all know, the "who would you rather go down the pub with" scale is a highly accurate indicator!
For me Mauricio is doing a fantastic job. But as my avatar will suggest I'm still a huge Adkins fans. For me Mauricio still has a long way to go to prove to me he was the right replacement. Yes he's done well, but I just believe that Adkins' potential could keep on growing.
I didn't really have a problem with us replacing Adkins. Yes I was shocked but could se why we did it.
The real shame was that we had to do it. I still think one of the reasons is that a manager with continental experience and a certain style would attract better players than loveable, old Nigel. And, regretfully, that is probably true.
Nigel was a perfectly good manager. Anyone knows that. But he'd never managed in the top flight before and he was having to learn and keep Saints up at the same time. And SFC is no longer a club where managers cut their teeth before they go onto to somewhere better. Bearing in mind that Saints were just about well equipped enough to stay in the PL, and Cortese didn't want to take chances. Besides, as Lff mentioned, nobody of note was going to be attracted to Saints from abroad, where the most cost effective players were going to come from. Result..? Get the best up and coming, manager's manager from abroad, who has performed at a top flight club already, knows the continental players, and plays the way Saints want to play. OK, from the perspective of January, it was a chancy appointment, although we quickly began to see the wisdom of it. From the perspective of late September, it seems to be a call of genius.
I do think that MP was approached to take over sometime around the West Brom game, and then when we improved our form by beating QPR it put the sacking on hold. Adkins was a good manager but played too openly and wasn't good at attracting players (even with Cortese's huge input ). Adkins will always be a Saints legend though. On the subject on MP's english: imagine how good a manager he'll be when he becomes fluent!
Its all part of the master plan. MP will get us to the champions league and then get sacked. Uproar will ensue as he's done so much before Jose or Pep are pictured with their Eterna watches and Nicola.
You never know..? I can see Jose finding his English spiritual home, after Porto. Saints sweep all before... OK, let's not get too carried away.
TBH I'd rather be in the pub with Adkins than Poch. Adkins is like your mate's Dad. cringeworthy at times, but always cheerful, always making you chuckle and giving you a good feeling about life. Poch is more the one that you mutter behind your hand to your mate 'that bloke look's sooo cool but man is he boring' In my opinion it is quite obvious that Pochettino is by far the better manager, tactician etc but personality wise he doesn't have much to inspire me. In summary I would rather have Pochettino in charge of my football team but I'll have a pint with Nige everytime.
I think he was lined up when we were promoted. The more I think about it the more it seems adkins was only there to reach the prem, I think he knew this. Remember his slightly morose interview after country.
After Coventry. But I think you are right regarding Adkins and the initial timing of his sacking. Within days, he gave an interview stating that he didn't think he'd be at Saints for much longer, as if he knew he was on borrowed time. Like any fan, I would love to know the timings and motivations as to what provoked those end of season statements and why, weeks later, Adkins was on cloud nine, looking forward to the new season with renewed vigour. But I suspect we'll never know. Stuff of Saints legends.
I thought they were called Coventry country, a throwback from when coventry was its own independent state 'the peoples republic of coventry'. Dam predictive text. All in all I will look back on the adkins years with nostalgic fondness.
Adkins was all misty eyed after our promotion to the PL. He claimed that we should ignore what he said at the time as he was emotional and he said a lot of things. Perhaps doubts set in about being up for the task, then a few days later his natural optimism kicked in (or he'd had a scheduled meeting with Nicola). He was given a shot at the PL...he could have been sacked after a few games. The fact he was beginning to get results (just before his sackings) shows that with sufficient finance he is good enough to be a PL manager. Let's hope he makes it with Reading. A very good manager indeed...just still learning. Very happy with Mauricio though.
Who gives a rats arse who you would rather have a pint with - Cortese along with the main players in the ownership of the club thought MP was a better option for the long term future of the club so NA was given the flick - that is football management harsh but true - we now move on and in the back of our minds hope that Reading do marvellously well and make sure NA remains on our Christmas card list.
