Sorry Chris you beat me to it! What disappoints me most is I think this whole episode confirms how far we have fallen. In January 2008 I was calling for Boothroyd's head (I had an inkling how nasty the cliff edge looked). If I could have forecast our "financial performance" since then, I would have been very angry. What tops this is that I read someone suggesting Boothroyd should return, and that poster meant it. I hope and pray for safety in season 11/12.
Probably get shot for this, but from what I remember, Rodgers never actually swore allegiance either. I'm pretty sure that his comments were regarding people questioning his integrity about the Reading job BEFORE Reading approached Watford - as in he had no contact with Reading until Reading asked for permission, which we refused, then he asked to speak to them.... and that was because he had ties with them! Can we be sure Malky (or his agent) had no contact with Cardiff before the approach???
Disappointing but unsurprising, in my book. I agree completely with NNW when he says that time will tell. For all we know, Bazzini might have been imposing terms completely unacceptable to a manager with any ambition: if, having sold players for c. £3.7m you are then told you can only spend c. £500k (for instance) I can appreciate why anyone would want to leave. Managing in such circumstances will only see your reputation go downhill. However, if Mackay was simply told that belt-tightening would continue in the same vein for the foreseeable future, then he was well aware of this when he signed his contract extension recently. Definitely not as bad as Rodgers, who openly rubbed it in fans' faces, but from where I'm sat it still looks pretty bad. I think it'd be naive to think that Mackay and his advisers weren't in contact with Cardiff before today and, assuming that's the case, we have every right to feel aggrieved that a man lauded for his loyalty would behave like that. If he leaves (and surely he will, given that he requested talks) then I certainly won't wish him well; I said on another thread that it might well be a case of 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' and I stand by that. Further, and I know it could now be seen as sour grapes, I've never been as enamoured with Mackay as others. I'll never deny he achieved decent football and Championship survival on a tight budget, and I'm grateful for that. But we never managed consistency; we lacked concentration towards the end of games; his substitutions weren't as effective as they might have been; and we always invited pressure from set pieces by keeping all our players in our own box. So if there is a silver lining in this cloud, it's that we've been ditched unceremoniously by managers before and come through the other side. Mackay, like Rodgers before him, isn't perfect and a new guy might bring fresh ideas and produce decent results too. Let's hope so.
I dont see him as Judas (as long as he doesnt try signing our players) but I honestly hope he fails like Brendan Rodgers did at Reading to show once again that the grass isn't always greener
I'm only surprised at my own naivete in thinking MM was more principled than any other football manager. More alarming than the fact he will probably leave is what it says about the appeal for any potential new manager of working with the new owner and the conditions now operating at the club.
Not sure what I think about Malky at present, wont be the anger like over the Rogers debacle but will definitely be disappointment One thing is for sure if he does go the board must act quickly to replace him we cannot dither like Cardiff or Aston Villa over an appointment.
Watford FC not Malky, not danny, not Lloyd, not JW, not GT, not BR, the club - the team is whats punched above its weight for the past three seasons, why is that and what are the key ingredients and is there a particular driver behind this or is it the system? I hope we find that we're not losing too many key elements and the machine will continue to function and in fact improve. My big worry is that it was Julian Winter and GT who were the heart and brain of the living organism that is Watford and Malky may have been a key organ along with Danny, its just a worry and the proof will come this coming season in how the team gels and progresses whoever is in it. My instinct is that Malky is good in the Watford model but how that will translate into the cardiff situation if it happens well I've a feeling its going to be disappointment for the bluebirds.
I disagree (except over your, and indeed my, naivete) It's money. Malky is in a no lose situation here. If we finish mid table, he's worked miracles, his stock goes up. If we make the play-offs, he's a messiah. If we get promoted, he's God, and a cast-iron cert for a top Prem appointment. If we get relegated, it's not his fault. Anything about ambition is bullshine. There are plenty of clubs in a better position to Cardiff, I can see them doing a Boro with Malky the new Strachan - they'll pick up form, but too late. The only thing that could be better for his security and family is a 3 year contract on 3 times the money. Fair play, it's what I would do, but having signed a new contract a couple of months ago, the club should make it as difficult as possible and extract maximum compensation.
Not quite sure what we're disagreeing about, Harrow. Of course it's money...I foolishly thought for a moment MM was a man who had started something good and would stay to see it through. Just shows how much I know!
I think we are disagreeing about the implications about the state of the club - I think it is money pure and simple. If however you are implying it doesn't look good to an outsider - probably right.
They've both done similar things when being speculated away from the club; declaring loyalty and signing a new contract. However, Rodgers did a rather average job when he was here, whereas Malky has done an excellent job. If we are going to call Rodgers 'Judas' then theoretically we should also call Malky the same. I recognise the hard work that Malky has put into the job though, so I can't help but understand and respect him leaving. I'm really worried about Malky's knowledge of the youth system here. Will he try to sign some of our rising youngsters away? I would hate to see Sordell, Whichelow, Murray or Massey leave.
What exactly has Malky done wrong here, I think a few of us need to take off the yellow tinted specs for a minute. From a neutral perspective we have two clubs; Playoffs v Overachieving in midtable Previous manager salary 900k v 130k Wage bill; no idea but vastly different certainly and money for transfers too I suspect In itself one is a better prospect, add the fact that you know all your best players will be sold and you have peanuts to replace them. There is no guarentee of job security with a new owner (and lets be honest a couple of bad results at the start of the season - he's being called Judas before he even leaves, the football fan is a fickle beast.) I for one expect him to leave and wish him well for the future, I have no bad feeling toward him whatsoever.
Ditto to that. He is, like everyone else, human. He does, like everyone else, want to better himself. He does, like everyone else, want to do the best he can for his family. I'd challenge anyone to say, hand on heart, that they would pass up the opportunity to stay within their chosen industry at a vastly improved salary - especially an industry where both employers and customers are notoriously fickle. My only worry about him leaving - if that is what happens - is what will be hanging onto his coat-tails when he goes. I don't know that we can insist that he leaves our players alone and I dread to think who will follow him. That leaves the club in an extremely precarious position - they need to be careful who they appoint in his place, but they have to do it a damned hurry. I've said this on another thread but will repeat - as they need a strong character who is respected within the game and can command & get respect from the players in the same way as MM did, they could do worse than look to Walter Smith.
We should insist on some pretty strong covenants about future dealings with the club: given his intimate knowledge of Watford's workings, we really should try to ensure that he's not allowed to poach any of our players for a reasonable period. I'd hate to see Cowie, Eustace, Taylor, Sordell et al wearing blue next season.
Malky hasn't gone yet. As far as i'm concerned, until he says he's going, he's still our Manager. Wigan let their Manager talk to another club and he decided to stay, i'm hoping (maybe just as naively as Theo) that Malky will do the same.
Good point Hornette , lets hope Martinez has started a loyalty trend! However there is a huge difference ! Martinez stayed because of a special relationship with the owner , I seem to remember the owner saying martinez was like a son to him! I think MM doesnt like Baz and wants out! I for one dont blame him and wish him all the best in his future endeavours, With MM I can see Cardiff going up in the next 2 seasons!
