I think the worst argument for keeping Sannino is that "he deserves a chance" or "he needs more time". I think he has had a good audition in the Championship. It is still , after 24 games quite hard to characterise his style and philosophy. His teams seem to be dogged in defence (for 85 minutes) ponderous in attack, he is not a fan of youth, he distances himself from the"manager" role , insisting he is the "head coach" . So does he see himself as the leader or not? I think we need a more charismatic and inspirational manager. One who can attract and motivate good players and create an attacking team likely to be competitive in this division. This means (probably) not reliant too much on Italian imports who often seem too lightweight for this division. The best imports have been the "Middle Europeans"--Abdi, Toszer, Pudil. The first season with the Pozzos took us by delighted surprise. The second has been a deflating disappointment. The third? It remains to be seen, but I think a new man is needed to galvanise the team.
As always Roger a very sound argument. BP just does not inspire me - and I suspect few others either - and you are right about "deserves another chance" - that does not fit in with the Pozzo model - they will hire or fire on results - the worst scenario for me is that two months into the next season - they decide he is not working and we have 2013/4 repeated. Now is the time to find someone as you say genuinely inspirational - hopefully someone who would value our Academy (does anyone remember that now) - and someone who demands their teams DO turn up for the whole match.
For those of you who have made very valid points against B.S. being in charge next season, who would you like in charge (realistically)? Let's face it, he hasn't covered himself in glory recently, and the Pozzos must be debating what to do. Top 3 please....
I think BS could stay, if he is allowed to change the squad to a team he can make work. Whith the number of players we have and all the loan players from British clubd this is difficult. If Nani allows change that is not edge of squad footballers from Udinese or Grenada and we can be rid of some dead wood BS might do well. Also I would never wish anyone out of work and BS is surely not the worst manager we have had but with the resource available to the Pozzo family could they choose a manager with knowledge of English football, the championship and not one of the usual suspects for next appointment.
I'm ready to come off the fence and it's a no from me. I also think the Pozzo's need to look at their model. Some big decisions needed ahead of next season.
OK I will give you a name. Roberto Di Matteo. Successful spells in management at MK, West Brom and Chelsea. I think he has stayed out of work because he was still being paid by Chelsea, but that is about to end. He lives in Leamington Spa so not that far away. He speaks both Italian and English and must be used to the head coach situation from his playing days. Has been seen at the Vic a number of times so must know Duxberry and Nani. Just a thought, he might want more money than BS.
RDM was my suggestion earlier in the thread. Why would he take it? For the challenge which the Pozzo's can sell to him. He certainly does not need the money. It would also set the place buzzing again.
1. Neither did Zola... 2. So did Zola - for a while...but what a while. I take your point BB, but I think things would be different with RDM, and RDM has experience of working with a smaller budget and different expectations. We won't get him though, so it's a pointless debate. Just as long as it's not another journeyman, Italian yes man.
It wouldn't surprise me to find that the Pozzo's have been quietly working on finding a replacement ever since they put BS in place. He was hired to get us out of a fix, and needed to do it quickly so needed to be appointed quickly. Promotion within three years was the plan and probably still is the plan - it's fairly obvious that it won't happen with BS at the helm. So you may well be right about RDM.
Earlier in the thread I said 'yes'. After going today I'm really not so sure. He seems like a guy who genuinely has the club's interest at heart but I'm now not sure he's the right man for the job next season. What contract is he on? I've forgotten...
A comment tonight from someone who is close to the club. "About an hour after the game, I saw Beppe walk out onto the pitch. For much of the time he was on his own and he seemed to be giving it one last look. Probably totally coincidental, but Di Matteo was at the game today .."
Interesting how we can read stats though... Over the 26 league games Sannino has been in charge his record is W 9 D 8 L 9 Over the last 26 league games of last season Zola's record was W 13 D 5 L 8 And in Zola's last 26 league games (20 this season and 6 last season) his record was W 8 D 8 L 10 So we can't really say our record has improved. As I said, I believe Zola went to early.
All i know is that if we do go Italian again, as seems more or less inevitable, there is one man I do not ever want to see crossing the threshold of our club and imagine I am not alone in that. Christ I'd rather have Holloway or Warnock than Paolo Di Canio .
ttp://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/05/05/former-roma-manager-wanted-by-watford-report/page/1-2/ Zdenak Zeman does sound to have an interesting tactical perspective...
'Based on Dutch Total Voetball, Zdeněk Zeman his 4-3-3 system as "geometry", and also for a football philosophy clearly based on the attacking side, the offside, and zone marking. His teams are well known for their ability to score goals, but also for the corresponding tendency to concede them'. Sounds like he'll fit right in
