From what he has said previously I can't imagine he would want to extend his contract, he has always stated he wants to see out his contract and then that's it.
In terms of a sensible answer - Do I think Ron is the best manager in the world? No. Do I think he's the best manger in the history of Saints? No, probably not. But you know what. I really like him. I relate to him. I respect him, as a manager, as a person and as (absolutely) a player. We talk a lot on here about loyalty, the philosophy as a club, blah blah. I genuinely believe this is a club that suits Ron and his ideals, perspective, philosophy, however you want to look at it. There's a great management quote about how people are promoted to the point of their inadequacy. I think that Ron is absolutely at the best club for his ability (and that's not a negative comment). See AVB, Hodgson, Hoddle, Souness, Lovren, Lallana, Lambert etc for details. I'd be delighted as a supporter, but more as an outsider watching someone who I respect and admire as a human, to see him accept a new contract with us. I think it would be entirely the right thing. I just hope he is able to recognise that.
If he did sign the contract extension hypothetically. Do you think he would make a good long term manger for us? i.e for the next 10 years?
The Peter Principle. Someone to whom this applies is often referred to as a "Blocked Spiralist". They have moved around and around to new jobs being promoted each time until they have reached their level of incompetence. Then they can't and will not be promoted further. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
There's a few clubs I've mentioned on the Swansea board that I think have managed to find very good managerial fits. Swansea with Monk, Palace with Pardew, you with Koeman and us (WHU) with Bilic. With the added TV money coming in the smaller clubs will find it easier to hang on to their squads as the difference between the haves and the have nots narrows. I hope one of us upsets the apple cart this season.
I can see Ronald signing a one-year extension to take him through to 2018. That would be dependent on the Dutch FA giving Danny Blind the Euros this summer and build-up to the WC in Russia, though.
That entirely depends upon the club's expectation over the next ten years. I think that the recognition of what and where you are works both ways. One of the pleasures of getting older is not just recognising what you are, but also accepting what you're not. I genuinely believe that a club like Saints is the level of club where he'd not just be appreciated, but where he can overachieve (which is very important). International management is about ego and prestige, not day to day satisfaction. If he went to a Chelsea, United, City, I think he'd fail under the immediate expectation of greatness/success.
I would love him to stay, but if he doesn't I fully expect him to be upfront about it, with the board, so that finding his replacement isn't a rush job. If we know, now, that he won't extend, then a little whisper in a few ears, may have his replacement passing him in the doorway. Another down side, should he not extend, is the potential to lose players, or the dressing room, should it be a difficult last season.
It is likely that we would offer Ron another contract, so a case of 2 + 2 which newspapers always like. Would Ron accept another contract? Perhaps a short extension if he thinks there is unfinished business here. I do know one thing though...Ron will give a straight answer and not keep us hanging around like a certain manager I could mention.
I'm sure this will be asked in the presser tomorrow. No traction in transfer rumours this time of year, so may as well stir up the manager pot. Personally I think he will deny any contract offers as I think it's probably bull from the mirror. Ron is not a man who has remained in one place for very long in his career. I think he is enjoying his time here, but he didn't exactly look unhappy at Feyenoord. I guess it all depends on the timing with the Dutch FA.
If say, he did sign an extension, how much would the Dutch FA have to pay us as compo to get him? Maybe we could give him a deal that allows for that approach. (after the current deal expires obviously)
I agree with you LTL. In fact, supporters either don't take any notice or they don't believe what they hear, but the closest and long time friend of Ronald at De Telegraaf, where he has a newspaper column, says he wouldn't be surprised at all if Ron stays for a long while. He loves it at Saints far more than he thought he would. So I see him signing an extension, and I bet he won't ask for sackfuls of money either. However, I also don't rule out a fantastic offer coming along that is just too tempting to say no to. Interestingly, on Fran's link to the Daily Mirror, they give a poll which asks if people would rather Ron left to manage Holland or stayed with Saints. 75% want him to leave for Holland, so he's obviously doing something right if he's making Saints that much of a handful to other teams.
