In Wenger's defence, he did consistently achieve C.L football despite having to sell players and manage finances whilst the stadium was being built etc. His failing to me was more his poor record (and poor approach in some cases) in the cups. I didn't expect Arsenal to be winning titles during that period but they should have picked up a cup every 2-3 years. I don't think he'd get 9 years now they are spending.
The only manager as good as Mourinho who is not in a job now is probably Ancelotti. Though would he want to go back to Chelsea?
I honestly don't think it would matter how much money Wenger was given, he still won't win the league or the CL. Far too tactically naive.
I don't disagree and that's why he is under more pressure now then say 5 years ago IMO when he had more excuses available.
What will be Mourhino's undoing is his apparent inability to deal with a crisis. First signs of trouble, and he seems to have fallen apart. With Wenger, whatever else anyone may think of his lack of achievement, he has always maintained a calm and even control over the club and its public perception.
As fans that is what we want, I dream of getting into the Champions League every season it's the pinnacle of a football fans desires along with the money our clubs get for getting that prize. It's what I dream of, 4th place and loads of cash for the board to use, perhaps some new flats can be built next to the stadium or we could put fancy seats into the dugouts. Football dreams, what a manager, what a man. How far we have fallen.
All very true, but the point I was making was that I can see why he wasn't sacked. Financially, he's done wonders for Arsenal.
To be honest, players should be scared of Jose. All through out I was under the impression players adore him or at the least afraid of him except in Madrid ofcourse. The last few weeks proved me wrong. Jose is not getting the respect he deserves from the board, he looks like has no self confidence as well. These bunch of players are nowhere title winning calibre last year especially given City's squad / Manu's spending. Jose made the difference. Board should give him equal respect like Fergie / Arsene. I know times are different, but without that he will be as effective as anyone but his usual self. If that is not going to happen, player unrest will ensure and that is sick.
I've never seen anything like it and I've been around for a while. What's happened is really strange and quite unexpected. The United slide was understandable in that a longstanding manager has left and the players felt lost with a new face and a new system. How can you possibly explain the current slide? The manager is the same. The players are the same with the exception of a few new faces. Complacency after a title win could explain some of it but such a slide with an experienced manager who has won titles before? Unlikely. The players are physically less able? unlikely. Injuries? Courtois is a big miss but as champions you would expect Bergovic to be a reasonable cover. Loss of form? for so many players at the same time is quite exceptional. Hazard was player of the year and arguably the reason why the team was so dominant. Should Jose have persisted with him a bit longer? Fabregas has also lost form at the same time. Coincidence? There are far too many coincidences and too many mysteries. Bad luck? Referee conspiracies? Manager wanting out? A few weeks ago, we could bet good money on "players not playing for the manager" theory. Not sure anymore. Not knowing the reasons makes the board's decision difficult. The next premiership match is yet another must win. If it is defeat or even a draw, the team will remain planted in the bottom half. And the pressure will remain.
Judged on his ability as a coach and his record there is no way you are going to get anyone better. Judged on his ability to make a complete arse of himself he ought to have been sacked after the Eva incident.
I don't think Jose should be sacked, yet I am looking for a big change in his attitude. It has gone beyond deflecting criticism of the team to protect morale (which only works in the short term anyway) into some kind of persecution mania. He lost the trust of many inside Chelsea when he publicly attacked Jon Fearne and Eva Carneiro. They were part of the team, the tight knit group Jose was supposed to be protecting. When he turned on them the rest of the squad wondered who would he blame next when things went pear shaped. That was his first mistake. The fatal one was not making that right immediately. The situation is one of his own making acerbated by his previous management style and then stupidly left to fester. He won't get that trust back 100% with this set of players. Also I think Carneiro may not want to settle out of court. She is in the stronger position and for her it is the being seen to be right and again that is purely down to Jose, although I think the club spun about in neutral for far to long. They should of got it sorted on the very same day.
If he has a plan or you can see some form of progression from the start of the season, then he deserve the chance to rectify the problems. However of the results get worse or remain inconsistent, then you will eventually have to sack him.
7th and that's only if we start putting a run together pronto. As for Wenger he has done exceptionally well in getting a top 4 spot over the years and also winning the numerous qualifying rounds. In stark contrast the charge against Jose & Chelsea is that we're a " house of cards" constantly building from the top instead of bringing on our homegrown talent.
Sad when you think to ypurself "what will sacking jose actually achieve?" We wont win the league, i think thats pretty clear now. 4th place is getting further and further away. We have been knocked out of one cup, and are in another two-one of which we were never shoe ins to even get to the semi finals.* This season is gone. Even if arrigo sachi came in he'd actually have nothing to save. Nows a time to build for next year. Identify deadwood, and prospects and start again. *Also hope to god we dont win the fa cup because i could do without the indignity of the europa league again lol
