Whatever Ron decides, Saints as a club have never been as attractive to a new manager as they are at this exact point in time, with no player sales as yet and in Europa guaranteed. Our stock is huge to any manager who fancies he could have got us two more wins last season and qualified us for the CL. We're in many ways the perfect professional challenge. Whoever Saints have lined up, the club has to be trusted to take full advantage of this position. There is no doubt it is always hit and miss when recruiting player or manager, but we'll be sure to maximise our chances of the former. We need a manager who knows the Europa League, basically, but has a good chance of keeping our keel steady in the PL.
There is every chance that Ron could not keep us on the improvement curve - on his own personal level, therefore, it is quite a good time for him to move on, as his stock is at a peak. For Saints, a between season move is the absolute preference to the mid-season managerial movement that occurs everywhere. We are also at the start of a five-year plan, for which duration Ron would not have been staying. It happening now rather than post-Euros is also very good. I see this as a big opportunity, as I am sure the club do.
I prefer that he stays - and have not at all disregarded the chances - not only because it will have a bearing on some key players; but then again, a higher profile manager will have the same retention effect for sure. The only players I can see wanting to follow him on the basis he's going are maybe Pelle and Clasie.
As for who, there are a few easy (but unrealistic for salary reasons) options. Why people want to go near AVB, though, is beyond me. Thank **** he is a huge mercenary who believes I'm sure that he's too good for us. Not comparing the two at all, but I got ripped to shreds on here when I similarly mocked Newcastle's appointment of McClaren this time last year. AVB would take us lower half, even if he helped us win a few games in Europa. Besides which he is a charlatan of the absolutely highest order, who has been found out in footballing terms over here; who has a chip on his shoulder with a capacity twice that of SMS (for which reason the media over here dislike him vehemently); is over-eager to prove himself; cannot command respect of players; has a second-hand image he's modelled on Mourinho; and has a negative attitude. He is absolutely not the person to move on from Ron - he is half the manager, half the man, and should continue managing in one- and two-team leagues. Besides which, he will grade himself a Champion's League manager.
I would readjust my opinion of the Board if they pursued him, and be concerned of their plan.
