Reading more about him from Swansea fans and they are very mixed. Reminded me quite a bit of the last year or so when Hassenhuttl was here. Basically all going to hinge on how he manages the expectation and presumably funds to build his own team. Seems the “he had nothing to spend at Swansea” narrative might not be entirely true in comparison to other teams. However as we all know there is a huge gulf financially between the top 3/4 teams in the Championship and the rest. My gut feeling is that it’s a pretty safe appointment. Manager who knows the league and has a reasonable success rate in it, but not an ambitious “let’s come straight back up” type appointment. Just have to hope that Wilcox knows what he’s doing
I asked ChatGPT to make up a manager for us. I think we should get him! Name: Alexander Byrne Background: Alexander Byrne is an experienced manager with a strong track record in both domestic and international football. He has a deep understanding of the English football landscape and a reputation for building cohesive, attacking-minded teams. Coaching Philosophy: Byrne believes in a proactive and possession-based style of play. He emphasizes a high-tempo pressing game, encouraging his players to win the ball back quickly and play with intensity. His teams prioritize fluid attacking movements, intelligent off-the-ball runs, and creative combination play to break down opposing defenses. Tactical Approach: Byrne is versatile in his tactics, adapting his style to the strengths of his squad and the specific challenges posed by opponents. He values tactical flexibility and is adept at making astute in-game adjustments to exploit weaknesses and neutralize threats. Player Development: Byrne places great emphasis on player development, nurturing young talent and maximizing the potential of his squad. He creates a positive and supportive environment that encourages individual growth and teamwork. His coaching staff includes specialists in various areas, including fitness, technique, and psychology. Man-management: Byrne is known for his excellent man-management skills. He fosters a strong team spirit, instilling a sense of unity and determination within the squad. He values open communication, listening to his players' opinions and concerns, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Leadership and Ambition: Byrne is a natural leader who exudes confidence and charisma. He sets high standards and demands a strong work ethic from his players. His ambition matches that of Southampton FC, and he is determined to help the club achieve success both domestically and in European competitions. Overall, Alexander Byrne is an imaginary manager figure who possesses a blend of tactical acumen, player development skills, leadership qualities, and a commitment to attractive and proactive football. Under his guidance, Southampton FC would aim to compete at the highest level while promoting a positive and exciting brand of football.
We've made our choice and his previous employment is irrelevant now, it's all about how he does here. I like what i've read about his style of play and it seems that the team will have a clear identity that the fans can get behind and understand. Nobody knows at this point whether he will need new recruitments to implement his philosophy and i'm sure that he will have had discussions about that with the club already and had reassurances about backing him. I'm tentatively hopeful and have a good feeling about this and I hope that he gets off to a flier to get all of the fanbase onside but also that he is given time if we are not in the top 6 in October!
To be fair, everything you said could be applied to the best manager in the world joining us. It's a waiting game as we well know.
It's not happening, it's happened - they just haven't announced Martin yet because they wanted to get the restructure info on the board, senior management and the Sport Republic response to relegation interview out there first. He was also attending a coaching event in Cardiff today, where he was speaking to those on the pro licence course run by the FAW - so wasn't at Staplewood today as some others had suggested he would be.
Its pretty impressive, I know a small number of people who are using it to do their jobs which is dfangerous. It was pretty much write me a speech for Russ's day 1 in the dressing room. It was very nice and 'braveheart-ish', not at all what I wanted so I added 'he needs to be more of a bastard' and I think I then said 'tell the players they've been rubbish and need to get better' that was pretty much it. The intro I wrote myself and then I just edited the odd word or sentence.