Exhaustive Search For New Manager

The local paper suggests that the process will take at least 3 weeks. They also say that the panel will meet regularly (using video conferencing). Guessing here, but it would appear that the 5 won't conduct interviews (rumours are that some have already taken place) but rather they will assess the outcomes and report back to Khan through Mark Lamping.

Here's the link to their story: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-committee-set-take-7858471

 

For me it will depends on the ambition of the Chairman for this season. Does he still think there is a chance of the play-offs, or is he more realistic on getting some stabilisation and mid-table security.
The problem he has is the Championship has many teams who are capable of going up, you only have to look at the teams who have stayed in this league for years who have had years struggling to get to the Premier and not made it.

My choice would be stay with Kit for the following reasons, he has bought through some of the youngsters, with little possibility of getting the right players in before January, he might be able to bring some stability, and would hope that those players also have some respect for him, to take on board his tactics and battle for him to get us out of the situation we are in.
Think if Kit gets the job the fans will give him time as a bit like Lewington he has always had the club at his heart, and has a good affinity with a lot of the fans as he has given a lot of his time over the years to supporters.

Is Kit management material is the question ? that is why I wonder if he and Danny Murphy could be the answer, with Danny's motivational speech's as an ex-captain, he has a lot of contacts in the game, that could be helpful in the transfer market.
Can the two work together ? or is Danny too high profile to be 2nd in command ?

 

I like the gang of five - both the idea of it, and the individuals that Khan has brought together. A teacher friend of mine used to work with Huw Jennings, so I'm going to email him and ask him to pass on a 'please not Pulis' message from me. Any requests for what else we'd like to feed into the committee?

 

I'd like to see it go to Kit, he's done a half decent job since he took over and he'd not cost anything!

At least Pulis does not seem to mentioned in the potentials: http://bit.ly/FulhamCandidates

 

Nothing to add, apart from "take your time". I think they already know who the majority of the fans want in.

 

I'd really like to see Kit get the job but I do have reservations. I think by the time we play Norwich he will have had a good enough run to test him. Good results against them and Middlesbrough will be an important indicator.

 

The job's as good as Kit's - we always stuff Norwich!

 

I'm trying to withhold judgement and wait to see what transpires but I'm not immediately comfortable with what seems like an extreme reaction to Magath - what happens if they reach a deadlock over candidates - does Khan have the deciding vote despite essentially acknowledging he hasn't a scooby on the football side.

I'd say give it to Kit for the remainder of the season and set a realistic mid table or better target, take the pressure off the young players and give them this year to gel and develop in a positive atmosphere. The fans will understand, we are fairly placid and just want to see things going in the right direction. I'd rather gradual progress than extreme solutions and unrealistic targets - we'll just end up in a cycle of failure otherwise.

 

My fellow 606ers... The season is too long and some results for the top teams are going the other way. Still too long and we can challenge it. Patience is needed!!

Is Kit the man? Depends on the next 2-3 games. If the teams gets 4-6 points from Bolton and Boro he will be very likely to stay!

 

Absolutely right SBM - do you carry any weight with your hero, given his new role in the five advisors?

 

Captain, don't worry. All 5 look on this forum anyway.

 

Did anyone listen to Danny talk about the panel on Talksport just now? Nothing hugely enlightening, a few choice cuts though;

Anyone on the panel is not in the running for the job (we probably already knew that).

Lots of factors to consider. Drawing up a short list first job and getting that list down to "single figures"

The Panel have already met. No set deadline but absolute longest would be 4-5 weeks. Danny says if Kit keeps winning there will be no search

Danny was in general very complimentary of both the idea of the panel and the panel itself. Lots of positive thoughts.

EDIT: Linky http://talksport.com/football/exclusive-murphy-rules-himself-out-running-fulham-top-job-141002116849

 

Lots of talk about an experienced Director of Football coming in to support Kit. What do you chaps think about this?

Me, personally, I think it'd be a great shout. An experienced head would go very far in the setup if it were to stay largely how it is. Perhaps an experienced assistant would be good too.

 

Don't have a problem with a DoF given Kit's relative inexperience ... so long as the roles are clearly defined. Hopefully lessons will be learned from the Rene/Wilkins/Curbishley period. Based on the earlier thread Curbishley is a front runner for the job although the rumours about Mowbray are now that this is in fact the job he is being considered for. Presumably this is the area of expertise that Nial Quinn will bring to the party.

I wouldn't agree with the panel appointing an assistant to Kit if they give him the Manager's job - if that's what you actually meant Bidley. If the Club trust him as Manager it would be wrong to foist an assistant on him; who he works with should be Kit's decision.

The current group he's brought with him - the U21 coach ?? (can't remember his name but he's the baldie one) and Mark Pembridge (the ginger one) are doing okay together. That wouldn't preclude someone like Danny Murphy joining them of course and Kit himself said pretty much on day one, that if he got the job full time Danny would be the first consideration in his agenda.

 

I'm sure Kit wasn't playing the politician with that, but given Danny's new status as one of the kingmakers he must be very glad he said that. More seriously, I agree with you that Kit should have the major say (though not necessarily the only say) in his choice of assistants.

Conversely, when the Keegan/Wilkins' dream ticket' was brought in, I remember Ray Wilkins commenting that he was in a rare position of managing players who he had recently played again, during his brief end-of-career spell for Orient. He said something along the lines of, 'I remember some of them who gave me a good kicking. They're probably regretting that now.'

 

I should've given the caveat that Kit's backroom should be his own, you're right. I agree with everything you say though.

 

It's definitely Kits to lose I think.

The process and strategy of having a panel of experts helping with the decision process is a great one. When the panel idea was suggested there was no reason to think that we go 3 games unbeaten and the Kit would do such a good job. I still think its a good idea to keep the process going though and with Kit at the helm we have a ship that's moving forward in an orderly and steady fashion. With a fair wind we'll move up the table. Any more ship analogies are welcome!

I also read in the Standard that Kit would leave if not given the job. I then re-read the article and he said he is lead to believe he will leave. What a crock of **** some people write!

 

There are various reports this morning that Billy McKinlay has left/been sacked/is about to leave Watford after two games in charge. The Guardian say that he's now favourite for the Fulham job:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/07/billy-mckinlay-to-leave-watford-manager-reports

Thoughts? It sounds plausible to me - he's worked with 3 of the gang of five, knows the club inside out, and I was a little bit surprised when he departed with Jol last season after nearly a decade of service. At the moment I would still prefer Kit to be given a chance, but Mckinlay has similar credentials and Jennings, McBride and Murphy will know better than me what one can offer that the other can't. Of course, McKinlay's apparent departure may have nothing whatsoever to do with the Fulham vacancy.

 

I rather suspect McKinley is tainted - rightly or wrongly - with the tail end of Jol's time. I'd be surprised if his inexperience as an actual number 1 didn't count against him. I have no idea why he's left Watford, but my guess (for what it's worth) is that this is coincidental timing, just like Micky Adams' recent departure from Port Vale.

 

I do hope that this selection panel gets it right in their managerial selection to provide the club with the motivation and pride to
see us not only climb the table but make a good footballing day out at the Cottage .
After the last 3 disaster's I feel sure that the route the club is now going down is the correct one, I agree with a previous posting that
whoever gets the job his assistants must be his selection., unless it turns out to be a dual appointment.