And yet the Russian still sacks the manager - what a thankless bunch. Di Matteo should leave now, it looks like he is not going to get the reward for rescuing the season because he isn't a big enough name.
On the continent, because managers come and go on what I've referred to as a "this is our squad, see what you can do with it" basis, the Director of Football is the person who "maintains" the strength and continuity of the playing staff. And since, by and large, this model is accepted by continental manager-coaches, you don't get the tensions that arise in this country when a traditional "I want total control" manager finds himself having to work with, or as he almost always come to see it, against, a Director of Football. Within a league, different clubs may approach things one way or the other; the problems arise when you structure the club in the continental way and then appoint a traditional English system manager. The interesting question is which way things are going in the Premier League. That will be decided by finance, not football.
Just to illustrate my point about managing on the continent, Claudio Ranieri, who reportedly has been interviewed by West Brom, left Chelsea in 2004. Since then he has managed Valencia, Parma, Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan! In this country, we would be asking "How on earth did he get appointed to any of those jobs if his average tenure is under two years? But then you look at the clubs in that list and think "Well clearly he's no mug". Answer: that's the continental way. Interesting that West Brom are considering appointing him, but let's see what actually happens.
Super, wonderful, lovely chap with a wonderful, super, lovely, super, wonderful attitude, super, really pleased for a super chap. Except he's a drink driver.
Like everyone else great idea for a thread. I think managers have gained a more power over the clubs as we're now seeing clubs actively trying to sign up managers owners flying out to meet people etc. A premiership job years ago would have managers lining up to take it, right now people don't seem interested job security is a major factor, as most mangers don't have the success which is desired by their employers, on top that it's calling on a massive commitment from the manager and their family to relocate only to move on two years later.
