http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11366206/Gary-Neville-The-era-of-the-gaffer-is-over.html Good stuff from Neville here.
The thing is, Saints' model might well be the way forward for football, but by the time anyone else gets to where we are now, we'll have moved on to a more advanced model still.
I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but given that Mr Reed has been with the club for some years how did Ramirez, Mayuka and Osvaldo get through the door? It's always been assumed that the first two were Corteze signings and the third on the recommendation of Pochettino. Was 'due diligence' put aside? Did Mr Reed point out that perhaps these transactions were not the 'Southampton Way' and if so to whom?
I agree with your guess, so it could be argued that the 'Southampton Way' has only been in existence for a year, but that the infrastructure to implement it was if not already there then nearing completion. I certainly did not get the impression that Pochettino was accountable to Les Reed. Perhaps the biggest difference since a year ago is the submergence of egos for want of a better phrase, authoritative rather than authoritarian leadership. Our CEO does not make public statements, it is left to the chairman, sporting director and coach to provide the public face. One other aside that fits well with me is that the first team captaincy is now fulfilled more diligently. It does seem over the past few seasons that referees have allowed/encouraged a more positive role for captains and there are definable interpersonal skills required in both being a team leader and a negotiator with match officials.
There were times when critics were slating Les Reed for being a "control freak", but in the circumstances, this was actually what we needed, I would imagine that if the Skates had had a similar person in their ranks, they would have weeded out all of the wrong 'uns and they would not be in the situation that they are in now. In a way with NC at the top Les Reed probably wasn't able to do everything he wanted, with Nicola gone he has apparently had a free hand and for us it has worked, the formula may not work for everyone, particularly if you have strong personalities with differing views, the secret seems to be down to those that can accept and join in the so called "Southampton Way" and March On together? Or is that too simplistic?
Whether having a Technical Director and Manager works depends on the personalities involved (as in all of life). Koeman has said how well he gets on with Reed, whereas he certainly didn't get on with Van Gaal. So all will be sunny as long as Les Reed doesn't bring a seat to the training ground and sit there taking notes and he doesn't sell players from under his manager. Mind you with the Black Box system, Les can sit in there watching via the cameras on all training pitches
So the black box chose Eljero, Pelle, and Tadic. I would have thought they were all Koemans choices, especially Elijero.
No, but it had an influence. Reed said near the start of the season that Koeman came to them suggesting Tadic and Pelle, then they were able to say 'Yep, we know about them.' and review them in the black box. Both players were well-known to the club and in the scouting system already.
The Black Box just accumulates info...Koeman suggests players and the info is all to hand. We haven't achieved AI yet The input of the manager also depends on the manager....there is so much respect for Ronald that his input is greater than if our manager was a lesser figure.
Yeah, the Black Box is just a codename for the room which houses all our scouting reports and data on one combined computer system. Then the staff get together there and review tactical briefs and potential targets.
And the first question Rednapp would ask is; "where does the brown envelopes fit into the selection process?"...
