Myself like many fans am quite opinionated in my views, whether that be anything from team tactics to team selections. Along with this are discussions on anything to do with Gillingham FC, from Ground Development to views on lesser things such as the BRC. So generally we have shared many opinions but nothing has rattled my cage (so to speak) much more than this article... http://gillsconnect.com/s/Gills_New...S_SHOULD_TURN_DOWN_CHAIRMANS_KIND_OFFER.html? In one way it might be considered a good article because it has attracted an opinion. They are someone called iblue's opinion so I respect that, however, I completely disagree with the view. Quote: 'Walk away with what dignity a sacked manager can muster and follow the club he loves from his 4-4-2 Club bar along with his partner, and also dismissed First Team coach, Nicky Southall' End Quote. Now maybe the message was not meant in the way I have taken it, only the author can answer that. In my opinion Hessy has plenty of dignity and lots to offer, faith is not a one way thing, in when it suits the mood. Andy Hessenthaler has given his life and soul for this club and deserves greater respect. Thoughts...
I'm with you on this one. I feel there has been many disrespectful things written recently not just this article.
Other than the last paragraph I thought it was a reasonable article. What new manager of any worth wants his predecessor hanging around in the shadows? I was hoping the Gills would keep Hessy as manager but having now been sacked I hope Hessy decides to walk away and give the new manager his reign. There will be plenty of further managerial options coming his way. Many clubs would be delighted with back to back 8th place finishes.
brb - I don't think the article is disrespectful. Would anyone have much dignity if they have been sacked from a job ? I love Hess, but I don't think it would work if he was retained in a position that could clearly undermind the authority of the new manager - would you keep an ex-wife just to do the shopping ? The fact that Scally has made the unusual offer to Hess does strongly indicate the esteem in which Hess is held by Scally. We need a fresh start with the right man for the job - I don't particularly like Alex Ferguson - but you can't deny that he is an excellent manager in terms of winning. edit - I'm not suggesting that we might get SAF - BUT - we need the sort of manager that gets the job done and doesn't mind not being overly popular with anyone not connected to the club. (Di Canio)( Steve Evans )
Well hold on... How come not caring about what everybody thinks suddenly becomes acceptable when Stimson was slated by all and sundery for not relating to the fans, being strong with players, etc??
I am not sure fully what I want Hessenthaler to do as I would like him to stay but would he be in the way of the new manager as he needs to make his own decisions, Hessenthaler has been able to do that so why could a new manager not do the same, so therefore I am not sure.
BSG regrettably football doesn't appear to have much room for mushy sentiment - fans want instant success. Despite any criticism of Hess ( as a manager ), I doubt there is another Gills player that is / has been more loved. Stimson never had the luxury of playing for the Club - and was unable to build up a huge amount of goodwill with the fans - but most managers have not previously played for the team. Stimson is no different to a lot of football managers - sacked for 'failing'. He didn't help himself by not connecting with the fans. This deficiency in his communication skills was responded in a not unexpected fashion.
Always I think you are right, I pointed out the Stimson attitude being similar to SAF purely playing Devil's advocate. Though you mention results are king in football I think Stimson got stick even in the promotion season.
I am a bit confused by some of the responses to understand where people are coming from or what they mean. The trouble with message boards. I took a lot of stick on BBC606 for standing by Stimmo. Hessy was served a better dose of medicine than his predecessor from fans, so I escaped the unsavoury comments this time either that or not606 is a better place. Andy Hessenthaler was regarded as Mr Gillingham, not by me, I will always reserve that for Ron Hillyard. However, Andy deserves a role within Gillingham FC, in what ever capacity in the same way as Ron. Basically I want achievement and some passionate fixtures. I am the furthest from glory hunting in that same breath. If Hessy's job is to search out players throughout the structure what is wrong with that? As a manager in any job, there are always people in a chain of line above you. Do football managers attempt to take on to many duties anyway, especially with the instant media today. I expect some people to say I am wrong, that is the freedom of opinion, just wanted to explain where I am coming from. On a finer point, I felt a particular paragraph appeared disrespectful purely in my eyes and more personal than most that I had seen but hey I am sure I have said things deemed out of turn at times. Hessy failed but surely I do not have to explain his strong points, which I think the proposed role would bring. Still it creates debate, which message boards would be dead without. Opinions eh? ps. absolutely nothing to do with 'mushy' sentiment.
Sorry we got off topic a bit there. I don't think the article was disrespectful albeit the last paragraph was poorly written in my opinion. But I don't think Hess should take the job, if I was him, I would look elsewhere for a chance to improve myself and rebuild my managerial career, not that it is too badly damaged. To take the directors / director or football role we seem like accepting failure and taking a cushy position to avoid another challenge... But that could be just me
I think that Scally has been quite clever by offering Hess a position - that he ( Scally) probably expects that Hess will decline. In making the offer, Scally will gain some sympathy with the supporters of Hess - who he ( Scally ) has not just kicked out - a clever political move - which might back fire if Hess was to accept. Hess knows that he really can't accept the position for the reason I stated in my previous post. People have voiced their frustrations about the season / manager / team ( including myself ) I'm certain that any criticism of Hess has not reached anywhere near the proportions of insult that was reserved for Stimson - and I don't think too many people really care any more about Stimson if they are honest. ( certainly not in a mushy way )
dont think it would back fire if hess accepts as brb has said this position is taylored to hess's strenghts and therefore would suit him, just look at the players he brought to the club and players hes had a hand in bringing in (king etc). this would also mean we wouldnt have to bring in a manager with a proven track record of finding great players on the cheap or that is a hit with the majority of his signings, as i said in another thread. thus taking some pressure off the new guy IF he can work within this system. it wasnt too long ago that people were suggest we should give stimson on as scout for his ability to spot a player!! ok maybe not as many people!!
