What a ****ing joke. I'm definitely in the Sparky-hatred camp. I hope we get someone loyal and knock Villa for six next season. What is it about Villa? First Bent, now Sparky - both were arguably fine where they were, if not better off.
Morning All! So it seems that Hughes might be setting himself up for any of a number of options: Villa, Chelsea? Spurs? He and his team reckon they've done their job here and obviously have eyes on bigger/greener grass, just like JimmyB, Sir Roy. Unlike all most of the other managers we have had, Hughes will no longer be welcome here. The Club seemed to have tried their best to keep him, but are right to stop and move on. The damage was done last year when MH negotiated the one-year break clause, and we we desparate after the Jol fiasco. Latest odds: Martin O'Neill 4-1; Martin Jol 5-1; Dave Jones 5-1; Alan Curbishley 11-2; Roberto Di Matteo 6-1; Lee Clark 6-1; Steve McClaren 6-1; Carlo Ancelotti 7-1; Chris Hughton 8-1.
Morning... The Sun claiming it was lack of transfer fees for the lad Osvaldo at Espanyol....we put him back on the map. Hughes is still a mug.
Morning all... It always going to be some kind of excuse... Lack of money for transfers, ambitions of the club, etc. The point is that they are employees and can change jobs. The club needs to realise that and become more professional or smarter on the contract terms... But in the end who wants an employee who has no desire to be in his/her job?
Morning all, do you think the rolling one year contract is something MAF needs to look at for the next manager? I understand that he prefers them as he is not contracted to a huge payout if we fail during the season and sack the manager but surely we will be open to abuse if we sign people like Hughes who appear to wants to move on to 'better' things after the year...
Yes this is why I dont understand why he is staying till the end of June. Surely we need a new manager ASAP to get us ready for the European qualifying game. I guess it's not just as easy to make him walk when under contract
Rey Lewington to handle the first round of Europa...he can do that. Its more players that concerns me. I mean when are we going to Ship out? Surely contracts are up end of June...then the manager had approx 7 weeks to wheel and deal. Plus throw in any other possible Euro games...it will be tough
Morning all So here we are in the annual Fulham Football Club Guess the Identity of Our Next Manager Contest (with the emphasis on annual). I can't believe we're here again, espeically after my assertions in the last couple of days that MH wouldn't leave - shows what I know! I think my feelings are pretty much the same as everyone elses' - annoyance and insult - why did he think he was too good for us?! As others have said he's become a rare beast - a former Fulham manager who won't be welcome back at the Cottage. However, he's gone and at least he's gone quickly so we can now move on. I don't have much to add to everyone elses' comments on the contenders but we need someone that Hughes wasn't - a good manager and a good fit.
I must be getting old. I'm not at all surprised by this or upset by it. MAF needs to address the rolling contract issue if he wants stability with managers for our club. Everything is in place infrastructure wise, youth teams, facilities at Motspur etc so it's an easy sell I think to a good manager. There's a tendency to think that we're a nice club, good team, good CEO and that why would a manager want to leave but as with everything in life there's more to it than this. I don't believe transfer funds was an issue, I just think MH wants to move on and in turn earn a salary that he think befits his experience. Roll on the next few weeks and hope MAF and McIntosh pull in a right corker of manager with some Fulhamish in him!!
I liked the football we played under MH management. Attacking football especially at away games. We need a similar soft of manager. If the manager does not get some transfer funds to bring in some young players and in addition quality players will be a challenge to progress in Europe and PL. Remember the situtation under RH the second half of the season. May be that's what MH was scared of or who knows... Martin O'Neill and a few players the right combination. He can get the best out of youngsters and has an eye for talent. Also not scared to use them!
Yep Craving, I'm with you. I heard on 5 Live this morning that this whole thing is agent driven, and Hughes is not Villa's first choice. If true, that can only mean one thing surely, money in Hughes' and the agent's pocket. Maybe this is why Fulham have taken umbrage, although the club may just as well set him free now - what sort of responsibilities can Hughes have for the rest of the month? I trust, I believe, that we're getting on with appointing someone new, as this is a vital time for sorting out the squad. And as GS says, maybe we'll keep Gera (& Pantsil) after all and get rid of the hopeless Salcido.
I think there are only 3 managers that we should pick from. Gus Poyet, Martin O'Neil and Owen Coyle. No manager comes without his faults. Hughes had belief in poor players and was unloyal. Martin O'Neil can be demanding on the chairmen asking for more funds, Gus Poyet is untested at Premier league level and Owen coyle has never managed a Europa league side. I little rumour is that Maradona is in the running. Rubbish manager but he could probably get a lot of signings just with his name! Anyway. I think Martin O'Neil and Owen Coyle are the best candidates. O'Neil being easier to sign, Coyle easier to have a relationship with. Which do we go for? Not sure. If both are unattainable I think Poyet is the answer. Now, Martin Jol I hear you say? He failed to win the Dutch league with Suarez up front, finished behind Steve McClaren's Twente. I think that speaks volumes. Neither do i want the wally with the brolly. Come Al Fayed, I want a new manager this time next week.
I agree with FFC4L's analysis although I'd also throw Hughton's name into the mix. Did well at Newcastle in tricky circumstances and seems to have the Fulhamish qualities we're all looking for. MH's departure still rankles but, the more I think about it, I'm really quite excited by what lies ahead - much more than I was when Roy left when the future seemed full of trepidation rather than possibilities. New season, new manager, new European tour. As FFC4L (and others have said) we just need to get on with getting the right man in place quickly or I might stop feeling so positive.
Hughton did well but with a solid team with Andy Carroll coming through. I think he is a good manager but we could do better than Hughton. Maybe Hughton is a better option than Poyet? Could be. We'll see anyway. Obviously the dream candidate is David Moyes. Never going to happen but we can dream! I want a manager who has an attacking tradition, Martin O'Neil fits that bill quite well.
We need a manager who has ability & Fulhams interest at heart, and more so, someone with personality & charisma,which Hughes most certainly did not have.
just a little question with regards to attacking football at away games. How many games did we win last season away with the so called attacking mentality compared to the season before? I'm going to check now, I'll be back.
2008/9 we won 3 2009/10 we won 1 2010/11 we won 3 MH really did well! Honestly guys/girls don't get so uptight about it. We needed someone quickly last year, he was available, he wanted a break clause, we weren't in a position to refuse. the writing was on the wall really. We'll be alright. Keep the faith!
On the buying front apparently we have literally just signed an 18 year old from Everton called Tom Donegan. I'm afriad I've never heard of him but clearly someone down at Motspur Park is making some decisions today.
I doubt that Mo, who is used to dealing in a very cosmopolitan world, has time for anti-semitism especially in business. However, Grant's abilities (or lack of them) have nothing to do with his nationality - please not him! I'd love Ancelotti but he'd want a lotti in wages.
Cravin, All this waffle did MH do this or that. your article straight to the point re:his record nothing outstanding. Congrats" on your fact finding directness.
