I go away for one week leaving you kids in charge, and just look at the mess that I come back to! So, he's gone then. Apologies to anyone who took comfort in my much repeated 'Hughes will be here next season, don't worry' routine over the last few weeks. I'm a bit frustrated that this has happened ahead of a potentially difficult season. With (hopefully) all the Europa league games, it isn't a good time for someone who is getting to know a new set of players, and it isn't a time for an inexperienced manager. Let's hope we make an appointment as quickly as possible. That said, even when Sanchez was sacked mid-season, I recall that Al Fayed took a couple of weeks to unveil Roy, so I'm not holding my breath for any definite news in the next seven days. It's a fair call to criticise Hughes for lack of loyalty, but that's a two-way street. Most of us weren't being very loyal to him back in November and December when he was only a few months into a new job and working without his three best strikers. I can't help but wonder if what has happened over the last few days has its roots in the lack of support he got then. We'll probably never know. Who should we get? I've just been reading through the other threads, and there are two names I haven't noticed coming up: Claudio Ranieri is (I think) available at the moment and keen to come back to England. I always rated him and quite liked the bloke, even though he was at Chelsea. I think he'd be a good fit. The other option, which goes against everything I usually say about managers needing at least 5 years experience and preferably 10 before an established premier league club should take a punt on them, is Danny Murphy as player-manager. It would be dependent on Ray Lewington coming back into the first team squad as his assistant, to provide experience, but Danny has one thing that none of the other candidates has: he knows the current squad and (unlike Lewington) has been involved in first team training over the last season. If we want someone to be the 'continuity candidate', then Danny is the man. Maybe it's too soon though. I'd love to see Danny manage Fulham, but maybe it should be in ten years or so time. Of the names already being bandied about, I have reservations about Jol, but purely because of last summer's antics. Judging it just on his football record, he'd be a strong appointment. I have reservations about O'Neill and am surprisingly positive about McLaren, which is the exact reverse of what I would have written two years ago. Anyway, it was a lovely holiday until Thursday night when I heard the news. Nice to be back.
I'm glad you said that about McLaren, Captain. I mentioned him on another thread and the response was along the lines that most people would rather not, thank you all the same. I am with you on this, I have to say. I think he earned his stripes back in Holland and although his time in Germany wasn't great I point to his days with 'Boro and how steady they were under him - reaching a cup final and doing well in Europe.
Not for me thanks. I couldn't bear his attempt at a West London accent, it'd be Mary Poppins all over again. I like the sound of Claudio Ranieri though.
Oh yes, forgotten about the "dutch accent" debacle. Ranieri would be excellent - better than McLaren without a doubt.
Ranieri would be a good shout, be nice to see old Tinkerbell back in the PL. He's got that Fulhamish manner about him if memory serves.
Welcome back Captain Mogs! So, in addition to the 2 Martins we have 2 "Fulhamish" guys in Rafa and Tinkerman. I'll take any of these four, but McLaren is not for me. Since we are getting into this annual summer manager change talk, permit me an off-the-wall idea: Jose can't takeover from Fergie until next summer, so if he wants to get himself reacquainted with the Prem, he could spend a year with us. Think about it - The ultimate in Fulhamish!
I too have been away for a few days (sadly not on vacation), I came across this news on television in a pub and nearly spilled my pint. I couldn't hear the TV but as soon as his face came up, I knew what had happened. To say I'm angry is an understatement. I'm sure there are an awful lot of us who feel betrayed by a man who constantly professed his loyalty to stay here one more season at least. Anyways onwards and upwards. I'd take eithert MON or Jol, Hughton and Martinez at a push, McClaren and Curbishley no thanks.
Thanks for the welcome, one and all. GeraScores, I'm not sure I would see Rafa as Fulhamish. He's too sulky and stroppy for my liking. Of all the foreign managers mentioned, he is bottom of my wish list - and that's a fact.
I think one person can really take the job: Martin Jol, good experience and win record. Knows the English game and is smart enough to know Fulham is a good club to stay at. Promotes free flowing attacking football, which with our defence, would be a smart move. He would buy attacking as well. I consider him to be a good mid-ground between Hodgson and Hughes. Which is precisely what we want. In my opinion the job goes to no-one else. Just got to hope he doesn't play us for saps again angling for the Villa job...
It may be a cross our club has to bear in being a stepping stone for 'ambitious' managers. It may be, but looking at Jol's antics last summer I'm worried it's a given for him.
Rocks We have to face facts. We cannot afford to splash out the money on lavish players, and we can't afford to give them stellar wages. To be honest with you, I'm a little surprised that Hangeland has remained here this long. There really is no such thing as loyalty in football anymore.
"There really is no such thing as loyalty in football anymore." Totally agree and you've seen me write the same many times - apart from us fans of course, we generally follow a team for life and clubs reward us poorly for it. However, we need to keep a manager for more than a season, the reasons are obvious.
I don't see any way in which a manager can be a success with us and be content at the club. Hodgson was a nobody when Al Fayed brought him in. After he had achieved success, he wanted to better himself. The only ways in which I cannot see a manager leaving to further himself are if the manager does not do well, or we become a more successful team.
'I saw that briefly and though I had been mentioned. Disappointing' Bandy, sorry to raise your hopes like that. Maybe it was subliminal. After all, as Elvis said, you are always on my mind! Anyway, read on, because this time I really am referring to one of your arguments. I aim to please: 'Hodgson was a nobody when Al Fayed brought him in.' Hardly! Hodgson was hugely respected all across Europe when Al Fayed brought him in. He was a bit of a nobody to the average English fan because the many many trophies he won were in unfashionable leagues, but it you look at his record of league and cup wins, he puts most Premier League managers to shame. I don't buy the argument that Fulham put Hodgson (or Hughes, for that matter) on the map. Both of them enhanced their reputations, sure, but both of them already had plenty to boast about on their respective CVs.
We need a relatively low key manager. i feel we are a club with the ability to constantly perform well. Therefore, if we perform well under a well-known and respected manager, Like both Roy and Mark, then they will take the plaudits. This will undoubtably lead to bigger clubs wanting them, and they will leave. This could be a problem, perhaps, with Jol too. He is well-known and has been around for a while. Perhaps we need to go low key?
