Ed I'm not so sure Quique failed. He did what was asked. He built a squad that still had many problems but was making progress. Some of those players have shown improvement but I do not put that down to WM. Yes end of season results were poor but was the only answer to fire the manager?
Quique at the end had a year of prem experience. So the Quique at the end was not the Quique that started. Nonetheless we decide we want better so we say thanks Quique and good luck. Perhaps we could have looked at the issues and addressed them building for the future?
The problem is we now choose a replacement who is like Quique at the start. How is that progress? I cannot see anything in WM's CV that is better than Quique's was at the end.
And eventually (if they haven't already done so) the Pozzos will choose someone who gets us relegated.
Of course there is always risk and there are no crystal balls (if there were we wouldn't get passionate about our beloved 'orns

).
I guess my issue is that when SD went to Burnley he had a long term plan and he said that Burnley bought into that. The results are obvious. To me Gino has no long term plan beyond treating managers like players. By cheap and hope a few become good and you can sell them on at a high price. That works with a squad of players. Can't see it working with a lone manager.
I'm getting depressed now. Where's the wine bottle