Well aye. He was head coach and seen the team relegated. It's a massive shout to have him as head coach of Sunderland when he has sent Lorient to the 2nd tier.
Looking at the timing of everything, I suspect the following: Maric - 1st realistic choice and possibly offered the job but then we backed out when Still became available. Still - Actual 1st choice, negotiations went on too long and he ****ed us over. Then the next batch of interviews; Jansen, Le Bris & Rosenior. Jansen - 1st interview but not a good fit for either of us. Rosenior - A couple of interviews and we wanted him back for more discussions but he wanted to delay. Le Bris - Interviews passed, hired. Complete guesswork but I don't think we ever got as far as officially talking to Cifuentes, Heckingbottom wasn't really in the running and Svenson, Challinor and Robinson were just media myths.
I think you're probably about right there. I don't think Heckingbottom would have been considered because I don't think his profile fits. I reckon Cifuentes was probably under serious consideration and I wouldn’t be surprised if Challinor was seriously looked at but not realistic due to the reaction he would provoke.
At least he is coming to a 2nd tier side but it must be even worse then for Bayern Munich fans then??
I don't read much into the comments would be the same for any manager who got the team relegated. To balance you probably need to see fans comments after his first season. It does seem a big gamble though. Trying to be upbeat and will obviously support him but not 100% convinced as yet Initially I was massively underwhelmed But reading a bit about him I can see the logic and he has a lot of admirers especially after that first season. However I've spent an hour or so in the garden today browsing some of L'Orients game highlights (v Sad) and I hate to say this but I wasn't too impressed with his tactics. Just seemed the opposition controlled the games and most goals scored with individual flair on the break. Obviously some exceptions. But they also seemed to concede loads of chances. Only highlights of course and maybe I should stay away from the internet but would love one of the coaches or scouts on here to give me their views of his tactics
Think that’s reasonable mate. Actually don’t think we were down to the 5th 6th choice if I’m honest. Think still was the main choice but RLB was always a realistic contender
That sounds as realistic as anything I've seen. I was told Still was offered the job, still believe that. Someone else told me Cifuentes was being interviewed, not sure I believe that now. I think it was Le Bris and the talk of compensation made the lad believe it was Cifuentes. What I was told and am certain of is that the office of a London solicitor was used for interviews and meetings. The chap who told me that is sound and way above my pay grade so wouldn't even think about impressing me. What intrigues me, and I really hope it's true, is that I was told part of the interview process was to ask each candidate for a ten man wish list of players they'd want to sign. I remember punters, at Rock City, begging me for the 'set list' bands would tape to the stage floor and I'd think 'bless' that's daft but quite sweet. This chap said he'd found a 'player wish list' in the waste bin of the office so I naturally asked him to send a photo of it. I found myself having a mini-paddy and virtually begging him, he refused point blank ... then I realised how much like the 'groupies' I must've looked. This fella isn't interested in football so I must have looked like a daft kid holding up a piece of cardboard begging for Saka's shirt Still think he was being totally unfair though, tosser
Am sure not but as head coach it is fair to say he has played a big part in their relegation. Hope he does well here mind.
He wouldn't even give me a hint ffs! To be fair he's attached to a legal team that once won a case for Mike Ashley, against Niall Quinn, so not in his interests to jeopardise his job for someone he hasn't seen in eight years
It was over a very boozy dinner at a villa in SW France I was managing. He'd rented it, with some BBC executives and they invited me and Mrs Smug to join them. The conversation came round to football and he started grinning when I mentioned Sunderland. He did explain the court case but, in all honesty, I didn't really understand it all. I sometimes wish I could remember all these stories but they all get mixed up and lost in time.
Surely people aren’t surprised the fans of the club he’s just got relegated with are pleased he’s going? what do we think the reaction would have been to Moyes sacking from Sunderland fans? It didn’t make Moyes a bad manager and he was a good appointment for West Ham. likewise it doesn’t make Le Bris a bad manager.
