New Head Coach

[Magnus]

Shows what I know about French football haha. It might be a job he can’t turn down then, hopefully it’s all paper talk etc

if this isn't going to happen seriously question marks with all them for me, and can't just blame speakman on this one KLD has been front and centre with it

if it doesn't happen this will be the 3rd time we've ****ed up are main target. i'm all for the owners but this one will proper put a dent in the confidence, even if the get someone better on paper, it would still be a **** up with the main target,

 

[TopCat.]

Agree with that.

I am starting to question how much Speakman is bringing to the table. Can't help it.

Think seeing that Ben Knapper just go out and get his man has filled me with envy.

Might be overreacting but I'm a bit tired of advocating for patience with him when it's starting to feel like maybe he isn't doing enough.

I need a drink.

I don't buy into this "102 days" bullshit, but the club hasn't helped itself by letting it drag on 4 weeks since the end of the season. If it's Still then fine, if it's someone else then also fine but just get it done.

 

[Late goal Scorer]

Ha I’ve limited knowledge of French football, here’s hoping it’s already agreed with us.

My worry is it is agreed but Lens cropped up pre announcement ( possibly as mooted couldn’t announce contractually because of Reims “contract”) and Still has said he’s keen to go there despite agreeing everything with us. Letting him do so is a disaster in many respects but possibly less disastrous than forcing him to stick to the contract, especially given his unhappiness with Reims for doing similar.

 

[Brainy Dose]

Norwich's Ben Knapper feels free-er than Speakman, from the outside at least. He was able to go out and get his man,

Has Speakman? Because we keep hearing KLD is the one who wants Still. It suggests a bit of a mess.

Now, I don't necesarilly think Speakman going out and getting his man is a good thing seeing he thought Beale was his man. But if thats the case, he shouldn't be in the job.

Which is something @SourPatch2 has been banging on about for over a month, frankly.

I think Speakman is working to directives from the owners. Yes,Beale was a mistake and not wishing to make a repeat may well be the reason for the perceived delay in appointment.

 

[Disco down under]

I don't buy into this "102 days" bullshit, but the club hasn't helped itself by letting it drag on 4 weeks since the end of the season. If it's Still then fine, if it's someone else then also fine but just get it done.

102 days is nonsense.

We had an interim manager for most of that time. Simple as that. But yeah, that time should, you would hope, have given us some sort of head start in succession planning.

It is starting to feel like it hasn't. Which is just disheartening.

 

[Southern A]

My worry is it is agreed but Lens cropped up pre announcement ( possibly as mooted couldn’t announce contractually because of Reims “contract”) and Still has said he’s keen to go there despite agreeing everything with us. Letting him do so is a disaster in many respects but possibly less disastrous than forcing him to stick to the contract, especially given his unhappiness with Reims for doing similar.

If Still was coming to us until Lens contacted him and is now changing his mind (which is fair enough until its signed), then I at least hope we kept a back up "warm" rather than stood down.

In theory if Still going to Lens is as close as Equipe suggest, then it could be we move to our backup option and things move very quickly now.

 

[Late goal Scorer]

if this isn't going to happen seriously question marks with all them for me, and can't just blame speakman on this one KLD has been front and centre with it

if it doesn't happen this will be the 3rd time we've ****ed up are main target. i'm all for the owners but this one will proper put a dent in the confidence, even if the get someone better on paper, it would still be a **** up with the main target,

Begs the uncomfortable question are they setting the bar too high and just not being realistic in who they want? Going for coaches with genuine interest from top flight clubs in European competition is always going to be a tough sell for a championship club.

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

Interesting post from Hawyatt Earp imo

'The fact of the matter is, Will Still is the litmus test of this ownership group and its ambition.

Whether he’s successful or not is irrelevant at this moment. The fact that he’s clearly been KLD’s number 1 choice since Mowbray left and now that he’s free and available and obviously interested enough to travel to the North East twice, Kyril simply cannot afford to fail to get him.

For me, if we fail to get him onboard it’s a clear sign we’re going nowhere under these owners and it’s time for them to sell up. If they do get him. And more importantly back him, then maybe, just maybe they can get us back to the Premier…'

I agree with some of that. I’m still hoping we have a chance but it’s sounding increasing unlikely. Will Still was always leaving Reims this summer and was always our top target. We’ve pissed around for too long and we’ll end up settling for f*cking crap if we don’t get him. We don’t even have to pay compensation. A normal club would give their top target what he wants to secure him, not Sunderland though. One more poor season and this “5 year PL plan” is in bits.

 

[TopCat.]

If Still was coming to us until Lens contacted him and is now changing his mind (which is fair enough until its signed), then I at least hope we kept a back up "warm" rather than stood down.

In theory if Still going to Lens is as close as Equipe suggest, then it could be we move to our backup option and things move very quickly now.

We've seen with the likes of Bayern, that appointing a manager isn't easy - imagine having to go to your 8th choice when you are a top European club?
Having said that, it's going to be disappointing if they've thrown all their eggs in the Will Still basket. I've got to home the club aren't that naïve

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

We've seen with the likes of Bayern, that appointing a manager isn't easy - imagine having to go to your 8th choice when you are a top European club?
Having said that, it's going to be disappointing if they've thrown all their eggs in the Will Still basket. I've got to home the club aren't that naïve

Bayern headhunt other clubs managers though so they have to negotiate with another club, we’re chasing a free agent and we’ve still fluffed it by the sounds of it.

 

[SourPatch2]

Norwich's Ben Knapper feels free-er than Speakman, from the outside at least. He was able to go out and get his man,

Has Speakman? Because we keep hearing KLD is the one who wants Still. It suggests a bit of a mess.

Now, I don't necesarilly think Speakman going out and getting his man is a good thing seeing he thought Beale was his man. But if thats the case, he shouldn't be in the job.

Which is something @SourPatch2 has been banging on about for over a month, frankly.

I think it would influence the decision of the potential head coach if he wasn't Speakmans choice considering the head coach would be dealing with KS a lot more than he would be with KLD.

If KLD doesn't trust KS to do his job then he should be replaced. If KLD does trust KS then he should be allowed to do his job.

I doubt Delia was involved in Knapper appointing Thorup.

 

[CR17]

If it’s not to be Still, they can salvage it with an exciting appointment. It’s the wait that’s the key for me. Appoint Rosenior/Heck and it’s evident that they they’ve failed to appoint the man they wanted - as those lads could have been in weeks ago. The wait now needs to be worth it.

I wish the Raphael Wicky report was true, it sold me a dream

 

[TopCat.]

Bayern headhunt other clubs managers though so they have to negotiate with another club, we’re chasing a free agent and we’ve still fluffed it by the sounds of it.

"fluffed it"

See, this is the problem with our fanbase

 

[Late goal Scorer]

If Still was coming to us until Lens contacted him and is now changing his mind (which is fair enough until its signed), then I at least hope we kept a back up "warm" rather than stood down.

In theory if Still going to Lens is as close as Equipe suggest, then it could be we move to our backup option and things move very quickly now.

That’s true, my worry is that it was signed but Still got a “better” offer in the immediate period afterwards and has asked to be allowed to pursue that. Means the 2nd choices would already have been rejected.

 

[Smug in Boots]

Bayern headhunt other clubs managers though so they have to negotiate with another club, we’re chasing a free agent and we’ve still fluffed it by the sounds of it.

And there's the problem with all this speculation ...

... virtually nothing from the media and absolutely nothing from the club.

For all we know everything is in hand.

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

"fluffed it"

See, this is the problem with our fanbase

Or you could argue the problem is that the other side are absolutely desperate to protect the owner and they’ll pretend we were never interested in anyone bar whoever we actually bring in and brush it all off as rumours.

 

[Late goal Scorer]

Bayern headhunt other clubs managers though so they have to negotiate with another club, we’re chasing a free agent and we’ve still fluffed it by the sounds of it.

Sought after by top flight clubs with European competition next season. I think fluffed it is a harsh interpretation of missing out in those circumstances.

 

[Comfy]

That’s true, my worry is that it was signed but Still got a “better” offer in the immediate period afterwards and has asked to be allowed to pursue that. Means the 2nd choices would already have been rejected.

If this happened then it says he wasn’t interested in us in the first place so he can go do one for me. I want someone who is 100% focused on my club and not with one eye elsewhere. Plenty of good coaches out there who would come and give it their all

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

And there's the problem with all this speculation ...

... virtually nothing from the media and absolutely nothing from the club.

For all we know everything is in hand.

I hope so mate. I’ve waited long enough to take my side on it, I think we’ve all been patient enough now and it’s getting to the point where it’s looking like we’ve ballsed it up.

 

[TopCat.]

Or you could argue the problem is that the other side are absolutely desperate to protect the owner and they’ll pretend we were never interested in anyone bar whoever we actually bring in and brush it all off as rumours.

There is a middle ground.

Let's say we approach Still as our No.1 target. He agrees in principle, but with his contractual situation at Reims he cannot sign for anyone until 1st June. Everything is agreed, then Lens swoop in with a better offer, a Champions League budget and the real prospect of European football so Still changes his mind and goes to Lens.

Have the club still "fluffed it"?