I couldn't care about Rafa trying to cover himself for his next job, he's actually done us a favour by declaring himself out of the running for manager next season - we can actually start looking ahead, dispel the bad vibes, and turning Stamford Bridge into the fortress it once was again.
So thinking ahead then, I want to raise the old debate as to whether Jose is the best of choices. My view is that Jose is not the right manager to take us forward.
i) While he is undoubtedly the best impact coach in the world, possibly there has ever been, you just know that he will just last another 2-3 seasons before it all starts going sour again. What we need is an end to this circus, not an exacerbation of it.
ii) There is absolutely no guarantee he will be a success the second time around - espcially with the type of players we have, compared with the type of players he normally has at his disposal.
iii) Then there's the youth aspect. Varane aside (who is a 19 year old that plays more like a 27 year old), he's not exactly known for his ability to bring through youth players is he? Given our burgeoning depth of talent at this level, he's exactly what we don't want in this regards.
iv) I'm not sure if his prior relationship with JT, Lamps and Cech would be a help or a hindrance - sometimes it's best just to start completely from scratch.
While I'll certainly not complain if we resign the Special One - I'll support him 100% - I really don't think he's the ideal choice. There are a lot of other managers out there that would be willing to risk a stint in our mad house for the chance to prove themselves with the fundamental quality of players we have.
1st time around, Jose was absolutely the right choice to take us up to the required level. 2nd time around, Jose is a choice akin to buying the shiniest toy in town with no thought as to whether there is a complementarity there. He's a lazy-minded choice, and we've been majorly guilty of this since RA took over. The thinkers choice is out there, and that is the challenge/job for the board to identify this person. Gourlay really needs to get this right, otherwise he'll be next for the chop no doubt.
(Mind you, I'd prefer Jose to Mancini, and anything is better than FSW!)
So thinking ahead then, I want to raise the old debate as to whether Jose is the best of choices. My view is that Jose is not the right manager to take us forward.
i) While he is undoubtedly the best impact coach in the world, possibly there has ever been, you just know that he will just last another 2-3 seasons before it all starts going sour again. What we need is an end to this circus, not an exacerbation of it.
ii) There is absolutely no guarantee he will be a success the second time around - espcially with the type of players we have, compared with the type of players he normally has at his disposal.
iii) Then there's the youth aspect. Varane aside (who is a 19 year old that plays more like a 27 year old), he's not exactly known for his ability to bring through youth players is he? Given our burgeoning depth of talent at this level, he's exactly what we don't want in this regards.
iv) I'm not sure if his prior relationship with JT, Lamps and Cech would be a help or a hindrance - sometimes it's best just to start completely from scratch.
While I'll certainly not complain if we resign the Special One - I'll support him 100% - I really don't think he's the ideal choice. There are a lot of other managers out there that would be willing to risk a stint in our mad house for the chance to prove themselves with the fundamental quality of players we have.
1st time around, Jose was absolutely the right choice to take us up to the required level. 2nd time around, Jose is a choice akin to buying the shiniest toy in town with no thought as to whether there is a complementarity there. He's a lazy-minded choice, and we've been majorly guilty of this since RA took over. The thinkers choice is out there, and that is the challenge/job for the board to identify this person. Gourlay really needs to get this right, otherwise he'll be next for the chop no doubt.
(Mind you, I'd prefer Jose to Mancini, and anything is better than FSW!)