Suppose it should be pointed out that AZ aren't such a "smaller team", they won the league the season before he took over and they were nowhere near when he left.
They finished 4th the season before he joined, 10th the season he was there and 6th the season after, that's not too encouraging.
I've said nothing but facts. The problem with this place is that pointing out anything remotely negative, even if it's just facts, is seen as pessimism to just be dismissed straight away.
I was joking...... Pochettino didn't do so well did he? Long as Koeman does well if he takes over I don't care about the past.
Pochettino did very well at first, tailed off significantly towards the end, but then it was his first job, Koeman had been in management for 7 years. Of course, by no means am I saying Koeman would be a disastrous appointment and I'd much prefer him to the likes of Malky Mackay and Tim Sherwood, I just wouldn't be nearly as excited by it as some people are, and there's certainly stuff worth thinking about more than "he's got impressive win percentages"
From reading up on it, it's hard to tell whether it was Koeman's fault or the players' and staff's fault for that season. It's certain that none of the players liked him, and apparently they admitted to ignoring his tactics and doing it their own way. He had Villa and Silva demanding to be sold, staff and boardroom members falling out and all sorts of ****. Sid Lowe in 2008: So the "viper's nest" suggestion could be a decent explanation. Then again, his time at Benfica wasn't fantastic either.
Does work to redeem him a little, but "Koeman has hardly helped himself" shows it's certainly not to be ignored. Plus, I'd not exactly say "he had players wanting to be sold" is irrelevant considering it could well be similar here.
Like Lovren (sorry had to be done) I wouldn't get overly excited for any manager coming in unless it's a (really) big name. It's not just about getting a new manager it's about if the board are willing to back him. Yes 2 or 3 players may go, but I wouldn't mind so much if the money is used to stregthen.
He didn't win them the league. I think that's enough to be disliked by their fans. Did win them a cup though. Same can be said for Valencia actually.
All you can expect of a manager is that gets the best from the team he has...no pointing in saying that manager X has a lower win % at Villa than manager Y managed at Chelsea. We are a good side, but although 8th was excellent, we should have finished higher. There is room for improvement without too many changes of personnel, so imagine what could be achieved with a few class players.
