I rate him as a salvage job man, and a decent, mid-table manager. He’s not a top level guy though. The trouble is, I’m not sure of too many English managers around that you would think are (possibly the likes of Hughton and Howe deserve a shot, but were I a chairman, that feels like a massive risk).
Fat Sam has pretty much always done what he's been ask to achieve. I've never understood the criticism other than the fact he's a dodgy geezer off the pitch. 100% record with England too.
I think British-based vs non-British-based is a more appropriate dichotomy. I've got nothing against having a foreign manager, but it would be much more preferable if they were to have had several seasons of experience in British football.
Why is he not a top level guy though? Isn't it just that he's never been given the chance to manage at the top level, because everyone sees him as a "salvage man"? And why would employing Chris Hughton or Eddie Howe be any more of a risk than employing a manager untried in the PL?
Because of his style as much as anything. I mean Mourinho can be industrial, but Sam tends to take that on another level. Chairmen, as a rule, when spending that kind of money want entertainment as much as results. Hughton or Howe wouldn't be any more a risk than an unproven manager, but the Man City/Arsenal/Tottenham/United clubs don't tend to take unproven managers. Untried in the PL, yes, but certainly not unproven. Guardiola was untried in the PL, but you'd not consider him a risk particularly (I don't think). Similar with Conte. I'd love to see a Howe/Hughton/Dyche given a chance, I really would, but for a top four team it would be a risk. I don't think that can really be in question. Sam, I just don't think he's quite A grade (but that's just an opinion).
Yeah, I don't think Guardiola or Conte were particularly risky appointments. You could argue that Klopp was - and certainly Arsene Wenger, or Arsene Who?, as he was known when Arsenal first made the appointment. I think Allardyce (like Ronald Koeman) is a pragmatist. He'll adapt his style to the players at his disposal, which is why I'd like to have seen how he'd have got on with England. Maybe he will be the guy to take Everton to the next level - whatever that actually is.
I’m not sure Sam adapts his style to the players at his disposal really. I feel he fits what he has as best he can to his style.
How would you describe his style? He got a lot of criticism at west Ham for playing kick and rush, but I always felt that was unfair. He built a side there that were quick to turn defence into attack, and very difficult to play against - a bit like us under Koeman.
I’d be happy with Hughes staying on as manager next season. But if it’s in the championship he might get better offers from other premier league clubs.
If we go down and we offer Hughes the job and he turns us down it will say a lot about the ambition of the club. Hughes in my mind would be a great manager in the championship and if we still have any ambition left we are an attractive club for most managers.
Absolutely. When Fran 1st posted I was thinking Cortese wasn’t here then?, mistakenly assuming she was talking about on the way down. Much, much different from on the way up as you say & I’m not convinced of this squad nor board being able to achieve Champ top6.
Hughes turning down the job here will say something about him, but not really much about us. He may fancy another job or not fancy a season () in the Championship. Never get this talk about 'ambition'....every team wants to do well and get promoted....I very much doubt that the board's attitude is 'can't really be bothered.' I suspect many equate money with ambition...hardly fair as you have to cut your clothes to suit your cloth.
