So guys I’ve read all this next manager debate with interest. Seems few can agree on who would be a good choice -some even advocating skoobs because of a point at old Trafford. That point was Won with a battling performance but also one where we got an own goal and the opposition missed a stack of chances. Consensus was we played with a new freedom, but our articulate teenage Italian says we did nothing different. Let’s see how today goes.
We all watch games and see different things and we’re all subject to some degree of confirmation bias where we see what we want to see.
So my question to the forum with all this ongoing debate where managers are hailed or derided with sweeping statements is how qualified do you feel you are to judge what makes a good manager?
I get where you’re coming from but a few are obvious, for example, do you need any background in football knowledge to know Lampard would be a bad choice as would Sam Allardyce.
I haven’t an issue with Skubala and Armas steadying the ship until we get a permanent guy in, I think many are forgetting Skubala is not alone, he has Armas. With their coaching badges what would define Steve Gerrard as a better option.
I’m a big believer that everyone has that moment in time where it all just clicks, if you’re basically being judged for success at one club like Iraola is then it’s a gamble. Is he on the riding a wave of promotion high like Bielsa was with Leeds on our first season back.
I think you have to at least tick one of two boxes, experience of coaching in England with a bit of success even if that’s finishing mid table with a lesser team or 2-3 decent European sides with at least some success. I know that immediately contradicts myself to an extent with Gerrard but it rules out Iraola.
Gallardo needs to manage another European team for me to not consider him a huge gamble. South America is laden with poverty, every Argentinian kid wants to be the next Messi or Maradona, they’re willing to soak up every ounce of coaching, they live and breathe football.
Great example was Bielsa with average players in the Championship and how he transformed them because they were hungry. Bring in Llorente, Rodrigo and Raphinha and in no time they were going backwards, I honestly believe the cultural difference between coaching South American players and upper level European is vast.
A no for Gallardo but on another hand an exciting unknown, I’d not be unhappy. If we want him like I said elsewhere, bring his chosen coaches in now
The more I’ve thought about realistic targets it’s Nuno Santos for me if we can’t poach Thomas Frank.
