02-03-2021, 08:04 AM
Whoever we appoint as our next manager should have ka minimum target of getting promoted within 2 years.
But then what? Whatever squad we may go up with would struggle the next year unless there was a huge cash injection. In the absence of that, we’d be straight back in a relegation battle and we’d probably sack the manager and start again. It’s madness.
Our next manager needs to be a proven coach, capable of getting the best out of players and making them better. He’s also got to be a motivator, good enough to get an extra 10% out of players (like a Dyche or Wilder did last year). He needs to have the ability to bring through Academy players and turn them into Premier League players. And he needs to have a strong international scouting network, because we simply can’t afford to compete in the Premier League transfer market and there’s far better value abroad.
Above all, we need to provide the next manager with the right mandate. Getting relegated from the Premier League will not cost him his job - he will be given the opportunity to get us straight back up (like Farke, and I suspect like Wilder and Parker, and probably Potter or Dyche). Being relegated is not a failure - we are a top 16-25 ranked club. Our size and stature is one of a club which will never be secure in the Premier League. Over a 5-year period the minimum expectation should be to have either 2 or 3 seasons in the Premier League.
Maybe that expectation changes if we land the right sort of major backer. Let’s assume that we don’t.
Let’s develop a style. Let’s have an Ashworth-type Director of Football linking the playing, coaching, scouting and academy. Let’s re-establish our DNA and get in proven past players who will reinforce that.
So let’s look at names for a shortlist. Appleton unquestionably. Paul Cook. Eddie Howe but I doubt he will come and I don’t think he’s quite the right fit. Would love Steven Gerrard but he’s destined for the Premier League. Steve Cooper from Swansea? Not sure. Nigel Pearson with Craig Shakespeare? Wouldn’t be the worst option but Pearson and longevity do not go well together. Appleton or Cook really stand out to me as the top candidates.
Assistants? I’d sure love to see Brunty and Jimmy involved. Darren Fletcher possibly. All a good link with Appleton. Scharner also in the mix.
Finding the right DoF is a massive challenge. Good ones are not easy to find. Thinking caps needed.
Let’s get our club back. But stop the short-term knee jerk thinking. We need a clear and proper rolling 5-year plan.
But then what? Whatever squad we may go up with would struggle the next year unless there was a huge cash injection. In the absence of that, we’d be straight back in a relegation battle and we’d probably sack the manager and start again. It’s madness.
Our next manager needs to be a proven coach, capable of getting the best out of players and making them better. He’s also got to be a motivator, good enough to get an extra 10% out of players (like a Dyche or Wilder did last year). He needs to have the ability to bring through Academy players and turn them into Premier League players. And he needs to have a strong international scouting network, because we simply can’t afford to compete in the Premier League transfer market and there’s far better value abroad.
Above all, we need to provide the next manager with the right mandate. Getting relegated from the Premier League will not cost him his job - he will be given the opportunity to get us straight back up (like Farke, and I suspect like Wilder and Parker, and probably Potter or Dyche). Being relegated is not a failure - we are a top 16-25 ranked club. Our size and stature is one of a club which will never be secure in the Premier League. Over a 5-year period the minimum expectation should be to have either 2 or 3 seasons in the Premier League.
Maybe that expectation changes if we land the right sort of major backer. Let’s assume that we don’t.
Let’s develop a style. Let’s have an Ashworth-type Director of Football linking the playing, coaching, scouting and academy. Let’s re-establish our DNA and get in proven past players who will reinforce that.
So let’s look at names for a shortlist. Appleton unquestionably. Paul Cook. Eddie Howe but I doubt he will come and I don’t think he’s quite the right fit. Would love Steven Gerrard but he’s destined for the Premier League. Steve Cooper from Swansea? Not sure. Nigel Pearson with Craig Shakespeare? Wouldn’t be the worst option but Pearson and longevity do not go well together. Appleton or Cook really stand out to me as the top candidates.
Assistants? I’d sure love to see Brunty and Jimmy involved. Darren Fletcher possibly. All a good link with Appleton. Scharner also in the mix.
Finding the right DoF is a massive challenge. Good ones are not easy to find. Thinking caps needed.
Let’s get our club back. But stop the short-term knee jerk thinking. We need a clear and proper rolling 5-year plan.