Topic: Why should a top manager consider coming to Liverpool Football Club?

[stuarta]

What we need is some-one who has experience of taking a fallen giant, say Valencia, and turning them into title winners. It must be more than once, just to show it's not a fluke. He also needs to be able to work with a DOF who may buy him furniture when he needs kitchen utensils. He also needs to be able to work to a budget, yet be able to unearth some real gems - Alonso, Reina, Skrtel, etc. And he must be tactically astute and know what it takes to win the biggest trophies, such as the Champions League.

Any ideas?

......Nothing yet? :-)

[L666KOP]

What we need is some-one who has experience of taking a fallen giant, say Valencia, and turning them into title winners. It must be more than once, just to show it's not a fluke. He also needs to be able to work with a DOF who may buy him furniture when he needs kitchen utensils. He also needs to be able to work to a budget, yet be able to unearth some real gems - Alonso, Reina, Skrtel, etc. And he must be tactically astute and know what it takes to win the biggest trophies, such as the Champions League.

Any ideas?

Yeah, that's easy.

Pol Pot.

[redmark]

No they're not, but the model being discussed is whether we need/want an 'all in' manager or a coach who coaches what he given by the technical type scout director of football general manager.

Agreed, though I think the manager/coach still has more input than being "given" players to work with. Why as Liverpool fans are we dismissive of English football analysis, overhyped English players and tactically naive English management and laud all things continental, but then we shy away from a continental management and player acquisition structure and insist that the manager must have full control and be expected to sign off every decision and youngster across the club?

[Regi]

not really all true though.
their methods have sort of worked with their current clubs.

have to dispute martinez on that though.

rodgers did not do well with reading.

its way too early to predict if these two will really be the real deals.

would be really stupid to put them in this pressure cooker.

Let me ask you quickly:
What had Klopp done before Dortmund?
What had Rafa done before Valencia?
Same thing for De Boer and Ajax, Guardiola and Barca, Conte and Juve, Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas and Porto.

All the great managers have to start somewhere and most of them have some sort of disappointment or failure on their CV.
That's how you learn.
But they only become great managers when a big club takes a chance on their potential and gives them a shot.
There are obviously no guarantees but there are no guarantees with big names either...they just represent a bit less of a risk.
It's certainly not 'really stupid', especially when you have little other choice.

Let's be clear here...we are running out of candidates and it looks like Rafa isn't going to be an option unless no-one else wants it, which would be the worst of insults for the great man.
FSG need to really think here.
They, and the new general manager (whoever that may be), will presumably be interviewing these people trying to work out who has the best vision for getting Liverpool back into the top 4.
As we don't have the money to spend of Man City, United, Chelsea or Arsenal, that plan is going to involve considerable Academy integration.
If, for example, Martinez goes in there and knocks them over with innovative ideas on how to improve the conveyor belt of talent from the Academy, and how best to get all the teams playing the same way, and he gets the job, then he will have earned it.

Fuck all this arrogant bullshit about who we should be turning our nose up at.
Ian Ayre's laughable garbage last week about every manager wanting the job has been shown up for what it was...embarrassing nonsense, and it massively damaged our chances of getting the first choice, who was more than likely one of the guys who has already said no. It made the whole process a laughing stock.

We aren't that atractive a proposition for managers...the number that have turned down the interview should show you that.
I don't particularly care if it's Martinez, Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas, Laudrup, Lambert, Rodgers, Sa Pinto, Girard, Favre or whoever.
I just want us to get the guy with the best ideas and back him with enough money to give him a realistic chance of success.
That, in our current predicament, is the very best we can hope for

[hugoboss]

no because he will need the change the squad, otherwise current squad will either leave or get very old and die then we would have no players. its a shit system full stop the end shit.

A shit system used by most top clubs in Europe. They even manage to use this system to unearth players and sell them at large profits to English teams who have refused to use their shit system.

[Romford_Red]

So would FSG give their manager more funds to build his vision?

2011/2012
Purchased           Fee                          Sold                       Fee   
                         
Henderson          £16,000,000            Konchesky             £1,500,000       
Adam                   £7,000,000             Mavinga                 £1,000,000       
Doni                     Free                        Bruna                     £750,000       
Downing              £20,000,000           Jovanovic               Free       
Enrique                £6,300,000             Ayala                     £800,000       
Coates                £7,000,000              Insua                    Free       
Bellamy               Free                        Kyrgiakos               Free       
Bijev                    Signed                    Poulsen                 £1,000,000       
Ward                   £100,000                 Ngog                     £4,000,000       
Meireles              £12,000,000            Ince                       Free       

Total Buys: £56,400,000            Total Sales: £21,050,000       Net:  £35,350,000

Hold on, Meireles bought by KD?
I think not.

Edit: Ahh, I see you corrected that.

[Resurrected]

Agreed, though I think the manager/coach still has more input than being "given" players to work with. Why as Liverpool fans are we dismissive of English football analysis, overhyped English players and tactically naive English management and laud all things continental, but then we shy away from a continental management and player acquisition structure and insist that the manager must have full control and be expected to sign off every decision and youngster across the club?

Not all of us are dismissive of english football. Over the last ten years we've probably had more clubs in CL finals than any other nation. And let's face it - the mancs haven't done too bad with an english spine in their team.

[GBF]

at the moment the only reason to come to liverpool is because beer is cheaper than in London otherwise you would be a crazy to come if you dont know who will be the people in this organisation

[TheYashLFC]

A bit of a sidetrack but I think we should all be wary of FSG's financial plan - the owners want us to be self sustaining, I don't expect them to put any more of their own money in and any transfer kitty will still be self generated. But we are hundreds of millions of pounds behind on the pitch and off the pitch from competing with the other prem big clubs. Somethings got to give either on the footballing side or off the pitch, it just won't add up.

The new manager is going to have to punch above his weight, keep finding cheap gems whilst getting in the champions league. The odds are tough, really tough.

I'm a little confused as to how much our owners put in (financially) in this club. Apparently they invested heavily on player contracts at the Red Sox and some of my friends keep telling me they will spend what needs to be spent in order to be the best. They really mean it when they say they want to win so that's a bit of optimism on FSG I guess.

[hugoboss]

Agreed, though I think the manager/coach still has more input than being "given" players to work with. Why as Liverpool fans are we dismissive of English football analysis, overhyped English players and tactically naive English management and laud all things continental, but then we shy away from a continental management and player acquisition structure and insist that the manager must have full control and be expected to sign off every decision and youngster across the club?

Too true, even if their duties are divided they will most likely work together on figuring out what the squad needs and which players will be best. People on here talking up Guardiola I wonder what the response would have been if we tried to hire him before he took over Barcelona's first team.

[plasterered]

A shit system used by most top clubs in Europe. They even manage to use this system to unearth players and sell them at large profits to English teams who have refused to use their shit system.

it wont work especially if the scout is Ian ayre.

I would suggest the managers in europe identify the targets/wishlist before the worker ants do all the rest just having a manager for a final interview is stupid. Do they brief them in europe an hour before the "final interview" on who it is they are even interviewing

[Shabby]

Agreed, though I think the manager/coach still has more input than being "given" players to work with. Why as Liverpool fans are we dismissive of English football analysis, overhyped English players and tactically naive English management and laud all things continental, but then we shy away from a continental management and player acquisition structure and insist that the manager must have full control and be expected to sign off every decision and youngster across the club?

You could slightly understand why a manager in this country would get put off by such a system though. After all he would be competing against managers who get total control in the players they sign (for the most part) and who also have their own backroom staff. He'd be at a disadvantage as he would have to work with what's been provided and if the shit goes down he'll still be the one to take all the flak.

[Resurrected]

I just want us to get the guy with the best ideas and back him with enough money to give him a realistic chance of success.

Of the candidates available, that has to be Rafa Benitez. The problem is that we know that isn't going to happen.

[L666KOP]

Agreed, though I think the manager/coach still has more input than being "given" players to work with. Why as Liverpool fans are we dismissive of English football analysis, overhyped English players and tactically naive English management and laud all things continental, but then we shy away from a continental management and player acquisition structure and insist that the manager must have full control and be expected to sign off every decision and youngster across the club?

 

Easy, because the british players have more heart and passion, and whilst jonny foreigner may be able to do more keepy uppys and step overs he doesn't have the stomach for a cold wet night at the Brittannia.

Seriously though, it depends what remit the DOF (we'll call him for ease of explanation) is given, if he's there just to gather scouting reports and then go and scout the stand out ones himself before passing his findings on to the manager that's okay.
Or does the manager say to the DOF I want a leftback that can be adaptable enough to play as a wingback in a 352, or as an orthodox leftback in a 442, and the DOF is trusted to go and find that player?
If it's the latter, unless the manager and DOF have worked together for a long time the system will be very hit and miss. Lot's of trust needed and knowing what each other wants, and more importantly 'sees' in the players he's watching.

[El Ninos Black Eye]

Well it's nearly time for the journo's to get tomorrows stories out. Wonder whose turned it down now and who'll be linked next. You never know we could pull someone out the bag from Japan who we never heard of, like Arsenal did with Wenger. Fuck this place would implode. Have to laugh or I'll cry. 

[Kite]

We'll struggle to get a "top" manager at the top of his game or peak in his career.  There are many more attractive clubs out there.  Thats the harsh reality.  Which is why we should go for a younger prospect.  And by this I don't mean Martinez.  I think we'll get Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas.  His record at Porto was amazing, undefeated, league and Europa Cup... compare to Martinez who basically avoided relegation. 

Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas's Chelsea career was fucked when he couldn't get the old guard onside and lost the dressing room. 

[redmen77]

Let me ask you quickly:
What had Klopp done before Dortmund?
What had Rafa done before Valencia?
Same thing for De Boer and Ajax, Guardiola and Barca, Conte and Juve, Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas and Porto.

All the great managers have to start somewhere and most of them have some sort of disappointment or failure on their CV.
That's how you learn.
But they only become great managers when a big club takes a chance on their potential and gives them a shot.
There are obviously no guarantees but there are no guarantees with big names either...they just represent a bit less of a risk.
It's certainly not 'really stupid', especially when you have little other choice.

Let's be clear here...we are running out of candidates and it looks like Rafa isn't going to be an option unless no-one else wants it, which would be the worst of insults for the great man.
FSG need to really think here.
They, and the new general manager (whoever that may be), will presumably be interviewing these people trying to work out who has the best vision for getting Liverpool back into the top 4.
As we don't have the money to spend of Man City, United, Chelsea or Arsenal, that plan is going to involve considerable Academy integration.
If, for example, Martinez goes in there and knocks them over with innovative ideas on how to improve the conveyor belt of talent from the Academy, and how best to get all the teams playing the same way, and he gets the job, then he will have earned it.

Fuck all this arrogant bullshit about who we should be turning our nose up at.
Ian Ayre's laughable garbage last week about every manager wanting the job has been shown up for what it was...embarrassing nonsense, and it massively damaged our chances of getting the first choice, who was more than likely one of the guys who has already said no. It made the whole process a laughing stock.

We aren't that atractive a proposition for managers...the number that have turned down the interview should show you that.
I don't particularly care if it's Martinez, Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas, Laudrup, Lambert, Rodgers, Sa Pinto, Girard, Favre or whoever.
I just want us to get the guy with the best ideas and back him with enough money to give him a realistic chance of success.
That, in our current predicament, is the very best we can hope for

The difference in most of your examples are that the list of managers were also great players and had an affinity with the clubs they are with. The problem with giving a young manager the job now is that it would not lighten the mood of the fans and disharmony will persist. Any manager coming in must have be a name and/or a track record. FSG must know that and certainly you would hope Ayres would. It wouldn't surprise me if they eventually go for Steve Clarke in the new set up and all this pissing about is a smokescreen to do just that.

[boo76]

I just spoke to an old friend, a big Liverpool fan just like me. I havent seen him since Houlliers last season (on the kop lol) and I couldnt believe what he said. He isnt the kind of person who uses the internet like me so it was refreshing though deeply concerning, anyway here it is......

Me - So who do want to get the job.
Him - Big Sam or Owen Coyle.

I nearly feinted, wtf are we becoming.

[plasterered]

We'll struggle to get a "top" manager at the top of his game or peak in his career.  There are many more attractive clubs out there.  Thats the harsh reality.  Which is why we should go for a younger prospect.  And by this I don't mean Martinez.  I think we'll get Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas.  His record at Porto was amazing, undefeated, league and Europa Cup... compare to Martinez who basically avoided relegation. 

Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas's Chelsea career was fucked when he couldn't get the old guard onside and lost the dressing room.

I dont think Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas will come unless he has assurances he can build his squad and system, if its a case of see what you can do with these and oh here is 30M for good measure he  will turn it down, he already says he needs time to consider all projects on offer to be sure its right for him !

[Resurrected]

I just spoke to an old friend, a big Liverpool fan just like me. I havent seen him since Houlliers last season (on the kop lol) and I couldnt believe what he said. He isnt the kind of person who uses the internet like me so it was refreshing though deeply concerning, anyway here it is......

Me - So who do want to get the job.
Him - Big Sam or Owen Coyle.

I nearly feinted, wtf are we becoming.

I'm worried that, by the time this is all over, we'll actually be happy with either of those two.

At the moment, i can only see us attracting those managers who are either shit or desperate

[L666KOP]

I dont think Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas will come unless he has assurances he can build his squad and system, if its a case of see what you can do with these and oh here is 30M for good measure he  will turn it down, he already says he needs time to consider all projects on offer to be sure its right for him !

Dead right he will, 1 success story, and one unmitigated failure at Chelsea, career defining move his next one.
I'd have him over anyone bar Rafa though.

[Shabby]

Easy, because the british players have more heart and passion, and whilst jonny foreigner may be able to do more keepy uppys and step overs he doesn't have the stomach for a cold wet night at the Brittannia.

Seriously though, it depends what remit the DOF (we'll call him for ease of explanation) is given, if he's there just to gather scouting reports and then go and scout the stand out ones himself before passing his findings on to the manager that's okay.
Or does the manager say to the DOF I want a leftback that can be adaptable enough to play as a wingback in a 352, or as an orthodox leftback in a 442, and the DOF is trusted to go and find that player?
If it's the latter, unless the manager and DOF have worked together for a long time the system will be very hit and miss. Lot's of trust needed and knowing what each other wants, and more importantly 'sees' in the players he's watching.

The way I see it, the manager should be able to ask for a player in a position with certain style such as an attacking full back and the technical director should then identify all these players available that meet the required skillset of a 'Liverpool player.' It will be up to the technical director to decide what a 'Liverpool player' is and what attributes they must have. It could be good technique, attitude, mentality, intelligence, whatever.

 He then goes to the manager with a list of all the players scouted that meet the 'Liverpool standard' and the manager chooses which he prefers.

[Kite]

I dont think Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas will come unless he has assurances he can build his squad and system, if its a case of see what you can do with these and oh here is 30M for good measure he  will turn it down, he already says he needs time to consider all projects on offer to be sure its right for him !

Thats the clubs execs job.  Pinpoint the man and give him what he needs to come and do the job.  Which is why this talk of 12 candidates is worrying.  We should name our man and go for him.  Whatever it takes. 

[dimitri]

Someone mentioned a few posts above about scouts and punching above our weight.
All we seem to do is pay top dollar for players (Andy Carroll) and get fucked over by players leaving (Torres, Owen) so we need to sort out those issues first, when money is there we spunk it.

We need to be more astute and buy class when the money is there.
Scouts need to bring in quality, hopefully some one who can find the gems like hoillett, cisse, ba, hernandez.

A lot of people will say Rafa bought some rubbish players and he did - but seem to forget he was operating on peanuts the last few seasons with having to sell players  to buy others (sticking to his guns with Real for Alonso).

[Shabby]

I dont think Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas will come unless he has assurances he can build his squad and system, if its a case of see what you can do with these and oh here is 30M for good measure he  will turn it down, he already says he needs time to consider all projects on offer to be sure its right for him !

I agree. His reputation is at risk and I think he'd want a lot more control than before to ensure his success. If he's going to working in England then why wouldn't you want the same level of control as your peers.

[L666KOP]

Anyways, I'm off to my pit now, let's just hope that somewhere in a darkened room, John Henry and Rafa are sharing a bottle of wine whilst giggling like a pair of schoolgirls reading this thred.

 

[TLW 84]

Who's supposed to be advising them on the appointment? Cruyff? Dein?? any other names that have come up?

[stevensr123]

or £37m generated by the club in shirt sales, tv rights, merchandise, etc etc...... The club is likely to have funded this itself!!!!

which is what we have wanted for fucking years isn't it!!!

Al those years under cancers were money was being sucked out or money was being spent but adding onto the debt.  I'm pretty happy at the fact we are trying to be self sufficent and are going to give the manager 30 million a year (hopefully) plus any sales.

[Suarez 7]

We offered the job, not an interview, to De Boer, and he knocked it back.

[Regi]

The difference in most of your examples are that the list of managers were also great players and had an affinity with the clubs they are with. The problem with giving a young manager the job now is that it would not lighten the mood of the fans and disharmony will persist. Any manager coming in must have be a name and/or a track record. FSG must know that and certainly you would hope Ayres would. It wouldn't surprise me if they eventually go for Steve Clarke in the new set up and all this pissing about is a smokescreen to do just that.

So how many names with good track records do you have left?
Girard has won the French league, Favre got 4th in the Bundesliga which was a great achievement.
Sa Pinto has built a good Sporting team.
That's about it.
But it doesn't have to be a name anyway...your talk about those managers having an affinity with the clubs is a bit of a red herring...they were successful not because of any affinity, it was because their ideas translated well to good teams and good players.
We don't have the luxury of demanding a big name now because Ayre fucked the whole thing up last week with his idiocy about 12 names and turning the whole thing into some sort of beauty pageant.
De Boer, Klopp, Guardiola...the sort of guys we would love to get in...all good names with good recent records but they aren't interested.
That's why I just want the guy with the best ideas now, regardless of whether or not I know much about him.
I wouldn't have Martinez as first choice but for all the snobs who talk about him like he isn't worthy of a mention, go back and watch Wigan against United or Arsenal recently, think about how well they played and think to yourself how much better could they be with better players.
Martinez has a philosophy on football that I admire.
He doesn't panic, he has a style of play he likes and he gets his teams to stick to it come hail or shine.
That's a good thing, it shows a steadfast belief that he is doing the right thing, and he is.
Maybe he wouldn't be a success here, who knows?
But I think anyone with his ideas, his view of how the game should be played, his general demeanour and his confidence should certainly be given the chance to have an interview.

[El Ninos Black Eye]

I've said I wanted Villas Boas from the start if it's not going to be Rafa. The only thing that worries is the reports of his man management skills at Chelsea. I know he had some twats in that dressing room who had a massive influence over the younger players. I just hope he has learned a lot from that experience, and made him a better person and manager.
Don't know what has happened with Lukaku but he is pissed off with and he was his buy. Or more than likely given to him as "a present" by Roman after he'd played FM and liked him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2147547/Romelu-Lukaku-forgive-Andre-Villas-Boas-Chelsea-treatment.html

Hopefully it's just them twats sticking together and trying to give him a bad name, I mean if the Porto players had hated him there is no way they would have played the way they did for him.

The treatment of Anelka and Alex is something he gets criticised for a lot. But we all know Anelka has history, and Alex is not supposed to be the most easiest of going characters. So more than likely they where stirring up shit for not playing. So he banished them to train with the youth team.

I supposed its who we believe and how we portray it. He has clearly had his faults but his Porto record shows he has his pluses.

[CarraG238]

After listening to The Anfield Wrap, I would not be totally against Martinez coming in and building a long-term project here. He isn't a Hodgson-like appointment. He's young, plays attractive football, knows the league and would be the profile FSG is looking for. It's a massive gamble to appoint someone without the chops of being successful at the highest level, but if we can't get the likes of Rafa or Guardiola, we might as well try and grow with a young manager on the job. After all, Guardiola and Rafa had to start somewhere.

It's just as important to get the structure correct around the new head coach (essentially this is what the new guy is going to be), though. I really think what FSG is going for is a division of power where whomever they hire is going to be tasked with a specific role -- a general manager, a technical director to oversee the overall strategy and system of how the club should be played from the top down and someone to handle the negotiations of transfer dealings.

It's revolutionary, but again, a massive gamble.

[El Ninos Black Eye]

I just spoke to an old friend, a big Liverpool fan just like me. I havent seen him since Houlliers last season (on the kop lol) and I couldnt believe what he said. He isnt the kind of person who uses the internet like me so it was refreshing though deeply concerning, anyway here it is......

Me - So who do want to get the job.
Him - Big Sam or Owen Coyle.

I nearly feinted, wtf are we becoming.

He must have been pissed!

[helmboy_nige]

With Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas the key for me is in his mindset. He is not totally to blame for the Chelsea debacle but he did get a number of things very wrong - most notably on the man management side.  He's 34 and will be hurting from it all.  The question is how he reacts in his next job.  Does he take on the next challenge looking to prove everyone wrong and learn from the mistakes? Or does he carry the scar with him and become introverted; cautious?

He's 34 so I'd hope it would be the first one, but we really can't tell. I'd be up for giving him a chance and giving him time.

[Black Bull Nova]

I dont think Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas will come unless he has assurances he can build his squad and system, if its a case of see what you can do with these and oh here is 30M for good measure he  will turn it down, he already says he needs time to consider all projects on offer to be sure its right for him !

I think that's true but its interesting that those are some of the reasons put forward for not letting Benitez back in.

[Regi]

After listening to The Anfield Wrap, I would not be totally against Martinez coming in and building a long-term project here. He isn't a Hodgson-like appointment. He's young, plays attractive football, knows the league and would be the profile FSG is looking for. It's a massive gamble to appoint someone without the chops of being successful at the highest level, but if we can't get the likes of Rafa or Guardiola, we might as well try and grow with a young manager on the job. After all, Guardiola and Rafa had to start somewhere.

It's just as important to get the structure correct around the new head coach (essentially this is what the new guy is going to be), though. I really think what FSG is going for is a division of power where whomever they hire is going to be tasked with a specific role -- a general manager, a technical director to oversee the overall strategy and system of how the club should be played from the top down and someone to handle the negotiations of transfer dealings.

It's revolutionary, but again, a massive gamble.

It would defintely be a gamble, but outside of Rafa, anyone left on the list would be a gamble.
Even Rafa would be a gamble to be honest.
Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a bit of baggage there and the emotional attachment he has with us fans means FSG would be putting themselves back into the same position they were with Kenny, ie. appointing a man who isn't their choice, but the fans' choice, therefore creating a massive problem down the line if things don't work out and they want to sack him.
If FSG do appoint Rafa I want it to be because they truly believe in him and will back him.
I don't want it to happen because no-one else would take the job.
In that scenario, it will surely end in tears yet again.

[MagicB8all]

Whether he is a better coach is irrelevant. Good coaches are a dime a dozen. We need a leader, a figurehead, a man who instantly commands respect and who can take on the heavy hitters of the EPL and win. If I think about it the only guy who fits that criteria is Rafa

read Ayres letter -FSG want a coach

[Black Bull Nova]

I've said I wanted Villas Boas from the start if it's not going to be Rafa. The only thing that worries is the reports of his man management skills at Chelsea. I know he had some twats in that dressing room who had a massive influence over the younger players. I just hope he has learned a lot from that experience, and made him a better person and manager.
Don't know what has happened with Lukaku but he is pissed off with and he was his buy. Or more than likely given to him as "a present" by Roman after he'd played FM and liked him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2147547/Romelu-Lukaku-forgive-Andre-Villas-Boas-Chelsea-treatment.html

Hopefully it's just them twats sticking together and trying to give him a bad name, I mean if the Porto players had hated him there is no way they would have played the way they did for him.

The treatment of Anelka and Alex is something he gets criticised for a lot. But we all know Anelka has history, and Alex is not supposed to be the most easiest of going characters. So more than likely they where stirring up shit for not playing. So he banished them to train with the youth team.

I supposed its who we believe and how we portray it. He has clearly had his faults but his Porto record shows he has his pluses.

It's sort of strange that people suggest that the players lost Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas the job and, by implication that they selfish idiots who knew less than him. But did they? Does the evidence of the last few weeks suggest he might have been wrong. Possibly? I assume they believed they were good enough whilst he wished to build a team capable of winning trophies like, say, the CL.

[Black Bull Nova]

appointing a man who isn't their choice, but the fans' choice, therefore creating a massive problem down the line if things don't work out and they want to sack him.

They'll have more of a problem if they are forced to sack the one they choose themselves. If they go against popular opinion a second time then they will isolate themselves and be totally dependent on their choice to avoid ending up in Randy Lerner territory.

[Dave D]

I don't see the logic behind appointing Martinez. The are a whole list of managers that have worked on a smaller budget and have got their teams playing decent attacking football.

Why not trawl through league 1 and 2? If they want young managers lets go for Karl Robinson or Carl Fletcher? Probably get them cheap too.

How about premier league manager Nigel Adkins? Ok, he hasn't managed any premier league games yet, but how do we know he can't win leagues and European cups with us if we don't give him a chance, just like people wanting to give Martinez a chance, I think he'd be a great signing and not a complete fucking disaster like Martinez.

Or we could just give the job to Sterling and make him player manager. Pay him in monster munch and wham bars.