What would convince you that Ole should be made permanent manager?

[GBBQ]

I’m already convinced but it will be interesting to see how he handles this setback. Being the manager must be great when everything is going great but I think we’ll see what he is really made of when there is a loss of form or confidence or a mini bad run etc. This isnt a criticism it’s just we haven’t seen this side of his management as everything has been going right for him.

I think we've seen a taste of it in how he reacted after being properly beaten by PSG and following it up with a convincing win against Chelsea and a commendable point against Liverpool all against the backdrop of major injuries. Even that he brought a rag tag team to Paris and convinced them the tie was still there for the taking is testament to his managerial abilities.

Yesterday was disappointing of course but we were definitely not shown up as unable to compete at that level, just didn't get the rub of the green. Unfortunately, given the handicap start to his managerial career there is no room for error so even when we remain unbeaten in the league in over 2 months, this loss away to Arsenal feels hugely disappointing. I hope the dressing room isn't feeling it the same way as fans do.

 

[GBBQ]

8 years is nothing, some of us remember the wilderness years after Sir Matt.

Give Ole a couple of years to start sorting this squad out and if there's no major improvement then you think about moving on from him.

Of course, not saying that this is United's biggest crisis by any stretch of the imagination, but given our financial power provides us with an unfair advantage against most of the other teams in the league its not acceptable to be so directionless after 6 years, let alone 8.

 

[reddaz71]

He's pretty much nailed on for the job, especially if we finish in the top four, however, for him to have a proper crack at winning a title the Glazers have to back him to the hilt in the summer!

 

[BigRon1985]

Still haven’t changed my vote from Poch yet but I’m getting close. If he can get top 4 at the end of the season then he deserves a chance but on a rolling one year contract - he’s still unproven in the transfer market.

 

[Shark]

I won't be convinced until he has his first real test against a decent side.

We’ve faced many decent sides and also some excellent sides. Not sure what you mean?

 

[Samid]

Still haven’t changed my vote from Poch yet but I’m getting close. If he can get top 4 at the end of the season then he deserves a chance but on a rolling one year contract - he’s still unproven in the transfer market.

Why so generous? Should be nothing more than a game-by-game rolling contract.

 

[BigRon1985]

Why so generous? Should be nothing more than a game-by-game rolling contract.

Yes you’re right - I’m getting far too soft in my old age!

 

[lex talionis]

Ole has more than passed every test he's confronted. Sure, we suffered a setback yesterday but you can't blame Ole for point blank misses, a rare mistake by De Gea and a very soft pk call.

Sign him up.

 

[Lord Vader]

Let's give him the job. Whilst we're at it, let's get Mourinho to give him a blow job too to say sorry for ruining our club.

Mourinho didn't "ruin" you club (as if winning three trophies in one season is what one would call "ruining") -- you and all the other United fans who clamored for him to be appointed did.
'

 

[tieunhilang]

Ole has more than passed every test he's confronted. Sure, we suffered a setback yesterday but you can't blame Ole for point blank misses, a rare mistake by De Gea and a very soft pk call.

Sign him up.

Under his reign we ALWAYS had setback when expectation was sky-high (PSG 1st leg and Arsenal last week). And he tended to do well when we had no expectation (Return leg with PSG). Can he handle pressure in a long season when he is the official manager? People on here slate Pochettino because of the exact same thing: Win when there is no pressure and slip when expectation is high.

He needs to actually get to top 4 or Champions League trophy to prove that things have not been a (long) false dawn like what we have experienced too many times.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

After 5 years of not enjoying watching united and sitting through game after game of tumescent nonsense (where the 90s mins felt twice as long) - the mere fact I enjoy the games again is a good enough reason to give him the job.

Yes, people can say someone like Poch could serve up good football. But we've had three good (or we felt they were good at the time of appointment) managers who failed. So there's no guarantees that Poch would work at United.

Ole makes people happy and is giving fans good memories. It feels like United again, which is priceless.

 

[Cockney Phil]

I don’t get why anyone still wants porkie Poch. Just another Gerrard masterclass ace bottler.
Like Moyes, LVG and the Sacked One weren’t enough - let’s go for the 4th man.

Imagine the Stretty response to dumping all cups just to get 4th in the prem.

 

[Needham]

Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho.

 

[Wanderlust_09]

Under his reign we ALWAYS had setback when expectation was sky-high (PSG 1st leg and Arsenal last week). And he tended to do well when we had no expectation (Return leg with PSG). Can he handle pressure in a long season when he is the official manager? People on here slate Pochettino because of the exact same thing: Win when there is no pressure and slip when expectation is high.

He needs to actually get to top 4 or Champions League trophy to prove that things have not been a (long) false dawn like what we have experienced too many times.

I'm almost aboard the give Ole the full time job train, but this does bother me a bit.
You are right that we have tended to perform better when the odds were against us (like vs Tottenham (first 'real test'. Arsenal in FA cup "Second real test (lol)", Chelsea away "We have a poor record at the Bridge" and PSG away "No team has ever won after going 2 goals down"....We have bottled games when that we went in expecting to win (the PSG home leg and the Sunday's arsenal game).
When Ole came in, there was 0 expectation for us, the season was almost written off and we played one game at a time to give us a shot at finishing in the top 4.
Now that we have clawed our way back into the fight for top 4, the pressure is on us and we have to win games vs the big teams that we are expected to win so as to qualify for next year's UCL.
I really hope that Ole is capable of leading a team that deals with these expectations and pressures, we got tired of so many false dawns and I hope my fears are proven wrong.

 

[cyril C]

I think Ole has been given the job, just wait for the right timing to make announcement.

IMO he has earned it, base on my earlier criteria - motivate the team; improve on tactical team movement; tactical variety against different teams; link up with Academy and scoutings on new intake. He has definitely ticked 1st 3 box and half of last box, on external recruits.

Assuming the Board will withhold decision until May, then the only criteria that I will be looking for, is maintaining momentum that we will be confident to continue with this form into next season.

At the end we may be unfortunate / too late / inadequate to achieve Top 4, which I think is not critical for this season. What we need is winning mentality and confidence going into next season. When the Board sack Mourinho and appoint Ole, everyone thought this season is whitewash. Ole has proven it is not so the game is still on until the last game. Result is less important now (end position, not individual game result which is still important) , momentum is.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Mourinho didn't "ruin" you club (as if winning three trophies in one season is what one would call "ruining") -- you and all the other United fans who clamored for him to be appointed did.
'

Is this a joke?

 

[jem]

Under his reign we ALWAYS had setback when expectation was sky-high (PSG 1st leg and Arsenal last week). And he tended to do well when we had no expectation (Return leg with PSG). Can he handle pressure in a long season when he is the official manager? People on here slate Pochettino because of the exact same thing: Win when there is no pressure and slip when expectation is high.

He needs to actually get to top 4 or Champions League trophy to prove that things have not been a (long) false dawn like what we have experienced too many times.

Always have setbacks based on two games...the state of this place.

 

[jem]

I don’t get why anyone still wants porkie Poch. Just another Gerrard masterclass ace bottler.
Like Moyes, LVG and the Sacked One weren’t enough - let’s go for the 4th man.

Imagine the Stretty response to dumping all cups just to get 4th in the prem.

Come on, he's a fantastic manager, and has done an amazing job at Spurs, with very little backing the transfer market (very little at least for a club with title aspirations.) I'd gladly have him at United, but now I prefer OGS. He's done an incredible job, and is already a United legend (and he inspires Mata-esque feelings of warmth inside me.)

 

[Cockney Phil]

Come on, he's a fantastic manager, and has done an amazing job at Spurs, with very little backing the transfer market (very little at least for a club with title aspirations.) I'd gladly have him at United, but now I prefer OGS. He's done an incredible job, and is already a United legend (and he inspires Mata-esque feelings of warmth inside me.)

Ok, after how many years, what’s he done for Spurs apart from turning them into a thoroughbred bottlers?

 

[jem]

Ok, after how many years, what’s he done for Spurs apart from turning them into a thoroughbred bottlers?

Made them consistent top-4, and even genuine title contenders a few years back. I don’t ever remember that being the case previously.

 

[Gehrman]

Ok, after how many years, what’s he done for Spurs apart from turning them into a thoroughbred bottlers?

It's funny how everyone is dissing Poch now compared to a few months ago. Getting consistenly top 4, spending little money, doing pretty good in the CL. You can't really expect to win the league without spending big.

Leicesters title win was a freak one off season.

It would suit spurs to get top 4 and win a FA cup.

But although i'm happy with OGS managing United, Poch is still a very good manager.

 

[Marcelinho87]

Already done I think and I reckon announcement will be during the Intl break.

 

[lex talionis]

Under his reign we ALWAYS had setback when expectation was sky-high (PSG 1st leg and Arsenal last week). And he tended to do well when we had no expectation (Return leg with PSG). Can he handle pressure in a long season when he is the official manager? People on here slate Pochettino because of the exact same thing: Win when there is no pressure and slip when expectation is high.

He needs to actually get to top 4 or Champions League trophy to prove that things have not been a (long) false dawn like what we have experienced too many times.

What if we come in fifth place and lose in the CL final?

In addition to what Ole has already done, Ole also has an intangible factor that tips the scales in his favor over Pochettino, who's a very decent manager but has won as many trophies as Ole has -- none. Ole has restored United's identity as a football club.

But let's be under no illusion whatsoever -- Ole is a risk, but he's no more of a risk than any other new manager would be (even Sir Alex was one defeat away from being sacked). Jose brought a resume second to none and we all know what happened. There is no risk-free alternative to Ole. You could say Pep, but we're not bringing in Pep. Zidane has gone back to Real. Klopp isn't coming to OT. We're not bringing Jose back. Tuchel isn't leaving PSG. As far I know, Bayern isn't letting Kovac go. There's a number of interesting prospects out there like Marco Rose (Salzburg) but the leap from Salzburg to United is too much of a risk.

So that really leaves Pochettino, who's won nothing as far I know with Tottenham, as the only realistic alternative to Ole.

Based on what we know of the two managers, their backgrounds and experiences as managers, I'd go with Ole.

 

[Eli Zee]

Under his reign we ALWAYS had setback when expectation was sky-high (PSG 1st leg and Arsenal last week). And he tended to do well when we had no expectation (Return leg with PSG). Can he handle pressure in a long season when he is the official manager? People on here slate Pochettino because of the exact same thing: Win when there is no pressure and slip when expectation is high.

He needs to actually get to top 4 or Champions League trophy to prove that things have not been a (long) false dawn like what we have experienced too many times.

If he doesn’t get top 4 this season, it doesn’t change my mind about him.

It would suck, but it’s not a guarantee. There are 4 teams all in close contention for 4th place. Arsenal and Tottenham could win every single game to the end of the season and well miss out.

He deserves a full season unless there is total catastrophic meltdown the rest of the season. Even then, I’d be willing to give him a full year at least to show what we can do next year with a non-handicapped start.

 

[OldRed1]

The FA Cup and Champions League would get close to convincing me.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

The FA Cup and Champions League would get close to convincing me.

Still not convinced . Not played against any decent sides then. Need to win the club world cup to convince me he is the man .

 

[Camilo]

He's going to get the job obviously, which is great, but I'm not totally convinced.. It shouldn't be a long term contract right now - he's taken over a virtual can't lose situation and done superbly, but come the start of next season the slate will be clean and the pressure will be on.... And pressure changes people.

But hey, I'll enjoy it all and I'm right behind him

 

[Schmiznurf]

I'm convinced.

 

[Nash27]

He's going to get the job obviously, which is great, but I'm not totally convinced.. It shouldn't be a long term contract right now - he's taken over a virtual can't lose situation and done superbly, but come the start of next season the slate will be clean and the pressure will be on.... And pressure changes people.

But hey, I'll enjoy it all and I'm right behind him

This can be said about any manager that is going to be the next united manager. The pressure will be on regardless of who is in charge and even Pochettino is not proven in that area. And I doubt we will be handing out long term contracts. Woody would have learned his lesson.

 

[Tom Cato]

I'm almost aboard the give Ole the full time job train, but this does bother me a bit.
You are right that we have tended to perform better when the odds were against us (like vs Tottenham (first 'real test'. Arsenal in FA cup "Second real test (lol)", Chelsea away "We have a poor record at the Bridge" and PSG away "No team has ever won after going 2 goals down"....We have bottled games when that we went in expecting to win (the PSG home leg and the Sunday's arsenal game).
When Ole came in, there was 0 expectation for us, the season was almost written off and we played one game at a time to give us a shot at finishing in the top 4.
Now that we have clawed our way back into the fight for top 4, the pressure is on us and we have to win games vs the big teams that we are expected to win so as to qualify for next year's UCL.
I really hope that Ole is capable of leading a team that deals with these expectations and pressures, we got tired of so many false dawns and I hope my fears are proven wrong.

The only reason the odds have been against us is because the team under Mourinho was in a shocking state. Absolutely appaling.

We have 2 losses in 18 games. We have won plenty of games under Ole that we came in expecting to win. Its not the managers fault that we have gotten ourselves into a situation where a game against a top6 side has been a no expectation run.

Beating Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea away coming in as underdogs is a label that everyone just put on the team because of the lackluster performance under the previous manager. It's a made up term based on form. But besides the point, do anyone really come to Stanford Bridge and expect to win? Or hope to win? The top6 teams in the PL aren't exactly pedestrian. Sure you can count yourselves as favorites, but you won't exactly find bookies offering favorable odds for any of the t6 teams facing eachother, it's always a cointoss.

We have 2 games left against t6 teams in the season, the others are against "everyone else". its those games I expect to win. Against the t6 sides I am always happy with a draw, or avoiding a loss. Winning comes entirely as a bonus.

Ole even said something to this effect during a interview before the tottenham game or something I believe. "You always try not to lose against any of the big teams, its against the rest you take all the points".

What i will expect from the team is to not lose against a t6 side, anything other than that is icing on the cake. Against any other team I absolutely expect the team to win.

Also all this talk about top4 needs to go. The conversation should be about securing third. We have 8 games left, 6 games I expect to win, 2 games I hope to win, but ok with draw. Tottenham are collapsing badly, unless they regain form they might miss out on Europe entirely, Chelsea are on a surge and so is Arsenal. Who has the best squad to secure enough points for next season?

My ambition personally for the season is a third place finish and FA cup victory. Id be happy with that.

 

[TRUERED89]

My ambition personally for the season is a third place finish and FA cup victory. Id be happy with that.

Agree! this is very much achievable, just 3 points separates 5th and 3rd! Spurs look to be bottling it and Arsenal have some really tough away fixtures, including Leicester, Burnley, Everton, Watford, Wolves! don't see them getting maximum points from all those away trips, just one game could have us back in there. We know how poor they are away from home too, its very much on!

 

[Catt]

The FA Cup and Champions League would get close to convincing me.

Win the Cl and then perhaps.

 

[Jonno]

Only once he's become the Norway national coach and won the 2022 World Cup can he truly be considered the next permanent Manchester United manager.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Only once he's become the Norway Prime Minister and won the 2022 World Cup can he truly be considered the next permanent Manchester United manager.

Fixed for you!

 

[Red00012]

If Ole can turn around the 2nd leg of the PSG game he should get it

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

Why so generous? Should be nothing more than a game-by-game rolling contract.

Minute by minute please. I would have happily sacked Mourinho half way through the Newcastle game...would have been the right decision, wrong timing!

 

[2 man midfield]

Already done I think and I reckon announcement will be during the Intl break.

This is what the press seem to be saying, but I don’t really see a reason to announce it just yet. There’s no reason to disturb anything, just keep it as it is. Ole has his deflection answers basically rehearsed at this point anyway. Whenever he’s asked about the job he basically says the same thing.

 

[Holocene]

This is what the press seem to be saying, but I don’t really see a reason to announce it just yet. There’s no reason to disturb anything, just keep it as it is. Ole has his deflection answers basically rehearsed at this point anyway. Whenever he’s asked about the job he basically says the same thing.

Completely agree. We should wait until the end of the season to announce it.

 

[Bocca9978]

Made them consistent top-4, and even genuine title contenders a few years back. I don’t ever remember that being the case previously.

It’s only 3 seasons. They sell one player and the cards fall down.

Ole has done better in the months he has been in charge. I’d rather see how he does over the summer than Pochettino pretending to do a good job.

Spurs have never been title contenders.

 

[Camilo]

This can be said about any manager that is going to be the next united manager. The pressure will be on regardless of who is in charge and even Pochettino is not proven in that area. And I doubt we will be handing out long term contracts. Woody would have learned his lesson.

Yeah, but Ole's never shown he can do this, which is the risk. If Ole wasn't in the picture we'd be judging potential managers based on their failures and recoveries just as much as their successes. It's not his fault that he hasn't faced real expectation and suffered failures at this level yet, but it definitely counts against him.