Pep's spending is insane (£941m and counting at City)

ASHWIT

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That's a bit misleading given United have regularly smashed the British record transfer fee over the last 25+ years, eg Keane, Cole, Rio, Rooney etc...long before Maguire.
All of whom turned out to be well worth it or a steal. You cant say the same for the likes of Robinho, Bony, Jovetic, Jo, Mangala etc. Not sure if any of them broke transfer records but the relative inflation makes them easily equal to the ones mentioned above. The difference being how they performed.
 

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All of whom turned out to be well worth it or a steal. You cant say the same for the likes of Robinho, Bony, Jovetic, Jo, Mangala etc. Not sure if any of them broke transfer records but the relative inflation makes them easily equal to the ones mentioned above. The difference being how they performed.
Weren't they all pre-Pep, barring Mangala? The flipside is KdB, Sterling, Laporte, Walkr, Sane, B Silva, Aguero, Fernandinho, Jesus etc...I reckon most people would take their signings over the last five years over ours.
 

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Weren't they all pre-Pep, barring Mangala? The flipside is KdB, Sterling, Laporte, Walkr, Sane, B Silva, Aguero, Fernandinho, Jesus etc...I reckon most people would take their signings over the last five years over ours.
That's not really the argument is it? Everyone knows City have bought better than us over the last few years by a comfortable distance, it's not even an discussion worth having.
 

Thunderhead

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Weren't they all pre-Pep, barring Mangala? The flipside is KdB, Sterling, Laporte, Walkr, Sane, B Silva, Aguero, Fernandinho, Jesus etc...I reckon most people would take their signings over the last five years over ours.
Mangala was pre-Pep too
 

Mick1

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It's not as if our spending is something positive to be compared to. We've had four different managers in that time span, each with a different idea, hence why we had to invest heavily into players the respective manager needed for his tactical ideas. City spent all that money supporting the ideas of two different managers. Plus, when Guardiola took over, they already had plenty of players available he could use well.
Thus, the situation is a little different and it needs to be judged accordingly.
When guardiola went to city he was criticized for taking, once again, the easiest project in the country. They had by far the best squad, with multiple world class players and were the best in the country by a country mile.

We on the other hand had a retiring core and needed to outspent them to do so. We lost Vidic, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Rooney, Evra and so on, and the youngsters failed to step up for various reasons ( Jones, Smalling, Evans, Welbeck and Co mostly due to injuries), few investments working out ( Shaw, Martial, Herrera, Ibra and Pogba imo).

We hired a manager as good as guardiola, at that point arguably even better in order to compete and get back to the top. The difference is Guardiola was backed to the hilt by City, years before his arrival, whilst United half-assed the Mourinho tenure. I don't believe for one second Mourinho was promised to compete on equal footing with Pep or he d never have come, or signed a new contract mid season. We also knew what we were getting. Give Mourinho what he wants and he gets you trophies, same as Guardiola.

Here is where lies the problem. Out of the players Mourinho got, many were rumored to be club targets, not Mourinho targets, including and not limited to : Bailly, Pogba and Fred.

The board failed to get him many of the players he came out on record and said are essential to improve the team further.
1- Persic + felix ( I hv it on good authority Mourinho and his camp were after Felix) with Martial.
2- Shaw with anyone.
3- SMS for Pogba
4-Maguire for Lindelof/Bailly.
5- Sanchez was unwanted, and we only ever tried to sign him after City were stalling.
Think we d be better off
 

Fluctuation0161

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That's also a red herring tbh, given how often we've spent vast sums on one player. As others have said above, United fans are on exceedingly thin ice slagging off City or whoever's spending. They are also obviously far less wasteful with their cash than we are, which is annoying.
You're conflating two totally separate issues.

1) City have out spent every single club in the world since 2008.
a) Most of their key squad members were bought when transfer fees were relatively lower. I.e. Guardiola inherited KDB, Aguero, Silva, Sterling, Stones, Kompany. Yet Guardiola still proceeded to break Premiership spending records.
b) they have also apparently fiddled their way through FFP (as documented by Der Spiegel). With fake inflated sponsorships and paying wages through shell companies.

2) United have been inefficient in the transfer market. Post 2013. Largely due to lack of planning and recruiting managers who require totally different types of players. Spending large sums on individual players.

There is no red herring in my argument. You can hold both view points simultaneously. Whereas trying to use a United breaking an individual transfer record as justification for City out spending every club in the World, is just whataboutery.
 

AshRK

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Pep would not have been successful if he was not backed like this. The summer of 2016 and 2017 they spent insane money and Pep's demand were fulfilled. If I remember correctly after the first season he started moaning about the defence so much that there were rumours he would quit if not backed. He spent more than 150m on defence and they let go more than 10 players and I am not talking about youth players, 10 first team players. That is what you call clear out. Pep would never have been backed in any other club like that. He chose smartly and is reaping the rewards.
 

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You're conflating two totally separate issues.

1) City have out spent every single club in the world since 2008.
a) Most of their key squad members were bought when transfer fees were relatively lower. I.e. Guardiola inherited KDB, Aguero, Silva, Sterling, Stones, Kompany. Yet Guardiola still proceeded to break Premiership spending records.
b) they have also apparently fiddled their way through FFP (as documented by Der Spiegel). With fake inflated sponsorships and paying wages through shell companies.

2) United have been inefficient in the transfer market. Post 2013. Largely due to lack of planning and recruiting managers who require totally different types of players. Spending large sums on individual players.

There is no red herring in my argument. You can hold both view points simultaneously. Whereas trying to use a United breaking an individual transfer record as justification for City out spending every club in the World, is just whataboutery.
:lol:I have no interest in defending of City's spending policies, just viewing it through the lens of our atrocious mismanagement of funds in recent years.
 

kaiser1

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Pep would not have been successful if he was not backed like this. The summer of 2016 and 2017 they spent insane money and Pep's demand were fulfilled. If I remember correctly after the first season he started moaning about the defence so much that there were rumours he would quit if not backed. He spent more than 150m on defence and they let go more than 10 players and I am not talking about youth players, 10 first team players. That is what you call clear out. Pep would never have been backed in any other club like that. He chose smartly and is reaping the rewards.
Let's look at the defence Pep inherited and how they are faring after leaving City.
Hart - Benched at Burnley,
Sagna - Unable to get a club now in MLS,
Zabaleta - Benchwarmer at West Ham
Clichy - Istanbul Basaksehir
Mangala - Tossed around the EPL
Kompany - retired
Fernando - To Galatasaray
Yaya - In China

Shows none of them post City is able to get a decent top club in Europe
Most over 30 by the time they were binned which shows that the defensive overhaul was absolutely needed for that team to be competitive

Pep took over one of the oldest teams in the league. I think 17th oldest and has revamped them to one of the youngest
 

AshRK

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Let's look at the defence Pep inherited and how they are faring after leaving City.
Hart - Benched at Burnley,
Sagna - Unable to get a club now in MLS,
Zabaleta - Benchwarmer at West Ham
Clichy - Istanbul Basaksehir
Mangala - Tossed around the EPL
Kompany - retired
Fernando - To Galatasaray
Yaya - In China

Shows none of them post City is able to get a decent top club in Europe
Most over 30 by the time they were binned which shows that the defensive overhaul was absolutely needed for that team to be competitive

Pep took over one of the oldest teams in the league. I think 17th oldest and has revamped them to one of the youngest
And he was backed to do that. The way they got rid of all their deadwoods in one go cannot be imagined at any other club. Look at United we still have Ashley Young and this could be the first season (Hopefully) where he surely is not a starter, otherwise every season he was mostly our first choice RB. We still have Jones, Rojo and Darmian in our books. We just got rid of Valencia this summer. It took us 6 seasons since sir alex retired to go and buy a proper CB and RB where as Pep got that wish in one go. Give absolute backing to managers, most will be successful.
 

kaiser1

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And he was backed to do that. The way they got rid of all their deadwoods in one go cannot be imagined at any other club. Look at United we still have Ashley Young and this could be the first season (Hopefully) where he surely is not a starter, otherwise every season he was mostly our first choice RB. We still have Jones, Rojo and Darmian in our books. We just got rid of Valencia this summer. It took us 6 seasons since sir alex retired to go and buy a proper CB and RB where as Pep got that wish in one go. Give absolute backing to managers, most will be successful.
There was deadwood in City that needed clearing out. Pep recognized it and cut them off he wasn't offering them extensions

At Man Utd did the manager recognize these players as deadwood?
Rojo negotiated an extension in April 2018
Valencia negotiated a contract extension in April 2017
Darmian negotiated an extension early last season
Phil Jones same thing negotiated an extension early last season
Smalling negotiated an extension early last season
Ashley Young negotiated an extension early last season
You cannot call them deadwood and you are still extending their contracts or signing old players

Jose for some reasons trusted older players than younger ones. He was given backing but he trusted Young over Shaw, He bought Matic and Alexis who were very close to 30 Zlatan who was mid 30 and chased a 29yr old Perisic. 2yrs later you are seeking replacements for Zlatan Matic and Alexis

Since Alex Ferguson, you have bought Blind Rojo Bailly and Lindelof as Center backs bought Darmian and Dalot as RBs
 

romufc

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We can all say Pep spends alot etc, but he delivers titles. I would rather spend th £100 odd million and be champions than spend alot and lack identity fighting for 6th place.

I am sure all the fans on here would take that. Success comes at a cost.
 

AshRK

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We can all say Pep spends alot etc, but he delivers titles. I would rather spend th £100 odd million and be champions than spend alot and lack identity fighting for 6th place.

I am sure all the fans on here would take that. Success comes at a cost.
Absolutely but do you think pep would have been this successful at united had he joined us in 2016. I seriously doubt. Yes we have spent money but we don't have any proper system like Pep has in City. Who is to guarentee Woodward and the board would have refused Pep's wishes of getting a CB of his choice. We have already seen rumours that some of the players we signed during Jose and LvG's time were not his choice.o maybe Pep might have faced a similar issue and that is hwy he chose to join City and not us or even Chelsea or Arsenal.
 

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There was deadwood in City that needed clearing out. Pep recognized it and cut them off he wasn't offering them extensions

At Man Utd did the manager recognize these players as deadwood?
Rojo negotiated an extension in April 2018
Valencia negotiated a contract extension in April 2017
Darmian negotiated an extension early last season
Phil Jones same thing negotiated an extension early last season
Smalling negotiated an extension early last season
Ashley Young negotiated an extension early last season
You cannot call them deadwood and you are still extending their contracts or signing old players

Jose for some reasons trusted older players than younger ones. He was given backing but he trusted Young over Shaw, He bought Matic and Alexis who were very close to 30 Zlatan who was mid 30 and chased a 29yr old Perisic. 2yrs later you are seeking replacements for Zlatan Matic and Alexis

Since Alex Ferguson, you have bought Blind Rojo Bailly and Lindelof as Center backs bought Darmian and Dalot as RBs
I dont think you can blame the manager here as jose was constantly trying to replace them, and Im sure some deals were made after he left. Ed is making these deals, and handing out extensions. Pep has a great transfer team at city, we have ed.
 

romufc

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Absolutely but do you think pep would have been this successful at united had he joined us in 2016. I seriously doubt. Yes we have spent money but we don't have any proper system like Pep has in City. Who is to guarentee Woodward and the board would have refused Pep's wishes of getting a CB of his choice. We have already seen rumours that some of the players we signed during Jose and LvG's time were not his choice.o maybe Pep might have faced a similar issue and that is hwy he chose to join City and not us or even Chelsea or Arsenal.
Agreed, the the fans that say we should have got pep are all speaking in hindsight. City prepared for pep by hiring the ex Barca technical director, Pep know how he works and vice versa.

Also, when Pep left Bayern there were question marks over him, winning in Bayern and not winning Champions League. Hindsight is a brilliant thing but fans were happy with Jose appointment. Just because it turned badly we cannot now say we should have hired Pep.

Can we move on from the torrid 6 years and unite to believe we can change and better things are to come?
 

kaiser1

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Absolutely but do you think pep would have been this successful at united had he joined us in 2016. I seriously doubt. Yes we have spent money but we don't have any proper system like Pep has in City. Who is to guarentee Woodward and the board would have refused Pep's wishes of getting a CB of his choice. We have already seen rumours that some of the players we signed during Jose and LvG's time were not his choice.o maybe Pep might have faced a similar issue and that is hwy he chose to join City and not us or even Chelsea or Arsenal.
I think Pep would have been successful at United,

1. He has an attacking identity that is in line with Man Utd long-standing philosophy,
One thing about Mourinho's style is that is laboured and you suffer a lot as players and as fans. If he doesn't win there is hardly any positive to take from it. I am a Bayern fan and Kovac is only a poor season from a sack because of this same reason. There were Arsenal fans who backed Wenger for long because of the "good football". Mourinho's style is hard to sustain at a big club known for winning and attacking. At Madrid after a while, fans started demanding better football

2. A lot of Mourinho's signings were short term in outlook to win immediately given their age and started to get curious looks from management. Pep signed Walker, Sane, Stones, Mendy Laporte, Ederson Rodri Mahrez, Gab Jesus, Gundogan, Bernardo, Nolito. Of these 12 probably Walker and Nolito were the only one over 26yrs when they were bought. It shows mgt that you have a long term approach since you can squeeze at least 5 top yrs from them
A lot of Mourinho's singings were much older some even questionable and after a while the management started vetoing them

3. Mourinho is more vocal than Pep, And always tries to win an argument or just show he isnt at fault. This has led to some ridiculous statements and news conferences which set him against the fans mgt and players. E.g The Sevilla loss he could have simply said "We were poor on the night and I take responsibility" but he went on the heritage line which even if he didn't mean it that way it came out awfully wrong and already put a lot of fans against him.

This was what Pep said the first season when they crashed to Monaco

I am fully responsible for the performances,” he said. “If you ask me about the first half, I am not so happy. About the second half, I am so happy

This was Pep after crashing out 4-0 to Madrid as Bayern coach

"We lost heavily and we had only a few chances," admitted Guardiola.
"We played badly and that's my responsibility. If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is.

It's easier to sympathize with a coach who said it like Pep than one who tries to deflect to heritage vs a team like Sevilla and talks about what he achieved before joining your team

4. Mourinho operates best in a siege mentality, We against them, and pick a fight with everyone, opposing coaches, players, media etc. This mentality can work at Chelsea that is upcoming not at Man Utd who is the dominant team in EPL. Pep has been in EPL 3seasons, he has hardly got into long fights with other coaches, unlike Mourinho who has had spats with almost every major coach he faced. Wenger Conte, Ranieri, Benitez, Pep.

These attitude of Mourinho is why he has burnt bridges with almost all his former clubs, while Pep will be taken back at Barca and Bayern if he signified interest

There are other reasons I have a daily post limit and won't be able to respond until tomorrow

But that's what I have been saying, Pep have been backed unconditionally. Do you seriously think Ole wants to Rojo and Darmian especially after he publicly said back in April that we will not see many players from this squad. Also, one cannot just let 5 or 6 players go when you know the board will not be able to replace them. City backed their manager and had him replace most of the deadwood whereas other club's don't do that.
Rojo and Darmian were already given contracts, you either find a buyer, pay them off or they sit out their contract. In the past 2yrs all these deadwood got extensions because the manager thought they were needed in the team. it might not be all on Ole maybe more on Mourinho. Ole inherited them and has to find a buyer for them, Lukaku has a willing buyer and he is gone probably others couldnt get a buyer
 
Last edited:

AshRK

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There was deadwood in City that needed clearing out. Pep recognized it and cut them off he wasn't offering them extensions

At Man Utd did the manager recognize these players as deadwood?
Rojo negotiated an extension in April 2018
Valencia negotiated a contract extension in April 2017
Darmian negotiated an extension early last season
Phil Jones same thing negotiated an extension early last season
Smalling negotiated an extension early last season
Ashley Young negotiated an extension early last season
You cannot call them deadwood and you are still extending their contracts or signing old players

Jose for some reasons trusted older players than younger ones. He was given backing but he trusted Young over Shaw, He bought Matic and Alexis who were very close to 30 Zlatan who was mid 30 and chased a 29yr old Perisic. 2yrs later you are seeking replacements for Zlatan Matic and Alexis

Since Alex Ferguson, you have bought Blind Rojo Bailly and Lindelof as Center backs bought Darmian and Dalot as RBs
But that's what I have been saying, Pep have been backed unconditionally. Do you seriously think Ole wants to Rojo and Darmian especially after he publicly said back in April that we will not see many players from this squad. Also, one cannot just let 5 or 6 players go when you know the board will not be able to replace them. City backed their manager and had him replace most of the deadwood whereas other club's don't do that.
 

Gehrman

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It will be interesting to see if Pep will retire as the greatest manager of all time. Atm it's difficult to imagine falling behind especially since he mostly takes jobs where he has all the conditions to win. That is not a critique.
 

AshRK

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I think Pep would have been successful at United,

1. He has an attacking identity that is in line with Man Utd long-standing philosophy,
One thing about Mourinho's style is that is laboured and you suffer a lot as players and as fans. If he doesn't win there is hardly any positive to take from it. I am a Bayern fan and Kovac is only a poor season from a sack because of this same reason. There were Arsenal fans who backed Wenger for long because of the "good football". Mourinho's style is hard to sustain at a big club known for winning and attacking. At Madrid after a while, fans started demanding better football

2. A lot of Mourinho's signings were short term in outlook to win immediately given their age and started to get curious looks from management. Pep signed Walker, Sane, Stones, Mendy Laporte, Ederson Rodri Mahrez, Gab Jesus, Gundogan, Bernardo, Nolito. Of these 12 probably Walker and Nolito were the only one over 26yrs when they were bought. It shows mgt that you have a long term approach since you can squeeze at least 5 top yrs from them
A lot of Mourinho's singings were much older some even questionable and after a while the management started vetoing them

3. Mourinho is more vocal than Pep, And always tries to win an argument or just show he isnt at fault. This has led to some ridiculous statements and news conferences which set him against the fans mgt and players. E.g The Sevilla loss he could have simply said "We were poor on the night and I take responsibility" but he went on the heritage line which even if he didn't mean it that way it came out awfully wrong and already put a lot of fans against him.

This was what Pep said the first season when they crashed to Monaco

I am fully responsible for the performances,” he said. “If you ask me about the first half, I am not so happy. About the second half, I am so happy

This was Pep after crashing out 4-0 to Madrid as Bayern coach

"We lost heavily and we had only a few chances," admitted Guardiola.
"We played badly and that's my responsibility. If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is.

It's easier to sympathize with a coach who said it like Pep than one who tries to deflect to heritage vs a team like Sevilla and talks about what he achieved before joining your team

4. Mourinho operates best in a siege mentality, We against them, and pick a fight with everyone, opposing coaches, players, media etc. This mentality can work at Chelsea that is upcoming not at Man Utd who is the dominant team in EPL. Pep has been in EPL 3seasons, he has hardly got into long fights with other coaches, unlike Mourinho who has had spats with almost every major coach he faced. Wenger Conte, Ranieri, Benitez, Pep.

These attitude of Mourinho is why he has burnt bridges with almost all his former clubs, while Pep will be taken back at Barca and Bayern if he signified interest

There are other reasons I have a daily post limit and won't be able to respond until tomorrow



Rojo and Darmian were already given contracts, you either find a buyer, pay them off or they sit out their contract. In the past 2yrs all these deadwood got extensions because the manager thought they were needed in the team. it might not be all on Ole maybe more on Mourinho. Ole inherited them and has to find a buyer for them, Lukaku has a willing buyer and he is gone probably others couldnt get a buyer
Its not manager's job to find a buyer. Do you think Pep solely approached Westham and asked them to buy Zabaleta. Absolute nonsense. I don't want to make this a Jose v. Pep debate , because trust me I care little about Jose. This is about the fact that Pep got a board which were willing to back him unconditionally vs. other boards where they do not back managers unconditionally irrespective of who the manager is.
 

GlastonSpur

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Its not manager's job to find a buyer. Do you think Pep solely approached Westham and asked them to buy Zabaleta. Absolute nonsense. I don't want to make this a Jose v. Pep debate , because trust me I care little about Jose. This is about the fact that Pep got a board which were willing to back him unconditionally vs. other boards where they do not back managers unconditionally irrespective of who the manager is.
Most other boards don't have the spare money to back their manager to anything like the degree that City does. But City don't have to earn their money, they just get gifted huge dollops.
 

De Portago

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Most other boards don't have the spare money to back their manager to anything like the degree that City does. But City don't have to earn their money, they just get gifted huge dollops.
Just out of curiosity, what level of board backing does a manager need to have to ascertain players who aren't up to scratch and cull them? If you feel someone is completely out of his depth you simply cross him out and tell the board that he will not play anymore while you're in charge and that as far as you are concerned they are free to either find a new club or sit in the stands for the duration of the contract. Surely the worst possible move is to keep giving them extensions for whatever reason?

I can't help but feel that someone like Ashley Young should have been treated that way instead of being rewarded new contracts for god knows what reason, and he's hardly the only one.
 

Bwuk

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It will be interesting to see if Pep will retire as the greatest manager of all time. Atm it's difficult to imagine falling behind especially since he mostly takes jobs where he has all the conditions to win. That is not a critique.
If he wins the champions league with City he’s got a shout for it. 3 different CL winners and all utterly dominant domestically.
 

11101

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It will be interesting to see if Pep will retire as the greatest manager of all time. Atm it's difficult to imagine falling behind especially since he mostly takes jobs where he has all the conditions to win. That is not a critique.
It's unlikely. He'll go down as the greatest of the chequebook managers, which is no bad thing. He wont be up there with SAF, Shankley, Clough & Co though. His only experience of a less than perfect squad saw him finish 4th.
 

Dumbstar

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It will be interesting to see if Pep will retire as the greatest manager of all time. Atm it's difficult to imagine falling behind especially since he mostly takes jobs where he has all the conditions to win. That is not a critique.
He created the best brand of football of all time at Barça and for that he will be remembered forever. He didn't just walk into a club with Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, hell he had to convince two of them not to retire and find another career I believe.

Shame he only chose insanely rich clubs after that, or one club countries. Would love to see him rejuvenate some like AC Milan or Arsenal.
 

AshamanKingpin

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I think Pep would have been successful at United,

1. He has an attacking identity that is in line with Man Utd long-standing philosophy,
One thing about Mourinho's style is that is laboured and you suffer a lot as players and as fans. If he doesn't win there is hardly any positive to take from it. I am a Bayern fan and Kovac is only a poor season from a sack because of this same reason. There were Arsenal fans who backed Wenger for long because of the "good football". Mourinho's style is hard to sustain at a big club known for winning and attacking. At Madrid after a while, fans started demanding better football

2. A lot of Mourinho's signings were short term in outlook to win immediately given their age and started to get curious looks from management. Pep signed Walker, Sane, Stones, Mendy Laporte, Ederson Rodri Mahrez, Gab Jesus, Gundogan, Bernardo, Nolito. Of these 12 probably Walker and Nolito were the only one over 26yrs when they were bought. It shows mgt that you have a long term approach since you can squeeze at least 5 top yrs from them
A lot of Mourinho's singings were much older some even questionable and after a while the management started vetoing them

3. Mourinho is more vocal than Pep, And always tries to win an argument or just show he isnt at fault. This has led to some ridiculous statements and news conferences which set him against the fans mgt and players. E.g The Sevilla loss he could have simply said "We were poor on the night and I take responsibility" but he went on the heritage line which even if he didn't mean it that way it came out awfully wrong and already put a lot of fans against him.

This was what Pep said the first season when they crashed to Monaco

I am fully responsible for the performances,” he said. “If you ask me about the first half, I am not so happy. About the second half, I am so happy

This was Pep after crashing out 4-0 to Madrid as Bayern coach

"We lost heavily and we had only a few chances," admitted Guardiola.
"We played badly and that's my responsibility. If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is.

It's easier to sympathize with a coach who said it like Pep than one who tries to deflect to heritage vs a team like Sevilla and talks about what he achieved before joining your team

4. Mourinho operates best in a siege mentality, We against them, and pick a fight with everyone, opposing coaches, players, media etc. This mentality can work at Chelsea that is upcoming not at Man Utd who is the dominant team in EPL. Pep has been in EPL 3seasons, he has hardly got into long fights with other coaches, unlike Mourinho who has had spats with almost every major coach he faced. Wenger Conte, Ranieri, Benitez, Pep.

These attitude of Mourinho is why he has burnt bridges with almost all his former clubs, while Pep will be taken back at Barca and Bayern if he signified interest

There are other reasons I have a daily post limit and won't be able to respond until tomorrow



Rojo and Darmian were already given contracts, you either find a buyer, pay them off or they sit out their contract. In the past 2yrs all these deadwood got extensions because the manager thought they were needed in the team. it might not be all on Ole maybe more on Mourinho. Ole inherited them and has to find a buyer for them, Lukaku has a willing buyer and he is gone probably others couldnt get a buyer
This is simply one of the best posts I’ve read on a football forum.
 

SpyLuke10

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When guardiola went to city he was criticized for taking, once again, the easiest project in the country. They had by far the best squad, with multiple world class players and were the best in the country by a country mile.

We on the other hand had a retiring core and needed to outspent them to do so. We lost Vidic, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Rooney, Evra and so on, and the youngsters failed to step up for various reasons ( Jones, Smalling, Evans, Welbeck and Co mostly due to injuries), few investments working out ( Shaw, Martial, Herrera, Ibra and Pogba imo).

We hired a manager as good as guardiola, at that point arguably even better in order to compete and get back to the top. The difference is Guardiola was backed to the hilt by City, years before his arrival, whilst United half-assed the Mourinho tenure. I don't believe for one second Mourinho was promised to compete on equal footing with Pep or he d never have come, or signed a new contract mid season. We also knew what we were getting. Give Mourinho what he wants and he gets you trophies, same as Guardiola.

Here is where lies the problem. Out of the players Mourinho got, many were rumored to be club targets, not Mourinho targets, including and not limited to : Bailly, Pogba and Fred.

The board failed to get him many of the players he came out on record and said are essential to improve the team further.
1- Persic + felix ( I hv it on good authority Mourinho and his camp were after Felix) with Martial.
2- Shaw with anyone.
3- SMS for Pogba
4-Maguire for Lindelof/Bailly.
5- Sanchez was unwanted, and we only ever tried to sign him after City were stalling.
Think we d be better off
mourinho is past it.
 

Tostao_80

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It's unlikely. He'll go down as the greatest of the chequebook managers, which is no bad thing. He wont be up there with SAF, Shankley, Clough & Co though. His only experience of a less than perfect squad saw him finish 4th.
Wrong. He is already considered amongst the very best of all time.
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wh...2mx3dd13gq1801pbqxm#1vjmk083ydb6kzr4mgow61mbb

In 10 years time, should Pep continue on this trajectory (CL or not), he'll be considered the GOAT. Nobody will have been able to match his CV (major titles plus influence on the game).
Btw, you wont find many people that would argue Clough above Pep, not even Shankley.
They are both below him in France Footballs list even. Peps challenge is the likes of Michel, Sir Alex and Cruyff.
 

11101

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Wrong. He is already considered amongst the very best of all time.
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wh...2mx3dd13gq1801pbqxm#1vjmk083ydb6kzr4mgow61mbb

In 10 years time, should Pep continue on this trajectory (CL or not), he'll be considered the GOAT. Nobody will have been able to match his CV (major titles plus influence on the game).
Btw, you wont find many people that would argue Clough above Pep, not even Shankley.
They are both below him in France Footballs list even. Peps challenge is the likes of Michel, Sir Alex and Cruyff.
By goal.com?

Managers like Clough aren't talked about because they didn't exist in a social media generation. It doesn't mean they weren't as good.
 

RedNed77

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Not sure where to put this, but thought this was hilarious. From Simon Brunton in the ridiculously ABU Guardian;

Instead of Manchester City being unable to afford Harry Maguire, as claimed by Pep Guardiola, apparently they were rejected by him. The Mirror reports that Maguire “turned his back on City” because “he had his heart set on United, who he supported while growing up”. So we are supposed to believe that although City would have paid him £278,000 a week, about £100,000 more than he gets at Old Trafford, and he would have won loads of trophies there while working under one of the managerial greats, Maguire chose an inferior team and Ole Gunnar Solskjær because of some childhood dreams. This throws up the tantalising possibility that he would have rejected United as well had he only been offered the chance to become a train driver, or an astronaut. The idea of making a childhood dream come true does sound appealing, but if this kind of dreamy but illogical decision-making eventually reveals itself on the pitch United will be in serious trouble.

Is it just me who sees a little hypocrisy given how the Sanchez signing was discussed in that very same paper?

I changed my debit card a while ago and get reminders from them daily about updating my subscription details, I'm thinking i might just hold off on that and freeload like the bulk of the scouse WUM's that populate the Grauniads football comments section.
 

Billy Blaggs

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Accidental founder of Blaggstianity.
Wrong. He is already considered amongst the very best of all time.
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wh...2mx3dd13gq1801pbqxm#1vjmk083ydb6kzr4mgow61mbb

In 10 years time, should Pep continue on this trajectory (CL or not), he'll be considered the GOAT. Nobody will have been able to match his CV (major titles plus influence on the game).
Btw, you wont find many people that would argue Clough above Pep, not even Shankley.
They are both below him in France Footballs list even. Peps challenge is the likes of Michel, Sir Alex and Cruyff.
I bet you will.
 

Striker10

"Ronaldo and trophies > Manchester United football
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I don't believe Pep would have been successful at United and we tend to look in the long term. I think the only way for him to be successful at City, was to be allowed his way in the market. It created such a buzz and an energy. Our strategy would have probably seem him moan a lot.
 

Tostao_80

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By goal.com?

Managers like Clough aren't talked about because they didn't exist in a social media generation. It doesn't mean they weren't as good.
You didnt bother to read the link. The actual information in that goal.com article is from France Football (responsible for presenting the Balon Dor incase you doubt its credibility)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Football

Social media has nothing to do with it. Guess whos number 1 in France Footballs list? Rinus Michel. He managed in the 60s onwards and won the European cup with Ajax in the 70s. Helenio Herrera and a certain Lobanovski are also in the top 7. Infact, there are only 3 managers from the last 20 years in that list.
Clough was great. He just isnt as great as Pep. Pep, at the end of his career, will be regarded by many as one of the 3 greatest managers of all time (if not the best). Painful for some on here.
 

cyberman

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You didnt bother to read the link. The actual information in that goal.com article is from France Football (responsible for presenting the Balon Dor incase you doubt its credibility)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Football

Social media has nothing to do with it. Guess whos number 1 in France Footballs list? Rinus Michel. He managed in the 60s onwards and won the European cup with Ajax in the 70s. Helenio Herrera and a certain Lobanovski are also in the top 7. Infact, there are only 3 managers from the last 20 years in that list.
Clough was great. He just isnt as great as Pep. Pep, at the end of his career, will be regarded by many as one of the 3 greatest managers of all time (if not the best). Painful for some on here.
Pep style has become a domestic bully. If he doesn't alter his style and keeps crashing out in Europe against lesser sides then he wont even be the best manager over the next five years.
 

Gehrman

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Pep style has become a domestic bully. If he doesn't alter his style and keeps crashing out in Europe against lesser sides then he wont even be the best manager over the next five years.
We crashed out to some shit teams under Fergie too. Like Basel.
 

romufc

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Pep style has become a domestic bully. If he doesn't alter his style and keeps crashing out in Europe against lesser sides then he wont even be the best manager over the next five years.
Domestic bully? Lesser teams? Where are you getting this from?

At City he has gone out to Liverpool and Spurs the last couple years. Hardly lesser sides and they are teams they play during their so called "domestic bullying"
 

ExecutionerWasp001

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It will be interesting to see if Pep will retire as the greatest manager of all time. Atm it's difficult to imagine falling behind especially since he mostly takes jobs where he has all the conditions to win. That is not a critique.
It's very likely that statistically he will go down as the GOAT. He's declared he has around 10 -15 years left in club management so lot's will depend on the jobs he takes after City.

I personally am of the belief that you judge people when they have faced adversity & how they have come through it. Pep is the only manager in history to have perfect working conditions in his first 3 jobs. If his jobs after City are also of the same ilk then he will have had a serene career. It's insulting to the likes of SAF, Clough, Shankly that their achievements are belittled due to challenging themselves.


I don't believe Pep would have been successful at United and we tend to look in the long term. I think the only way for him to be successful at City, was to be allowed his way in the market. It created such a buzz and an energy. Our strategy would have probably seem him moan a lot.
He knew he would not have had success at Utd. The squad he took over at City needed less work than the squad at Utd. He would have won the league for the last 2 years City by merely upgrading the defence. He's also spent a ton of money in other areas though to make sure.
 

11101

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You didnt bother to read the link. The actual information in that goal.com article is from France Football (responsible for presenting the Balon Dor incase you doubt its credibility)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Football

Social media has nothing to do with it. Guess whos number 1 in France Footballs list? Rinus Michel. He managed in the 60s onwards and won the European cup with Ajax in the 70s. Helenio Herrera and a certain Lobanovski are also in the top 7. Infact, there are only 3 managers from the last 20 years in that list.
Clough was great. He just isnt as great as Pep. Pep, at the end of his career, will be regarded by many as one of the 3 greatest managers of all time (if not the best). Painful for some on here.
I know who France Football are. They are a magazine, and that list is chosen by their journalists. The Ballon D'Or is not. It is organised by them, but the winners are chosen by professionals in the game. Totally different thing.

Pep is more popular because he is current, and social media is part of that. When he is retired he will settle to his real position and it won't be in the very top tier. If he wants to be at that level he needs to take on a challenge.
 

Gehrman

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It's very likely that statistically he will go down as the GOAT. He's declared he has around 10 -15 years left in club management so lot's will depend on the jobs he takes after City.

I personally am of the belief that you judge people when they have faced adversity & how they have come through it. Pep is the only manager in history to have perfect working conditions in his first 3 jobs. If his jobs after City are also of the same ilk then he will have had a serene career. It's insulting to the likes of SAF, Clough, Shankly that their achievements are belittled due to challenging themselves.




He knew he would not have had success at Utd. The squad he took over at City needed less work than the squad at Utd. He would have won the league for the last 2 years City by merely upgrading the defence. He's also spent a ton of money in other areas though to make sure.
I think his work at Barca is underrated. He shipped out a lot of stars and promoted youth. His squad was class but he played a big part in developing them to another level. But yeah, he hasn't been the underdog and quit Barca when Real pipped them to the league.