You must be extremely pessimistic to get every manager right from get-go, which is almost impossible if you're really a fan of the club.
All of us went through the rollercoaster.
All of us went through the rollercoaster.
Which posters have gotten it right all along?
- Thread starter Florida Man
- Start date
Agreed man, this has to happen.
Being generally supportive of a new manager isn't the same as genuinely believing in them, never mind being 100% convinced they'll be successful.
To some the former is just default behaviour - as in, you don't bring the pitchfork out before five minutes have passed. To others there's no point in showing any restraint if you think (or even suspect) the guy isn't right for the job. I definitely belong in the first category - which means that I can't claim to have been "right" about a single one of 'em. I can't say that bothers me very much, though.
To some the former is just default behaviour - as in, you don't bring the pitchfork out before five minutes have passed. To others there's no point in showing any restraint if you think (or even suspect) the guy isn't right for the job. I definitely belong in the first category - which means that I can't claim to have been "right" about a single one of 'em. I can't say that bothers me very much, though.
Moyes, I never wanted him at all cost. I thought LVG was the right call after Moyes as Jose was not available. You needed LVG after Moyes because he was the only big name available. To me I still do not understand where he went wrong. My gut feeling is that he tried to combine two things of the so called United way and his philosophy which was never going to work. His teams played a very technical football and the basis is that they have a very quick and ball playing CBs, a defensive midfield player who is also very quick and also pass the ball very well and an creative player who can do outstanding things and a top class CF. RVP was never his type of CF and I think he thought Rooney could be that creative player. Rooney had that ability but probably was past his age.
I was bored to hell at the later part of his season but in hindsight I now wish he was given an extra year. We lost the CL spot only on goal difference and won the FA Cup and were going to play in the EL anyway. He may have won it and improved the rebuilding process. I knew Jose would not rebuild and will look for instant success. Not LVG he can rebuild a side.
I was bored to hell at the later part of his season but in hindsight I now wish he was given an extra year. We lost the CL spot only on goal difference and won the FA Cup and were going to play in the EL anyway. He may have won it and improved the rebuilding process. I knew Jose would not rebuild and will look for instant success. Not LVG he can rebuild a side.
Yeah I think there was worries with all of them.
Moyes had done well with Everton, but never managed a top side expected to go for the big titles.
LVG had failed big time with Bayern in the end and also struggled in the end with Barcelona.
Mourinho had just been fired from Chelsea after having them almost in the relegation zone.
Ole had been relegated with Cardiff before.
I was fecking gutted when we appointed Moyes, I wanted either Klopp or Mourinho. LVG was meh, I never really rated the guy. I was wrong on Mourinho, I though he would succeed and stay longer, then I realized than it’s not just the manager, the problem is way bigger.
Regarding Ole, it was a very strange summer, I didn’t know what to think after last season, now I realize he is out of his depth.
Regarding Ole, it was a very strange summer, I didn’t know what to think after last season, now I realize he is out of his depth.
I supported Moyes for as long as possible because Sir Alex said to. Mistake. Should have been against him from Day 1.
I was a bit sceptical of LvG but he had some pedigree. It didn't take long for me to be bored of him. Falling over vs Arsenal was epic, mind you.
Jose was supposed to be the one to bring us back. I wanted to believe but he followed form and went into meltdown right on schedule. Disappointing that he wasn't backed at the end but I don't think it would have made a difference.
Ole I fully support. Initially felt that having him as interim guy followed by Poch would be brilliant but brilliant and Ed Woodward are not terms I'd ever put together and here we are. Hopefully Ole can do it. At the least his time has shown us that managers need to understand United to get us playing the way the fans like. All those seasons of Moyes, LvG and Mourinho were dire to watch.
I was a bit sceptical of LvG but he had some pedigree. It didn't take long for me to be bored of him. Falling over vs Arsenal was epic, mind you.
Jose was supposed to be the one to bring us back. I wanted to believe but he followed form and went into meltdown right on schedule. Disappointing that he wasn't backed at the end but I don't think it would have made a difference.
Ole I fully support. Initially felt that having him as interim guy followed by Poch would be brilliant but brilliant and Ed Woodward are not terms I'd ever put together and here we are. Hopefully Ole can do it. At the least his time has shown us that managers need to understand United to get us playing the way the fans like. All those seasons of Moyes, LvG and Mourinho were dire to watch.
Indeed.
Could add that both Moyes and Ole were - simply - big gambles: a whole lot there that could plausibly go very wrong. Both of them came with a vague "United way" vibe, i.e. Moyes was supposed to carry on Fergie's legacy (insane in retrospect), Ole was/is supposed to resurrect it - but none of them had/have any objective credentials that would serve to convince anyone they were grand choices.
The main worries with both LVG and Jose were that they were past it at the very highest level - and that their methods/styles weren't a great fit for United.
Since the loss vs PSG at home i strongly suspected he was a dud. Let's be real, we played well the first 2/3 games, then it was a progressive slide back to being permanently dreadful again afterwards.
There was a disconnect between what Ole was saying in the press and what the team actually performed like.
I hoped that it was just him trying to get through the season, then come the summer he would implement his own ideas. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
At the press conference where he was asked what he planned to do now that he had the permanent job, he said he would carry on like he had nothing to lose, like he had since he first came in. That was worrying. We had a massive rebuild job in the summer where we needed to be ruthless. That felt like a taste of what was to come in the summer already.
I've actually stopped watching us for the first time in my life until he goes. He's even killed the positives in even watching us play a bunch of kids for me. As i can't help but think of how much better they would be, getting coached by a quality manager instead.
There was a disconnect between what Ole was saying in the press and what the team actually performed like.
I hoped that it was just him trying to get through the season, then come the summer he would implement his own ideas. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
At the press conference where he was asked what he planned to do now that he had the permanent job, he said he would carry on like he had nothing to lose, like he had since he first came in. That was worrying. We had a massive rebuild job in the summer where we needed to be ruthless. That felt like a taste of what was to come in the summer already.
Everything since then has just cemented my belief that he is out of his depth here.
I've actually stopped watching us for the first time in my life until he goes. He's even killed the positives in even watching us play a bunch of kids for me. As i can't help but think of how much better they would be, getting coached by a quality manager instead.
I've got it wrong virtually every time...which means I really should be invited to join the board.
Moyes - I had zero expectations but thought he was a good choice, I was excited to see what Manchester United had in store post Fergie. I didn't think he'd be that bad though. Wrong.
LVG - I thought would be brilliant. Great pedigree, recently proved his credentials at the World Cup ending tiki taka in the process, and loved him as a person. Didn't think he'd be so boring. Wrong.
Jose - I was against from the get go. Poisonous little man who built boring teams. Predicted implosion. Correct.
Ole - Was all for his appointment. Expected us to be knocking around 4th place. Could be right, could be wrong. Who knows.
LVG - I thought would be brilliant. Great pedigree, recently proved his credentials at the World Cup ending tiki taka in the process, and loved him as a person. Didn't think he'd be so boring. Wrong.
Jose - I was against from the get go. Poisonous little man who built boring teams. Predicted implosion. Correct.
Ole - Was all for his appointment. Expected us to be knocking around 4th place. Could be right, could be wrong. Who knows.
After the bombshell dropped about Sir Alex retiring, the announcement about Moyes was made pretty quick. I'd describe my view on that as being incredulous but optimistic, even as Sir Alex encouraged us to get behind the new manager after his final home game. Honestly, I couldn't see it working, but I'm an old school fan, so you go to the games and get behind them whatever. I definitely thought that nothing on paper added up and that it was all buoyed up by people wanting it to work. I was also astonished he took it.
In fact, the initial disappointment of hiring Moyes, was then followed by further negativity as coaching staff were cut loose and he brought in his own people. All the while phrases like "steadying the ship" were bandied about. What did that mean? It wasn't an unsteady ship, we'd just won the league! It was a League winning squad, albeit bloated. 3rd negative point was that Moyes only took up the post in July. July! He was announced as the manager of Manchester United and didn't take up the post for 2 months. WTF! When they announced him as having been sacked after "9 months in charge", I pointed out it should have been 12! What sort of hubris was that, to join without a full pre-season! On taking charge it was clear that he wasn't up to the job of pruning the squad (I'll not go into that, as we all know how that's turned out ...). 4th negative was probably that Rooney's time was up, but now under Moyes, that was reversed and things seemed weird. Like it was a time of change, but some things pointlessly stayed the same.
I turned up to the games and got behind the team. Not just me, of course, United fans are loyal and show it. Certainly this was the case on the Stretford End where I sit. Personally though, I knew it wasn't going to work, but hoped I'd be wrong. I reckon 3 or 4 months in and I'd had it, and I'm sure it was a "I can't keep this up any longer" moment. I still sang and got behind the team, as did most, I just stopped thinking with my heart and assuming that the club knew what it was doing.
In terms of posting, I'm not someone who will post a load of stuff, even at that "breaking point" with Moyes. You back the team, I'm not an expert nor can I influence who is appointed so what does it achieve?
I'm pretty sure I posted a fair bit about following Ferguson being more like following Busby than recruiting Ferguson as everyone seemed to be discussing. I often brought up that it had once been said that the club had no succession plan for Ferguson. I always felt that was shocking. If nothing else, what about the business angle? Surely the money men and owners would want that? I'd suggest the sheer hubris of arrogantly assuming United would be OK lead us there.
In terms of following a dynasty we had such a strong precedent in our own history! Clearly then you realise that maybe the decision makers aren't making the right calls.
So basically, big reservations under Moyes, then I've always felt that that appointment really caused problems as it cleared out staff, it didn't trim the squad, it recruited poorly, it increased the pressure on us and most importantly I always felt (& said ) that it put us on the back foot in terms of making big decisions. So the next 2 appointments felt line "on the hoof" appointments, acceptable if you're recruiting a guy to save you from relegation, but not for this. So LvG might have been decent after Ferguson, to "steady the ship", as it was he inherited a bloated squad, even more pressure and an extremely unsteady ship!
If we all accept that a great decision (like recruiting Sir Alex) can yield positive results eventually, the opposite is also true., that recruiting badly can have really toxic affects. Moyes was the wrong man at the wrong time.
After him, they COULD have been the right men at the wrong time, but who knows. Even Mourinho might have worked after Ferguson. After all he'd be doing what he does best which is inherit a winning team. There wouldn't have been such a "thing" about him maybe not staying more than 3 seasons either. "Steady the ship", an FA/League cup, top 4, 2nd place pushing someone close, Champions League run - I don't even think we'd have needed to have won everything, just not slipped so far.
Moyes turned out to be exactly what I suspected he would be, which was totally out of his depth. A man incapable of captaining such a big ship, let alone steadying it. By the time it came to needing to bail water out when we started sinking he was found even more wanting.
Anyone saying Ole is out of his depth, would do well to remember what that really looks like: Moyes in charge of a team that just won the league! Ole in charge of a team that's hopefully hit the bottom and is trying to get back in amongst it is not "out of his depth". We're way off the team we were in 2012/3.
In fact, the initial disappointment of hiring Moyes, was then followed by further negativity as coaching staff were cut loose and he brought in his own people. All the while phrases like "steadying the ship" were bandied about. What did that mean? It wasn't an unsteady ship, we'd just won the league! It was a League winning squad, albeit bloated. 3rd negative point was that Moyes only took up the post in July. July! He was announced as the manager of Manchester United and didn't take up the post for 2 months. WTF! When they announced him as having been sacked after "9 months in charge", I pointed out it should have been 12! What sort of hubris was that, to join without a full pre-season! On taking charge it was clear that he wasn't up to the job of pruning the squad (I'll not go into that, as we all know how that's turned out ...). 4th negative was probably that Rooney's time was up, but now under Moyes, that was reversed and things seemed weird. Like it was a time of change, but some things pointlessly stayed the same.
I turned up to the games and got behind the team. Not just me, of course, United fans are loyal and show it. Certainly this was the case on the Stretford End where I sit. Personally though, I knew it wasn't going to work, but hoped I'd be wrong. I reckon 3 or 4 months in and I'd had it, and I'm sure it was a "I can't keep this up any longer" moment. I still sang and got behind the team, as did most, I just stopped thinking with my heart and assuming that the club knew what it was doing.
In terms of posting, I'm not someone who will post a load of stuff, even at that "breaking point" with Moyes. You back the team, I'm not an expert nor can I influence who is appointed so what does it achieve?
I'm pretty sure I posted a fair bit about following Ferguson being more like following Busby than recruiting Ferguson as everyone seemed to be discussing. I often brought up that it had once been said that the club had no succession plan for Ferguson. I always felt that was shocking. If nothing else, what about the business angle? Surely the money men and owners would want that? I'd suggest the sheer hubris of arrogantly assuming United would be OK lead us there.
In terms of following a dynasty we had such a strong precedent in our own history! Clearly then you realise that maybe the decision makers aren't making the right calls.
So basically, big reservations under Moyes, then I've always felt that that appointment really caused problems as it cleared out staff, it didn't trim the squad, it recruited poorly, it increased the pressure on us and most importantly I always felt (& said ) that it put us on the back foot in terms of making big decisions. So the next 2 appointments felt line "on the hoof" appointments, acceptable if you're recruiting a guy to save you from relegation, but not for this. So LvG might have been decent after Ferguson, to "steady the ship", as it was he inherited a bloated squad, even more pressure and an extremely unsteady ship!
If we all accept that a great decision (like recruiting Sir Alex) can yield positive results eventually, the opposite is also true., that recruiting badly can have really toxic affects. Moyes was the wrong man at the wrong time.
After him, they COULD have been the right men at the wrong time, but who knows. Even Mourinho might have worked after Ferguson. After all he'd be doing what he does best which is inherit a winning team. There wouldn't have been such a "thing" about him maybe not staying more than 3 seasons either. "Steady the ship", an FA/League cup, top 4, 2nd place pushing someone close, Champions League run - I don't even think we'd have needed to have won everything, just not slipped so far.
Moyes turned out to be exactly what I suspected he would be, which was totally out of his depth. A man incapable of captaining such a big ship, let alone steadying it. By the time it came to needing to bail water out when we started sinking he was found even more wanting.
Anyone saying Ole is out of his depth, would do well to remember what that really looks like: Moyes in charge of a team that just won the league! Ole in charge of a team that's hopefully hit the bottom and is trying to get back in amongst it is not "out of his depth". We're way off the team we were in 2012/3.
I knew that Moyes and Ole will be complete disasters since day one.
I wanted LVG and Jose. For both i thought that they will be huge success. And that under LVG we will play free flowing attacking football.
Signings:
I was against signing Schneiderlin, Schweini, Shaw and Mikhi( and this summer i was against signing Maguire and James). On the other hand i was 100 % certain that Falcao, Alexis and Depay will be great signings.
So i had a lot of hits and misses i guess.
I wanted LVG and Jose. For both i thought that they will be huge success. And that under LVG we will play free flowing attacking football.
Signings:
I was against signing Schneiderlin, Schweini, Shaw and Mikhi( and this summer i was against signing Maguire and James). On the other hand i was 100 % certain that Falcao, Alexis and Depay will be great signings.
So i had a lot of hits and misses i guess.
I knew Moyes was the wrong person right from the get go, however, I also knew that whoever took over for SAF would never be able to meet the high expectations coming along with the job, so a "sacrificial lamb" of sorts was going to happen. Biggest problem was the long term contract. He never should have gotten that. As for LVG, as soon as I saw his preferred "back 5" formation (you can call it a 3 all you like but it's a 5) I didn't like him. I thought Mourinho would do well in the short term. Some say he started his downfall against Valencia (was it Valencia?) in the Champions League in his second year in charge. I thought his time was up the season before when he gave up on the league and focused only on Europa. I think we could have still won Europa and kept trying to win league games. There was no need to play a game with Phil fecking Jones in midfield...
I'd back you, Steve.
Well, initially.
After some time I'd be funding campaigns for having planes circling Old Trafford every match day with banners reading "Tara, Stevie - three
I honestly think the best way to predict a managerial appointment's outcome (for any team) is to look at all Oppo fans opinions -
If there is an overwhelming mood of bitterness, dislike / hatred of the manager that's been appointed, and / or a prediction of 'a few trophies' by the more intelligent fans, then you've made a generally good move.
If there is an overwhelming mood of laughter and mockery and happiness throughout almost every Oppo contingent - you can be pretty sure that you've just employed a muppet.
In Utd's case in the Woodward reign - out of 4 managerial appointments, 2 have been greeted with the first reaction by oppos - and both won trophies here - and 2 have been greeted with immediate and obvious mockery, and they have both proven to be utter muppet managers.
That said, the Utd board under Woodward have managed to pull off 2 of the most obviously laughable, completely unsuitable managerial appointments in Elite footy... so I don't think anyone other than those completely duped by the Glazer PR campaigns could've ever thought that either was a sensible or progressive move.
If there is an overwhelming mood of bitterness, dislike / hatred of the manager that's been appointed, and / or a prediction of 'a few trophies' by the more intelligent fans, then you've made a generally good move.
If there is an overwhelming mood of laughter and mockery and happiness throughout almost every Oppo contingent - you can be pretty sure that you've just employed a muppet.
In Utd's case in the Woodward reign - out of 4 managerial appointments, 2 have been greeted with the first reaction by oppos - and both won trophies here - and 2 have been greeted with immediate and obvious mockery, and they have both proven to be utter muppet managers.
That said, the Utd board under Woodward have managed to pull off 2 of the most obviously laughable, completely unsuitable managerial appointments in Elite footy... so I don't think anyone other than those completely duped by the Glazer PR campaigns could've ever thought that either was a sensible or progressive move.
I don't blame Woodward for the Moyes mess. As far it is known SAF did not even tell Gill that he was retiring. So they were left with no options but to accept what SAF was suggesting. Gill retired at the same time too. If only they had talked to each other before that.
There was a poster on here who started a thread saying we were in for a very rough season and a midtable finish (can't remember the name of it or the poster) but I remember he got absolutely slaughtered by some of the posters on here and getting some really aggressive responses. So far he/she has been proven fairly accurate in their assessment. Wish I could remember the thread.
Moyes was a right-off from the start. He was like a deer in the headlights from his first press-conference. Joke of an appointment.
LVG, i was supportive. He overachieved in the World Cup, getting a poor Holland team to the semi-finals with some impressive tactical displays. I thought he was progressing well the first year, especially when he stumbled upon the 4141 setup. I thought he would keep that shape the following season and kick on, so it was surprising to see him scrap it completely for the 4231 with Depay. That never worked out and i felt we never recovered from those choices made. That was the start of the end and by the time he went, it felt like the right decision.
Mourinho, i was supportive. I knew what the deal was beforehand. He was a winner who would hopefully cement us into the CL, if we could win a league title by hook or crook that would be great. I knew he would likely only stay a few years and was apprehensive of his youth record. But it felt like a good decision at the time.
His 1st year, the league record was disappointing finishing 6th, but we still won 2 trophies (fortunate in League Cup final), but he showed his winning mentality when we totally bossed a young, exciting but naive Ajax team, gaining CL qualification. So it turned out well in the end.
2nd year was when i lost faith. Finished 2nd, but De Gea was godly that season, bailing out the defence all season. I remember our shots/chances against was insanely high compared to other top teams in the league. When he bought Sanchez, dropping the in-form Martial (Great, Sanchez to play RW we all thought!), that was the beginning of the end to me. We never recovered from that.
3rd year, couldn't wait for him to go. Maybe it would have been different if he was backed properly in the summer, who knows.
Ole, happy for his interim period (whilst still expecting a quality manager to be appointed). Strongly against permanent manager until review at end of the season. His lack of in-game quality compared to Mourinho quickly became glaringly obvious. Since PSG at home, i was skeptical, come a month or so later, i was convinced he was out of his depth. Haven't changed my mind since.
LVG, i was supportive. He overachieved in the World Cup, getting a poor Holland team to the semi-finals with some impressive tactical displays. I thought he was progressing well the first year, especially when he stumbled upon the 4141 setup. I thought he would keep that shape the following season and kick on, so it was surprising to see him scrap it completely for the 4231 with Depay. That never worked out and i felt we never recovered from those choices made. That was the start of the end and by the time he went, it felt like the right decision.
Mourinho, i was supportive. I knew what the deal was beforehand. He was a winner who would hopefully cement us into the CL, if we could win a league title by hook or crook that would be great. I knew he would likely only stay a few years and was apprehensive of his youth record. But it felt like a good decision at the time.
His 1st year, the league record was disappointing finishing 6th, but we still won 2 trophies (fortunate in League Cup final), but he showed his winning mentality when we totally bossed a young, exciting but naive Ajax team, gaining CL qualification. So it turned out well in the end.
2nd year was when i lost faith. Finished 2nd, but De Gea was godly that season, bailing out the defence all season. I remember our shots/chances against was insanely high compared to other top teams in the league. When he bought Sanchez, dropping the in-form Martial (Great, Sanchez to play RW we all thought!), that was the beginning of the end to me. We never recovered from that.
3rd year, couldn't wait for him to go. Maybe it would have been different if he was backed properly in the summer, who knows.
Ole, happy for his interim period (whilst still expecting a quality manager to be appointed). Strongly against permanent manager until review at end of the season. His lack of in-game quality compared to Mourinho quickly became glaringly obvious. Since PSG at home, i was skeptical, come a month or so later, i was convinced he was out of his depth. Haven't changed my mind since.
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I managed to convince myself that Moyes wasn't a terrible appointment. In hindsight it was incredibly obvious that he was going to fail. And with each new manager I have been optimistic and tried to look at their positives rather than negatives.
So, not me.
So, not me.
Just couldn't believe, ever, that Moyes was even a decent manager, let alone was going to be good enough for us. Equal first withh Bebe on SAF's list of worse signings = Right
LVG I always saw as someone to bring a bit of stability after Moyes and was never going to be here for the long term = Right
I was ecstatic we got JM as we needed someone big enough to match the club for the next 10 years or so after Moyes and LVG. Still think he is and could have been without the Pogba and Lukaku bollocks, but = Wrong
OGS I always saw as a stop gap and seems that way up to now. Can I claim - Right ?
LVG I always saw as someone to bring a bit of stability after Moyes and was never going to be here for the long term = Right
I was ecstatic we got JM as we needed someone big enough to match the club for the next 10 years or so after Moyes and LVG. Still think he is and could have been without the Pogba and Lukaku bollocks, but = Wrong
OGS I always saw as a stop gap and seems that way up to now. Can I claim - Right ?
I remember saying Moyes wouldn't last the season when he got hired... so I had that one right.
Van Gaal I had high hopes for, and while some good came out of his time (mainly Martial and Rashford), overall obviously a failure. Still, won an fa cup at least.
Mourinho I think we all knew that itd be short term success with not much of an eye for long term. First 2 years you can even say his appointment was pretty much as expected and good overall. All downhill the 3rd though, dramatically so.
Ole is one we hoped could do something with no expectation that he actually would. Still the case. Understanding there that so much of the system is broken so it's hard for him to do well, even if he was a top manager (which he isnt).
Van Gaal I had high hopes for, and while some good came out of his time (mainly Martial and Rashford), overall obviously a failure. Still, won an fa cup at least.
Mourinho I think we all knew that itd be short term success with not much of an eye for long term. First 2 years you can even say his appointment was pretty much as expected and good overall. All downhill the 3rd though, dramatically so.
Ole is one we hoped could do something with no expectation that he actually would. Still the case. Understanding there that so much of the system is broken so it's hard for him to do well, even if he was a top manager (which he isnt).
True, true.Actually it's about nine years of crap, mate.
And long may it continue (hopefully also including a brief stint on the United board).
@Ian Reus
Never wrong.
Never wrong.
I supported the choice of Moyes but would've preferred Jose. I thought it would be a 3 or 4 with job with Moyes abd we'd eventually do well. I was wrong, he ws way out of his depth. A British manager from a smaller club was ok in 1986 but not in 2013.
I had high hopes with LvG. The problem was our squad was poor by then. Rio, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Giggs all gone, rooney & RVP past it. The younger players weren't good enough (Welbz, Clev, Smalling, Jones). LvG's signings were poor. Great manager but inheriting a poor squad and making poor signings meant he could only make 4th but he won an FA Cup. He did ok but with one year away from retirement na dJose becoming available it was the right call to get rid.
I had higher hopes with Jose. One of the few managers who could fill SAF's boots. With his initial signings - Zlats, Pogba, MickyT and Eric - I thought we'd a shot at the league. Too many poor results at home. He won two cups though. Pity they didn't get him what he wanted in Summer 2018. My expectations weren't met.
Ole was a good choice (although it does look like it'll end in failure). The first three months with Pogba flying we were in dream land. The problem is that we are so reliant on Pogba. OK we can get results when the game tactics fall for us (ie we can counter) but zero creativity (again on Saturday evening). Pogba's cameo at Watford showed how reliant we are. The length of Ole's reign depends on PP. Get him on-side and we cold do well or alternatively, get rid and get a couple of quality players in. This is a job for January. If Ole fails then he'll be gone at the end of the season.
I had high hopes with LvG. The problem was our squad was poor by then. Rio, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Giggs all gone, rooney & RVP past it. The younger players weren't good enough (Welbz, Clev, Smalling, Jones). LvG's signings were poor. Great manager but inheriting a poor squad and making poor signings meant he could only make 4th but he won an FA Cup. He did ok but with one year away from retirement na dJose becoming available it was the right call to get rid.
I had higher hopes with Jose. One of the few managers who could fill SAF's boots. With his initial signings - Zlats, Pogba, MickyT and Eric - I thought we'd a shot at the league. Too many poor results at home. He won two cups though. Pity they didn't get him what he wanted in Summer 2018. My expectations weren't met.
Ole was a good choice (although it does look like it'll end in failure). The first three months with Pogba flying we were in dream land. The problem is that we are so reliant on Pogba. OK we can get results when the game tactics fall for us (ie we can counter) but zero creativity (again on Saturday evening). Pogba's cameo at Watford showed how reliant we are. The length of Ole's reign depends on PP. Get him on-side and we cold do well or alternatively, get rid and get a couple of quality players in. This is a job for January. If Ole fails then he'll be gone at the end of the season.
Aye, they've all been shite. What a miserable existence it would be predicting that every time.
That said, I'm going to be predicting shite for our managerial appointments going forward.
I don't think that's true. Many of us had massive doubts about, say, Mourinho and voiced as such before the appointment and even during the first few games when the buzz was highest, but at the same time, the moment he was at the helm, you hope to goodness you'll be proven wrong, and most times, you're not going to bring out the pitchforks without due process.
Funnily enough, the manager I most 'backed' was Ole, because I thought it was too many games to be new manager bounce, but even then, you simply don't give out a contract like Woodward did at such a juncture.
Until we get an outright attacking and progressive manager, I believe we're going to remain pretty much inert, but I wouldn't really bother to air that just because, and I don't think I'm the only one with that sentiment.
Haha! I do wonder whether the second half of last season would have gone differently if Ole hadn’t been made permanent. At that point United we’re building up a head of steam which may have ended in a Champions League place.Agree. It all happened far too quickly. We kept winning, there was a 'wave' of good feeling and then a clamour for his permanant appointment to the point where it genuinely felt like 'you have to give it to Ole'. And that feeling, I don't know where it stemmed from, but was completely illogical. There was no clause whereby we were automatically indebted to give it to Ole upon winning 14 games. We should have been more careful and taken our time over it. He wasn't going to run away and it definitely was a huge risk, as has been proven since then.
Edit : Wait you were talking about this season
As for this season, top 4 is very much still alive, albeit only one place with many clubs going for it. Bit early to say he’s the wrong man in my view, given I agree with his signings so far and appreciate the higher high points this team seems capable of delivering.
In terms of this thread, the one I was really worried about was Van Gaal. His Holland team actually played bloody boring goalless football in those last two games, and it was clearly a last job pre retirement.
I think anyone with common sense who wants our board (the part that makes the footballing decisions) to be fired/revamped has been right all along.
We had a great all time manager who created a dynasty based on playing attacking football, developing young players, & buying the best talent occasionally. In the 6 yrs we've hired 0 candidates that match those characteristics & people wonder why we are in this situation...
We had a great all time manager who created a dynasty based on playing attacking football, developing young players, & buying the best talent occasionally. In the 6 yrs we've hired 0 candidates that match those characteristics & people wonder why we are in this situation...
I remember thinking Depay would be incredible and also Schneiderlin, thought at the time he was exactly what we needed. LVG will always be one of my favourites, he brought some serious talent attacking talent here (at least on paper) and I thought we'd be very close to getting back to winning things with him.
Mou I think the entirety of the caf could predict what would happen but we all assumed we'd get a lot more bang for our buck than a Europa and Carabao cup (or whatever it's called). Would be funny for us to go back through old posts to find the ones which have aged the worst.
Mou I think the entirety of the caf could predict what would happen but we all assumed we'd get a lot more bang for our buck than a Europa and Carabao cup (or whatever it's called). Would be funny for us to go back through old posts to find the ones which have aged the worst.
I'm always supportive of the managers, but I've been pretty good at pulling out fast when to me at least, it's very obvious things aren't working. I have a very basic litmus test, and all the managers have failed. I want to see exciting football, and I want to see obvious coaching that doesn't look like an international side who have no time to gel. Our movement being crap is one of the biggest tells. How adventurous we are in passing between the lines is another obvious tell. How we press as a team is an obvious tell. How we play out from the back is another obvious tell.
Go and observe all the successful sides and these basics are all there.
Go and observe all the successful sides and these basics are all there.
If you can admit to both of those then you can surely see the knee jerk nature of your opinions
LVG would have been the best manager with time from the perspective of development on the pitch. We had the foundations to build a possession based team and many of the players ala Martial, Rashford, Rooney etc have heaps of praise for his coaching capabilities. Out of all the managers post SAF, LVG suited the longevity of time conundrum best he just didn't for me aquire the right types of players.
Mourinho was a dreadful appointment didn't suit the ethos of the club. Funnily enough still achieved the most.
Moyes is in the same bracket as Solskjaer they got the job based on momentary circumstances. They both are not of the level required for us to move FORWARD.
Mourinho was a dreadful appointment didn't suit the ethos of the club. Funnily enough still achieved the most.
Moyes is in the same bracket as Solskjaer they got the job based on momentary circumstances. They both are not of the level required for us to move FORWARD.
Moyes - Dead wrong, I thought the Pieenar-Baines linkup meant he could get his sides playing good football with the right quality, and his strong transfer record would help us. Also trusted Fergie, even though in retrospect picking a manager is something he'd never done before and his coaching tree isn't filled with incredible success stories, like he wasn't Robson plucking Mourinho from obscurity.
LVG - Thought he'd be a tad better than he was but wanted Pochettino because Southampton's underlying numbers which showed he was good at getting his team to press and keep the ball, so basically pretty good.
Mourinho - Right
OGS - Seem right so far
I was desperate for Sarri after watching Napoli become the most exciting team in Europe, unclear how that would have worked out for us. Also at anytime a Bielsa or even Rodgers appointment would have suited me, even though both probably end badly. Basically i'm pretentious but like passing and pressing, so when I see a smaller team playing good stuff in Europe and not sitting back I want their manager.
LVG - Thought he'd be a tad better than he was but wanted Pochettino because Southampton's underlying numbers which showed he was good at getting his team to press and keep the ball, so basically pretty good.
Mourinho - Right
OGS - Seem right so far
I was desperate for Sarri after watching Napoli become the most exciting team in Europe, unclear how that would have worked out for us. Also at anytime a Bielsa or even Rodgers appointment would have suited me, even though both probably end badly. Basically i'm pretentious but like passing and pressing, so when I see a smaller team playing good stuff in Europe and not sitting back I want their manager.
Said Moyes and Ole were the wrong decisions. Ole got the job off the back of a fluke win at PSG. Doesn’t matter which way you look at it a ridiculous last minute hand ball won us that game.
I thought LVG might do okay. His signings looked good although he sold far too many players and didn’t bring enough in. Exactly the same as Ole did this season.
I thought Mourinho would be a success. His signings were going after a much better calibre of player to the other managers, proof if you get a big name manager you can attract a better calibre of player. It didn’t work out but he’s been far more successful than our other managers.
I thought LVG might do okay. His signings looked good although he sold far too many players and didn’t bring enough in. Exactly the same as Ole did this season.
I thought Mourinho would be a success. His signings were going after a much better calibre of player to the other managers, proof if you get a big name manager you can attract a better calibre of player. It didn’t work out but he’s been far more successful than our other managers.
I thought Mourinho was the right choice just too late. I thought there would be problems with amours, just never “Big” enough, mind you I think anyone who went in was going to fail just based on where we were and also, changes in other places with the club.
Ole was a breathe of fresh air after the toxic environment at the end of the Mourinhos tenure,was very surprised when it was offered prior to the end of the season. In hindsight that was a mistake, we tied our hands that we need to give him time. I expect that based how the season ended we would have a different coach at the moment.
I will look forward, whomever replaces Ole when his day is finally done will Also struggle based on Woodward’s inability to oversee the player side of the job vs his obvious skill level on the financial
Ole was a breathe of fresh air after the toxic environment at the end of the Mourinhos tenure,was very surprised when it was offered prior to the end of the season. In hindsight that was a mistake, we tied our hands that we need to give him time. I expect that based how the season ended we would have a different coach at the moment.
I will look forward, whomever replaces Ole when his day is finally done will Also struggle based on Woodward’s inability to oversee the player side of the job vs his obvious skill level on the financial
Right about Moyes. Not about LVG because of that amazing summer.
Definitely not about Jose. Thought he’d win us the league.
Ole - I was right about him lifting us temporarily. I agreed he should be given a chance, so I guess the jury is still out. But I never said he’d smash it.
I truly believe if we get Poch he would smash it for us.
Definitely not about Jose. Thought he’d win us the league.
Ole - I was right about him lifting us temporarily. I agreed he should be given a chance, so I guess the jury is still out. But I never said he’d smash it.
I truly believe if we get Poch he would smash it for us.
I got them all wrong. LVG spectacularly so.
Although I've not full written Ole off yet.
Although I've not full written Ole off yet.
Who started the "WE. ARE. BACK" thread after we beat LA Galaxy in LvGs first pre-season? We need to hear from them.
Most of us were probably right about Moyes. Such an uninspiring hire. I thought both LVG and Jose would win the league though.
Most of us were probably right about Moyes. Such an uninspiring hire. I thought both LVG and Jose would win the league though.