Eriksen and Antony were also his signings. Our scouts didn't rate Antony that highly.
I think if this was under the Glazers that’s a possibility but for INEOS it’s the perfect chance to get rid of underachievers. Also helps that the no CL clause in contracts reduces wages so maybe some will be forced to look elsewhere.
He moved to the agency just before he moved, which I always find a bit dodgy, but we have a good relationship with Atalanta so we probably were interested regardless.
He shouldn't even be in this position, he should be involved in conversations about signings and sellings but he shouldn't be making the decision, modern structures don't work like that. He is a coach but he is being asked to be head of recruitment and director of football? It's all wrong.
If we had spent 300 million on the same players, that still wouldn't have represented value for money. Terrible talent ID.Disagree. The sad fact is that we simply aren’t a CL standard team anymore and need to build towards this goal. Europa is our level and even that is a stretch. We are a fallen giant, a huge club with small team quality.
This is my worry too. If we do what we’ve always done, we will only get what we have always got. We need to try something else. We need to back the manager, give him support and guidance and let him build.
ETH may have been responsible for choosing the targets, but I refuse to blame him for the money spent. That is squarely on the club and Murtough who clearly couldn’t negotiate their way out of a paper bag. The old way has been terrible at doing deals, hopefully the new way puts that right.
If INEOS and the new directors are going to set a club style of play that is implemented through out our teams, then ETH will have to coach to this style. This removes his interpretation of tactics and sets clear boundaries for him to coach to. I’m much more optimistic about our playing style in this regard. I think we will see an improvement next season even if we stick with Erik.
I agree. Trying a new way is long overdue!
hey, can’t knock a guy for trying! It’s hard to build a narrative without a little exaggeration!!
He’s better than Luke Shaw don’t ya know!
This is a relic of our football structure from the Fergie times (which is now changing). It's famously known that is how we operate. Our managers always have a big say in transfers, and I'd even bet that's a big reason why he was tempted to take this job.
I think this thread is important. It should be a safe space for those who are unsure about sacking the manager can discuss their concerns without constantly getting shouted down by the sack happy mob, or dismissed as ETH-cultists or defenders.
What his vision?
The conundrum is this: You'll never see a 5-year plan come to fruition if you don't give anybody 5 years.
ten Hag has experienced unprecedented levels of control and influence compared to his predecessors. The closest to what SAF had.
This one is simple. Nobody deserves 5 years no questions asked. No serious club on the planet does this, for a good reason. The solution is, do not dream of long term managers, do not dream of another SAF because chances of it happening are extremely slim. We do not need a long term manager to be successful, especially now.
Pretty much agree. Football fans are so fickle though, everything happens in the moment. You’re only as good as your last game. There’s no rush to sack him and it won’t solve anything in the long term. It won’t necessarily solve anything in the short term either, nor guarantee the FA Cup. The season is about over now, we have a summer ahead. I don’t see Ten Hag staying on, but we’ll sack him when we have a succession plan and not just because. A lot has to change at this football club.
I have also come to that conclusion myself after many years, which is why I think Tuchel is the best realistic option for us until we find the next young pretender (or if Tuchel himself does a fantastic job).
It's maddening how many times I've seen people say things like "this squad shouldn't be allowed to throw another manager under the bus" despite the fact the overwhelming majority never played for the previous manager.
Nah.
From what he talks about, he wants to be a quick transition side that squeezes the opposition high up the pitch. Inevitably leaving a shit tonne of space to cover if you give the ball away as cheaply as we do and we have absolute carthorses all over the pitch. So I don't necessarily discount his headline vision, I don't think he can identify the players needed to suit his system or at least get his message across coherently.
Pull the other one, mate.
Pound for pound we have the worst performance to pay ratio in the world; even on reduced wages here, the vast majority of the squad could not command that rate, or anything close to it, elsewhere so many will gladly sit and ride out whatever grand plan is in place unless paid up and out. Most also know they won’t get a gig at another giant club and will gladly keep prestige, even as benched or squaddied players rather than drop a level or two and play.
Antony was a last ditch desperation signing, so was Amrabat. My point was these weren't in the original plan/budget, Ten Haag was clearly happy to have the extra signings as the window was late, but that doesn't mean he was properly supported.
This is the biggest issue with keeping him, along with the strong possibility we write off another season and create even more negativity around the club. If he stays and fails next season, we're in an even bigger hole in my opinion.
If Ipswich struggle in the PL, it'll probably be a very controversial decision to hire him. Best time would be now whilst his stock is high, unless he performs miracles next season.
Real are successful because La Liga keep 2 teams propped up with a hugely disparate payments setup, not because their fans have high standards.
So could Antony, but most likely not.
Recommended and identified by ETH: Eriksen, Malacia, Martínez, Antony, Amrabat, Onana, Mount
That’s what I meant by ‘if we still see fit’.
If this tactical set up is a choice, is it no an indictment on ETH because it's clearly not working.Every teams has issues and it's the work of the Coach to adjust accordingly.
