Athletic | Manchester United: Inside Ralf Rangnick’s spell as interim manager

Teja

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https://theathletic.com/3326843/202...ed-inside-ralf-rangnick-spell-interim-manager

Solid article unlike the sensationalism by MEN. Some similar points between the two, so they probably have the same source.

The whole article is really worth reading but here's a summary:

Summary

Coaching

  • Chased several high profile coaches when Rangnick first came in but we had to settle for Armas because of various reasons (Brexit, visa regulations, unavailability during mid season etc.)
  • Bypassed Paul Brand (current analyst at United) and relied on Kornetka (his long term partner) to run video analysis for him. Recommendations were delayed by several days leading to some confusion in training sessions. Armas would be on a call with Kornetka trying to get his insights mid game.
  • Psychologist wasn't a huge help - had an open door policy but no one came to see him.
  • Eric Ramsay who was bought in as a set piece coach had to fill in as a regular first team coach because of the number of people that left (Carrick, McKenna etc.)
Tactics
  • Initially wanted to come up with a strict system and pass on detailed instructions to players.
  • Players came from different backgrounds - some thought football was about freedom and some thought more intense tactical sessions in-formation were necessary.
  • Ralf thinks bad recruitment lead to this ("At Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig he had led clubs that made signings based on an overarching idea. Publicly he pointed out how Manchester City and Liverpool built squads subservient to a concept. At United this aspect seemed muddled", "In Rangnick’s opinion, United’s results were being affected by a fractured squad put together by five different managers")
  • Had to compromise his system to fit in available players - Rangnick regrets doing this.
  • Wanted to play a 5-3-2 but his CBs were always injured.
Squad Harmony
  • Rangnick and squad themselves were questioning seriousness of players' injuries. (i.e., are they faking it?). Martial was the only one named here.
  • Recently made comments about injuries sustained by his players - that was a dig at players faking injuries rather than any issues with the medical team.
  • Bailly returned late from AFCON and Rangnick "tore into" him.
  • Senior players didn't attend a farewell for long-serving United employees - something Rangnick didn't like.
  • Ronaldo drama
    • Subbing him off at Brentford
    • Dropping him against City etc.
Transfers
  • Greenwood got arrested, Ralf tried to stop the Martial loan move but wasn't successful.
  • Tried to get a forward signing in at the last minute on loan.
    • "Multiple sources say United’s transfer process lacks agility for having so many checks and balances, eroding a sense of clear direction."
    • "United have privately argued it would have been folly to rush an emergency signing, with leverage to the selling club, and a smaller budget for an incoming manager."
  • Rangnick questioned why we haven't planned for Matic's departure and instead spent 90M on signing Amad, Pellestri and VdB.

My personal highlight

Rangnick sought and received advice from Sir Alex Ferguson. Armas met Ferguson in his lounge after the Young Boys game and explained his history as a player at Chicago Fire and managerial stints at New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC. A glint in his eye, Ferguson smiled and said words to the effect of: “You’ll need more than that here, son.”
 

pcaming

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https://theathletic.com/3326843/202...ed-inside-ralf-rangnick-spell-interim-manager

Solid article unlike the sensationalism by MEN. Some similar points between the two, so they probably have the same source.

The whole article is really worth reading but here's a summary:

Summary

Coaching

  • Chased several high profile coaches when Rangnick first came in but we had to settle for Armas because of various reasons (Brexit, visa regulations, unavailability during mid season etc.)
  • Bypassed Paul Brand (current analyst at United) and relied on Kornetka (his long term partner) to run video analysis for him. Recommendations were delayed by several days leading to some confusion in training sessions. Armas would be on a call with Kornetka trying to get his insights mid game.
  • Psychologist wasn't a huge help - had an open door policy but no one came to see him.
  • Eric Ramsay who was bought in as a set piece coach had to fill in as a regular first team coach because of the number of people that left (Carrick, McKenna etc.)
Tactics
  • Initially wanted to come up with a strict system and pass on detailed instructions to players.
  • Players came from different backgrounds - some thought football was about freedom and some thought more intense tactical sessions in-formation were necessary.
  • Ralf thinks bad recruitment lead to this ("At Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig he had led clubs that made signings based on an overarching idea. Publicly he pointed out how Manchester City and Liverpool built squads subservient to a concept. At United this aspect seemed muddled", "In Rangnick’s opinion, United’s results were being affected by a fractured squad put together by five different managers")
  • Had to compromise his system to fit in available players - Rangnick regrets doing this.
  • Wanted to play a 5-3-2 but his CBs were always injured.
Squad Harmony
  • Rangnick and squad themselves were questioning seriousness of players' injuries. (i.e., are they faking it?). Martial was the only one named here.
  • Recently made comments about injuries sustained by his players - that was a dig at players faking injuries rather than any issues with the medical team.
  • Bailly returned late from AFCON and Rangnick "tore into" him.
  • Senior players didn't attend a farewell for long-serving United employees - something Rangnick didn't like.
  • Ronaldo drama
    • Subbing him off at Brentford
    • Dropping him against City etc.
Transfers
  • Greenwood got arrested, Ralf tried to stop the Martial loan move but wasn't successful.
  • Tried to get a forward signing in at the last minute on loan.
    • "Multiple sources say United’s transfer process lacks agility for having so many checks and balances, eroding a sense of clear direction."
    • "United have privately argued it would have been folly to rush an emergency signing, with leverage to the selling club, and a smaller budget for an incoming manager."
  • Rangnick questioned why we haven't planned for Matic's departure and instead spent 90M on signing Amad, Pellestri and VdB.

My personal highlight

Rangnick sought and received advice from Sir Alex Ferguson. Armas met Ferguson in his lounge after the Young Boys game and explained his history as a player at Chicago Fire and managerial stints at New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC. A glint in his eye, Ferguson smiled and said words to the effect of: “You’ll need more than that here, son.”
We seem allergic to having a fully functional and controlling midfield...
 

WPMUFC

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https://theathletic.com/3326843/202...ed-inside-ralf-rangnick-spell-interim-manager

Solid article unlike the sensationalism by MEN. Some similar points between the two, so they probably have the same source.

The whole article is really worth reading but here's a summary:

Summary

Coaching

  • Chased several high profile coaches when Rangnick first came in but we had to settle for Armas because of various reasons (Brexit, visa regulations, unavailability during mid season etc.)
  • Bypassed Paul Brand (current analyst at United) and relied on Kornetka (his long term partner) to run video analysis for him. Recommendations were delayed by several days leading to some confusion in training sessions. Armas would be on a call with Kornetka trying to get his insights mid game.
  • Psychologist wasn't a huge help - had an open door policy but no one came to see him.
  • Eric Ramsay who was bought in as a set piece coach had to fill in as a regular first team coach because of the number of people that left (Carrick, McKenna etc.)
Tactics
  • Initially wanted to come up with a strict system and pass on detailed instructions to players.
  • Players came from different backgrounds - some thought football was about freedom and some thought more intense tactical sessions in-formation were necessary.
  • Ralf thinks bad recruitment lead to this ("At Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig he had led clubs that made signings based on an overarching idea. Publicly he pointed out how Manchester City and Liverpool built squads subservient to a concept. At United this aspect seemed muddled", "In Rangnick’s opinion, United’s results were being affected by a fractured squad put together by five different managers")
  • Had to compromise his system to fit in available players - Rangnick regrets doing this.
  • Wanted to play a 5-3-2 but his CBs were always injured.
Squad Harmony
  • Rangnick and squad themselves were questioning seriousness of players' injuries. (i.e., are they faking it?). Martial was the only one named here.
  • Recently made comments about injuries sustained by his players - that was a dig at players faking injuries rather than any issues with the medical team.
  • Bailly returned late from AFCON and Rangnick "tore into" him.
  • Senior players didn't attend a farewell for long-serving United employees - something Rangnick didn't like.
  • Ronaldo drama
    • Subbing him off at Brentford
    • Dropping him against City etc.
Transfers
  • Greenwood got arrested, Ralf tried to stop the Martial loan move but wasn't successful.
  • Tried to get a forward signing in at the last minute on loan.
    • "Multiple sources say United’s transfer process lacks agility for having so many checks and balances, eroding a sense of clear direction."
    • "United have privately argued it would have been folly to rush an emergency signing, with leverage to the selling club, and a smaller budget for an incoming manager."
  • Rangnick questioned why we haven't planned for Matic's departure and instead spent 90M on signing Amad, Pellestri and VdB.

My personal highlight

Rangnick sought and received advice from Sir Alex Ferguson. Armas met Ferguson in his lounge after the Young Boys game and explained his history as a player at Chicago Fire and managerial stints at New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC. A glint in his eye, Ferguson smiled and said words to the effect of: “You’ll need more than that here, son.”
Bolded parts...what an absolute disgrace. This club is rotten.
 

caid

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Sounds interesting. I wonder will the freedom vs. intense tactical sessions be an ongoing problem or another obstacle with otherwise good players.
 

SalfordRed18

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Sounds interesting. I wonder will the freedom vs. intense tactical sessions be an ongoing problem or another obstacle with otherwise good players.
Shouldn't be an issue going forward. Buy in to the tactics or leave.
 

sullydnl

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Bolded parts...what an absolute disgrace. This club is rotten.
Tbf regarding players not seeing the sports psychologist, the point was made that players are naturally guarded about opening up to new people and the fact that he would likely be gone in a few months time meant they saw little benefit in having sessions with him. Which I think is fair enough, if you're going to open up and work with a psychologist then you ideally want to do so under more stable conditions and knowing you won't have to start again with someone new in a few months. It's an area where trust is important.
 

WPMUFC

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Ralf thinks bad recruitment lead to this ("At Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig he had led clubs that made signings based on an overarching idea. Publicly he pointed out how Manchester City and Liverpool built squads subservient to a concept. At United this aspect seemed muddled", "In Rangnick’s opinion, United’s results were being affected by a fractured squad put together by five different managers")
THANK YOU ED WOODWARD....you utter clown. Better re-sign all the shit players for 5 year deals for "resale value'
 

VidaRed

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  • Senior players didn't attend a farewell for long-serving United employees - something Rangnick didn't like.
Too think I couldn't possibly hate the players more. What a bunch of twats we have collected, anyone defending them needs to get a grip.
 

sullydnl

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It's also worth highlighting the Ronaldo issues mentioned:

Coaching staff discussed taking Ronaldo out of the team as early as the visit by Burnley, the fifth game of Rangnick’s tenure. Solskjaer had done so against Everton and been heavily scrutinised, although Michael Carrick fared better when placing Ronaldo on the bench at Chelsea.

Rangnick predicted a major issue if he did the same and so ultimately started Ronaldo in the 3-1 win over Sean Dyche’s side. Ronaldo scored.

Privately, Rangnick had cause to be careful around Ronaldo’s selection. The same day Lense was introduced, Rangnick told his squad he would be making wholesale changes to the side to face Young Boys in the Champions League. Ronaldo left Carrington annoyed at the prospect of being left out of a European game, telling team-mates he should either start or rest totally because sitting on the bench for three hours in the cold would be detrimental to him.

Ronaldo’s volcanic reaction to being substituted on 70 minutes at Brentford gave public validation to Rangnick’s concerns. He thought about dropping Ronaldo for the next game against West Ham, but concluded his fiery mood could be channelled to the team’s benefit.

Rangnick eventually bit the bullet in one of the biggest games of the season. He told Ronaldo of his intentions for a change in tactics days ahead of United’s trip to face Manchester City on March 6, with sessions then geared towards starting Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as two false nines.

Ronaldo reported a hip flexor problem and flew to Portugal rather than be at the Etihad, with some team-mates suspecting he did not wish to experience the ignominy of watching such a major match from the sidelines
I say it's worth highlighting because while some players' bad attitudes can be solved by getting rid of them, it seems likely that Ronaldo (probably deservedly) will be here next season. Which means this rather petulant dynamic will be one ETH actually has to manage next season.
 

Elcabron

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The good news is that we somehow still managed to finish 6th. Amazing we weren't relegated reading that.

Also, a lot of these problems we won't have going forward i.e. lack of qualified coaches - they have just been announced today. Permanent manager v interim manager. There are no hiding places left now.
Pogba, Cavani and Martial and their fake injuries will finally be gone.

Roll on the ETH era.
 

JPRouve

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Shouldn't be an issue going forward. Buy in to the tactics or leave.
It's a bit more complicated than that and why they linked it to background. Players and managers can't be rewired, players that come from a very tactical background can struggle to adapt to something more free while players that come from a more free background can struggle with something that is extremely tactical. Typical examples would be Klose struggling with LVG or Pogba struggling outside of a more italian approach which is what Deschamps/Allegri/Conte provided. Clubs need identify that and make sure that they don't put players and coaches in too much unknown.
 

TMDaines

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Savage from Ferguson.

Rangnick and his staff appear horrifically out of their depth. The wider footballing management setup appears horribly confused and indecisive. Ronaldo, Cavani, Martial and Bailly all come across terribly here. At least Ronaldo delivered on the field though.
 
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Pexbo

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Sounds very much like Rangnick has put forward his side of the story. I’ve got a feeling that we’re going to end up thanking him for his help and declining the consultation work. We’ve got too many yes men and inflated egos in the club at staff level to take his advice on board. It seems like every suggestion he’s made has been ignored or met with friction because it’s critical of whoever has been doing the job badly up until now.
 

Lay

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So basically we are fecked for awhile
 

Bojan Djordjic

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Sometimes I read things that are supposed to be a critique of Rangnick and think “I’m not sure what he’s done wrong here”. He was on a hiding to nothing from the start. Got his z-list back room team choices, Woodward and Judge wouldn’t even take meetings with him and it’s being portrayed as a bad thing that he bollocked Bailly out of it for misrepresenting where he was and showing up late.

Some of the stuff involving the remote in game analysis is embarrassing but on balance I think Rangnick was asking questions that demand answers and even he must have been confused why a director of football was hired to be a manager but they didn’t listen to his strategic advice. Obviously, the playing side is disastrous but can’t help but feel he’s the only one mentioned in this article with any integrity.
 

WPMUFC

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So basically we are fecked for awhile
How no one has genuinely taken Woodward to task for creating a squad of 5 managers and allowing cliques to form is beyond me. Not even a real massive expose by the Press. He must of truly kept everyone under his thumb. We are a mess.
 
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evil_geko

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It's also worth highlighting the Ronaldo issues mentioned:



I say it's worth highlighting because while some players' bad attitudes can be solved by getting rid of them, it seems likely that Ronaldo (probably deservedly) will be here next season. Which means this rather petulant dynamic will be one ETH actually has to manage next season.
Exactly why I wanted Ronaldo out, I want fresh start without egos and petulant behaviour.
 

GoldanoGraham

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If we don’t use Ralf going forward then we really have to ask why we allowed our season to basically end in mid November when a top 4 finish was definitely achievable - Ralf wasn’t given a chance especially after all the coaches left - if the club had been more assertive about Ralfs long term position it may have helped him with the egos and attitudes of the players and basically enabled him to assert for authority with there being some consequences - sounds like the players had no respect and didn’t give a shit.

Shocking to have allowed this to go on…….maybe Ed’s last gift!
 

Dante

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  1. Ralf thinks bad recruitment lead to this ("At Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig he had led clubs that made signings based on an overarching idea. Publicly he pointed out how Manchester City and Liverpool built squads subservient to a concept. At United this aspect seemed muddled", "In Rangnick’s opinion, United’s results were being affected by a fractured squad put together by five different managers")
This has been brought up by a lot of people. I think Neville described it best by comparing it to constructing a meal by piling your plate with italian lasgna next to an indian curry next to chinese noodles. The individual elements might work on their own, but there's been no thought to how it'll all work together.

At United, we went from Moyes direct wingplay, to LvG's slow possession style, to Mourinho's reactive counterattacking.

I know Ole gets a lot of criticism for his playing style in his first two seasons. But he's actually been our only manager clever enough not to try and reinvent the wheel. He took Jose's squad and reinvigorated it instead of trying to rebuild it. Obviously, Ole's final season went tits up. His attempt at making us a front foot team failed spectacularly. But to his credit, his reinterpretation of Mourinho actually got us better attacking play than the original.

What's worrying is that the board didn't seem to learn from this because they then appointed Rangnick (a pressing coach) who was again different to everybody who came before him. Though maybe that was just due to lack of options.

I don't know if we've landed on Ten Hag more due to luck or judgement. But I'm hopeful either way. EtH's job is going to be made easier by so many players leaving all at once. I think we'll continue to have square pegs in round holes for another season or two at least, though.
 

Bojan Djordjic

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At the beginning of the new year Fletcher relayed the message that United — meaning owner Joel Glazer, Richard Arnold and Murtough — did not view January as a good period to do business. Arnold was by now in the process of taking over from Woodward as chief executive and additionally felt it imprudent to sanction tens of millions of pounds to an interim manager when top four, rather than the title, had become the objective.

A strategy meeting early in January led by head of recruitment Steve Brown spelt out United’s approach. Long-term targets were discussed without any decisions being taken, a consistent theme of recent years.

It left Rangnick perplexed at the lack of conviction.
This is probably lost among the more sensational stuff in the article but it's so telling. Recruitment meetings taking place where nothing happens.

Also, I wish the cliché that January is a bad time to do business would die a death. Kulusevski, Bruno Guimaraes, Christian Eriksen, Coutinho and Luis Diaz were all done in January of this year in the PL and have had huge impacts for their clubs. Bruno was signed in a January window for god's sake.
 

Dante

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This is probably lost among the more sensational stuff in the article but it's so telling. Recruitment meetings taking place where nothing happens.

Also, I wish the cliché that January is a bad time to do business would die a death. Kulusevski, Bruno Guimaraes, Christian Eriksen, Coutinho and Luis Diaz were all done in January of this year in the PL and have had huge impacts for their clubs. Bruno was signed in a January window for god's sake.
The manager position at United must be one the weakest of any top club. Woodward eroded any authority it had and by the end, it was just a figurehead role.
 

glazed

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Pretty clear that some people inside the club thought Pogba faked the injuries.
 

Godfather

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This is probably lost among the more sensational stuff in the article but it's so telling. Recruitment meetings taking place where nothing happens.

Also, I wish the cliché that January is a bad time to do business would die a death. Kulusevski, Bruno Guimaraes, Christian Eriksen, Coutinho and Luis Diaz were all done in January of this year in the PL and have had huge impacts for their clubs. Bruno was signed in a January window for god's sake.
I mean it obviously isn't ideal but the agenda driven by our board for years now is laughable. Of course you can get things done in January. Maybe we can't as we seem a top heavy club that can't get things decided quickly.
 

Aretak

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Sounds very much like Rangnick has put forward his side of the story. I’ve got a feeling that we’re going to end up thanking him for his help and declining the consultation work. We’ve got too many yes men and inflated egos in the club at staff level to take his advice on board. It seems like every suggestion he’s made has been ignored or met with friction because it’s critical of whoever has been doing the job badly up until now.
I strongly suspect that's how it'll go. The fact that results have been so poor makes it easy to dismiss Rangnick's criticisms and lay all the blame at his door, which is obviously going to be preferred option over admitting that the club's entire structure is rotten.

It's all very concerning. You'd like to believe that everything will suddenly change now that Ten Hag's in place and he'll do things his way and not put up with any of this crap. It's a huge ask for one man though, if the club (and more specifically the owners) choose to be uncooperative. Especially if he makes a bad start and doubts start creeping in. Honestly, it's easy to see why Solskjaer ended up lost in the end. He doesn't really strike me as the kind of steely personality to stand up to the club's hierarchy and tell them that they have no idea what they're doing. Whether Rangnick is or not, he was a lame duck from the start and everybody knew it.
 
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stw2022

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Fergie would have dropped every player who didn’t attend the leaving party for staff members even if it meant playing the tea lady in a crucial European cup tie
 

Banat

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I have a lot respect for Ralf, he couldn't do a better job with players purposely sabotaging him.
He did an incredible job to expose them and I'm very thankful for that.
 

Jibbs

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I think Ragnick was right when he said United need surgery. There is no way United can function like this.
Let go of all the players who want to leave and sell the dross. Even if 15 players leave that is ok. Sign 6,7 promising players in. Mostly in 20 to 30 million categories except a top striker and a top CDM. Rest fill in with academy players.
 

FrankDrebin

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I can understand not bringing in anyone in January but I agree that the signings of Amad, Pellestri and Beek were practically pointless waste of funds in that period.
 

UpWithRivers

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Sounds like half the story. I can add more. Leaking to the press. Fighting and arguing in the dressing room. Downing tools. 90 percent of players just abandoning all form - Rashford, Bruno, Maguire etc (even with all the sht going down you can still play well - De Gea managed it), Lack of any leadership from senior players - especially the captain. It can go on and on and on. And yet we have already moved into the 'its all Ralfs fault and lets give the players a clean slate' land from some press and fans. I dont think there is anything that could go wrong that didnt. Heck we couldnt even serve hot food that one game! :lol:
 

FrankDrebin

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Sounds like half the story. I can add more. Leaking to the press. Fighting and arguing in the dressing room. Downing tools. 90 percent of players just abandoning all form - Rashford, Bruno, Maguire etc. Lack of any leadership from senior players - especially the captain. It can go on and on and on. And yet we have already moved into the 'its all Ralfs fault and lets give the players a clean slate' land from some press and fans
And likely Ten Hag.
 

Raees

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Ralf deserves a medal for having to endure this shitshow.
 

L1nk

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Ralf doesn't come out of the whole thing unscathed, he himself says he could have done better, but just reading about the shit show he had to deal with I absolutely cannot believe some here are slagging him off to the degree that they are. What has this club become, all the players sound like self serving toxic prats
 

Adisa

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The injury part is clear as day. Our injury count increased as we were playing fewer and fewer games.
These players should be disposed of.
 

Greck

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There's a hint of self-preservation but it doesn't make any of it untrue. The Ronaldo one isn't even that hard to believe. He hasn't been subbed since the day he threw a strop (unless I'm forgetting). Bringing on an attacker without subbing another will always tax the shape of the midfield. Ronaldo is an ultimate professional about himself but is also high maintenance now he's no longer balon d'or.

This is without even talking about the other high maintenance, low quality performers. ETH probably has to address the political situation in that locker room before implementing that authoritarian style. Won't be shocked to see a small purge.