agreed. Not sure why Ole is compared over and over to them, maybe because they are successful and trying to prove a point, but the differences are night and day.
This is more fair view than what we got around here. To me the Noggie league is a bit crap. Sure it might sound harsh but in reality the level is really low compared to Bundesliga, hence really we can't look at both achievements pure by the numbers. Since the beginning in 2BL Klopp implemented a recognizable style and only developed it in the clubs he has been. In contrast from what I've read about OLe (not just United) he has tried several changes and generally tries a lot of things to a different success. I don't see consistency in his methods which is very concerning.
As for actual comparison you have to bear in mind Klopp had the smallest budget in BL with Mainz and smallest stadium when he was first promoted yet managed 2 11th positions in a row, pulling some good results against favorites. Considering he played in BL he was doing it in a much higher level and against tougher oppositions getting him more exposure and pressure to prove himself. On the other hand from what I know Molde had pretty decent budget and on the basis of his first stint he landed the Cardiff job - which by all accounts was failure. On top of that he wasn't able to win the league again in Norway or to let's say punch above their weight to warrant some more exposure if we're comparing him to Klopp.
To me the comparisons with Klopp are way off mate. He's used only as an example of successful manager starting from the bottom. However there are ton of managers that did the same and vanished in thin air after couple of seasons. A more apt comparison is someone like Di Matteo, Michael Laudrup, etc - not Klopp.
You can't really compare the Noggie league to what has Klopp done to make it a level field.
I don't see much that separates Ole to Laudrup for example - both made their first steps in Danish/Norwegian league who are comparable in quality - had off and on moments elsewhere and eventually Laudrup is stuck in the middle east after nearly relegating Swansea.
I think comparison with second division of BL isn’t too far off the Norwegian league, but anyway. What Klopp did in BL first division (to 11th and a relegation) is hardly much more impressive than a David Moyes or Tony Pulis. But that is not the point either. The point is that in 2008, few knew wether Klopp was a ‘Pulis’, a ‘Laudrup’, a ‘Keegan’ or a ‘Ferguson’. Two years later, it was still difficult to be certain. Three years later, it was clear he was at least a ‘Keegan’. It’s funny, because even after the success at Dortmund, even after two and three years at Liverpool, I read lots of opinion pieces to the effect that Klopp was ‘found out’, ‘had no plan B’, was ‘worn out’, or ‘had been made to look better by the shrewd DoFs etc at Dortmund’. A year later, those are silent.
My other point is, then, that we don’t know yet, wether Ole will turn out to be a ‘Laudrup’ or a ‘Klopp’, and in fact, we won’t necessarily know that in two years time either. Hopefully those behind the scenes are able to work out, like someone did with Fergie in 1989, wether it’s all going step by step in the right directions behind the scenes.
I am certain of one thing: anyone expecting consistency overnight, will be disappointed.
And I want to add that the proof in the pudding of Solskjær so far with regards to style, is that he has been fairly consistently developing a game based on merging the possession of Guardiola, Hareide and Meulensteen, with the breakdown/direct attacking of Drillo, Queiroz and Klopp. His last version of Molde is probably the most impressive he has built to date. People deeming him has without clear tactical ideas based on this season with United, are fooling themselves, but the closest we saw to ‘Oleball’ was obviously the first games after he arrived, when he had talked a few general ideas to all the players and they had the drive and the stamina, and the period after Dubai, when they had worked on patterns and before injuries, fatigue set in. Those saying he is clueless, are clueless. Is he cut out for the biggest stage on a permanent basis? Maybe, maybe not.
Will it work at United? We’ll see. In three years time ...
