Even voices within United seem to be suggesting that a complete root and branch rebuild is required. That is not really news, but it does raise an interesting question.
Complete rebuilds of clubs of the size, scope and scale of United are not as simple as that. In comparative terms it took Sir Alex, seven years from the time of his appointment in 1986 to complete his 'rebuild' and win his first league title. Five years on from his appointment, Mikel Arteta is still rebuilding at Arsenal, although they are clearly almost there. Likewise, it took Jurgen Klopp four years before Liverpool were able to compete for the top prizes again and five years before he won his first Premier League title.
Of course, there are two significant complicating factors for United, the first one being the length of time that managers are given to get things right compared to 40 years ago when Sir Alex was appointed. Patience is not on a managers side. The second factor is the sheer scale of what is required to rebuild. United is in freefall and sits barely above the relegation zone. Structurally, financially and psychologically, the club is in chaos.
On that basis, should the club be thinking about this rebuild as a series of stages and give serious consideration to who might be best placed to take the club forward at each stage? At this stage what is required is someone with expertise talent, skill and confidence in building basic foundations in complex and challenging environments. Someone who can quickly diagnose the problem and apply tried and tested solutions. Once that job is complete, then if necessary, we can identify someone with the skills necessary for the next stage of the rebuild and so on. Whilst it is possible that these people may be the same person, it is just as likely that they are not. Managers come with different skills and capabilities. The task here is not whether we appoint good managers, but whether we appoint the right managers.
Thoughts?
Complete rebuilds of clubs of the size, scope and scale of United are not as simple as that. In comparative terms it took Sir Alex, seven years from the time of his appointment in 1986 to complete his 'rebuild' and win his first league title. Five years on from his appointment, Mikel Arteta is still rebuilding at Arsenal, although they are clearly almost there. Likewise, it took Jurgen Klopp four years before Liverpool were able to compete for the top prizes again and five years before he won his first Premier League title.
Of course, there are two significant complicating factors for United, the first one being the length of time that managers are given to get things right compared to 40 years ago when Sir Alex was appointed. Patience is not on a managers side. The second factor is the sheer scale of what is required to rebuild. United is in freefall and sits barely above the relegation zone. Structurally, financially and psychologically, the club is in chaos.
On that basis, should the club be thinking about this rebuild as a series of stages and give serious consideration to who might be best placed to take the club forward at each stage? At this stage what is required is someone with expertise talent, skill and confidence in building basic foundations in complex and challenging environments. Someone who can quickly diagnose the problem and apply tried and tested solutions. Once that job is complete, then if necessary, we can identify someone with the skills necessary for the next stage of the rebuild and so on. Whilst it is possible that these people may be the same person, it is just as likely that they are not. Managers come with different skills and capabilities. The task here is not whether we appoint good managers, but whether we appoint the right managers.
Thoughts?