Marc Skinner | one year extension confirmed

[Demon Barber]

Chelsea have a deal with Sonia Bompastor, who is the dominant women's football coach in France right now. That is a sign of ambition of a club that treats women's football very seriously, even when they have won it all or so.

If you ask me, plenty of people at the top don't have a clue about what is going on with the women's team right now. Anyone who watches football of any kind knows when a manager is no longer fit for the job, especially when he was given this many talented players over last summer.

I hope Wilcox and Ashworth will come in and see enough of this mess to finally drop the axe on Skinner. That stupid idea of a new contract was Murtough's idea before he was shown the door.

I agree that Chelsea prioritise their women's team more than United do, but there is a difference here - Emma Hayes had announced her decision to leave, Skinner would have to be replaced.

Frustrating though this season has been I have an element of sympathy with Skinner. I do think he may have taken us as far as he can but his record has not been a bad one. Promotion, a cup final, CL qualification, competing against three well established teams who have dominated the WSL for years, chaos at the club etc. I am pretty sure it was not his decision to lose Batlle and Russo.

As for the speculation that Murtough is responsible for the contract extension, well, I very much doubt INEOS would have allowed that to happen.

 

[Cassidy]

If its true hes been offered a new deal then thats a bad start by Sir Jim

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I agree that Chelsea prioritise their women's team more than United do, but there is a difference here - Emma Hayes had announced her decision to leave, Skinner would have to be replaced.

Frustrating though this season has been I have an element of sympathy with Skinner. I do think he may have taken us as far as he can but his record has not been a bad one. Promotion, a cup final, CL qualification, competing against three well established teams who have dominated the WSL for years, chaos at the club etc. I am pretty sure it was not his decision to lose Batlle and Russo.

As for the speculation that Murtough is responsible for the contract extension, well, I very much doubt INEOS would have allowed that to happen.

Think you will find it was Casey Stoney who got us promotion. Just wish she had stayed. What is the point if he gets given quality players, but will not use them sufficiently.

 

[Demon Barber]

Think you will find it was Casey Stoney who got us promotion. Just wish she had stayed.

Fair point

 

[Tincanalley]

Way too much favouritism. There are certain players who are put on a pedal-stool. It’s not good for them and not good for the team. I don’t know why he cant see that’s no way to run a competitive club. Final straw for me was the talk of how ‘deep’ Arsenals bench was. There’s no point having a deep bench if you don’t sponsor a competitive squad.

What is a pedal stool?

 

[Bright_Eyes]

What is a pedal stool?

It's a stool with pedals, use your brain.

 

[Demon Barber]

What is a pedal stool?

It's a stool with pedals, use your brain.

An exercise bike?

 

[jojojo]

It's what happens when a pedestal collides with an auto correct.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

It's what happens when a pedestal collides with an auto correct.

I thought it was some new contraption. Bad performance, step on the pedal and they get propelled to the bench.

 

[jojojo]

I agree that Chelsea prioritise their women's team more than United do, but there is a difference here - Emma Hayes had announced her decision to leave, Skinner would have to be replaced.

Frustrating though this season has been I have an element of sympathy with Skinner. I do think he may have taken us as far as he can but his record has not been a bad one. Promotion, a cup final, CL qualification, competing against three well established teams who have dominated the WSL for years, chaos at the club etc. I am pretty sure it was not his decision to lose Batlle and Russo.

As for the speculation that Murtough is responsible for the contract extension, well, I very much doubt INEOS would have allowed that to happen.

I think the new managements simply aren't ready yet - too many bigger fish to fry. I doubt Ineos or SJR even looked at the women's team during those very protracted negotiations around the purchase - other than as a relatively small line in the annual budget.

So, I do think the club will see standing still as "no harm done". The trouble is, I'm past believing that. I don't think we're standing still, because I think we'll see another round of losing talent as fast as we find it and more talent wasted.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I think the new managements simply aren't ready yet - too many bigger fish to fry. I doubt Ineos or SJR even looked at the women's team during those very protracted negotiations around the purchase - other than as a relatively small line in the annual budget.

So, I do think the club will see standing still as "no harm done". The trouble is, I'm past believing that. I don't think we're standing still, because I think we'll see another round of losing talent as fast as we find it and more talent wasted.

You wonder if with Skinner managing Manchester United is the best job he will ever get so will put up with it. Just think Casey Stoney would have put a good case forward for the women's teams and pushed hard for improvement.

 

[Bright_Eyes]

An exercise bike?

More like a naked car

 

[Scanny]

I think the new managements simply aren't ready yet - too many bigger fish to fry. I doubt Ineos or SJR even looked at the women's team during those very protracted negotiations around the purchase - other than as a relatively small line in the annual budget.

So, I do think the club will see standing still as "no harm done". The trouble is, I'm past believing that. I don't think we're standing still, because I think we'll see another round of losing talent as fast as we find it and more talent wasted.

Yeah, we’re not standing still. We are definitely going backwards and I’ve no doubt we’ll lose more key players this summer.
We’ve a battle on our hands for 4th this season already.
Our very limited manager won’t fix that with his idiotic sound-bites. I’m gloomy about next season already.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Another example of Skinner being a totally dumb clown.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

I think he prefers to be coaching Brexit W.F.C.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Didn't see this, just heard on the Talk of the Devils pod. Damn.

 

[buchansleftleg]

As I suspected...Sir Jim will talk a good game....and then a meh actual response.

I suspect he is a cheap option. I also suspect that Erik will be kept on in the mens team because of the cost of replacing him, rather than because the club actually backs him.

I predict we will spend more in compensation packages in/out of senior executives than we will on players this year.

 

[top1whoisman]

Looking at his post match comments it’s obvious he’s going to continue. We need a very good start to the season, otherwise it’ll get toxic really quick.

 

[Eric_the_Red99]

New contract confirmed

 

[Rood]

Not surprised at all but there is going to be mutiny in the fanbase !

 

[Ubik]

1 year with a further year option. The can has been kicked.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Reward for winning the FA Cup?

Ten Hag next after we beat city

 

[jojojo]

Meh. Can kicked. Not a surprise.

Let's hear about the players who are up for renewal.

 

[Demon Barber]

Meh. Can kicked. Not a surprise.

Let's hear about the players who are up for renewal.

It could well be that those players were waiting for the Skinner outcome before deciding. I wonder if this may influence their decisions.

 

[kundalini]

I can't stomach Skinner at all; and from a distance, I suspect a few of the players can't either. His ego is off the charts. Should never have got the job.

How did we go from Casey Stoney to this ? I just cannot get my head around it.

 

[Scanny]

I can't stomach Skinner at all; and from a distance, I suspect a few of the players can't either. His ego is off the charts. Should never have got the job.

How did we go from Casey Stoney to this ? I just cannot get my head around it.

I cannot bear to hear him speak. Nonsensical sound bite sentences.

 

[Rood]

Kind words from Hayes the day before she needs a result against us - no coincidence of course

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[jojojo]

Kind words from Hayes the day before she needs a result against us - no coincidence of course

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

A lot of opposition fans love him too

 

[Demon Barber]

Kind words from Hayes the day before she needs a result against us - no coincidence of course

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

She has a point, to be fair

I'm not Skinner's biggest fan, but a second place finish and cup final last year, followed by winning the cup this year is not a bad return.

For those on here who are angered by his new contract - who, realistically, would you have appointed in his place?

 

[jojojo]

She has a point, to be fair

I'm not Skinner's biggest fan, but a second place finish and cup final last year, followed by winning the cup this year is not a bad return.

For those on here who are angered by his new contract - who, realistically, would you have appointed in his place?

I think this outcome was inevitable when we started hearing that Polly Bancroft was on her way out.

The chances of them appointing someone quickly with the necessary knowledge of the women's game was low. The chances of them getting someone who had that and who also had the confidence of Ineos and who could step in quickly would be about zero.

Basically the person who should be making the manager's appointment or at least identifying the candidates doesn't exist yet.

I understand why they've kicked the can down the road.

 

[Rood]

She has a point, to be fair

I'm not Skinner's biggest fan, but a second place finish and cup final last year, followed by winning the cup this year is not a bad return.

For those on here who are angered by his new contract - who, realistically, would you have appointed in his place?

I'm not angered, I expected it after the cup win

Lots of angry people on Twitter though, but there is always is !

 

[Demon Barber]

I'm not angered, I expected it after the cup win

Lots of angry people on Twitter though, but there is always is !

@Rood ... I was not implying that you were angered. I am simply aware that some are.

Anyway - he is our manager and he will have my support even though some of his decisions and words will inevitably frustrate me ( unless we storm the league next year!)

 

[kundalini]

She has a point, to be fair

I'm not Skinner's biggest fan, but a second place finish and cup final last year, followed by winning the cup this year is not a bad return.

For those on here who are angered by his new contract - who, realistically, would you have appointed in his place?

Casey Stoney had zero experience when we appointed her. There are a huge number of candidates with zero or minimal experience to choose from. Select one of the top 3 female candidates to have recently completed the FA's top coaching course. I bet they do at least as well as Skinner has done across his career to date.

Surely it is now obvious that the best managers in the women's game are, weirdly enough, female.

 

[Eric_the_Red99]

There may be better managers than Skinner, but I genuinely don’t think that replacing him would make a huge amount of difference seeing as our big problem is continually letting our best players go, and rarely being able to sign top stars when they become available - and both of those issues are down to the club owners.

Because of those exits we’re in a constant state of rebuilding, having to run to stay in the same place, and having no choice but to take punts on players like Geyse who have failed elsewhere because we aren’t capable of signing genuine big names, so it’s no wonder that we’ve been overtaken by more ambitious teams this season.

 

[Rood]

Casey Stoney had zero experience when we appointed her. There are a huge number of candidates with zero or minimal experience to choose from. Select one of the top 3 female candidates to have recently completed the FA's top coaching course. I bet they do at least as well as Skinner has done across his career to date.

Surely it is now obvious that the best managers in the women's game are, weirdly enough, female.

Surely Skinner deserves some credit for last season and winning a cup?
He deserves criticism for the league form this year but claiming that a random novice female coach is going to do a better job is a bit much

 

[buchansleftleg]

Can't believe we have to put up with another year of this guy in charge...

Ineos = Inaction so far...not boding well!

 

[whitbyviking]

Wouldn’t surprise me if they consulted someone like Hayes since she is now leaving the country.

Doesn’t look good on the surface but as long as they have a plan I think it’s excusable instead of going in half-cocked and making a further mess

 

[Demon Barber]

Can't believe we have to put up with another year of this guy in charge...

Ineos = Inaction so far...not boding well!

Ineos have acted. They have given Skinner a contract.

 

[top1whoisman]

Ineos have acted. They have given Skinner a contract.

I think the contract length tells us that they weren’t ready to actually invest time and resources in a proper manager search and this was indeed a decision to give themselves another year until they actually have someone in place to do the job (finding a new manager).

 

[Demon Barber]

I think the contract length tells us that they weren’t ready to actually invest time and resources in a proper manager search and this was indeed a decision to give themselves another year until they actually have someone in place to do the job (finding a new manager).

I totally agree, and from a club perspective this makes sense.

 

[top1whoisman]

I totally agree, and from a club perspective this makes sense.

Despite not being completely satisfied with Skinner, I agree that it’s a better decision than an un-researched panic hire.

And I do agree with @Rood. Two points from a league title and an FA Cup trophy in the past two years is nothing to be frowned upon.

The biggest thing for me is the fact that we’re losing our best players, which is very much on the club. However certain players would probably stay if they got a chance to play every now and then.

The lack of rotation and not giving young players a proper chance is not good. Skinner once again spoke highly of Emma Watson, saying that she would’ve played if she was fit, but I don’t buy that. We’ll see if that’s true next season.