Great article Drew. Doubt if Marco will make an announcement before terms are in place for Mourinho to move to Real. They have the same agent and I suspect this plan has been taking shape for weeks.
For us, we can only hope that the Club have been making plans for a smooth succession. The speculation of £8m on the table looks as if they haven’t yet made a decision. I genuinely would like to know whether competing in Europe is part of the present strategy. Without substantial re enforcement, and investment, we will be in deep trouble next season if our present form and lack of goals continues.
If I 'deep it' (as the kids say), I get even more concerned. I am not convinced the club has a succession plan for Marco. I am not convinced the club see Europe as an ambition, let alone a goal - I just don't think they're interested. I think where we are is *just* fine for them. That is why they are doubling Marco's wages; they are more than happy with the status quo. The names I have heard bandied about as possible replacements make me think we'd only head in one direction too.
I think that the biggest reason behind us stalling out where we are in mid-table is that the first few years of Marco's reign so many of the club's signings were successes and often inexpensive ones. Willian and Iwobi were "hits" almost immediately. Raul was a free transfer. Muniz needed to go out on loan, but at least he was cheap. The last few years our signings have gotten pricier but also (at least so far) a lot more miss than hit. Two full seasons of ESR, once our club record signing, and does he ever look more than "he seems like he'll come good soon"? Kevin and Bobb have also yet to fully launch.
I've been assuming that the Marco saga will stretch out into the summer, halting the club's ability to progress or make necessary decisions on many fronts. This is not a fun assumption, but it sure seems likely, no?
Believe that managers run their course. 5 years is a long time. Things get stale. Extremely happy to be "Stable EPL team since 2022". However, if we want to progress and return to Europe in some fashion - we need a reset. Grateful to Silva for getting us to this point - but, he doesn't seem to be the one to get us to the next level. Hope that ownership (Khan) has been having dialogue with successors .... but not confident that is happening. If they offered him 2X wages ... means they are betting he stays. Hope he goes. Eric from DFW
It’s not the current manager that’s holding back progress and a return to Europe. If he’s good enough for Chelsea & other clubs to consider it shows he’s doing an excellent job… especially considering the limitations he has dealt with from current club ownership.
Hopefully he stays and is given more “authority” to make the transfers he wants, not only in quality, but also before the final day/last minute as he’s been held hostage to. ✌️
Great article Drew. Doubt if Marco will make an announcement before terms are in place for Mourinho to move to Real. They have the same agent and I suspect this plan has been taking shape for weeks.
For us, we can only hope that the Club have been making plans for a smooth succession. The speculation of £8m on the table looks as if they haven’t yet made a decision. I genuinely would like to know whether competing in Europe is part of the present strategy. Without substantial re enforcement, and investment, we will be in deep trouble next season if our present form and lack of goals continues.
If I 'deep it' (as the kids say), I get even more concerned. I am not convinced the club has a succession plan for Marco. I am not convinced the club see Europe as an ambition, let alone a goal - I just don't think they're interested. I think where we are is *just* fine for them. That is why they are doubling Marco's wages; they are more than happy with the status quo. The names I have heard bandied about as possible replacements make me think we'd only head in one direction too.
I think that the biggest reason behind us stalling out where we are in mid-table is that the first few years of Marco's reign so many of the club's signings were successes and often inexpensive ones. Willian and Iwobi were "hits" almost immediately. Raul was a free transfer. Muniz needed to go out on loan, but at least he was cheap. The last few years our signings have gotten pricier but also (at least so far) a lot more miss than hit. Two full seasons of ESR, once our club record signing, and does he ever look more than "he seems like he'll come good soon"? Kevin and Bobb have also yet to fully launch.
I've been assuming that the Marco saga will stretch out into the summer, halting the club's ability to progress or make necessary decisions on many fronts. This is not a fun assumption, but it sure seems likely, no?
He doesn’t tend to leave clubs on good terms. Shame a couple of months has soured five relatively happy years.
Its over. We move on.
Believe that managers run their course. 5 years is a long time. Things get stale. Extremely happy to be "Stable EPL team since 2022". However, if we want to progress and return to Europe in some fashion - we need a reset. Grateful to Silva for getting us to this point - but, he doesn't seem to be the one to get us to the next level. Hope that ownership (Khan) has been having dialogue with successors .... but not confident that is happening. If they offered him 2X wages ... means they are betting he stays. Hope he goes. Eric from DFW
It’s not the current manager that’s holding back progress and a return to Europe. If he’s good enough for Chelsea & other clubs to consider it shows he’s doing an excellent job… especially considering the limitations he has dealt with from current club ownership.
Hopefully he stays and is given more “authority” to make the transfers he wants, not only in quality, but also before the final day/last minute as he’s been held hostage to. ✌️
The Khan's ability, or lack of, in finding the right manager for us is a real worry.
I think it was Elizabeth who pointed out that, actually, they have only made two objectively successful appointments - Marco and Slav.