Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[brasil_spur]

Backing him does not guarantee you anything better than you have at the moment*, and certainly not top 4 or league titles and trophies - so why pay over the odds and risk finances? Levy is all about carefully managing the money, not overspending and maximising the return on capital invested..

* I do however agree that if your overriding aim is to win something then backing a manager like Conte gives you the best chance.

Sustained financial backing at the highest level definitely does, the City's Chelsea's and Newcastle's of the world prove that. I don't think we can ever match that level of spending though.

However when it comes to Conte, backing him financially is how you keep him at the club, and right now he is very much our best shot of top 4 and silverware contention.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Backing him does not guarantee you anything better than you have at the moment*, and certainly not top 4 or league titles and trophies - so why pay over the odds and risk finances? Levy is all about carefully managing the money, not overspending and maximising the return on capital invested..

* I do however agree that if your overriding aim is to win something then backing a manager like Conte gives you the best chance.

You should get him to look at the balance sheet how much money he has wasted over the years on hiring managers and firing them, resetting the whole process every couple of years. Hardly any ROI on that front.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Why do we have to comment from the hip? How do we know what's going on on the inside? I'm no fan of Dl but let's see how it pans out come 31st Jan.

Erm, because prior to the win last night, everyone sort of knew what a mess the club, managerial post, and the results are in?

 

[Dakes]

I just don't believe this is about money, but philosophy.

Levy just can't get past the need to make good investments and that very much extends to players. If a player is young enough to have potential sell on value then Levy will back a manager's preference, but he clearly won't back a manager when it comes to buying players at their peak or players who will have no sell on value even if they would achieve a key element on the pitch.

I don't think Conte has a problem with the budget we have available and will continue to have through our growing revenues, he has a problem with Levy interfering by putting additional constraints on who we target because of this buying potential philosophy. It's a perfectly good model if you are a Southampton or Brighton and ultimately just want to stay in the top league, but it won't work for any team who want to challenge.

Levy would never have sanctioned a move for Casemiro because to pay tens of millions for a player in his thirties would be completely insane to his way of thinking. But the Brazilian has proven to be a transformative purchase for United and will almost certainly ensure they finish above us and back in the champions league.

To challenge at this level means your player recruitment has to be a significant DRAIN on the financial resources of the club, NOT an additional source of revenue. All the big clubs get that, but Levy blatantly refuses to concede. He thinks that we can compete and still profit from players because he happened to stumble upon the odd Modric and Bale. He needs to wake up to the reality of the situation or stop hiring elite mangers like Conte and charging elite prices for tickets.

Very spot on mate

 

[Trix]

Just wanted to say regardless of last nights result we still need to keep the pressure up on Levy as a fan base. I think I'm going to the NLD now so if I see him I'll do my part by shitting in his pre match fois gras.

 

[Japhet]

Anyone else think conte is starting to accept and even relish the idea of bringing young players through snd building something long term as opposed to immediate success with established stars?

I'd like to think so, but in reality the only time he's done this is when his hand has been forced. Once the regulars are all fit a firing it will be business as usual unless he's had a quite extraordinary epiphany.

 

[Trix]

I'd like to think so, but in reality the only time he's done this is when his hand has been forced. Once the regulars are all fit a firing it will be business as usual unless he's had a quite extraordinary epiphany.

What I'd say that might be different here was the time he had with them during the WC. Being able to take the time and focus on them without all the big names around them might have afforded him the opportunity to see them in a better light. I don't think it'll be a conveyor belt now or anything like but I can definitely see a couple of them forcing their way into his plans from what he's been saying.

 

[Japhet]

What I'd say that might be different here was the time he had with them during the WC. Being able to take the time and focus on them without all the big names around them might have afforded him the opportunity to see them in a better light. I don't think it'll be a conveyor belt now or anything like but I can definitely see a couple of them forcing their way into his plans from what he's been saying.

Time will tell I guess (assuming we have some time).

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Just wanted to say regardless of last nights result we still need to keep the pressure up on Levy as a fan base. I think I'm going to the NLD now so if I see him I'll do my part by shitting in his pre match fois gras.

You’re doing the Lord’s work if you pull this off Trix

 

[mil1lion]

Yesterday was more encouraging from the fans. They chanted Antonio a few times and chanted we want Levy out with him in attendance. I really hope this sends a clear message that he can't lose Conte as manager. Although he won't step down I do think he will respond if the chants continue. I hope it leads to him going back to his original agreement with Conte and allowing Paratici to get the players Conte wants. The best way for Levy to get fans back on side is if we get a couple of Conte signings this month and performances improve.

 

[Albertbarich]

The reactions to last nights result is OTT.

A great half and result, feels amazing.

But Gil and Sarr aren't the solutions to our problems. They don't give us the extra depth we need and they won't keep Conte happy.

We have to keep this pressure on Levy. Back the manager , have a plan and stick to it.

 

[brasil_spur]

Yesterday was more encouraging from the fans. They chanted Antonio a few times and chanted we want Levy out with him in attendance. I really hope this sends a clear message that he can't lose Conte as manager. Although he won't step down I do think he will respond if the chants continue. I hope it leads to him going back to his original agreement with Conte and allowing Paratici to get the players Conte wants. The best way for Levy to get fans back on side is if we get a couple of Conte signings this month and performances improve.

It's also not that much backing required.

Porro and Edwards double deal for £65m.
Malinovskyi for £15m.
De Vrij for £10m.

That's £90m and we've added quality players and squad additions to see us through the end of the season.

£50m of that we actually have to spend from the £150m ENIC injection. So that's only another £40m (basically what we'll earn from CL group qualification) on top. FFS even Levy should be able to see the sense in this.

 

[E17yid]

The reactions to last nights result is OTT.

A great half and result, feels amazing.

But Gil and Sarr aren't the solutions to our problems. They don't give us the extra depth we need and they won't keep Conte happy.

We have to keep this pressure on Levy. Back the manager , have a plan and stick to it.

Bissouma and Kulu back for NLD hopefully so Gill and Sarr back on the bench. With any luck Richarlison might even be on the bench as well. Not sure what the latest on Bentancur is?

 

[Albertbarich]

Bissouma and Kulu back for NLD hopefully so Gill and Sarr back on the bench. With any luck Richarlison might even be on the bench as well. Not sure what the latest on Bentancur is?

Yeah much stronger team but I'm talking in terms of building our squad and keeping the manager happy.

We should still be demanding the incomings.

 

[E17yid]

Yeah much stronger team but I'm talking in terms of building our squad and keeping the manager happy.

We should still be demanding the incomings.

I think everyone needs to chill the fuck out to be honest.

 

[Albertbarich]

I think everyone needs to chill the fuck out to be honest.

Why?

We must have got his attention, let's keep it up. I want the best for our club

 

[SpartanSpur]

Just wanted to say regardless of last nights result we still need to keep the pressure up on Levy as a fan base. I think I'm going to the NLD now so if I see him I'll do my part by shitting in his pre match fois gras.

I think that win was vital for Antonio last night, should take some of the heat off of him, less opportunity for him to be made Levy's scapegoat after a good win like that.

 

[Impspur1]

What I'd say that might be different here was the time he had with them during the WC. Being able to take the time and focus on them without all the big names around them might have afforded him the opportunity to see them in a better light. I don't think it'll be a conveyor belt now or anything like but I can definitely see a couple of them forcing their way into his plans from what he's been saying.

And that’s all we need, a couple of our younger players really knocking on the door, fills those gaps he maybe once felt we had?

 

[E17yid]

Why?

We must have got his attention, let's keep it up. I want the best for our club

I dunno, just think the whole let’s unite against Levy, get the banners out, get the planes flying over WHL is a bit cringe when we’re barely half way through the season and within touching distance of 4th. I personally think it’s all due to Arsenal being top. If they were having a nightmare season and languishing in 13th place or something the energy in here would be a lot different.

I also think we need to just chill out and see how this month plays out.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

I think that win was vital for Antonio last night, should take some of the heat off of him, less opportunity for him to be made Levy's scapegoat after a good win like that.

And the players are responding to Conte.