Next Manager Watch

[mil1lion]

Slot sounds like a gamble to me

 

[jpascavitz]

I would happily wait for Nagelsmann in the summer but only if we can reach a pre-agreement and lock him in. I don’t think we should be waiting around hoping he’ll come.

From the sounds of it, during our last search it seemed like him and Flick were both interested but took other opportunities. I totally agree that we could get burned again if we sit on our hands as there will be more sharks circling in the Summer.

 

[ntmac82]

Slot sounds like a gamble to me

I agree.....gives me AVB vibes. 2 jobs and not long in either of them.

You do sometimes need to give inexperienced managers a chance. Just dont think this is the time to do it

 

[Hawkey77]

Slot sounds like a gamble to me

Maybe, but he works hard. Often described by former players as a machine.

 

[cider spurs]

Who's missing the wee joke then.

 

[C0YS]

I know absolutely nothing about Arne Slot. Anyone got any insight?

Lots of goals, compared to bielsa, phenomenal record at both AZ and feyenoord. With AZ he might have won the league if it wasn't for covid. AZ were joint top. Second season he draws the first 6 games, somehow, by crazy scores like 4-4 and then they win 3 in a row. He is sacked because AZ caught wind that he was talking the Feyenoord. There his european performances excellent and transformed an old sleeping giant into favourites to win the title.

So, he has done phenomenally well. His teams play exciting (possibly naively so?) Football and he gets great results.

What not to like right? Well as always dutch league is not very good indicator of how managers do outside of that league, again everyone plays possession football, most teams play out of the back ect. Not many teams send balls down the channels or play it long. Steve McClaren did incredible work at Twente too.

Secondly, he hasn't actually done anything tangible, yet. Its very early in his career. He has 3 and a half seasons managing so who really knows.

Thirdly, a lot of his results stand out as being, mmm, a bit strange. Crazy 4-4 come backs, that then they throw away and then claw back. A lot of ping pong games. In AZ they threw away a 4-0 lead with 30 mins to go. This has improved. You have a few crazy games but as this season as progressed you are seeing results that look more controlled. It does suggest a hint of naivety though.

I'm for it tbh. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Could be inspired could be s total disaster but it wont be boring, that's for sure.

 

[oobaties]

At the time when he took the Bayern job many advised him it was too early. He needed to of gone to a club outside Germany, like Benfica for example to develop. Better still coming here or United.
He would have done well, and grown his reputation. Managing a club like Bayern with its pedigree. Especially after the success of Flick, I would have avoided. Totally different culture, with some of the world’s best players and their egos. No wonder he was deemed a ‘failure’.

He'll fit right in at Madrid then : )

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I think where my frustration currently lies is I believe if this were another top side something would be somewhat quickly, and with conviction. Hindsight is everything so this could mean F all in a few weeks time.

I think if a top PL side wanted Slot, they would have it wrapped up for now or the Summer. I don't think it would be considered a "long shot" (putting 2+2 together) getting a manager from the dutch league, with no disrespect. Sure he may want to stay on and lead the title charge, but I just think at the end of the day another club gets it done in whatever means possible.

Other journos and murmurs say we were in/close to Tuchel. Unless we're playing some sort of chess, Bayern caught wind, sacked their coach and locked in on Tuchel because they believe he is their guy in the same time we're putting feelers out.

Not trying to be overly negative, and I'm taking everything with large pinches of salt, but I just want the club to act with conviction. The signs to me just seem that there is not complete buy in again from everyone on the board and we sniff around in different areas until something falls perfectly into our lap. At the end of the day, we'll see how this plays out.

So true and completely feel the same it always feels so reactive.

To be fair in this scenario there are a lot of moving and at times unexpected pieces, if by early to mid next week we have appointed one of our top targets or secured one for summer with Mason carrying on until then, happy days.

IF we don't secure any of our 'targets' and Mason takes over and we continue the search then it just smacks as you say of an absolute lack of not just a plan but of conviction.

To be fair on the Manager side as much as Levy has got it wrong many many times, he has previously acted with conviction, Ramos for Jol at HT was horrible but it was certainly planned and conviction, Jose was lined up behind closed doors ready to step in as soon as we fired Poch, obviously the Nuno debacle was a mess and Conte was brought in quite swiftly once it was clear that Nuno wasn't going to work out (shock)...

So lets see how it plays out the next few days, whether or not we will make a good hire is one thing but I do actually have some small optimism when it comes to the chances of us actually hiring someone permeant before say mid next week.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Tier 1:
- Tuchel (Bayern)
- Nagelsmann
- Poch (Madrid?)
- Enrique

Tier 2:
- Slot
- Amorim
- De Zerbi
- Ange
- Gallardo

Tier 3:
- Kompany
- Xabi Alonso
- Carrick

This would probably be my tiered shortlist and it's essentially tier 1 are managers that have managed massive clubs, tier 2 are managers that are in the next tier, some European experience, some more experienced than others and probably a matter of time before a bigger club tries for them. Tier 3 would be the "next wave" of up and coming managers that probably need some more experience before moving to their next challenge.

Might just be me, but that looks like a better potential list than when we were searching and ended up with Nuno

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Tier 1:
- Tuchel (Bayern)
- Nagelsmann
- Poch (Madrid?)
- Enrique

Tier 2:
- Slot
- Amorim
- De Zerbi
- Ange
- Gallardo

Tier 3:
- Kompany
- Xabi Alonso
- Carrick

This would probably be my tiered shortlist and it's essentially tier 1 are managers that have managed massive clubs, tier 2 are managers that are in the next tier, some European experience, some more experienced than others and probably a matter of time before a bigger club tries for them. Tier 3 would be the "next wave" of up and coming managers that probably need some more experience before moving to their next challenge.

100% agree with this, great list and Tier system.

I just fear that Glasner, Frank, M.Silva also creep into our Teir 2 list (bites nails nervously)

 

[Bobbins]

I'm assuming Nagelsmann has shot straight to the top of the list.

 

[PrettyColors]

Everyone jealous of United for hiring Ten Hag should know that my Dutch mates from exchange all are totally United behind the fact that Slot is a better manager than he was.

He just dropped 7 goals in an elimination Europa League match and is doing it with a very low budget. He is not rigid at all.

Arne Slot is the best we can get. He is a genius.

 

[Gpnash84]

I find it hard to believe we'd go for Slot over Nagelmann. The latter has more CL experience and isn't bald.

Has a bald manager ever won the EPL?

 

[The Apprentice]

I'm already at the stage where anyone apart from Nagelsmann will be a big come down. I feel like a crack addict.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I also don't get why we wouldn't go for Gallardo who is more experienced and is currently free before going for Slot. Slot for me goes in the same bracket as Kompany the only real difference is he has experience of being in the Europa league. Anyway I would be very surprised if he would leave now considering how they are doing in the league. I also wonder where Slot sits in regards to Tuchel as supposedly we were close with him.

Anyway, we all know JN has gone to the top of the list but i feel like this ends with Mason in charge until summer.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I think where my frustration currently lies is I believe if this were another top side something would be somewhat quickly, and with conviction. Hindsight is everything so this could mean F all in a few weeks time.

I think if a top PL side wanted Slot, they would have it wrapped up for now or the Summer. I don't think it would be considered a "long shot" (putting 2+2 together) getting a manager from the dutch league, with no disrespect. Sure he may want to stay on and lead the title charge, but I just think at the end of the day another club gets it done in whatever means possible.

Yes and no

You could argue we did exactly this with Mou, when it looks like he might go to Arsenal - how I wish he had!

Important to get it right, and Conte hasn't even formally gone yet after all

 

[bat-chain]

slot needs to grow the sides of his hair to look more like Martin Jol.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

Has a bald manager ever won the EPL?

Our very own Antonio

 

[THE SPURSBOY]

Slot is going to be very underwhelmning with Tuchel (was), Gallardo, Nagelsmann and Poch available

 

[gerryfrancis]

Is the other 50% getting Gerry Francis in as his assistant?

I am available for the right price and can attract big names such as Chris Armstrong and Clive Wilson.