Sometimes when a club appoints a former player, it is mentioned that they 'know the club inside out' (or some similar tedious cliché). The question is, is that actually a help or a hinderance?
Obviously a benefit is that the fans will probably be onside with the manager straight away, and so it empowers the manager.
Beyond that, does it really help? I understand that when a manager grows organically with a club they can apply their own infrastructure and practices (e.g. Ferguson), which is good, but really they are defining their own way of working at a club rather than 'knowing' it.
Managers are often recruited when a club is struggling, and so is it the best idea to cling to failing philosophies of previous regimes, or is it best to lay a marker down and write a new chapter?
What are the success stories of recruiting 'one of your own' and what are the failures? Does it really make any difference?
For the purposes of this debate, I am talking about recruitment rather than internal appointment.
For me, the best example of success being achieved through disregarding a clubs perceived identity is Arsene Wenger, he positively transformed arsenal by throwing out the old principles.
New managers 'knowing the club inside out'
posted on 13/1/15
comment by Wummy (U5046)
posted 18 minutes ago
Gilespie R
I was also readying a well though out response until I saw that comment.
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That's a bit rich with a username like yours...... Stop being so precious. Everything else I said was constructive. To start crying over one tongue in cheek comment is both pathetic and childish.
posted on 13/1/15
You have absolutely no idea what my username refers to so stfů! Also stop trying to backtrack after being outted as a childish imbecile by people who initially were willing to have a civil debate with you before you exposed yourself with old clichéd digs at Arsenal fans. If you want to be an ásshole be one, don't become a pússy when you have exposed and pretend you are not one.
posted on 13/1/15
It depends whether the person is liked at the club, and whether they are any good.
Knowing a club and everyone there can't be a benefit if they all think your a cockwomble, irrespective of what fans think.
It must be easier to settle in as a manager if you know everyone and everything and are liked as a person though.
Nevertheless, I think a top manager in most circumstances would be able to overcome anything and be successful, so its a potential advantage (or disadvantage) but not a huge one.
posted on 13/1/15
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 13/1/15
Wenger definitely did inherit a strong defensive line. His strongest defence was in his second full season in charge (98/99) in which his team only conceded 17 goals in the league. This is 9 less than the invincible defence.
posted on 13/1/15
comment by righteous1 (U7048)
posted 6 minutes ago
It depends whether the person is liked at the club, and whether they are any good.
Knowing a club and everyone there can't be a benefit if they all think your a cockwomble, irrespective of what fans think.
It must be easier to settle in as a manager if you know everyone and everything and are liked as a person though.
Nevertheless, I think a top manager in most circumstances would be able to overcome anything and be successful, so its a potential advantage (or disadvantage) but not a huge one.
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This.
Also makes the transition from a predecessor who was a fan favourite, that much easier.
Had either Luis Enrique or Giggs been involved with their clubs sooner after Pep and Fergie, the transitions would have been much smoother, with the added goodwill.
posted on 14/1/15
" you can't deny that many Arsenal fans opinions on Wenger can change very quickly, even over the course of one game....."
Sigh. I can and do deny that. I say it again, why bother having individual user names on this site when people are so quick to just lump everyone in together.
posted on 14/1/15
"Managers are often recruited when a club is struggling, and so is it the best idea to cling to failing philosophies of previous regimes, or is it best to lay a marker down and write a new chapter?"
If you're coming in to a struggling club, surely that questions answers itself - the new manager would have been interviewed and recruited based on what the board want him to do. It's hard to imagine a situation where a board of a struggling club would just say, "just come in and do more of the same please"
posted on 14/1/15
comment by HenrysCat (U3608)
posted 8 hours, 43 minutes ago
" you can't deny that many Arsenal fans opinions on Wenger can change very quickly, even over the course of one game....."
Sigh. I can and do deny that. I say it again, why bother having individual user names on this site when people are so quick to just lump everyone in together.
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I didn't say everyone though, and you're not one of them. There's a reason that 'Arsenal meltdown' is a well used phrase on here.
posted on 14/1/15
Yeah, because we have idiots like you with internet.