Real Madrid must have been fuming after lasts seasons saga with De Gea and the fax machine and swooping in at the 11th hour and nicking Paul Pogba would be the perfect retribution.
He would have signed for United by now if he was comitted but instead Madrid knowing they are the preferred destination can simply offer to match what is on the table and they have used Ed Woodward and the Glazers to conduct negotiations for them.
Losing out to Barcelona in their pursuit of Andre Gomes will also rile their intent to make a high profile signing.
Looking at the prices on skybet they are swaying towards Real signing him. Zidane has just won the champions league but his job is still no secure so signing the French poster boy (greizemann is unobtainable having signed a new contract with athletic) would be a statement of intent.
Pogba: Madrid's revenge for fax error
posted on 24/7/16
For me finding a great long term coach is much like finding a hidden gem of a player. All the 'elite' coaches tend to only stick around a few seasons, pep, Jose, Carlo etc. It's about identifying who has what it takes to take the bull by the horns and lead a club.
No one really took a lot of notice of Klopp before his Dortmund stint, same as tuchel. Pochettino was a no name before Southampton brought him on, simeone, conte etc were all unrecognised names who were given the chance and showed that they had what it takes. I very much believe Lopetegui (despite what happened at Porto) and Schmidt will both fall into this category.
I understand that at this time perhaps it's too much of a risk for United to take, but I'm not so sure it's that much more of a risk than what state mourinho might leave uniteds playing squad in, in his 3rd season.
posted on 24/7/16
But none of them have manager big clubs long term, so I don't really buy that. Apart from the one in your elite list, Carlo Ancelotti. He was at Milan for eight years. I get what you're saying, but managing smaller clubs and working your way up to the top is not the same as getting a top job and being able to maintain it long term.
Pochettino has no place in this conversation given he's not even lasted longer than two years in a job until now. And I don't see how you can come to this conclusion with Lotepegui when his only meaningful coaching job was a failure at Porto after a year and a half.
I agree with the sentiment, but I don't see a lot of basis for reality with most of the names touted.
Though, funnily enough, Klopp is the one I actually feel would be able to bring that to United. Though the impression I get from him is that the whole big money club thing isn't what he was looking at. Which is probably why he wouldn't consider us. Though Liverpool are a big money club also, not quite where we are in that respect and what our needs our. Which is a shame, but our club is run as a business as much as a football club, and the need for success, cl football and big name signings is a part of that which is not really Klopp's mo.
posted on 24/7/16
Not too worried about what squad Mourinho will leave, by the way. The age of our squad is pretty young so we won't be left with a squad completely over the hill.
posted on 24/7/16
comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 12 minutes ago
But none of them have manager big clubs long term, so I don't really buy that. Apart from the one in your elite list, Carlo Ancelotti. He was at Milan for eight years. I get what you're saying, but managing smaller clubs and working your way up to the top is not the same as getting a top job and being able to maintain it long term.
Pochettino has no place in this conversation given he's not even lasted longer than two years in a job until now. And I don't see how you can come to this conclusion with Lotepegui when his only meaningful coaching job was a failure at Porto after a year and a half.
I agree with the sentiment, but I don't see a lot of basis for reality with most of the names touted.
Though, funnily enough, Klopp is the one I actually feel would be able to bring that to United. Though the impression I get from him is that the whole big money club thing isn't what he was looking at. Which is probably why he wouldn't consider us. Though Liverpool are a big money club also, not quite where we are in that respect and what our needs our. Which is a shame, but our club is run as a business as much as a football club, and the need for success, cl football and big name signings is a part of that which is not really Klopp's mo.
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What I mean is as they are more 'unproven' than the elite ones they're more likely to stick around, unless they are pushed. I just have a feeling with Lopetegui that he'll end up in the top bracket one day, could be wrong but I think he will.
I think with Klopp he was looking for a project more than anything, something to really establish himself as one of the greats currently around. Going to real or Bayern wouldn't have done that. And the likes of Chelsea and city wouldn't have been perceived as all that great an achievement given how much money they have. United, I just don't think you were interested tbh. At the time the plan was for van gaal to stick around and what I heard was allegri would be targeted at the end of van gaals contract to take over. Obviously it didn't pan out that way, I think had he been approached he would have given it serious consideration.
But at the end of the day, is there a better job to launch yourself into the history books? I mean if he succeeds he'll be known as the one who finally got Liverpool back on top, and delivered them there first premier league trophy in what 24,25,26 years? Plus we have a lot of money for him to blow and our fans already adore him so he'll be given time.
If he doesn't succeed I don't think he'll really be blamed all that much as he'll be just another in a very long list who couldn't get Liverpool back to the top.
Win win for him really.
posted on 24/7/16
True but lots of coaches become elite by proving themselves at lower clubs, or having a risk taken on them, and still don't end up being around for the long term. I just think long term management at huge clubs is an anomaly.
We approached Klopp when Fergie retired and he wasn't interested. Not sure on the Allegri stuff, I think as soon as Mourinho became available he was our number one choice. We wanted him to takeover when Fergie retired but he wanted to go to Chelsea.
I agree with you about Klopp wanting that project. And why he fits Liverpool. People were laughing saying he wouldn't take the Liverpool job but I did think he would for some of the reasons you mention and there being some similarities with Dortmund.
posted on 24/7/16
I meant if you'd approached klopp when he was on his sabbatical he would have given it serious thought.
And yeah I think Dortmund and Liverpool are very similar in a lot of ways, so I think it was the right choice for him. I think he could have us as a dark horse this season myself, don't think we'll win it. But I wouldn't be surprised to see us finished 3rd or 4th considering no Europe this season.
posted on 24/7/16
i hope madrid dont buy him
over priced, over rated
who's gonna make room for him in the midfield ?
Kroos or Modric ? (both of whom are better central midfielders than Pogba)
posted on 24/7/16
Id say the Yaya Toure of the 2011/12 season before he stopped doing the defensive work is absolutely what Pogba is.
posted on 25/7/16
Madrid's revenge for fax error
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What fax error?
posted on 26/7/16
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 1 day, 8 hours ago
Id say the Yaya Toure of the 2011/12 season before he stopped doing the defensive work is absolutely what Pogba is.
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Great comparison. Let's see if Pogba can hit those heights that Yaya did for you guys. Scoring spectacular goals on a scarliy consistent basis while still having the ability to control the game from deep.
Prime Yaya might be up there with my favourite players ever.