Spurs spend absolutely loads and have done for years. It’s a complete myth that Levy is tight and one that, weirdly, is spun by Spurs fans.
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
I think they have all gone very early on Alonso personally. 4 months ago he wasn't even on the radar. Not sure he's ready for that step up yet really. Wasn't long ago they were all saying Gerrard was destined for the top was it after Rangers? Now look at him. He'd struggle to get any PL job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's a bit of a conundrum really. It's fair to say the top clubs might be going too early, but there also seems to be a real chance of missing out on a man who might just be the next big thing. People are genuinely raving about him in Germany.
I actually disagree, however, with the notion that Alonso's only just come onto the radar, not for anyone who'd been watching. What he's doing this season is an early confirmation of something that was already suggested back in his playing days. It was pretty clear he was more than just good player. His press interviews revealed a real student of the game with a profound understanding of it. He even said back when he made the move to Bayern that his primary motivation was the opportunity to work under Guardiola, so it's clear he'd been mapping out a managerial path for many a year.
The fact he's chosen his steps carefully and wisely up until now makes it all the more intriguing to see what he decides from here. He'll have no shortage of offers, I'm sure, but will he actually be willing to take such a big step so soon?
I guess we'll find out soon enough.
I can’t think of many players who have played under such a top tier set of managers than Xabi. I bet he’s picked up plenty.
He’s certainly my first choice for Liverpool.
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
Forgot to add, they’ll be walking into a club with a fantastic squad, at the right age, with some of the best youth in Europe coming through and a few quid to spend.
It’s a great opportunity for any manager.
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 2 hours ago
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 2 seconds ago
I'd still say chelsea are a more attractive proposition than utd though. Atleast chelsea have had success in recent years and the owners look to be investing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A hard no again from me on that. It’s Utd
----------------------------------------------------------------------
why?
michel to Barca IF Gorona don't win the title.
Thiago Motta next in at PSG
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cus... (U6374)
posted 16 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Proper trophies won at Liverpool
Klopp 4
Houlier 4
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 18 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't agree with this. If a top manager comes in, liverpool have maybe the best squad in the league. Their firepower is unreal and will get any manager through a lot of games on their own.
If alonso can put his mark on that team I can see them getting even better.
All hypothetical at this stage of course.
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 19 minutes ago
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Also need to remember that we lost Bebe not long after Fergie left so feels like a similar rebuilding job for the next Liverpool manager when they lose Salah. It may not be as difficult as replacing Bebe but Liverpool will still be in a tough position
Hard to tell with Liverpool. They’ve got a good squad but Klopp gets more from them than anyone else would be able to I reckon. It’s an absolutely huge loss.
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 19 minutes ago
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It is a big step up, no question. But I think it makes a difference if you have absolutely top level experience as a player though. Because you know how a massive club operates, you've seen/experienced the pressure of expectation.
With Klopp, Dortmund were the biggest club he'd ever experienced and he'd never been managed by anyone of note. Alonso has experience of Real, Bayern and Liverpool and been managed by Pep, Rafa, Jose, Ancelotti, Aragones, del Bosque.
That's not to say I'm 100% sold on Alonso but my concerns are much more around his suitability to the current squad - there's an article on the athletic that gave me pause for thought (https://theathletic.com/5231341/2024/01/28/xabi-alonso-liverpool-manager/). I'm not even slightly worried about the step up in size of club.
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 18 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't agree with this. If a top manager comes in, liverpool have maybe the best squad in the league. Their firepower is unreal and will get any manager through a lot of games on their own.
If alonso can put his mark on that team I can see them getting even better.
All hypothetical at this stage of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, what are you actually disagreeing with? That it’s extremely unlikely someone will come in and out do Klopp?
Darren has it right, we’ve seen no end of players at Dortmund and who have left us that have got nowhere near to their levels displayed under him. If someone comes in and does a better job I’d be absolutely amazed.
My initial view was that Xabi Alonso was the obvious candidate for Liverpool. Listening to the Stadio podcast at the weekend made me slightly doubt that: the hosts are both based in Germany and follow the Bundesliga very closely, and they were in agreement that Alonso is one to manage his career path very closely, is willing to turn down big opportunities if they come too soon, and they thought it unlikely he'd 1) leave the Leverkusen project this early and 2) choose to be the guy that follows Klopp rather than hang on and be the next one after that.
They threw an interesting name into the Liverpool hat. The thought process was that (in addition to his tactical qualities) Klopp's aura and personality have been so powerful that it makes him a very hard act to follow - and a challenge to sustain the belief and culture that he built up. They suggested Thomas Frank as a coach who is both tactically very smart and has the communication skills / ability to project confidence that you'd need to handle that transition. Not a bad shout in my view. Part of Klopp's greatness comes from his ability to make the whole club, fans and wider community feel part of something shared - and to harness the resulting energy on the pitch. I think Frank has something of that quality too.
Being the man after Klopp is also huge pressure. What I would say is that whoever it is will likely get a fair bit of time and backing from the club and fans, unless they’re an absolute disaster. Liverpool tend to do that with their managers.
On Barcelona, that's a club facing some major challenges. Not only are they not playing the best of football at the moment, but their ability to spend their way out of the gaps and inefficiencies in their squad is hampered over the coming years by the series of "levers" pulled to paper over the cracks in the short term. Meanwhile, their biggest rival is as financially strong and well run as it has been for a long time, and in a position to add Mbappe to a core of young, already world class players. Barcelona will always be a draw but I doubt they will be a serious contender for the CL anytime soon.
He might not even take it let's be honest. I'm sure he'd be tempted but even he might think it's one job too soon.
He's managed 60 games in professional football and not won anything yet. That's some promotion to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
I think the romanticism from Liverpool fans is the big attraction. Look at Klopp for example. He had no relationship with Liverpool whatsoever previously.
It's a thankless task trying to follow on from a manager that the fanbase consider a legend. Just the way things are in football.
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
It's a thankless task trying to follow on from a manager that the fanbase consider a legend. Just the way things are in football.
——-
Not sure that’s true at all tbh.
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 19 minutes ago
My initial view was that Xabi Alonso was the obvious candidate for Liverpool. Listening to the Stadio podcast at the weekend made me slightly doubt that: the hosts are both based in Germany and follow the Bundesliga very closely, and they were in agreement that Alonso is one to manage his career path very closely, is willing to turn down big opportunities if they come too soon, and they thought it unlikely he'd 1) leave the Leverkusen project this early and 2) choose to be the guy that follows Klopp rather than hang on and be the next one after that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a sensible take, and looking at how level-headed Alonso's been to date, one I think he might share. Another year at Leverkusen is possible, though I could also see him taking another intermediate step in between them and one of the juggernauts. Perhaps one of the traditional giants that's fallen on hard times.
It might be a bit far fetched, but there might be interesting opportunities to be had in Italy, which has long been a hotbed of managerial talent and tactical nous, and also a country that he hasn't to date had any experience of in his career.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If I was a chicken then by far the most responsible thing to do, if I were injured, would be to come home to roost, and quickly. To imply otherwise is ridiculous
Robbing, when talking about spending, don't forget that wage bills are probably a bigger source of annual expenditure than transfer spending, especially if you bear in mind the incomings as well as the outgoings.
Spurs in that regard are still some way off spending as much as the other big hitters. I believe Liverpool are the only big guns in the PL that don't outstrip them by a considerable margin.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indeed. Unless they stumble upon a new managerial genius, it's hard to see them getting themselves back into the mix in the short term.
All things considered, Míchel seems the kind of appointment that might suit both parties right now. He wouldn't arrive with unreasonable demands that the club are unable to meet, and one of the big two is still the highest station a Spanish manager can aspire to whilst remaining in the country.
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Managers
Page 4 of 6
6
posted on 30/1/24
Spurs spend absolutely loads and have done for years. It’s a complete myth that Levy is tight and one that, weirdly, is spun by Spurs fans.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
I think they have all gone very early on Alonso personally. 4 months ago he wasn't even on the radar. Not sure he's ready for that step up yet really. Wasn't long ago they were all saying Gerrard was destined for the top was it after Rangers? Now look at him. He'd struggle to get any PL job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's a bit of a conundrum really. It's fair to say the top clubs might be going too early, but there also seems to be a real chance of missing out on a man who might just be the next big thing. People are genuinely raving about him in Germany.
I actually disagree, however, with the notion that Alonso's only just come onto the radar, not for anyone who'd been watching. What he's doing this season is an early confirmation of something that was already suggested back in his playing days. It was pretty clear he was more than just good player. His press interviews revealed a real student of the game with a profound understanding of it. He even said back when he made the move to Bayern that his primary motivation was the opportunity to work under Guardiola, so it's clear he'd been mapping out a managerial path for many a year.
The fact he's chosen his steps carefully and wisely up until now makes it all the more intriguing to see what he decides from here. He'll have no shortage of offers, I'm sure, but will he actually be willing to take such a big step so soon?
I guess we'll find out soon enough.
posted on 30/1/24
I can’t think of many players who have played under such a top tier set of managers than Xabi. I bet he’s picked up plenty.
He’s certainly my first choice for Liverpool.
posted on 30/1/24
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
posted on 30/1/24
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
posted on 30/1/24
Forgot to add, they’ll be walking into a club with a fantastic squad, at the right age, with some of the best youth in Europe coming through and a few quid to spend.
It’s a great opportunity for any manager.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 2 hours ago
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 2 seconds ago
I'd still say chelsea are a more attractive proposition than utd though. Atleast chelsea have had success in recent years and the owners look to be investing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A hard no again from me on that. It’s Utd
----------------------------------------------------------------------
why?
posted on 30/1/24
michel to Barca IF Gorona don't win the title.
Thiago Motta next in at PSG
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cus... (U6374)
posted 16 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Proper trophies won at Liverpool
Klopp 4
Houlier 4
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 18 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't agree with this. If a top manager comes in, liverpool have maybe the best squad in the league. Their firepower is unreal and will get any manager through a lot of games on their own.
If alonso can put his mark on that team I can see them getting even better.
All hypothetical at this stage of course.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 19 minutes ago
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Also need to remember that we lost Bebe not long after Fergie left so feels like a similar rebuilding job for the next Liverpool manager when they lose Salah. It may not be as difficult as replacing Bebe but Liverpool will still be in a tough position
posted on 30/1/24
Hard to tell with Liverpool. They’ve got a good squad but Klopp gets more from them than anyone else would be able to I reckon. It’s an absolutely huge loss.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 19 minutes ago
Huge boots to fill though and if Salah does bow out too this summer which many people are expecting him to then that job just becomes even harder.
It's not quite the same as following Fergie obviously but it's still a pretty thankless task. If anything Klopp has slightly overachieved given your net spend even though we banter you about his trophy haul.
I could be wrong but I think it's one job too soon for Alonso. Liverpool from Leverkusen is quite the step up. A lot bigger than Dortmund to Liverpool for sure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It is a big step up, no question. But I think it makes a difference if you have absolutely top level experience as a player though. Because you know how a massive club operates, you've seen/experienced the pressure of expectation.
With Klopp, Dortmund were the biggest club he'd ever experienced and he'd never been managed by anyone of note. Alonso has experience of Real, Bayern and Liverpool and been managed by Pep, Rafa, Jose, Ancelotti, Aragones, del Bosque.
That's not to say I'm 100% sold on Alonso but my concerns are much more around his suitability to the current squad - there's an article on the athletic that gave me pause for thought (https://theathletic.com/5231341/2024/01/28/xabi-alonso-liverpool-manager/). I'm not even slightly worried about the step up in size of club.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 18 minutes ago
It doesn’t matter who we get, they are extremely unlikely to out do Klopp (although Pep finally leaving may well enable that, but I can’t see anyone getting close to his points totals… even MrAF didn’t manage that).
But if we can get someone who links with the club, plays good football, fosters a real togetherness and continues to promote youth talent I’ll be happy enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't agree with this. If a top manager comes in, liverpool have maybe the best squad in the league. Their firepower is unreal and will get any manager through a lot of games on their own.
If alonso can put his mark on that team I can see them getting even better.
All hypothetical at this stage of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, what are you actually disagreeing with? That it’s extremely unlikely someone will come in and out do Klopp?
Darren has it right, we’ve seen no end of players at Dortmund and who have left us that have got nowhere near to their levels displayed under him. If someone comes in and does a better job I’d be absolutely amazed.
posted on 30/1/24
My initial view was that Xabi Alonso was the obvious candidate for Liverpool. Listening to the Stadio podcast at the weekend made me slightly doubt that: the hosts are both based in Germany and follow the Bundesliga very closely, and they were in agreement that Alonso is one to manage his career path very closely, is willing to turn down big opportunities if they come too soon, and they thought it unlikely he'd 1) leave the Leverkusen project this early and 2) choose to be the guy that follows Klopp rather than hang on and be the next one after that.
They threw an interesting name into the Liverpool hat. The thought process was that (in addition to his tactical qualities) Klopp's aura and personality have been so powerful that it makes him a very hard act to follow - and a challenge to sustain the belief and culture that he built up. They suggested Thomas Frank as a coach who is both tactically very smart and has the communication skills / ability to project confidence that you'd need to handle that transition. Not a bad shout in my view. Part of Klopp's greatness comes from his ability to make the whole club, fans and wider community feel part of something shared - and to harness the resulting energy on the pitch. I think Frank has something of that quality too.
posted on 30/1/24
Being the man after Klopp is also huge pressure. What I would say is that whoever it is will likely get a fair bit of time and backing from the club and fans, unless they’re an absolute disaster. Liverpool tend to do that with their managers.
posted on 30/1/24
On Barcelona, that's a club facing some major challenges. Not only are they not playing the best of football at the moment, but their ability to spend their way out of the gaps and inefficiencies in their squad is hampered over the coming years by the series of "levers" pulled to paper over the cracks in the short term. Meanwhile, their biggest rival is as financially strong and well run as it has been for a long time, and in a position to add Mbappe to a core of young, already world class players. Barcelona will always be a draw but I doubt they will be a serious contender for the CL anytime soon.
posted on 30/1/24
He might not even take it let's be honest. I'm sure he'd be tempted but even he might think it's one job too soon.
He's managed 60 games in professional football and not won anything yet. That's some promotion to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
I think the romanticism from Liverpool fans is the big attraction. Look at Klopp for example. He had no relationship with Liverpool whatsoever previously.
It's a thankless task trying to follow on from a manager that the fanbase consider a legend. Just the way things are in football.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
posted on 30/1/24
It's a thankless task trying to follow on from a manager that the fanbase consider a legend. Just the way things are in football.
——-
Not sure that’s true at all tbh.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 19 minutes ago
My initial view was that Xabi Alonso was the obvious candidate for Liverpool. Listening to the Stadio podcast at the weekend made me slightly doubt that: the hosts are both based in Germany and follow the Bundesliga very closely, and they were in agreement that Alonso is one to manage his career path very closely, is willing to turn down big opportunities if they come too soon, and they thought it unlikely he'd 1) leave the Leverkusen project this early and 2) choose to be the guy that follows Klopp rather than hang on and be the next one after that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a sensible take, and looking at how level-headed Alonso's been to date, one I think he might share. Another year at Leverkusen is possible, though I could also see him taking another intermediate step in between them and one of the juggernauts. Perhaps one of the traditional giants that's fallen on hard times.
It might be a bit far fetched, but there might be interesting opportunities to be had in Italy, which has long been a hotbed of managerial talent and tactical nous, and also a country that he hasn't to date had any experience of in his career.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If I was a chicken then by far the most responsible thing to do, if I were injured, would be to come home to roost, and quickly. To imply otherwise is ridiculous
posted on 30/1/24
Robbing, when talking about spending, don't forget that wage bills are probably a bigger source of annual expenditure than transfer spending, especially if you bear in mind the incomings as well as the outgoings.
Spurs in that regard are still some way off spending as much as the other big hitters. I believe Liverpool are the only big guns in the PL that don't outstrip them by a considerable margin.
posted on 30/1/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Given the current state of affairs, I can see Barcelona going for Michel, the Girona manager. They already had a good season last year, what they've achieved thus far this year is bloody outrageous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn’t have Barca DNA.
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Xavi was DNA-max. I think they might just be ready for a change.
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Barcelona's problems run much deeper than Xavi. He won them the league last season. Their recruitment and squad management over many years look comparable to United's in short-termism, and their financial management has been reckless. Throw in a few key injuries and chickens come home to roost pretty quickly.
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Indeed. Unless they stumble upon a new managerial genius, it's hard to see them getting themselves back into the mix in the short term.
All things considered, Míchel seems the kind of appointment that might suit both parties right now. He wouldn't arrive with unreasonable demands that the club are unable to meet, and one of the big two is still the highest station a Spanish manager can aspire to whilst remaining in the country.
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