The 2015-2016 Football Thread

[mojolicious]

I think the problem is that many people perceive Hughes and Bruce as mediocre managers - good enough to get by, but they'll never be "top" talent.

There are vanishingly few managers who are ever considered to be 'top talent' before they've managed a 'top side'. That said, Bruce *is* mediocre. Almost Sherwood, Coleman levels of mediocre.

So Man U should hire a manager who's an ex player, has managed a mid table club quite successfully, given them a good team spirit, improving their performances while playing more attractive football and finishing above where the critics believe they'll finish … David Moyes anyone?

There are equally vanishingly few managers who aren't ex players. Re Moyes, I reckon he has character traits that made him unsuited to a team with Manchester United's high profile. He probably spent too long at Everton (do you really think he 'overachieved' while there?) and would have benefited from a more rounded managerial education. Essentially, he was The Chosen One because he and Siralex had loads of top Glaswegian banter over a decent bottle of red after yet another Man U win over Everton.

I dunno. As an Arsenal supporter I've been all aboard the Wenger-Out-bus for around 4-5 seasons. I'm equally terrified of what happens when he leaves. Good managers aren't easy to come by, but my absolute worst nightmare* would be a Henry or a Bergkamp.

*discounting Mourinho, obviously.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

There are vanishingly few managers who are ever considered to be 'top talent' before they've managed a 'top side'. That said, Bruce *is* mediocre. Almost Sherwood, Coleman levels of mediocre.

I would agree on Bruce. Hughes is probably a little above average. But neither is Champions League quality IMO.

There are equally vanishingly few managers who aren't ex players.

True, but there seems to be almost no correlation between the level one reaches as a player and the level one reaches as a manager. So it is more about familiarity with the boot room and training pitch than actual playing skill.

I dunno. As an Arsenal supporter I've been all aboard the Wenger-Out-bus for around 4-5 seasons. I'm equally terrified of what happens when he leaves. Good managers aren't easy to come by, but my absolute worst nightmare* would be a Henry or a Bergkamp.

*discounting Mourinho, obviously.

Wenger's retirement could very well be the worst thing that happens to Arsenal in a generation.

 

[ameriMacka]

i feel like Wenger should be Director Of Football

 

[JamesMike]

I'm very much hoping for the Neville & Giggs dream team.

I agree!

 

[twietee]

The day Wenger retires we all will be watching the Chinese League only anyway.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Chinese club Jiangsu Suning have poached Liverpool target Alex Teixiera. They paid €50m, which is odd because just days ago Shaktar rejected Liverpool's bid bid of just over €30m, saying

“Teixeira has a compensation charge in his contract – the price is €70m. Please, if someone wants him – let them come and declare themselves.”

The Chinese clubs have cash and are willing to spend it.

 

[Fizzoid]

Surely anyone going to China is basically writing off their international career?

 

[Alphazoid]

As long as tax-free money keeps flowing in...its a trade they're willing to make.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Surely anyone going to China is basically writing off their international career?

Maybe, maybe not. Teixiera was not under consideration for the Brazil national team anyway, so it's a moot point with him. He's giving up Champions League football to go to China, but he'd probably miss out on next season's Champions League anyway if he went to Liverpool. Shaktar are going to make a gigantic profit on him and he will be very well-paid.

It's disappointing for Liverpool to fail to sign him but the asking price was far too high.

What's more disappointing form me is that MLS can't even begin to compete with what China are now paying players. The Chinese clubs are severely overpaying for players and they are taking that calculated risk (with the state's blessing, apparently) to grow their league rapidly. In the short term at least, many decent players in Europe are going to be lured away to China in the prime of their careers.

 

[twietee]

In the short term at least, many decent players in Europe are going to be lured away to China in the prime of their careers.

'Exactly. That will result in an even more ridiculous price-war for the younger, yet unproven talents for lots of clubs. The top crop will always have their massive reputation going on for them + being able to pay top notch themselves, but that's about 7-8 clubs. The rest will struggle even more than before.

Big bubble on the brink.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

All this should make clubs invest more heavily in academies, because they are very cost effective. The problem is, they take years to bear fruit, and club suits are too short-termist to wait for that to happen.

 

[balamw]

I don't think that MLS would grow any faster if some of the salary/roster caps were removed. That would only directly benefit LA (both teams) and NYCFC.

And having an unbalanced league won't sell season tickets for the smaller clubs.

If anything the mean/median salaries for the homegrown players needs to grow first before being able to spend $50M on a single player. The fact that the median salary on most MLS teams is <$100K is the real problem IMO.

B

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm not suggesting MLS adopt the Chinese model - that was the mistake the NASL made. MLS was originally built to survive in a hostile environment, and even now is set up for slow but steady growth rather than explosive expansion.

I'd like to think MLS could become a top league some day, but I would be happy for it to be a second-tier league like the French, Dutch, Portuguese and Turkish leagues. Maybe it can someday reach the level of the Bundesliga (Minus Bayern).

 

[balamw]

Maybe it can someday reach the level of the Bundesliga (Minus Bayern).

Getting to that point without creating a team like Bayern or PSG that is super dominant is the key to a sustainable league.

[In the 70s and 80s when I followed it regularly the French top league didn't seem quite so lopsided]

Plus it must have enough local talent that the kids can relate aspire to become, for example, Diego Fagundez.

[One of the team's my 14 year old's futsal team will play in a few weeks is mainly composed of NE Revs Academy players. That will be a fun game to watch.]

B

 

[Centaurr]

i dont think this is a bubble forming, it looks like if this could be a normal thing in the future, money talks. Chinese league will rise but will anyone watch it except for chinese people? that is the question. this is a good topic by the way. alex is the 3rd player this week that has gone to the chinese league. More player will follow suit

 

[pachyderm]

Look at Hull City!

 

[mojolicious]

Do we have to?

 

[mojolicious]

This Leicester thing is getting a bit silly now.

 

[Alphazoid]

If they end up winning it, no one will be able to debate their credentials. And it would be a big F U to all the 'top clubs', and the EPL in general...and rightly so.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm gunning for Leicester all the way. Plus, this win over Man City makes Liverpool's loss against the Foxes less disappointing.

Edit: Liverpool draw against the worst team in the league by miles. gave up a two goal lead as well..

 

[maxwelltech]

I think any remaining doubts on Leicester's chances to win the title have just been removed by that performance. An incredible story really.

And news from yesterday: Multiple media outlets have confirmed that Man Utd are in talks with Mourinho to take over next season. It is most likely happening.

 

[twietee]

Mou watched a 0-0 in Berlin vs Dortmund today. Lucky draw for Dortmund, we had the better chances

 

[pachyderm]

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A few thoughts at this stage.

Firstly, if Manchester United are idiotic enough to appoint Jose Mourinho as manager - a talented but repellant and utterly toxic individual - they will reap considerable success in their first - and possibly second season - but it will end in copious quantities of tumbling tears, with such a destructive and dramatic fall-out, leaving in its wake destroyed relationships, divided dressing rooms, disloyalty, and bitter rancour - that it will serve them right.

The other thing - a rare flicker of wonderful light in the cynical and amoral universe of some of the bought souls of the Premiership - is the lovely journey of Leicester.

Can there be a single, solitary, neutral soul who does not wish for them to win the title? This would be a victory for idealists, and dreamers, for romantics, - for every kid in the planet who would love to see The Good Guys Win For Once.

Above all, it would serve as a cherished victory for those who prize an ethical existence in football, where values such as a work ethic, team-work, actual hard running work, a delightful lack of fear, and pure uninhibited joy are clearly seen to take priority over crude economics, and where those who buy and sell themselves and their skills and their souls, and who seem to value little except monetary worth, are being taught a timely lesson about pride, professionalism, honour, work, graft, and the joy of a team playing together for each other.

 

[Ironduke]

klopp will quit if this season gets much worse