The 2018-2019 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

Real Madrid have signed a new manager.
It’s their old one!

Welcome back Zidane.

I can only imagine that the players vetoed Mourinho, if he was seriously considered.

Still a strange decision by Zidane. Must have been a good break!

Must say that I hadn't seen that coming; I had assumed that Mourinho (for all of his well known toxicity) was considered a shoe in (despite the fact that he is taught to be utterly detested by Ramos, - who is influential - among others).

Welcome back Zidane, indeed.

He probably felt that he needed a break of the best part of a year.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Must say that I hadn't seen that coming; I had assumed that Mourinho (for all of his well known toxicity) was considered a shoe in (despite the fact that he is taught to be utterly detested by Ramos, - who is influential - among others).

Welcome back Zidane, indeed.

He probably felt that he needed a break of the best part of a year.

Don’t we all!
But I’m glad Mourino didn’t get the job. I’m hoping he gets a job in China. We don’t hear much from there!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Don’t we all!
But I’m glad Mourino didn’t get the job. I’m hoping he gets a job in China. We don’t hear much from there!

Likewise.

That appointment would have ended in explosive disaster, and destroyed personal relationships, as so many of his more recent appointments have ended.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Likewise.

That appointment would have ended in explosive disaster, and destroyed personal relationships, as so many of his more recent appointments have ended.

When was his last successful tenure?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

When was his last successful tenure?

Chelsea '14-'15.

Over the last nineteen year of management I believe he's only completed more than two full seasons at the same club once (his first stint at Chelsea).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Chelsea '14-'15.

Over the last nineteen year of management I believe he's only completed more than two full seasons at the same club once (his first stint at Chelsea).

That went into a third year, if memory serves me rightly?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

That went into a third year, if memory serves me rightly?

He was sacked in December 2016, after months of bad results and, of course, the Dr. Eva Carneiro incident.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

He was sacked in December 2016, after months of bad results and, of course, the Dr. Eva Carneiro incident.

That was his second incarnation as Chelsea manager, and I remember that disgraceful incident - he had lost a significant percentage of the dressing room after that.

However, if memory serves, he lasted into his third year when he managed Chelsea originally during his initial venture into English football.

While I dislike the man, people may runs the risk of forgetting what a breath of fresh air he seemed to have been when he first appeared in England.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

However, if memory serves, he lasted into his third year when he managed Chelsea originally during his initial venture into English football.

Right, that is the one time he completed three seasons at a club.

He was innovative back then, but times change. He is still a thoroughly modern manager in terms of his cynicism and mercenary attitude. But his tactical approaches are stale.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Right, that is the one time he completed three seasons at a club.

He was innovative back then, but times change. He is still a thoroughly modern manager in terms of his cynicism and mercenary attitude. But his tactical approaches are stale.

That is what I had thought.

Agreed, he has become stale and rigid (and out of date) tactically, as a manager, - and his corrosive cynicism comes complete with a very ugly element; however, had Madrid appointed him as manager, I believe that they would have come to rue that decision in due course.

 

[JamesMike]

Watching Juventus/Atlético Madrid, and JUV is leading right now 1-0.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Atleti look a little flat this season.

Man City are making it look easy against Schalke. I actually don't mind seeing them progress in Europe - that means fixture congestion for the title race.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Atleti look a little flat this season.

Man City are making it look easy against Schalke. I actually don't mind seeing them progress in Europe - that means fixture congestion for the title race.

They have the strength in depth and the confidence boost might not work in your favour.

 

[Silencio]

Absolute beatdown for Schalke. 7-0. Yikes.

Ronaldo wills Juventus into the next round. That penalty call was almost as soft as the one at the Emirates on Sunday, but...

 

[JamesMike]

It was like a shooting gallery for Man City.

 

[1claire]

Cristiano Ronaldo was signed to win Juventus the Champions League - and he might yet do just that.

The Portuguese produced his latest masterclass in Europe's elite competition to bring the Italian side back from the brink of a last-16 exit against Atletico Madrid and book their place in the quarter-finals.

 

[0388631]

Anyone have a clue why half of Saturday's matches are postponed pending something?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Anyone have a clue why half of Saturday's matches are postponed pending something?

FA Cup.

 

[0388631]

FA Cup.

Oh, right. Talk about a goof.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

They have the strength in depth and the confidence boost might not work in your favour.

Maybe, but the bottom line is, Man City are going to just keep winning. If Liverpool also keep winning, the race will be really tight. But Man City is in the driver's seat now and it is their title to lose.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Maybe, but the bottom line is, Man City are going to just keep winning. If Liverpool also keep winning, the race will be really tight. But Man City is in the driver's seat now and it is their title to lose.

I’m sure there will be a twist or turn to come yet.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Maybe, but the bottom line is, Man City are going to just keep winning. If Liverpool also keep winning, the race will be really tight. But Man City is in the driver's seat now and it is their title to lose.

I’m sure there will be a twist or turn to come yet.

I agree with @Apple fanboy; already this season, Manchester City have lost four games, - they are neither infallible nor unbeatable - whereas Liverpool have been defeated only once, an excellent record.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Looks like Liverpool and Barcelona are going through then.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Bayern Munich are having an off-season, but even so - beating them in their own house is a big deal, especially by a convincing 3-1 scoreline. A tougher match than spanking Schalke, I would argue...

One absolutely devastating piece of news though - Roberston picked up a yellow in this match, which means he's suspended for the next match. That is a massive loss.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Bayern Munich are having an off-season, but even so - beating them in their own house is a big deal, especially by a convincing 3-1 scoreline. A tougher match than spanking Schalke, I would argue...

One absolutely devastating piece of news though - Roberston picked up a yellow in this match, which means he's suspended for the next match. That is a massive loss.

When is the draw for the next round?