21 Nov 2021 23:12:29
Some rumours on Twitter (I know! ) that Pochettino is ready to quit PSG and has his heart set on the Utd job. Probably rubbish but it looks like neither or his family are set in Paris.
If true I would take him, I wanted him when he was available and we stuck with Ole before and nothing for me has changed.

1.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 02:53:51
Sorry mate, he's another yes man. eill do no better than ole.

2.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 07:30:04
Actually I think Poch would be a good fit. The structure may or may not fit but Poch will do better than Ole because he is a far better manager.

3.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 08:08:22
Ten Haag still the best fit, but he has to be allowed to bring all his coaches with him. The style is modern, high press, and he has done very well in Europe.
Lastly and most importantly, he develops youth and improves players. Solskjaer didn't do any of the above.

4.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 08:55:13
AAA - I agree with you on a lot of points but as some one who lived in Netherlands for years and followed Ajax-UTD fans don't seem to realise (not directed at you AAA) that the first team is the peak of the pyramid at Ajax, meaning that the foundation has to be there for the peak to even exist.

So kids go to Ajax at very early age and are told they need to be able to control the ball from any angle, pass and move and be able to receive the ball and move it on in any position and be able to play in multiple positions and this will be required of them for the next 25 years or as long as they play football. No coach can get a job at Ajax at any level if he isn't schooled in this philosophy.

In theory the 4th choice 16 year old full back should be able to slot into the first team for a cup final if the 5 million quid first choice full back is injured

Van Gaal was an advocate of it but tweaked it and took it into schools where he taught P. E.

Ten Hag / Overmars/ VDS would be a dream but without the kids in UTDs academy getting the same coaching as Shaw, Sancho and AWB you won't get long term success. When Ten Hag eventually leaves Ajax will still have a great chance of continued success as the next coach coming in will be doing the same as Ten Hag even though the playing personnel will change.


As a sidenote I remember going to a small ground in Holland to watch a cup game,4-5 coaches came out of the clubhouse each carrying a white plastic patio chair to sit on as there was no dugout- Dutch legend Johan Neeskens was manager and he too carried his own chair!

5.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 09:53:29
Bfbw, I agree that the idealogy at Ajax is top class and something we should be looking to imitate to a degree if we want to be able to truly embrace our youth culture and create clear pathways for our academy players into the first team.

There are subtle differences though, at Ajax for example it's a needs must. Financially they cannot afford to just go out and buy 25 first team players for their squad. Their entire football model is built around being able to create top class players who while at the club enable them to compete at the highest level, but players who can be sold to bring in funds, hopefully with a youth player ready to step up as a replacement.

An ideal summer might be were Ajax sell 4 players, sign 1 or 2 and have a couple of academy lads step up into the first team.

We on the other hand don't have to sell academy players in order to raise funds to purchase other players. We can also afford to have too class players sitting on the bench.

With regards to Erik Ten Hag he is very good at developing players, yet not having a forth choice 16 year old full back able to step in if the first choice is injured won't be such an issue at a club that can afford to have 4 top class full backs on the books.

So our youth set up shouldn't hold EtH back in anyway. Hopefully he might be able to help it and create a better pathway for our young players.

What might hold him back is the lack of footballing knowledge and understanding in key positions above him at the club. At Ajax he can discuss footballing requirements with people like VdS or Overmars and they understand what he is asking for and why. They see how it fits into the club and value the need for it.

Would he get the same understanding and thus support from Woodward/ Arnold or Murtagh?

Ajax don't make vanity signings to boost the brand then expect the manager to fit those players into his team.

At Ajax when the manager says he needs a defender the club don't buy him a midfielder.

These are the issues that could hold EtH back at United. That said though they will hold back any manager.

For me the most important thing is to get a manager who will get what the club is about. I want to see a Manchester United side I connect with, that represents what the club should be about. A competitive side that play offensive, risk taking football, that develops players and promotes young players.

I don't want to see a United side that win by playing like Chelsea, or Atletico Madrid. I want to see a United side win by playing how a United side should. Otherwise all I'm really supporting is glory and winning.

That's why for me it is more important how the manager plays and that they give youth a chance and develop players. Ultimately if they do that correctly and with the resources available at our club then they will be winning and challenging for titles anyway.

6.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 10:05:07
Who would be your choice, Shappy? You wanted ten Haag a few weeks ago. I understand what you are saying about the challenges that exist at United for a coach like him but then they exist for every coach in the world. If i were to ask for your top 5 preferences to be the next United manager, who would they be and why?

Mine would be -

1. Poch
2. Rodgers (both PL experienced and play good football)
3. Ten Haag
4. Zidane
5. Graham Potter

I won't be able to articulate the reasons for them all as nicely as you would so leaving them aside :P.

{Ed004's Note -
1. Ten Haag
2. Poch

Interim Options
3. Zidane
4. Rangnick
5. Blanc

If we can't get our first choice now then don't rush the appointment and reasses the situation next summer}

7.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 10:06:26
Some good points Shappy. But the one thing you cannot underestimate about the Ajax system is that as you say they sell players on and will buy players in but technical ability and positioning is key.

Therefore the theory is that if they have 6 academy players on the pitch that's 6 players who will be able to tell the centre half or full back or whoever what they should be doing and where they should be when needed.

The closest we will likely get to this -and its also unlikely is someone like Rangnick coming in to oversee a playing style, recruitment, coaching overall etc etc. but with Murtagh in place it won't happen.

8.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 10:33:02
This is now reported on the BBC, open to leaving PSG immediately.

9.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 13:31:10
United Addict,

My first choice would be Hansi Flick, plays great football, develops players, gives academy player a chance, managed at the highest level and has won at the highest level. However, he will almost certainly not be available having just taken over his national side.

EtH is my second choice, depending on your point of view regarding Ajax's status in European football the only thing EtH may lack is experience at the highest level.

Graham Potter is my third choice, ticks the same boxes as EtH such as good football, great coach, develops and improves players. He's just less experienced at the highest level. Which is why he's below EtH in my pecking order.

Pochettino is my forth choice, again ticks all the boxes in terms of style of play, development of players etc. However, he has failed to win things when given a chance. If he's learned from that and grown then great, but until he proves that by getting a side across the line there will still be questions over his ability to create a winning mentality. That is why for me he is below Potter, as he has shown a potential flaw.

Fifth choice is Rodgers, seems a good coach, but for me clearly not as good as the four names I mention above. Which is why he's 5th choice.