The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[jonzy85]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

Based on what??

Randy is notorious in the States for picking the wrong coahces (or whatever term is used) for the Cleveland Browns, or so I have been lead to believe by a NFL nut of a friend I have.

[BedsVillain]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

I'm confused.com

[GullyFoyle]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

Based on what??

Randy is notorious in the States for picking the wrong coahces (or whatever term is used) for the Cleveland Browns, or so I have been lead to believe by a NFL nut of a friend I have.

Whatever term is used, I doubt it's "coahces". Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Brend'Watkins]

So you'd be prepared to sack our existing manager under the remote possibility that Mourinho might come?

Have you really thought this through hilts?

More than you have, clearly.  All that would happen is that a discreet call is made to Mourinho's agent, asking the question.  If the answer's no, as it probably would be, then that's the end of it.

If Martin's nose gets put out of joint at Randy making a tentative enquiry when arguably the best manager in world football says he wants to manage in England again, then so be it.

Nose out of joint?

MON would walk, that's for certain and you couldn't blame him.  But I suppose that in itself would be a result in the anti Mon camp....a managerless Villa would be a better bet than a Villa managed by MON in their world.  

Fortunately for us Lerner I don't think would be as devious as you suggest he might be.  He has a reciprocal trust with MON that is why MON is here for at least another season.

[Concrete John]

So you'd be prepared to sack our existing manager under the remote possibility that Mourinho might come?

Have you really thought this through hilts?

More than you have, clearly.  All that would happen is that a discreet call is made to Mourinho's agent, asking the question.  If the answer's no, as it probably would be, then that's the end of it.

If Martin's nose gets put out of joint at Randy making a tentative enquiry when arguably the best manager in world football says he wants to manage in England again, then so be it.

Whichever way you word it, I think it's reprehensible to offer someone else his job while he's still in the position.  That's what Man City did with Mancini and were rightly vilified for it.

MON would have more than just his nose put out of joint by it, as would anyone else if it happened to them - including you!

[hilts_coolerking]

Nose out of joint?

MON would walk, that's for certain and you couldn't blame him.  But I suppose that in itself would be a result in the anti Mon camp....a managerless Villa would be a better bet than a Villa managed by MON in their world.  

Fortunately for us Lerner I don't think would be as devious as you suggest he might be.  He has a reciprocal trust with MON that is why MON is here for at least another season.

Devious has nothing to do with it.  It's about doing the best thing for the club, not Martin.

If there's a possibility, however remote, that a manager of Mourinho's ability is available then Randy is well within his rights to make a discreet initial enquiry.  He'd be failing in his duty to the club by not doing so.  I have no doubt this happens at football clubs all the time.

If Martin chose to strop off at the thought of Randy trying to improve the club then we'd be better off without him.  Personally, I think Martin is sensible enough to recognise it for what it would be - a very long shot that, if it came off, would improve the club immeasurably - and would understand Randy's reason for doing it.

[hilts_coolerking]

Whichever way you word it, I think it's reprehensible to offer someone else his job while he's still in the position.  That's what Man City did with Mancini and were rightly vilified for it.

MON would have more than just his nose put out of joint by it, as would anyone else if it happened to them - including you!

It's not offering him the job is it though.  It's making a very tentative enquiry about whether he would even consider the possibility.  No more, no less.

If it was an enquiry made to someone like Ian Dowie then yes, I think Martin would be well within his rights to be mightily pissed off.  But to the best manager around?  I think that's a different story.

[Willie Anderson]

I saw Jimmy's interview on the telly this morning.
I must say, I'm a pissed off with him after seeing it.

he made no committment to Villa, and came out with the usual bollox of 'Just concentrating on England'.

I think he is very much thinking about moving on, and reckon its inevitable now.

Lerner has said they'll sit down after the world cup & negotiate a new contract for Jimmy to tie him to the club for the next few years.

Given that, I wouldn't expect Jimmy to weaken his bargaining position by stating he wants to stay at Villa.

Like any of us would he's keeping his options open & seeing what is offered.

I fully expect Jimmy to sign a new contract after the World Cup & be a Villa player next season.

[Concrete John]

Whichever way you word it, I think it's reprehensible to offer someone else his job while he's still in the position.  That's what Man City did with Mancini and were rightly vilified for it.

MON would have more than just his nose put out of joint by it, as would anyone else if it happened to them - including you!

It's not offering him the job is it though.  It's making a very tentative enquiry about whether he would even consider the possibility.  No more, no less.

If it was an enquiry made to someone like Ian Dowie then yes, I think Martin would be well within his rights to be mightily pissed off.  But to the best manager around?  I think that's a different story.

So you'd be asking purely for information purposes and carrying on with Martin regardless of what the answer was?

[Brend'Watkins]

I could sort of take your point if MON was failing in his job, but he isn't.  Lerner recognises that.  As unpalatable as it might seem to you under MON we have progressed again this season.  It might not be at the pace you want but it's progress nevertheless and it gives him the right to take his plans and methods into the next season.

[hilts_coolerking]

So you'd be asking purely for information purposes and carrying on with Martin regardless of what the answer was?

You'd be expecting the answer no and therefore expecting to carry on with Martin.  The reason for asking the question is the very slight chance that you might get a yes.

I honestly don't see that Martin would have reason to throw his toys out of the pram if Randy made nothing more than a hopeful enquiry to one of the best managers, if not the best, around.  

And I certainly don't believe Randy should pass up a chance such a this one, however slim it might be, for fear of upsetting Martin.

[hilts_coolerking]

I could sort of take your point if MON was failing in his job, but he isn't.  Lerner recognises that.  As unpalatable as it might seem to you under MON we have progressed again this season.  It might not be at the pace you want but it's progress nevertheless and it gives him the right to take his plans and methods into the next season.

Fair play.  And I would take your point if we were talking about a manager outside of the world's elite.  But since it's Mourinho (in this example) I think it's a chance worth taking.  And I think Martin would agree with that, personally.

[MoetVillan]

Hilts.  Im probably not the best at my job, but I try my heart out at it, and even if i could concede that it could possibly be in my companys best interest to ask around to find a better person, if I found out, I would lose confidence in my company and start looking around.  I think its a stupid and dangerous route to be talking about.  Lose MON and you have a lot to worry about, principally keeping those top eleven players we love.  The flip side of no rotations is that they know that their manager places them above anyone else in the squad or outside the squad to a certain extent.  If (and IMO when) Milner signs on for longer it will be due principally to MON and what he has done for him.  I find it hard to "value" a player as none of the prices seem to make sense or reason. I just think he is a cracking prospect and will potentially be a better player in a season or two, see Gerard or Lampard.

[Concrete John]

I can just see it now:-

Randy: "Just so you know, Martin, we've rung Jose's agent to find out if he'd fancy your job or not!"

Martin: "Great idea - he's a really spendid manager and if there's a possibility of getting him in here we should do it if at all possible.  What did he say?"

[MoetVillan]

I dont for one minute think that MON would "understand" or agree with it.  And id lose a little bit of faith in him if he did.  I want him to think he is the best at the job and uber confident.  Jesus, thats what makes Arsene such a pain in the arse, and Mourhino and SAF.  And I would think twice about coming to a club as Manager if i thought this could happen around me as well.