Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[Somniloquism]

Could the board not pay the compensation to get the FFF to release him immediately so he's in the dugout for the Bolton game?

Must say I'm very pro Randy and the rest of the directors but I'm not sure how anyone can argue this appointment process hasn't been a bit of a shambles?

Remember there was a delay last week in even appointing GH and we still can't get him properly in acharge.

If he was at another club, that would be easy. I expect it is a bit different in the role he currently has as what will the FFF do with that money which I would expect would be only £60,000 (3 months contract at £20,000 a month). What I am surprised at is he obviously never intended to manage a club again as he didn't negotiate some type of release clause if a club comes calling.

The other salient point is the question on whether Houliier is a hands on, (or hands off and let the coaches work), when on the training pitch. We need backroom staff asap as well and we could probably work without Houllier for most of the week apart from Matchdays if required.

[dave.woodhall]

Of course I still think that O'Neill is a twat for leaving us in the lurch.  But you can only go on using that as an excuse for so long, before you have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it.  The board have made a hash of the appointment every step of the way.  This summer has been an absolute disaster on just about every level.

So one manager is a twat for walking out but another should do exactly the same.

[Ads]

We’re in desperate need of direction. There was a lot of good play tonight, but we need Houllier in now. He may not pick the team for Bolton, but having him there to bark out words of instruction or encouragement before and during the game will be a big help. I don’t like the fact that he might not be there for our visit to “Leeds circa 1970’s but without all the good players” aka the Molineux though.

I respect his integrity especially in a game that is so lacking in it, but c’mon Ged we need you!

[Somniloquism]

I could only assume that they threatened to get Uefa involved somehow to ban him as manager at another club if he left them now. Especially as Platini is in charge.

As an aside. I have always worked my notice periods when leaving employments but someone at work resigned last week, should work a 2 month period but said she was leaving in two weeks instead. They are allowing it as she has forsaken payments!?!. What is the legal requirement to work your notice?

You could have something there. I think the main problem is that this is the first time (certainly that I can remember) when a club has appointed a manager who was working for a major FA during the season. It's not like taking a manager from another club, who themselves want the deal done quickly so they can appoint a replacement. I can also see the French FA (maybe with the connivence of Platini) doing their best to annoy one of those all-powerful Premier League clubs.

What was Brooking when 'Ammers came calling? Although that was different as it was only temporary I suppose

[hilts_coolerking]

It makes me wonder how bad the other candidates were if the stand-out was a man who hasn't managed in the Premiership for 6 years and who can't say when he'll be able to start.

[ROBBO]

The way MON departed five days before the start of the season, the drawn out procedure of appointing a new manager followed by the new manager not being availeable for a few weeks does smack of people not knowing what they're doing. I don't know whether Faulkner is competent or not but all this has happened on his watch.

[dave.woodhall]

What was Brooking when 'Ammers came calling? Although that was different as it was only temporary I suppose

Come on. You should now by now that West Ham own the FA.

[Risso]

So one manager is a twat for walking out but another should do exactly the same.

Clever answer, but a) Houllier isn't actually manager of France, and b) walking out on a league club where you're pretty well in charge of everything and taking all your staff with you 5 days become a new season starts is a million miles away from leaving a position in the French FA where your presence doesn't really affect day to day matters greatly.  As well you know.  Should we not sign any more players because Milner walked out on us?

[Risso]

It makes me wonder how bad the other candidates were if the stand-out was a man who hasn't managed in the Premiership for 6 years and who can't say when he'll be able to start.

You know how bad they were if Curbishley was the first bloke interviewed.

[Somniloquism]

Of course I still think that O'Neill is a twat for leaving us in the lurch.  But you can only go on using that as an excuse for so long, before you have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it.  The board have made a hash of the appointment every step of the way.  This summer has been an absolute disaster on just about every level.

So one manager is a twat for walking out but another should do exactly the same.

So what was your opinion of BFR and BL when they joined us?

Unless the manager is out of work most new managers will leave a job. The difference is either the board approach another manager already in place before sacking the first (Spurs with Jol and Ramos) or the leaving is mutual (BL leaving us). This is the first time we have been in the lurch since Saunders walked.

[hilts_coolerking]

It makes me wonder how bad the other candidates were if the stand-out was a man who hasn't managed in the Premiership for 6 years and who can't say when he'll be able to start.

You know how bad they were if Curbishley was the first bloke interviewed.

I think that, more than anything, gave me the impression that the board weren't totally on top of what they were doing.

[Villa'Zawg]

So what could they do that's any different? Keep quiet and get blamed for that?

If I were the billionaire (more or less) owner of Aston Villa, I'd have kept Milner and given the manager £20m to spend on a new striker and midfield general.

Of course you would. You'd handcuff a player who wanted to leave and regularly handed over tens of millions of pounds on demand. Meanwhile, on this planet......

I'd happily hold a player to his contract when he is less than halfway through it and I'd know upfront that it could cost more than £80m to replace a squad that had finished 16th with a squad that is winning trophies and competing for CL places, which is what they said they were trying to do.

You make it sound like this type of thinking is beyond reason, when it is just normal business planning.

[Reality]

This summer and circus that is still going on has essentially made me realise that the Yanks, and Faulkner actually don't have a clue at all what they are doing.

[dave.woodhall]

So one manager is a twat for walking out but another should do exactly the same.

Clever answer, but a) Houllier isn't actually manager of France, and b) walking out on a league club where you're pretty well in charge of everything and taking all your staff with you 5 days become a new season starts is a million miles away from leaving a position in the French FA where your presence doesn't really affect day to day matters greatly.  As well you know.  Should we not sign any more players because Milner walked out on us?

The principle is still the same, and as was said earlier, we don't know what's happening in the background.

[dave.woodhall]

This summer and circus that is still going on has essentially made me realise that the Yanks, and Faulkner actually don't have a clue at all what they are doing.

You're right. They haven't a clue. They've been fucking awful these last four years - everyone's always said so.