Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[Ozzjim]

Laporta at Barca spoke very highly of Henry comparing him to Pep. It is one of those, can we afford to lose if the gamble fails. Probably. Is the long term reward better than sticking with Bruce? Probably. So might as well do it.

[Sexual Ealing]

More than anything else, and I grant you we’ve all said this before we need to put in long term plans for growth and success. I hope above all else the money that will be available is out to good use so that this isn’t once again a short term, poorly thought out tactic to get promoted and survive year to year. Stability isn’t keeping Steve Bruce. Stability is a club that creates an identity that is repeatable for generations to come.

Fine words but if we go for an untried, big name appointment it doesn’t suggest stability or an eye on the long term. It’s more of a statement appointment which will no doubt go down well with many, in the short term at least, but it is unarguably a gamble.

As with any gamble though some you win, some you lose so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.

Thank God we have no recent record of gambling on ‘stable’ options like Bruce.

[old man villa fan]

More than anything else, and I grant you we’ve all said this before we need to put in long term plans for growth and success. I hope above all else the money that will be available is out to good use so that this isn’t once again a short term, poorly thought out tactic to get promoted and survive year to year. Stability isn’t keeping Steve Bruce. Stability is a club that creates an identity that is repeatable for generations to come.

Fine words but if we go for an untried, big name appointment it doesn’t suggest stability or an eye on the long term. It’s more of a statement appointment which will no doubt go down well with many, in the short term at least, but it is unarguably a gamble.

As with any gamble though some you win, some you lose so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.

Starting with a fresh approach to the team and way of playing is going to have risks, whoever the manager is.  However, the opportunities are great.

We either stick with our current approach and scramble over the line with a team not fit for purpose in the PL or we equip ourselves first to ensure we have continual progression.

I am not saying Henry is the man for the job but Bruce certainly isn't. The news about Henry has come very quickly. If the owners have had him lined up for some time, having discussed and agreed a strategy, fine but if not, I would be concerned. The most important thing with the appointment is weighing up the options. This may have been going on for some time or not, as the case may be. We do not know.

[walsall villain]

I can’t make up my mind on this. I’d like a gradual well planned change in direction not another leap in the dark. Perhaps we should sound out Rafa Benitez? Sounds like an impasse at Newcastle and he won’t sign another contract without assurances. On balance, reluctantly, I’d start the season with Bruce.

[Steve67]

If Henry gets the job and things start badly, it will be interesting to see how he changes things. Learn on the job I suppose, and depends on who he brings in with him, noting that Bould is leaving Arsenal.  For hard nosed businessmen and supposedly good sports club operators, this would be a really ballsy and brave appointment. A risk, a circus but one that would boost interest and blow the cobwebs away. I don't bet, but if I did, I'd say it won't happen.  I'd quite like to see it though in a kind of sliding doors type way.

[VILLA MOLE]

I want anyone who understands you cant hoof it up to Hogan

[Chris Smith]

More than anything else, and I grant you we’ve all said this before we need to put in long term plans for growth and success. I hope above all else the money that will be available is out to good use so that this isn’t once again a short term, poorly thought out tactic to get promoted and survive year to year. Stability isn’t keeping Steve Bruce. Stability is a club that creates an identity that is repeatable for generations to come.

Fine words but if we go for an untried, big name appointment it doesn’t suggest stability or an eye on the long term. It’s more of a statement appointment which will no doubt go down well with many, in the short term at least, but it is unarguably a gamble.

As with any gamble though some you win, some you lose so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.

Thank God we have no recent record of gambling on ‘stable’ options like Bruce.

Not really sure what point you are trying to make. I am not making any argument one way or the other about Bruce but rather if we do make a change is going for an untried option the best approach?

[Chris Smith]

I want anyone who understands you cant hoof it up to Hogan

My dad knows that but he’s 82 and an ex barber.

[cdbearsfan]

If Henry gets the job and things start badly, it will be interesting to see how he changes things. Learn on the job I suppose, and depends on who he brings in with him, noting that Bould is leaving Arsenal.  For hard nosed businessmen and supposedly good sports club operators, this would be a really ballsy and brave appointment. A risk, a circus but one that would boost interest and blow the cobwebs away. I don't bet, but if I did, I'd say it won't happen.  I'd quite like to see it though in a kind of sliding doors type way.

Wait, Bould is only leaving Arsenal? As in, he hasn't left yet? We are gonna have to wait around for him and probably pay compensation? This shit idea gets shitter.

[Matt Collins]

Can I just check - does anyone else think it's possible that if 2 weeks before the season starts  and transfer window closes,we sell £30-40m of talent and employ a manager with no managerial experience, or championship experience, that a relegation fight is a genuine possibility

Because I do

It's not a prediction but I think it's a real risk.

I know people don't like Bruce but I'm genuinely surprised that so many seem to think this is a sensible idea

[nigel]

Don't care about Bruce or Henry, now, but I don't think I'll be able to go on an aeroplane ever, as I won't know which pilot I'm getting, if it's safe to go through the clouds or where I'm going to land!

[The Laughing Policeman]

According to Matt Kendrick on Birmingham Live "sources close to Henry say it's a done deal".

[AsTallAsLions]

I'm nervous about both eventualities now. It's a massive risk, but this has gathered enough steam now that if it doesn't go ahead people will always wonder what might have been. If it's not going ahead it should (/would?) have been refuted and put to bed by the club before now; on the other hand, I could potentially see the new owners bowing to pressure if there is enough noise and caution coming from the fans and the media.

Strikes me as a potential lose/lose situation because if Henry were to come in and then fail to take us up, people will inevitably say, well, Bruce might have managed it on the 3rd try.

I think the majority of us know that wouldn't be the case, but the Revisionism is strong with some.

[DB]

Between keeping Bruce and getting Henry, I know which I prefer. This could be our Zola moment.

[Matt Collins]

More than anything else, and I grant you we’ve all said this before we need to put in long term plans for growth and success. I hope above all else the money that will be available is out to good use so that this isn’t once again a short term, poorly thought out tactic to get promoted and survive year to year. Stability isn’t keeping Steve Bruce. Stability is a club that creates an identity that is repeatable for generations to come.

Fine words but if we go for an untried, big name appointment it doesn’t suggest stability or an eye on the long term. It’s more of a statement appointment which will no doubt go down well with many, in the short term at least, but it is unarguably a gamble.

As with any gamble though some you win, some you lose so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.

Starting with a fresh approach to the team and way of playing is going to have risks, whoever the manager is.  However, the opportunities are great.

We either stick with our current approach and scramble over the line with a team not fit for purpose in the PL or we equip ourselves first to ensure we have continual progression.

I am not saying Henry is the man for the job but Bruce certainly isn't. The news about Henry has come very quickly. If the owners have had him lined up for some time, having discussed and agreed a strategy, fine but if not, I would be concerned. The most important thing with the appointment is weighing up the options. This may have been going on for some time or not, as the case may be. We do not know.

I have a lot of sympathy with that view

But does that transition start with an untested manager being employed two weeks before the season starts? I'd rather wait up to 9 months or so and choose - would rather Dean Smith than henry