Manager suggestions - Now with added poll

[ciggiesnbeer]

We've shown ourselves willing to spend money on good (and not so good) players. When it comes to managers, though, we always seem to be shopping in the bargain bucket.

If Bruce gets the boot, get the best we can get.

That's Marcelo Bielsa.

Have we? I bet our managers have been paid very well indeed. We made McLeish a very rich man. I would also put money on Bruce being comfortably the best paid in the division and ahead of some of the managers in the PL today.

I think you are both right. We overpay for managers who are in the bargain bucket.

When was the last time we actually got a manager a good club was gutted to lose? Lambert? Even that was a stretch.

Time to get our monies worth for a change.

[cdbearsfan]

Fair point, TV. Ciggies has explained it better than me. I'd like to appoint a manager that will have other clubs jealous and saying "how the fuck did they get him"?

[ROBBO]

The managers we have appointed since MON have all had one problem that's Aston Villa our history and the expectations that go along with that. MON had the ego to believe he was bigger than Villa and he had the personality to get the players to play for him.
Bruce does not inspire me and I doubt his players feel any different, I've always thought players need to be a bit frightened of the manager to get the best out of them.
That's why I would gamble on Allardyce, yes he has baggage but players would not take liberties with him foe me he has that scare factor, always thought he did well with the players he had at West Ham.

[Toronto Villa]

Fair point, TV. Ciggies has explained it better than me. I'd like to appoint a manager that will have other clubs jealous and saying "how the fuck did they get him"?

I just don't know who that would be unless we are talking about pulling someone out of the PL. Once the season starts it's really hard to get managers to leave. Our situation would be unique too as most clubs wouldn't think of sacking a manager so quickly, so potential managers would/could be skeptical of that. It's once again an unenviable position to be in yet again, and last season it could be even be argued we got "lucky" in a way that a "proven" Championship manager like Bruce was available. That said it would be great to see us just say fuck it like we did with Big Ron and just go get who we want.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The Serbian fellow at Fulham got Watford up.

The fact he and Terry played together at Chelsea may certainly help his case and ours for that matter.
He does need wingers though, something we don't really have. Still, the window is open, even if it means a loan or two.

[Matt Collins]

So after 9 pages my conclusion is that there are three serious potential candidates:

Jokanovic - depends on him wanting out at Fulham
Smith - plays lovely stuff but this would be a huge step up in pressure. This is one if we want to abandon the "get up this year at all costs" for me
Karanka - good track record, though probably every bit as defensive as Bruce

[KRS]

The managers we have appointed since MON have all had one problem that's Aston Villa our history and the expectations that go along with that. MON had the ego to believe he was bigger than Villa and he had the personality to get the players to play for him.
Bruce does not inspire me and I doubt his players feel any different, I've always thought players need to be a bit frightened of the manager to get the best out of them.
That's why I would gamble on Allardyce, yes he has baggage but players would not take liberties with him foe me he has that scare factor, always thought he did well with the players he had at West Ham.

If we are seriously looking to be promotion contenders this season then unfortunately I can't see much past this. Fat Sam would earn the instant respect of the players, would sort out any players causing issues behind the scenes, and we would have tactics in place for each and every game. There is a reason why this guy has the reputation he has and turns clubs around...you only have to look at what he achieved with Palace last season as an example. Whether or not he would come out of retirement for this job is another question.

I can't see Jakonovic leaving Fulham and Smith isn't equipped or ready for the size of the challenge. Anyone in PL jobs such as Dyche and Wagner aren't realistic. Bielsa is also unrealistic as that ship has sailed now that he has joined Lille. Until the first round of the managerial merry go round starts this season, then that leaves the likes of Allardyce, Moyes, Karanka and Pardew that are available...like I said, Fat Sam is the pick of a bad bunch at the moment, however he is the most likely to a) get things sorted behind the scenes, and b) deliver results on the pitch to put us in contention for promotion.

[passitsideways]

I thought Allardyce retired from management, why would he ditch the Crystal Palace job just so he's around to pick up a Championship team?

[KRS]

Thats exactly the question I asked in my post above, but there are rumours and whispers of issues at Palace (such as lack of funds in the transfer market) which may have made his decision to walk from there being a little bit easier. He went to Palace to do a job for one season, so he may be tempted by a short one year deal at Villa.

[olaftab]

Allardyce would be very stupid to consider us after achieving greatness with England and Palace. I hope he stays retired and never has any thoughts about managing the Villa.

[tomd2103]

Is the possibility of John Terry becoming manager being ruled out?  I suspected that having one eye on the manager's job might have been one of the reasons he came here. 

[mr underhill]

i sincerely hope not.He'd probably try and get a Chavski reference into every interview, ditch the claret and just wear a different shade of blue.

[Gareth]

This thread is rapidly becoming the Bruce In one :-)

Seriously though, although there will be candidates out there that want it....the job is essentially to turn around a non functioning squad with no money....not imagining a queue down Witton Lane?

Of those mentioned Jokanovic is interesting, seems to play good football and is also clearly aggravated that he has no control on signings so maybe available.

Dean Smith would be a huge jump in size of club & expectation - would he have the required ego like Gregory did all those years ago, I suspect not.

As for Moyes, Allardyce, Pardew & Hodgson - just what we don't need, another negative, moany coach who are so set in their ways that everything is about not losing.  Would be winding the clock back 10 months to appointing Bruce where we try and persuade ourselves that it's the right appointment as his record says he can get us up.

I'll be honest, I can cope with losing any game so long as we try and win it - playing for draws or sitting back if you get ahead which is Bruce's way is dull, boring & pointless.

Benitez, Hughton & Wagner....none of them had promotion from the Championship on their CV before last season....it's not a pre-requisite to getting up!

[andyh]

This thread is rapidly becoming the Bruce In one :-)

Seriously though, although there will be candidates out there that want it....the job is essentially to turn around a non functioning squad with no money....not imagining a queue down Witton Lane?

Of those mentioned Jokanovic is interesting, seems to play good football and is also clearly aggravated that he has no control on signings so maybe available.

Dean Smith would be a huge jump in size of club & expectation - would he have the required ego like Gregory did all those years ago, I suspect not.

As for Moyes, Allardyce, Pardew & Hodgson - just what we don't need, another negative, moany coach who are so set in their ways that everything is about not losing.  Would be winding the clock back 10 months to appointing Bruce where we try and persuade ourselves that it's the right appointment as his record says he can get us up.

I'll be honest, I can cope with losing any game so long as we try and win it - playing for draws or sitting back if you get ahead which is Bruce's way is dull, boring & pointless.

Benitez, Hughton & Wagner....none of them had promotion from the Championship on their CV before last season....it's not a pre-requisite to getting up!

A great last point.

[Dave]

Benitez, Hughton & Wagner....none of them had promotion from the Championship on their CV before last season....it's not a pre-requisite to getting up!

Hughton did. He got Newcastle up.