Guardiola confirmed to City... what does this mean for us?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
In fairness to Giggs, LvG is notoriously arrogant and, therefore, quite unlikely to take any suggestions on board.
FFS DT
About that, did LVG allowed Giggs to manage the team like he did with Mourinho in cup?
You know what... a small slither of silver lining in this massive grey cloud that hovers over us is that, possibly for the first time in over two decades, next season the focus won't be us.
It's being treated as a foregone conclusion that Pep's going to take City to the next level; the title seems to be as good as conceded to them already. So nobody is really expecting anything from us, giving us the chance to actually get our ducks back in a row and start properly building a title challenging team again. It might take a season or two but, barring another calamitous season (we couldn't have three in a row, could we!?!) we should be able to go about our business relatively unnoticed...
Maybe?
It's being treated as a foregone conclusion that Pep's going to take City to the next level; the title seems to be as good as conceded to them already. So nobody is really expecting anything from us, giving us the chance to actually get our ducks back in a row and start properly building a title challenging team again. It might take a season or two but, barring another calamitous season (we couldn't have three in a row, could we!?!) we should be able to go about our business relatively unnoticed...
Maybe?
Nah. The focus will always be on us. We're Man Utd. The silver lining in Pep going to City is manifold; it will prompt our board into action, it will focus minds and it will get City fans totally carried away before their inevitable implosion. I can't wait.
If Henry had been our assistant manager for 2 seasons, had been closely groomed into management by Wenger and had already managed in a caretaker capacity I would certainly consider him a candidate. This would only be further amplified if Henry had stayed his entire career with Arsenal.
Couldn't resist.FFS DT
Couldn't resist.
Was quite funny and aptWhat if those 2 seasons were (almost) disastrous and the football was dull, with us being unable to beat Norwich and Bournemouth?
Would you still want Henry to manage?
Unfortunately I'm not sure this will be the case. I think it's more a case of how far do we need to fall before we stop being a story? It seems that falling convincingly away from being "the team to beat" doesn't stop us being "the team to beat".
To the pundits we're Schrödinger's team: Apparently shit, but still causing surprise at being shit. I'll be surprised it won't still be the old "United, not as good as they used to be when they were invincible" narrative. With all the pundits exhibiting the same sense of entitlement to us being good that you'd slap fans for! Watching Jermaine Jenas on MoTD talking of the halcyon days of United being great, despite only being 9 when we won our 1st PL title.
The 2 real stories of this season have been Chelsea & Leicester, yet we're still the story. We spend a few bob on signings (which sounds loads, but actually evens out at a low net spend) & that's constantly mentioned, yet the money City spent & ended up with regular failures in the Champions League doesn't often get raised.
I reckon another 5 years of this & we might drop out of focus
I would not like to see MUFC drop out of the limelight. We need to be at the centre stage, but for this we need to win games and compete for trophies.
I can't see how LVG will ever win a trophy in this country. Even the League Cup seems too difficult for him.
I can't see how LVG will ever win a trophy in this country. Even the League Cup seems too difficult for him.
You are right there but there is also presige in playing for United as long as we offer cometitive payment (after all for a player it's the same city and league).
If we arent in for Mou...
We've gone full retard.
We've gone full retard.
Never go full retard
Any chance of a source on this?
My source is from a book written by a guy on the interviewing panel.
If Henry was ast. manager under two different managers after Wenger who had failed, would you still think the same?
The difference is that Giggs was not "groomed" by SAF but by the losers Moyes and LVG!...
If you want to take a positive from Pep's appointment it's that it cements Manchester's position as the capital of football, which was under a bit of threat from London IMO.
We have a big role to play in that as the more established club, albeit in current disarray.
Provided we get a sound management structure in place, given our resources, it promises to be a great rivalry and hopefully should attract top players (and managers) to the city to be part of it.
If it's good enough for Pep...
We have a big role to play in that as the more established club, albeit in current disarray.
Provided we get a sound management structure in place, given our resources, it promises to be a great rivalry and hopefully should attract top players (and managers) to the city to be part of it.
If it's good enough for Pep...
You could make an argument for Madrid too though, IMO. Atletico have done much better in the CL than City have.
I was talking mostly from a UK perspective, but fair enough.
I'd probably put Madrid ahead of Manchester right now really.
It was reported back then. Even Michael Laudrup said so.
Anw, my point is Barca took a gamble and they won big price, Giggs on other hand, waiting for his crown to be handed .
I am sure 99.9% of newly appointed managers have it TOUGH , most are only appointed because the previous incumbent has left the team/club
in the deep brown stuff....... Pep has had shoe-in positions at Barca and Bayern , and now Man City...... we'll see
Would you have rather have kept Jupp Heynckes instead of Pep being appointed ?
We have no way of knowing if Heynckes could have repeated the treble, or even if he would've wanted to stay, so I fail to see what you are getting at. In his two and a half years Pep helped Bayern to maintain an incredible high level and he deserves credit for that. Obviously he didn't won us the CL in the last 2 years, but for me that shouldn't be hold against him. A CL title is still unpredictable and Bayern isn't the only very good team competing for it.
City have a lot of money to throw, now they will have one of the best managers in the world. If United want to challenge for titles, we need to have similar ingredients - enough money to buy/develop top players, one of the best managers to get the maximum out of the players. Hopefully, the Board realize that we will have a much stronger rival to compete with, and have done the necessary preparations.
It means City, with their unlimited financial resources and already good squad will be able to sign players from the absolute top shelf.
They are going to build a squad to challenge the euro big 3 in the next season or two. No doubt.
United have been in declined for a good while now. Our squad is in a dire state and it is beyond any clubs financial means to rebuild it to a top level within a year or two. We cannot attract top tier players without having a good team and CL position. We'd struggle to even if we had those things.
We are a for-profit business and will only spend big to secure top 4 which is financial the best ROI. The money we'd need to compete for the title and CL doesn't make business sense coming from our directory starting position.
They are going to build a squad to challenge the euro big 3 in the next season or two. No doubt.
United have been in declined for a good while now. Our squad is in a dire state and it is beyond any clubs financial means to rebuild it to a top level within a year or two. We cannot attract top tier players without having a good team and CL position. We'd struggle to even if we had those things.
We are a for-profit business and will only spend big to secure top 4 which is financial the best ROI. The money we'd need to compete for the title and CL doesn't make business sense coming from our directory starting position.
3 or 4 very good signings is likely beyond our reach though. And actually, we need 3 or 4 worldclass signings. I think most would agree as a minimum.
1) We are very far down the pecking list right now for top players and there is an abundance of competition for them.
2) Especially if we arent even in the CL.
3) 3 or 4 worldclass players in 2016 would cost at the absolute minimum £200m. A worldclass striker or winger is likely to run £80m plus. This summer is going to see mega money banded about.
I would be surprised if we get more than 1 top players this summer.
It's going to be interesting watching the shift in the European top table in the next couple of years. United can be involved but they need to make a few smart, insightful decisions regarding personnel on and off the pitch or they'll have to bide their time for a couple of years.
For me, Woodward just has to relinquish the direct involvement with the football side of his job and quickly. A new guy has to be recruited and needs to be in place by June at the latest.
Who would that be? Can't really give a concrete suggestion but they need to be comfortable with both the English and European game, have good connections with the player agents and Chief Execs of the clubs that you are likely to buy from/sell to.
Someone like Michael Laudrup or his ilk would be the type. Must be a retired top level player with great communication skills and a shrewd business brain.
Coach/Manager must be able to work well with him. Might be Mourinho's downfall. A younger man, a team player must be found.
Great players can still be found if you look in the right places. If United miss out on CL this year (strong possibility) you would need to look at players who are either not at top CL clubs or maybe are being marginalised due to unusual circumstances. City got Silva and Yaya in such a situation and United do have an attractive profile if they can resemble a well oiled machine and not the limousine with 2 flat tyres that an outsider would see them as right now.
Like I say the future starts right now.
For me, Woodward just has to relinquish the direct involvement with the football side of his job and quickly. A new guy has to be recruited and needs to be in place by June at the latest.
Who would that be? Can't really give a concrete suggestion but they need to be comfortable with both the English and European game, have good connections with the player agents and Chief Execs of the clubs that you are likely to buy from/sell to.
Someone like Michael Laudrup or his ilk would be the type. Must be a retired top level player with great communication skills and a shrewd business brain.
Coach/Manager must be able to work well with him. Might be Mourinho's downfall. A younger man, a team player must be found.
Great players can still be found if you look in the right places. If United miss out on CL this year (strong possibility) you would need to look at players who are either not at top CL clubs or maybe are being marginalised due to unusual circumstances. City got Silva and Yaya in such a situation and United do have an attractive profile if they can resemble a well oiled machine and not the limousine with 2 flat tyres that an outsider would see them as right now.
Like I say the future starts right now.
This mythicizing of Pep is reaching absurd levels now. I thought it was bad with Klopp but that was nothing compared to this. Since when were City a world class manager away from world dominance? Pep is not the difference between them and Bayern for feck's sake.
Even the most deluded of Blues or paranoid of Reds would struggle to imagine world domination.
City want to move up to the top table and hope Pep with his tactics and motivational skills will get them to compete but Barca, Real and Bayern will not just roll over and die.
If we get to the CL Semis and draw Bayern and think that we are in with an equal chance if we play our best game that will be real progress and that's why we need Pep to take us there.
Hadn't occurred to me sooner but what if Bayern face City in CL? 
Hadn't occurred to me sooner but what if Bayern face City in CL?
It'll be awkward as hell either way. Either Pep knocks his new club out of the CL, denting their chances of further progression, or Guardiola faces the humiliating prospect of getting beaten by a City side managed by the guy he's replacing. I expect it'd be the former though, because I'd struggle to see even an in form City side beating Bayern.
The only logical counterbalance that makes sense and is possible assuming we're willing to spend:
Sign Mou.
Sign Bale for silly money.
Bring back Ronaldo on a 2-year.
Take a chance on loan deals for a couple of out-of-favor attackers looking for a 2nd chance (think Pato or Falcao but hopefully one that works out)
This approach keeps us in the elite levels for another couple of years while the rest of the squad continues to be rebuilt.
Rest assured if we don't spend on quality attacking options and a top-notch manager then City could begin to eclipse us both commercially and on the field.
Sign Mou.
Sign Bale for silly money.
Bring back Ronaldo on a 2-year.
Take a chance on loan deals for a couple of out-of-favor attackers looking for a 2nd chance (think Pato or Falcao but hopefully one that works out)
This approach keeps us in the elite levels for another couple of years while the rest of the squad continues to be rebuilt.
Rest assured if we don't spend on quality attacking options and a top-notch manager then City could begin to eclipse us both commercially and on the field.
Couldn't imagine Real letting Ronaldo and Bale go, especially to us after the De Gea saga.
One thing is for sure, if we do bring in Mourinho we will not be seeing Ronaldo back here.