Txiki Begiristain

[Prophet of Doom]

8 years, 3 titles, no Champions League success; given the unprecedented financial investment, I’d argue that the Barca-lite project has been underwhelming.

In 2012, we looked on the brink of our own dynasty to fill the post-Ferguson void, but instead have been sharing the title with some very dubious winners, in a PL era where points are easier to come by than ever before.

With Silva going, Fernandinho (wrongly, IMO) taken out of the midfield equation and Agüero the wrong side of 30, our last cycle of success is coming to its natural conclusion; a rebuild is necessary, and with Guardiola set to go next summer - plus the reality that most of his signings being miss than hit - why delay it? We’re probably not going to win the league next season if the players that come in take that year to settle in anyway, so why not just begin the process now?

Lets hire a coach who takes pride in youth development - ten Hag or Pochettino - and a Sporting Director in the German mould who can identify and acquire elite talent, sub-£50m. Let’s integrate our youth, and establish some solid foundations upon which the we have another decade of collecting trophies - but this time with 4/5 of our academy graduates as catalysts.

The post-2013 circus at Old Trafford proved that you can just buy expensive players to prolong a dynasty that’s already expired - if we rely on the chequebook, we’ll end up with Di Marias, Falcaos, Schweinsteigers, Pogbas and a decade without any significant success.

If the two year ban is upheld, league finish is irrelevant anyway, so let’s utilise the unique opportunity to establish a new identity/ideology, and finally give Khaldoon that *holistic* club he allegedly thought he was getting in hiring Guardiola.

Underwhelming ????!!!!

Just the 8 out of the last 9 domestic trophies. Thats the identity of the club. A club that hoovers up trophies

The Utopia of half a team of Academy graduates unfortunately means that there won't be a decade of winning trophies. There would be a decade of sporadic trophies with and the odd year where we don't even qualify for Champs League. If the Academy graduates aren't good enough then you need to buy better players.

As for this cycle of players coming to an end, we were in a far worse scenario 3 years ago.

 

[Carlos- the- jackal]

8 years, 3 titles, no Champions League success; given the unprecedented financial investment, I’d argue that the Barca-lite project has been underwhelming.

In 2012, we looked on the brink of our own dynasty to fill the post-Ferguson void, but instead have been sharing the title with some very dubious winners, in a PL era where points are easier to come by than ever before.

With Silva going, Fernandinho (wrongly, IMO) taken out of the midfield equation and Agüero the wrong side of 30, our last cycle of success is coming to its natural conclusion; a rebuild is necessary, and with Guardiola set to go next summer - plus the reality that most of his signings being miss than hit - why delay it? We’re probably not going to win the league next season if the players that come in take that year to settle in anyway, so why not just begin the process now?

Lets hire a coach who takes pride in youth development - ten Hag or Pochettino - and a Sporting Director in the German mould who can identify and acquire elite talent, sub-£50m. Let’s integrate our youth, and establish some solid foundations upon which the we have another decade of collecting trophies - but this time with 4/5 of our academy graduates as catalysts.

The post-2013 circus at Old Trafford proved that you can just buy expensive players to prolong a dynasty that’s already expired - if we rely on the chequebook, we’ll end up with Di Marias, Falcaos, Schweinsteigers, Pogbas and a decade without any significant success.

If the two year ban is upheld, league finish is irrelevant anyway, so let’s utilise the unique opportunity to establish a new identity/ideology, and finally give Khaldoon that *holistic* club he allegedly thought he was getting in hiring Guardiola.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Reading the comments on here some seem to think that this whole plan was cooked up by Soriano and he will be getting the sack if we lose the case at CAS. All complete bollocks.

Here are the reasons why nobody is getting sacked:

1. EVERYBODY is involved in this. From City, CFG, ADUG right up to the Abu Dhabi decision makers.
2. Soriano is the architect of CFG. The last valuation was $4.8billion following $500m investment from Silver Lake.
3. Worst of the leaked emails were from Pearce - One of the UAE's most influential officials. He takes his orders from much higher up the food chain than anybody at City.

It's inevitable that someone will carry the can. In these cases it is usually the one who has been put up front with the public messages. That's why it is vital that we win this case. If we lose there will be a crisis of confidence which will impact on us commercially with potential sponsors etc. It will be harder to attract investors with a tarnished brand. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a clause in the Silver Lake investment contract which provides compensation for them in the event of a CL ban. The damage to our reputation would be much more significant than any European ban.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

8 years, 3 titles, no Champions League success; given the unprecedented financial investment, I’d argue that the Barca-lite project has been underwhelming.

In 2012, we looked on the brink of our own dynasty to fill the post-Ferguson void, but instead have been sharing the title with some very dubious winners, in a PL era where points are easier to come by than ever before.

With Silva going, Fernandinho (wrongly, IMO) taken out of the midfield equation and Agüero the wrong side of 30, our last cycle of success is coming to its natural conclusion; a rebuild is necessary, and with Guardiola set to go next summer - plus the reality that most of his signings being miss than hit - why delay it? We’re probably not going to win the league next season if the players that come in take that year to settle in anyway, so why not just begin the process now?

Lets hire a coach who takes pride in youth development - ten Hag or Pochettino - and a Sporting Director in the German mould who can identify and acquire elite talent, sub-£50m. Let’s integrate our youth, and establish some solid foundations upon which the we have another decade of collecting trophies - but this time with 4/5 of our academy graduates as catalysts.

The post-2013 circus at Old Trafford proved that you can just buy expensive players to prolong a dynasty that’s already expired - if we rely on the chequebook, we’ll end up with Di Marias, Falcaos, Schweinsteigers, Pogbas and a decade without any significant success.

If the two year ban is upheld, league finish is irrelevant anyway, so let’s utilise the unique opportunity to establish a new identity/ideology, and finally give Khaldoon that *holistic* club he allegedly thought he was getting in hiring Guardiola.

Interesting perspective.

You say Pep and the 'Barca-lite' project has been underwhelming in terms of trophies - and in the same breath suggest we hire Pochettino to replace him. A man who, in his entire career as a Manager, has won the sum total of nothing. Zero. Not a single trophy to his name. Despite having a great squad and benefiting from considerable investment at Tottenham (don't believe what the papers tell you - they spent a fortune).

The facts are - Pochettino was there for longer, had an excellent squad to choose from, and won less than Pep.

You may be right in making and argument for change - I don't personally agree, but I can understand you holding that opinion - but Pochettino is not the answer. I'd be furious if we sacked Pep and brought him in!

 

[VOOMER]

8 years, 3 titles, no Champions League success; given the unprecedented financial investment, I’d argue that the Barca-lite project has been underwhelming.

In 2012, we looked on the brink of our own dynasty to fill the post-Ferguson void, but instead have been sharing the title with some very dubious winners, in a PL era where points are easier to come by than ever before.

With Silva going, Fernandinho (wrongly, IMO) taken out of the midfield equation and Agüero the wrong side of 30, our last cycle of success is coming to its natural conclusion; a rebuild is necessary, and with Guardiola set to go next summer - plus the reality that most of his signings being miss than hit - why delay it? We’re probably not going to win the league next season if the players that come in take that year to settle in anyway, so why not just begin the process now?

Lets hire a coach who takes pride in youth development - ten Hag or Pochettino - and a Sporting Director in the German mould who can identify and acquire elite talent, sub-£50m. Let’s integrate our youth, and establish some solid foundations upon which the we have another decade of collecting trophies - but this time with 4/5 of our academy graduates as catalysts.

The post-2013 circus at Old Trafford proved that you can just buy expensive players to prolong a dynasty that’s already expired - if we rely on the chequebook, we’ll end up with Di Marias, Falcaos, Schweinsteigers, Pogbas and a decade without any significant success.

If the two year ban is upheld, league finish is irrelevant anyway, so let’s utilise the unique opportunity to establish a new identity/ideology, and finally give Khaldoon that *holistic* club he allegedly thought he was getting in hiring Guardiola.

SNIFF *UCKING SNIFF!

 

[mosssideblue]

Stopped there. Ridiculous.

I read on, more fool me

 

[PrezIke]

Is it ?

Can you share where it is "becoming increasingly clear" please ?

That Juanma Lillo is signing a 1 year deal as assistant manager?

Sure, it doesn't mean Pep's ABSOLUTELY leaving, but can you convincingly tell yourself that doesn't mean much at all?

 

[blueparrot]

That Juanma Lillo is signing a 1 year deal as assistant manager?

Sure, it doesn't mean Pep's ABSOLUTELY leaving, but can you convincingly tell yourself that doesn't mean much at all?

Yes, until Pep signs a contract we won't give an assistant a longer contract than 1 year plus option. Gives no indication at all on Peps liklihood on extending or not. If and when he does extemsions will be offered to his whole team as one.

 

[cleavers]

That Juanma Lillo is signing a 1 year deal as assistant manager?

Sure, it doesn't mean Pep's ABSOLUTELY leaving, but can you convincingly tell yourself that doesn't mean much at all?

That's "increasingly clear" is it ? OK.

As for this bollocks....haha

8 years, 3 titles, no Champions League success; given the unprecedented financial investment, I’d argue that the Barca-lite project has been underwhelming.

In 2012, we looked on the brink of our own dynasty to fill the post-Ferguson void, but instead have been sharing the title with some very dubious winners, in a PL era where points are easier to come by than ever before.

With Silva going, Fernandinho (wrongly, IMO) taken out of the midfield equation and Agüero the wrong side of 30, our last cycle of success is coming to its natural conclusion; a rebuild is necessary, and with Guardiola set to go next summer - plus the reality that most of his signings being miss than hit - why delay it? We’re probably not going to win the league next season if the players that come in take that year to settle in anyway, so why not just begin the process now?

Lets hire a coach who takes pride in youth development - ten Hag or Pochettino - and a Sporting Director in the German mould who can identify and acquire elite talent, sub-£50m. Let’s integrate our youth, and establish some solid foundations upon which the we have another decade of collecting trophies - but this time with 4/5 of our academy graduates as catalysts.

The post-2013 circus at Old Trafford proved that you can just buy expensive players to prolong a dynasty that’s already expired - if we rely on the chequebook, we’ll end up with Di Marias, Falcaos, Schweinsteigers, Pogbas and a decade without any significant success.

If the two year ban is upheld, league finish is irrelevant anyway, so let’s utilise the unique opportunity to establish a new identity/ideology, and finally give Khaldoon that *holistic* club he allegedly thought he was getting in hiring Guardiola.

 

[cleavers]

The facts are - Pochettino was there for longer, had an excellent squad to choose from, and won less than Pep.

In fact he's won less the Tony Pullis (who has at least won PL manager of the season, however wrong that was).