Just how dull were Liverpool under Benitez? He forced Gerrard to play a more attacking role as opposed to the defensive way he played under Houllier, allowed the likes of Luis Garcia to do whatever he wanted, got the best out of the likes of Torres, Alonso etc.Prestwich_Blue said:I often joked that I'd have Benitez as our European manager and Mancini as our PL manager.leech said:If European success is what we're after then we couldn't do a lot better than Benitez, his tactical nous in working towards big matches, particularly in Europe, has been proven to be outstanding. It's his longevity over the course of the season domestically to keep relentlessly picking up points towards the title that would be the worry, but then when has he been in charge of an elite club in recent years to have the chance to demonstrate this anyway?Prestwich_Blue said:I mentioned this in another post or thread but it was interesting to read Craig Bellamy's view of working with Benitez. He said he was a real cold fish but the most tactically astute manager he's ever worked with. They would work on specific routines relentlessly in training, rather than just play small or full size games and they would carry out those drills to the letter on the field.
The players didn't have the freedom to make ad-hoc decisions as Bellamy reckoned Rafa didn't trust the players on or off the pitch. He would also be meticulous about finding ways of nullifying the opposition attack.
So his hallmarks were meticulous preparation but with tactical awareness & flexibility, plus great awareness of the opposition. I'm not a huge Benitez fan but isn't that what we want from Pellegrini?
Whoever said he'd stifle creativity was correct in my view. I wouldn't want him but I do want someone who sends a team out that looks like it's prepared properly for games and a manager who could make tactical adjustments during the course of the game.
Yesterday, when it was clear we were getting ripped to shreds down our right, he should have moved Milner over there to back up Zab and Navas and nullify the threat. Yet he did nothing and watched it all unravel.
Jorge would probably be arrogant enough to take on the real Jesus tbh. He's almost a cartoon character made in the minds of what english people like from a manager. Attacking football, ridiculous press conferences, hated by rivals, jumps up and down like a lunatic on the touchline, offers to fight rival managers, while winning football matches. I'm still not convinced he's a real personKeith Moon said:BigOscar said:Jorge Jesus, just for the banter
This club is only big enough for one Jesus.
nmc said:stony said:Manc in London said:At least the appointment of Redknapp until the end of the season would provide some light relief.
If a short term appointment, I do hope it is someone who at least knows the league and can settle in straight away. We don't need a tactical genius or someone with a great track record. We just need someone who can galvanise the team and make us difficult to score against. It's not too much to ask.
I wasn't being serious mate. I'd be mortified if we signed Harry.
Imagine Harry let lose with our owners millions - Defoe, Crouch Krankjar - smashing lads, triffic...
bluefandk said:Ray78 said:Sabella is the most obvious choice.
Why? He is not exactly a top tier maneger.
meltonblue said:I'm in two minds about all of it.
On the one hand, I don't think we have bought well since Aguero and yet we have won two titles in that period and have been hampered by the restrictions.
On the one hand, our players are not up to scratch this year and the investment in our squad and it's value is now behind both United and Chelsea. On the other, it was only January that we were exactly level with them.
On the one hand, Pellegrini has had a very poor season and has been tactically naive. On the other, his starting system yesterday was spot on and it is not creation of chances that is killing us, it is not taking them.
On the one hand jeremy beadle had a small nob. On the other...
It goes on and on.
All three - signings, players and the manager are to blame. The easiest to change is the latter but that won't solve all of our problems in the long run. This summer is going to be pivotal and I just hope that we are still taking the long term view. What I want to see more than anything is more communication from the club about that long term strategy so that the short term pain can be contextualised better. Without that, I fear this could easily turn into an endless cycle where one season (and only actually half a season) results in mass change far too often.
FanchesterCity said:Those against Ancelotti might have a reasonable point about him being ideal for a team full of top class players, and not building a team of youngsters.
But...
Are we going to be buying a youth team in the summer, or are we intending to be buying some of the world's top players to add to the top players we want to keep?
Could it be pep ? The sheik n chairman goin all out for him for the summerJordan CTID said:tolmie's hairdoo said:ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN said:How far up are we feeling this disturbance, hopefully not too high but then again high enough
Lot of politics in play, and we can be confident the real Force is involved.
Vested interests at other clubs.
If Real lose to Atleti then Ancelotti?
FanchesterCity said:Those against Ancelotti might have a reasonable point about him being ideal for a team full of top class players, and not building a team of youngsters.
But...
Are we going to be buying a youth team in the summer, or are we intending to be buying some of the world's top players to add to the top players we want to keep?