Frank De Boer (new boss?)

[Joehannes]

Agree completely with CTID.

 

[NipHolmes]

I like FDB and always have, both him and his brother. Same goes for the Laudrups. It's hard to choose between either Frank De Boer or Michel Laudrup a spotential suitors.

Anyway I found this on the net and this has to be the best article I've read in a while - <a class="postlink" href="http://jouracule.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-evolution-of-frank-de-boer_12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://jouracule.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12 ... er_12.html</a>



A month before taking the managerial hot seat at Ajax, on a warm autumn day, a fresh-faced Frank de Boer travelled to Barcelona – still a youth team coach and part of the Dutch national team set-up as Bert van Marwijk's assistant – this wasn't a personal visit but one he'd hope would further shape his footballing vision. It did.

De Boer was a guest of former teammate Pep Guardiola, after sharing old memories, it quickly transpired to the reason for his visit. Reminiscent of Guardiola's now famous meeting with Marcelo Bielsa, there was no barbeque, and it didn't last eleven hours. However there was the same passionate discussion of the game, every subject under the sun was touched upon from Barcelona's training methods, Dutch football theorem (and its future) to their unique style of play. Phillip Cocu since commented how that meeting changed De Boer. It proved to be enlightening, showcased by the contrast in football displayed at Ajax from De Boer's first few months in charge.


There was also an underlying reason: Guardiola's conviction De Boer would be an outstanding manager. His feeling was anything picked up in his young (and successful) managerial career to date could be invaluable to the Dutchman, who shared a similar belief in how football should be played. De Boer was an admirer and Guardiola was more than happy to help with his fact-finding mission remembering not so long ago he was in a similar position, inspired by those who've tasted management and shared his outlook, Juanma Lillo springs to mind.

As teammates both often enjoyed lengthy conversations, De Boer noted how Guardiola back then was effectively a coach. Guardiola equally saw the same in the former Oranje skipper even if De Boer doubted himself. A decade ago Bielsa advised Guardiola to go into management. Guardiola was now doing the same. In fact once De Boer eventually went into coaching, after retiring in 2006, Guardiola approached him to be his assistant – once learning he'd be taking over from Frank Rijkaard – an invitation De Boer turned down, in order to strike out his own path. One trait both have in common is their steadfast belief in the 'Ajax model'. Ronald – Frank's twin – once said Guardiola is borderline obsessed, describing him as 'half-Dutch', after discovering and learning under Johan Cruyff and then Louis van Gaal. It was the latter whose distinct brand Guardiola revealed shaped much of his Barcelona side. "My jaw dropped when I saw Van Gaal's Ajax play," Guardiola wrote in his autobiography 'My People, My Football'. "They perfectly did everything a football team should do in my eyes."

De Boer's own philosophy, started to unfold after the meeting with Guardiola in late 2010 – since then they've regularly kept in touch – an amalgamation of the Cruijffianen and Van Gaalisten School: individual and collectivism intertwined, each individual's strength combines to make a strong eleven, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. "We are now more of a unit," Toby Alderweireld stated when comparing to the approach under Martin Jol, when there was a large dependency on "one or two" players (notably Luis Suárez). Though a disciple of Cruyff and Van Gaal, evident in rekindling their ideas, and Cruyff being an advisor (top-to-bottom Ajax now following his vision in running a club, shades of Barcelona in the last decade) it's Guardiola's Barça he's used as his reference on the basis the Catalan side in the last four years shown the 'Ajax way' has a place in the 21st century.

De Boer doesn't claim to be innovate, instead appreciates his many influences, often describing himself as a 'student of the game'. Guardiola stood for everything Barça. De Boer is the same with Ajax. He lived and breathed the club as a player. "Frank de Boer is een echte Ajacied" is commonly sung by supporters. More than most he understands their traditions and what it stands for. If a club in Catalunya can adopt their values, especially if it's proven to be successful, then there's no shame in taking certain parts of their game to improve his team. They're not a carbon copy, still worlds apart, but can be put in the same side of the spectrum.

What does set De Boer apart is his acumen, a sharp thinker but also a meticulous planner, every opposition analysed (with the aid of Tonny Bruins Slot, Roy Wesseling and Dennis Bergkamp his assistant manager) in the greatest of details. It's speculative, but watching Ajax today you get the impression De Boer put those theories discussed with Guardiola, the same ones Barça adhere to, into practice. It's been a gradual process, still is, which only serves as proof of De Boer's unyielding character and desire to restore Ajax back in Europe's conscious. Guardiola and Van Gaal were among the many including predecessor Marco van Basten to congratulate De Boer on his appointment, after Martin Jol's unexpected (but anticipated) resignation forty eight hours before a Champions League away tie against AC Milan. The youngster (along with his brother) spotted by Cruyff all those years ago was now at the helm of his boyhood club. He would win his first match in charge, a historic one, never before have the Amsterdammers tasted victory at the San Siro.

It would prove to be bittersweet as they had already been eliminated from the competition. However it would be used as an example of what can be possible. He doesn't have a seasoned squad at his disposal and it's ever-changing nevertheless he's a manager in the perfect environment – a former youth team coach working with familiar faces – what De Boer has done and continues to do so is further evidence, clear and concise instructions coupled with the right training – following the Michels model (individual based training) – attaining a high level of football isn't beyond Ajax. His players towards the end of last season were fitter than they were at the start, covering more ground, circulating the ball at a rapid rate. There was a comfortable equilibrium in transition between attack and defence which you'd expect from a club renowned for its mastery of intelligent football. The same is expected in the second half of this current campaign.

From day one De Boer has been unequivocal when it comes to the style of football Ajax would play under him, despite his analytical obsession, doesn't believe in adapting to the opponent but rather playing their own game. "I'd rather go down fighting," he once boasted. "I share Louis van Gaal's desire to make continuous progress, to demand that your team constantly push things to the limit," he added. "When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruyff's philosophy. Simple football is the most beautiful. But playing simple football is the hardest thing." His contempt for the football displayed under Jol couldn't have been any more louder, labelling it unrecognisable, in some quarters unworthy of Ajax. "It did have some success but clashed with the traditional approach, which I know like the back of my hand. This is my club."


It was back to basics: traditional 4-3-3 with orthodox wingers. Even that has slightly changed; today the norm would be wide forwards, on occasions even using a deep-lying forward (false nine). The turning point was last spring, after their humiliating defeat to FC Utrecht, everything changed from that moment. The Ajax you see today started to emerge. All it took was putting emphasis on one position. Sergio Busquets has long fascinated De Boer. A third centre-back. This particular type of footballer has long existed in Dutch football, the 'controller' (number six), but Busquets – under Guardiola – has added a modern interpretation. One that has since been pivotal to De Boer realising his objectives; which is to dominant games through possession: circulation football as a means to not only create goal scoring opportunities but also a defensive weapon. The role was assigned to Vurnon Anita, instantly adapting – made easier by Ajax's system (likewise same for Christian Poulsen and Lasse Schöne since) – instructions couldn't be any clearer: retain and recycle possession.

In some parts keeping the ball is often looked down upon, but for De Boer this is the only way, without the ball the opposition can't harm you. Also it conserves energy, you can see how they seldom pass more than ten metres during a build-up phase, this goes back to Cruyff's ideal to let the ball do the running, taken a while but under De Boer they've got the hang of it.

'Pressure play' is a term De Boer often talks about. It centres on winning the ball back, as soon as it's lost (by pressing), another tenet of the Van Gaal philosophy incorporated in De Boer's approach. Guardiola famously took it to extreme levels and De Boer is following suit. It's a process that predominantly happens on instinct (playing a high defensive line helps). Ajax press the moment they lose possession. That is the perfect time because the opposing player who has just won the ball is vulnerable. He's wasted energy, winning the ball, meaning he's probably tired. De Boer's aim is for his side to dispossess the player before he can give to a better positioned teammate. If the ball isn't won as quickly as expected the players retreat to form a compact ten-man wall, the distance between the last defender and attacking focal point is roughly around 30 metres A switch made easy due to how close they play to each other (makes it easier to play their triangles as well). As you expect this should pose, in theory at least, a challenge for the opposition to get through.


Frank de Boer and Pep Guardiola played two seasons together at FC Barcelona winning one championship. It was there both started to consider life as coaches.

Ajax's near fanatical version of circulation football hasn't gone without criticism. In their recent win over VVV Venlo, where they had 81% possession of the ball, some labelled it "boring". De Boer, taken aback, defended his team's philosophy, stating they weren't keeping possession for the sake of it, adding an exciting game of football needs two participants. VVV were more than happy to let Ajax keep the ball and wait to counter (which they found difficult to execute). Nonetheless, the instillation of a 'third centre-back' has played a significant part in the Amsterdammers possession-based game increasing tenfold, so far this season they're averaging 600 passes per game (481 completed) and 80% possession (tikkie-takkie voetbal as one commentator put it).


As a former defender par-excellence this is the one area of the pitch De Boer has focused a great deal on. For obvious reasons, his tenets – much of which adopted from his mentors – dictated that Ajax must build from the back. "Cruyff told us that the players with the best ball handling skills should be the defenders," said Guardiola. "As they need to bring you out of trouble and set up the forwards with their play." De Boer agrees. Niklas Moisander has the highest pass completion rate followed by Toby Alderweireld. The skilled 'sweeper-keeper' Kenneth Vermeer, in essence acts like an extra outfield player, is integral to their system: recycling possession, keeping circulation of the ball flowing, and re-launching attacks. If an error is made, which is always a possibility, the instruction from De Boer is to always continue and never turn back. Jan Vertonghen, who played a key role last season – in his own words "effectively as a playmaker" – described De Boer as the best coach he's played under, adding how returning much of the clubs former principles was his biggest success. The next step will be for the 'third centre-back', and two midfielders in front, to take a greater lead in initiating attacks in tandem with the mobile central defenders (reliance gradually diminished).


However the most interesting facet regarding the defence, in last few months, is the actual defending. Notably if De Boer has implemented Barcelona's '3-1' rule (adopted from the Italian game). You see more and more examples proving it to be the case, take their last game against Groningen, after Alderweireld carelessly gave the ball away, Moisander approached the attacker and the other three – Ricardo van Rhijn, Alderweireld and Daley Blind – formed a wall behind him. If the hunch is correct – De Boer not spoken in detail – all signs suggest it is; then it's a ploy they're clearly working on, not quite at the level of Tito Vilanova's side, but one De Boer feels can benefit his team.


The role of the full-backs is the one of the most fascinating aspect of watching Ajax today, Van Rhijn and Blind are essentially auxiliary wingers, in turn leads to the side adopting various formations/shapes most of the time in reaction to the opposition. The most common is their 3-1-4-2, but they've shown the wherewithal to even adopt a 1-3-3-3, this of course is during a game as De Boer lines his team out in their usual 4-3-3. The changing of formation now comes naturally, all it takes is one or two to move out of their space, once an area is vacated a teammate would drop in – maintaining the shape – before you ask, no this isn't 'total football', just a modernised version of Ajax's positional interchange game, which De Boer thrived under during his playing days. De Boer's goal is 'universality': players comfortable in multiple positions and roles. Example: Christian Eriksen playing in front of the defence and controller moving into central midfield. The number nine zone especially when De Boer plays with a deep-lying forward is always left vacant. Not quite in the spirit of Rinus Michels but encapsulates a newfound joie de vivre.


De Boer, like Van Gaal, is a passing fetishist. If you can "pass at speed" there's a good chance of selection. Every single one is important, once winning possession the job is to keep the ball, everyone back into position – even corners are occasionally played short – until a gap appears, subsequently each attack is built patiently with the desire to finish with a sweeping move. The one exception is if possession is regained inside the penalty area, or just outside, then they attempt on goal. There's no secret to De Boer's approach. Jim Collins, wrote the secret of long-term success lies in cultivating a distinctive set of values, this usually means promoting from within and putting down deep local roots. One of the secrets to Ajax's success is how much of their players were moulded within the system in their academy. Daley Blind, often criticised – though undergoing a breakout season – might not be the best left-back around but how many know the 'Ajax way' inside-out? Especially the version De Boer professes.


With his second anniversary in charge just celebrated: sixth coach to reach the milestone since Michels left office in 1971. De Boer continues to improve as a manager as well as tactician. The most notable is enhancement of their 'positional interchange' game (as explained above). His players now, more than at the beginning, think correctly under pressure having the mental acumen and foresight to adjust tactics and formation if it's not working. It's still a work in progress, but they're heading in the direction De Boer wants to go, ultimate goal is to dominate the middle third of the pitch making it the norm. The next phase in their evolution most onlookers believe will be – if feasible – a return to their fabled '3-7' system, under Cruyff they played a 3-3-1-3; it was more of a flexible 3-1-2-3-1 during Van Gaal's era. Already De Boer has commented how a three-man defence intrigues him calling the 3-4-3 (diamond) formation his personal favourite.

No longer a force on the continent they still remain one of the most admired, Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus told Voetbal International how much he loves their brand of football (suggesting they reminded him of Barcelona who we mustn't forget attribute much of their ethos to the side from Amsterdam), his manager Jürgen Klopp, a fan of the 'Ajax school', enthusiastically praised De Boer for returning their celebrated model. Another big admirer recently met up with Cruyff, and the two discussed the strides made by Ajax in the last ten months under De Boer, both equally content with his transformation of the clubs playing style. The other man of course was Guardiola.

 

[Nevizade]

I like FDB and always have, both him and his brother. Same goes for the Laudrups. It's hard to choose between either Frank De Boer or Michel Laudrup a spotential suitors.

Anyway I found this on the net and this has to be the best article I've read in a while - <a class="postlink" href="http://jouracule.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-evolution-of-frank-de-boer_12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://jouracule.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12 ... er_12.html</a>



A month before taking the managerial hot seat at Ajax, on a warm autumn day, a fresh-faced Frank de Boer travelled to Barcelona – still a youth team coach and part of the Dutch national team set-up as Bert van Marwijk's assistant – this wasn't a personal visit but one he'd hope would further shape his footballing vision. It did.

De Boer was a guest of former teammate Pep Guardiola, after sharing old memories, it quickly transpired to the reason for his visit. Reminiscent of Guardiola's now famous meeting with Marcelo Bielsa, there was no barbeque, and it didn't last eleven hours. However there was the same passionate discussion of the game, every subject under the sun was touched upon from Barcelona's training methods, Dutch football theorem (and its future) to their unique style of play. Phillip Cocu since commented how that meeting changed De Boer. It proved to be enlightening, showcased by the contrast in football displayed at Ajax from De Boer's first few months in charge.


There was also an underlying reason: Guardiola's conviction De Boer would be an outstanding manager. His feeling was anything picked up in his young (and successful) managerial career to date could be invaluable to the Dutchman, who shared a similar belief in how football should be played. De Boer was an admirer and Guardiola was more than happy to help with his fact-finding mission remembering not so long ago he was in a similar position, inspired by those who've tasted management and shared his outlook, Juanma Lillo springs to mind.

As teammates both often enjoyed lengthy conversations, De Boer noted how Guardiola back then was effectively a coach. Guardiola equally saw the same in the former Oranje skipper even if De Boer doubted himself. A decade ago Bielsa advised Guardiola to go into management. Guardiola was now doing the same. In fact once De Boer eventually went into coaching, after retiring in 2006, Guardiola approached him to be his assistant – once learning he'd be taking over from Frank Rijkaard – an invitation De Boer turned down, in order to strike out his own path. One trait both have in common is their steadfast belief in the 'Ajax model'. Ronald – Frank's twin – once said Guardiola is borderline obsessed, describing him as 'half-Dutch', after discovering and learning under Johan Cruyff and then Louis van Gaal. It was the latter whose distinct brand Guardiola revealed shaped much of his Barcelona side. "My jaw dropped when I saw Van Gaal's Ajax play," Guardiola wrote in his autobiography 'My People, My Football'. "They perfectly did everything a football team should do in my eyes."

De Boer's own philosophy, started to unfold after the meeting with Guardiola in late 2010 – since then they've regularly kept in touch – an amalgamation of the Cruijffianen and Van Gaalisten School: individual and collectivism intertwined, each individual's strength combines to make a strong eleven, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. "We are now more of a unit," Toby Alderweireld stated when comparing to the approach under Martin Jol, when there was a large dependency on "one or two" players (notably Luis Suárez). Though a disciple of Cruyff and Van Gaal, evident in rekindling their ideas, and Cruyff being an advisor (top-to-bottom Ajax now following his vision in running a club, shades of Barcelona in the last decade) it's Guardiola's Barça he's used as his reference on the basis the Catalan side in the last four years shown the 'Ajax way' has a place in the 21st century.

De Boer doesn't claim to be innovate, instead appreciates his many influences, often describing himself as a 'student of the game'. Guardiola stood for everything Barça. De Boer is the same with Ajax. He lived and breathed the club as a player. "Frank de Boer is een echte Ajacied" is commonly sung by supporters. More than most he understands their traditions and what it stands for. If a club in Catalunya can adopt their values, especially if it's proven to be successful, then there's no shame in taking certain parts of their game to improve his team. They're not a carbon copy, still worlds apart, but can be put in the same side of the spectrum.

What does set De Boer apart is his acumen, a sharp thinker but also a meticulous planner, every opposition analysed (with the aid of Tonny Bruins Slot, Roy Wesseling and Dennis Bergkamp his assistant manager) in the greatest of details. It's speculative, but watching Ajax today you get the impression De Boer put those theories discussed with Guardiola, the same ones Barça adhere to, into practice. It's been a gradual process, still is, which only serves as proof of De Boer's unyielding character and desire to restore Ajax back in Europe's conscious. Guardiola and Van Gaal were among the many including predecessor Marco van Basten to congratulate De Boer on his appointment, after Martin Jol's unexpected (but anticipated) resignation forty eight hours before a Champions League away tie against AC Milan. The youngster (along with his brother) spotted by Cruyff all those years ago was now at the helm of his boyhood club. He would win his first match in charge, a historic one, never before have the Amsterdammers tasted victory at the San Siro.

It would prove to be bittersweet as they had already been eliminated from the competition. However it would be used as an example of what can be possible. He doesn't have a seasoned squad at his disposal and it's ever-changing nevertheless he's a manager in the perfect environment – a former youth team coach working with familiar faces – what De Boer has done and continues to do so is further evidence, clear and concise instructions coupled with the right training – following the Michels model (individual based training) – attaining a high level of football isn't beyond Ajax. His players towards the end of last season were fitter than they were at the start, covering more ground, circulating the ball at a rapid rate. There was a comfortable equilibrium in transition between attack and defence which you'd expect from a club renowned for its mastery of intelligent football. The same is expected in the second half of this current campaign.

From day one De Boer has been unequivocal when it comes to the style of football Ajax would play under him, despite his analytical obsession, doesn't believe in adapting to the opponent but rather playing their own game. "I'd rather go down fighting," he once boasted. "I share Louis van Gaal's desire to make continuous progress, to demand that your team constantly push things to the limit," he added. "When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruyff's philosophy. Simple football is the most beautiful. But playing simple football is the hardest thing." His contempt for the football displayed under Jol couldn't have been any more louder, labelling it unrecognisable, in some quarters unworthy of Ajax. "It did have some success but clashed with the traditional approach, which I know like the back of my hand. This is my club."


It was back to basics: traditional 4-3-3 with orthodox wingers. Even that has slightly changed; today the norm would be wide forwards, on occasions even using a deep-lying forward (false nine). The turning point was last spring, after their humiliating defeat to FC Utrecht, everything changed from that moment. The Ajax you see today started to emerge. All it took was putting emphasis on one position. Sergio Busquets has long fascinated De Boer. A third centre-back. This particular type of footballer has long existed in Dutch football, the 'controller' (number six), but Busquets – under Guardiola – has added a modern interpretation. One that has since been pivotal to De Boer realising his objectives; which is to dominant games through possession: circulation football as a means to not only create goal scoring opportunities but also a defensive weapon. The role was assigned to Vurnon Anita, instantly adapting – made easier by Ajax's system (likewise same for Christian Poulsen and Lasse Schöne since) – instructions couldn't be any clearer: retain and recycle possession.

In some parts keeping the ball is often looked down upon, but for De Boer this is the only way, without the ball the opposition can't harm you. Also it conserves energy, you can see how they seldom pass more than ten metres during a build-up phase, this goes back to Cruyff's ideal to let the ball do the running, taken a while but under De Boer they've got the hang of it.

'Pressure play' is a term De Boer often talks about. It centres on winning the ball back, as soon as it's lost (by pressing), another tenet of the Van Gaal philosophy incorporated in De Boer's approach. Guardiola famously took it to extreme levels and De Boer is following suit. It's a process that predominantly happens on instinct (playing a high defensive line helps). Ajax press the moment they lose possession. That is the perfect time because the opposing player who has just won the ball is vulnerable. He's wasted energy, winning the ball, meaning he's probably tired. De Boer's aim is for his side to dispossess the player before he can give to a better positioned teammate. If the ball isn't won as quickly as expected the players retreat to form a compact ten-man wall, the distance between the last defender and attacking focal point is roughly around 30 metres A switch made easy due to how close they play to each other (makes it easier to play their triangles as well). As you expect this should pose, in theory at least, a challenge for the opposition to get through.


Frank de Boer and Pep Guardiola played two seasons together at FC Barcelona winning one championship. It was there both started to consider life as coaches.

Ajax's near fanatical version of circulation football hasn't gone without criticism. In their recent win over VVV Venlo, where they had 81% possession of the ball, some labelled it "boring". De Boer, taken aback, defended his team's philosophy, stating they weren't keeping possession for the sake of it, adding an exciting game of football needs two participants. VVV were more than happy to let Ajax keep the ball and wait to counter (which they found difficult to execute). Nonetheless, the instillation of a 'third centre-back' has played a significant part in the Amsterdammers possession-based game increasing tenfold, so far this season they're averaging 600 passes per game (481 completed) and 80% possession (tikkie-takkie voetbal as one commentator put it).


As a former defender par-excellence this is the one area of the pitch De Boer has focused a great deal on. For obvious reasons, his tenets – much of which adopted from his mentors – dictated that Ajax must build from the back. "Cruyff told us that the players with the best ball handling skills should be the defenders," said Guardiola. "As they need to bring you out of trouble and set up the forwards with their play." De Boer agrees. Niklas Moisander has the highest pass completion rate followed by Toby Alderweireld. The skilled 'sweeper-keeper' Kenneth Vermeer, in essence acts like an extra outfield player, is integral to their system: recycling possession, keeping circulation of the ball flowing, and re-launching attacks. If an error is made, which is always a possibility, the instruction from De Boer is to always continue and never turn back. Jan Vertonghen, who played a key role last season – in his own words "effectively as a playmaker" – described De Boer as the best coach he's played under, adding how returning much of the clubs former principles was his biggest success. The next step will be for the 'third centre-back', and two midfielders in front, to take a greater lead in initiating attacks in tandem with the mobile central defenders (reliance gradually diminished).


However the most interesting facet regarding the defence, in last few months, is the actual defending. Notably if De Boer has implemented Barcelona's '3-1' rule (adopted from the Italian game). You see more and more examples proving it to be the case, take their last game against Groningen, after Alderweireld carelessly gave the ball away, Moisander approached the attacker and the other three – Ricardo van Rhijn, Alderweireld and Daley Blind – formed a wall behind him. If the hunch is correct – De Boer not spoken in detail – all signs suggest it is; then it's a ploy they're clearly working on, not quite at the level of Tito Vilanova's side, but one De Boer feels can benefit his team.


The role of the full-backs is the one of the most fascinating aspect of watching Ajax today, Van Rhijn and Blind are essentially auxiliary wingers, in turn leads to the side adopting various formations/shapes most of the time in reaction to the opposition. The most common is their 3-1-4-2, but they've shown the wherewithal to even adopt a 1-3-3-3, this of course is during a game as De Boer lines his team out in their usual 4-3-3. The changing of formation now comes naturally, all it takes is one or two to move out of their space, once an area is vacated a teammate would drop in – maintaining the shape – before you ask, no this isn't 'total football', just a modernised version of Ajax's positional interchange game, which De Boer thrived under during his playing days. De Boer's goal is 'universality': players comfortable in multiple positions and roles. Example: Christian Eriksen playing in front of the defence and controller moving into central midfield. The number nine zone especially when De Boer plays with a deep-lying forward is always left vacant. Not quite in the spirit of Rinus Michels but encapsulates a newfound joie de vivre.


De Boer, like Van Gaal, is a passing fetishist. If you can "pass at speed" there's a good chance of selection. Every single one is important, once winning possession the job is to keep the ball, everyone back into position – even corners are occasionally played short – until a gap appears, subsequently each attack is built patiently with the desire to finish with a sweeping move. The one exception is if possession is regained inside the penalty area, or just outside, then they attempt on goal. There's no secret to De Boer's approach. Jim Collins, wrote the secret of long-term success lies in cultivating a distinctive set of values, this usually means promoting from within and putting down deep local roots. One of the secrets to Ajax's success is how much of their players were moulded within the system in their academy. Daley Blind, often criticised – though undergoing a breakout season – might not be the best left-back around but how many know the 'Ajax way' inside-out? Especially the version De Boer professes.


With his second anniversary in charge just celebrated: sixth coach to reach the milestone since Michels left office in 1971. De Boer continues to improve as a manager as well as tactician. The most notable is enhancement of their 'positional interchange' game (as explained above). His players now, more than at the beginning, think correctly under pressure having the mental acumen and foresight to adjust tactics and formation if it's not working. It's still a work in progress, but they're heading in the direction De Boer wants to go, ultimate goal is to dominate the middle third of the pitch making it the norm. The next phase in their evolution most onlookers believe will be – if feasible – a return to their fabled '3-7' system, under Cruyff they played a 3-3-1-3; it was more of a flexible 3-1-2-3-1 during Van Gaal's era. Already De Boer has commented how a three-man defence intrigues him calling the 3-4-3 (diamond) formation his personal favourite.

No longer a force on the continent they still remain one of the most admired, Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus told Voetbal International how much he loves their brand of football (suggesting they reminded him of Barcelona who we mustn't forget attribute much of their ethos to the side from Amsterdam), his manager Jürgen Klopp, a fan of the 'Ajax school', enthusiastically praised De Boer for returning their celebrated model. Another big admirer recently met up with Cruyff, and the two discussed the strides made by Ajax in the last ten months under De Boer, both equally content with his transformation of the clubs playing style. The other man of course was Guardiola.

Good read that mate. From that you can see how he'd fit TB's 'vision' of how he'd want our manager to be. Predominantly 4-3-3, promotes young players, Aldeweireld's 'more of a unit' statement.

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

If we get rid of Mancini we should be focusing on getting the right manager in that fits the club not the one with the biggest name.

If Txiki sees De Boer or Pellegrini as a better fit then why do we have to get Mourinho? or Klopp?

Get the right man not the biggest name.

As you say, it's the right man that matters. That will rule out Mourinho who doesn't match City's new ethos, and Klopp who is well settled at Dortmund [albeit 20 points behind Bayern]. That appears to leave De Boer and Pellegrini to battle it out between them, and De Boer does seem to fit the bill with his two titles and, currently, heading for a possible hat-trick, but Holland is a slower league and is a technical one. He would be in for a rude awakening at high intensity places like Stoke and Everton. As for Pellegrini, he's been in Europe since 2004 and he won the Intertoto Cup that same year [hardly world shattering], and he's won nothing since. Before coming to Europe, he won two titles with River Plate which is like saying we should go for Fergie because he has won titles for the rags.

I don't know if that kind of record is in line with Sheikh Mansour's ambitions, but it isn't in line with mine if he means the rags go on top mop up the trophies while we go about rebuilding. But if this is what is intended, how about an approach for Wenger? He seems to match our requirements and he wouldn't be saddled with the wage and transfer policy that he has at the Emirates. That would leave the door open for Mourinho to go to Arsenal where his personality would be too strong for their warring boardroom, but the size of the club and it's consistent appearances in the Champions League would be a strong pull for him and he is the kind of character who would bang a few heads together to make it work down there.

 

[Bibinho]

If we get rid of Mancini we should be focusing on getting the right manager in that fits the club not the one with the biggest name.

If Txiki sees De Boer or Pellegrini as a better fit then why do we have to get Mourinho? or Klopp?

Get the right man not the biggest name.

As you say, it's the right man that matters. That will rule out Mourinho who doesn't match City's new ethos, and Klopp who is well settled at Dortmund [albeit 20 points behind Bayern]. That appears to leave De Boer and Pellegrini to battle it out between them, and De Boer does seem to fit the bill with his two titles and, currently, heading for a possible hat-trick, but Holland is a slower league and is a technical one. He would be in for a rude awakening at high intensity places like Stoke and Everton. As for Pellegrini, he's been in Europe since 2004 and he won the Intertoto Cup that same year [hardly world shattering], and he's won nothing since. Before coming to Europe, he won two titles with River Plate which is like saying we should go for Fergie because he has won titles for the rags.

I don't know if that kind of record is in line with Sheikh Mansour's ambitions, but it isn't in line with mine if he means the rags go on top mop up the trophies while we go about rebuilding. But if this is what is intended, how about an approach for Wenger? He seems to match our requirements and he wouldn't be saddled with the wage and transfer policy that he has at the Emirates. That would leave the door open for Mourinho to go to Arsenal where his personality would be too strong for their warring boardroom, but the size of the club and it's consistent appearances in the Champions League would be a strong pull for him and he is the kind of character who would bang a few heads together to make it work down there.

alot of good points there but somehow i cannot ever see Wenger leaving unless he gets the chop, i also cant imagine mourinho going to a club with hardly anything to spend

 

[Andouble]

I think both Garcia and Rodwell work as that '3rd CB' as well. Thanks for posting that, very interesting.

 

[Matt.D]

Hope so.

Why would you hope so? If we are going to replace Mancini it has to be for the very best around. Pellegrini is not that.

Really? I disagree.
Who would you suggest?

What has the man won? Couple of titles in South America and in europe his only trophy was the intertoto cup. He'd be a massive gamble.

The only 2 managers who were available that you could guarantee would be an upgrade on Mancini were Mourinho and Guardiola. Guardiola is going to Bayern and it seems we want nothing to do with Mourinho.

So in answer to your question what I would suggest is if they arent interested in Jose (the only available manager who would guarantee success) then stick with the manager who won us the league title and the fa cup, who wanted A-list players last summer and was given D-listers (irrespective of who chose them, everyone knows they weren't mancinis first choice).

Give Mancini the players he wants this summer , fuck off the shit in the squad to help raise funds and see where we get next year. If we still fail dramatically in the champs league and premier league then fine sack him.

 

[LoveCity]

What has the man won? Couple of titles in South America and in europe his only trophy was the intertoto cup. He'd be a massive gamble.

He's not exactly had many great opportunities to gather a trophy haul during his 9 years in Europe. Given the Inter job at the same time as Mancini he'd have a lot of league titles on his resume too. Pellegrini has been a success in every job so far except in the warped view of Real Madrid where a 75% win rate wasn't enough as they finished on 96pts, Real Madrid's highest points total in history... except Barca finished on 99pts, so Pellegrini was sacked. He got Villarreal to the semi final of the Champions League (something Mancini has failed to do in 7 attempts with powerful, wealthy clubs) and has Malaga in the last 8 (Mancini has hasn't done this since 2005/2006... when his Inter was knocked out by Pellegrini's Villarreal) and somehow with a shout of getting into the last 4 heading to Dortmund.

As some have mentioned, Txiki would look beyond trophy haul and at other things such as suitability to the ideology the club is trying to build. I refer again to Rijkaard's 15% win rate at Sparta Rotterdam before Barcelona took him on, where he (with the support of the backroom staff) won them La Liga twice, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey twice, and was named UEFA Manager of the Year. He had been an abject failure in management prior to that, which Pellegrini and De Boer haven't even been.

 

[roy.or.r]

In other news, Sun is reporting that Yaya has signed a new deal

 

[Jimfv1]

The article on De Boer is fascinating, especially the piece about the "high press". I'd love to see a City team pushing to win the ball back as soon as it's lost. This is what all these high tempo teams do and it rattles better players.

If Mancini is to go in summer then De Boer would do for me, however he does seem to have very strong ties to Ajax so like Klopp, it would be difficult to persuade him to leave a club he loves. Pellegrini may be the only option and I think his age is the only thing leaving doubts in my mind.

The biggest problem for me with Mancini is his treatment of players, if he has pissed Vinny off as much as is reported then this is a serious matter. Does he treat Milner and Zab the same ? Players cannot rule the club, (or you end up like Chelsea) but every one is a different person and the manager should adapt his attitude to get the best out of them.

Bellamy and Tevez were treated differently to Balotelli for instance, and although Balotelli's antics off the pitch were amusing , some of his on pitch stuff was embarrassing.