PrestwichBlue said:
That's what I believe happened. I also think that Mancini's behaviour means he's either not happy managing in the Premiership or that, after a bit of dithering, JM has finally agreed to take the job this summer.
well, it's possible, but as you say, it would mean we had got ourselves in a mess already.
BUT... as Khaldoun let it be known off the record that he would carry the can if Mancini's appointment didn't work out, Mourinho always being on the cards doesn't seem the most likely explanation to me.
Much of what's being debated depends on how much faith you put in the rumours and speculation. As I am biased against speculation, I have always thought the scenario was for both parties to see how it worked out. Personally, I look at him and think he's someone who is genuinely disappointed with some of his players, because that's how I feel. Some of them gave him 3/4 good games before going back into their shells. However, if you believe City have been pursuing another manager then I guess you'd see
that in his eyes. but, really, we're projecting. Mancini's demeanour could just be that of a man who has been working 16 hour days.
And as for his motives in this interview... well, hang on a minute, let's rewind. The quotes do not mention him joining inter at all. They are general remarks on Juventus' predicament. The story that he would be open to the possibility comes from a story from a agnelli-friendly outlet, that had no quotes, rather a reported confirmation of his interest in the job
if it had been offered to him back in december, attributed to 'someone close to Mancini'. in other words the headline 'mancini expresses in joining Juve' is a definite case of 2+2=5.
as for his 'dithering' I am skeptical that we are being offered an exact translation of his time frame for returning to italy. find me an italian speaker not looking to write a story, and ask them exactly what his words mean. I think city dithered unduly in their initial presentation of Mancini's role at the club, and have failed to address matters.
not to say that I am dismissing this whole story as without any basis. the perception has always been that uncertainty exists on all sides. and the Juve job is extremely attractive, and will be available. and I have to believe he took this interview with eyes wide open.
What I believe is that he is letting the story develop, perhaps in response to city letting the mourinho story develop. that is not the same thing as him responding to a genuine pursuit of mourinho. I can't rule that out totally but I just don't have any evidence beyond a back page splash on the back of the NOTW and the usual ITK whispers. The lack of communication from city IS a fact however, and that would be enough to warrant a subtle response from a manager who is meeting his targets.
I would prefer to think that he is sending a message to city, reminding them of his marketability, and letting them city consider the risks inherent in allowing people to believe they might be pursuing mourinho... let alone the risks involved in an actual, failed pursuit. by meeting his targets, Mancini holds some of the cards now
someone else drew the parallel with the sven/thaksin situation.
even if that is not what is happening (and I would hate to think the club had seen fit to repeat that episode), it would be demeaning and undermining to Mancini to allow that perception to go unchallenged.
and if it is what's happening, then I think it's a high risk strategy, especially with a wily fox like mourinho, who plays the media like no-one else. he also strikes me as someone who knows that he doesn't need any one club, he knows he has options. he's the prettiest girl at the dance and he knows how to make the most of it. IMO you'd have to be a fool
to risk everything on pursuing someone like that, you could end up used and spat out without ever getting a peck on the cheek.
if the club think they have found a way to hedge their bets, then I'd be amazed. It would really be something to go home and shag the wife after she's seen you flirting with this other girl so brazenly, so needily.... is this how good relationships work? I doubt it.
Sometimes you have to forget about 'the ideal' and concentrate on making the absolute most of what you already have. And as it happens, you might always want the prettiest girl, but what you actually need, can turn out to be something very different indeed.
sincere apologies for going on so long.
