Ole Goner Solskjaer

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1462193290074333186

1462199213450829828

He's done.

[Yevrah]

I suppose the best that can be said is that he improved the squad a fair bit and it was a shame he ultimately didn't have a clue what to do with it.

[Gray Fox]

He did was he brought in to do. Steady the ship of the 6/7th place finishes and steady the ship until a proper manager came in. Unfortunately for him and United the board forgot to go about doing the 2nd part of that.

[Lewis]

Zinedine Binman isn't the answer. They need to just get whoever the biggest name willing to do it for seven months is while they work on putting a proper structure in for next season around that Ajax man or somebody similar (I would be happy with Brendan Rodgers).

[phonics]

Steve Clarke is the answer but it would require having a basic knowledge of football rather than his Wikipedia‘img a name so it won’t happen.

[Gray Fox]

How about Fletcher and Carrick til the end of the season?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did think it would go to Carrick until the season.

Ideally it would have gone to:

https://c.tenor.com/hh_cs81-XAsAAAAC/patrice-evra-i-love-this-game.gif

But it doesn't seem likely.

[Lewis]

Arsene Wenger mate. I said it before. Fourth place guaranteed and a CHEEKY FA Cup.

[Browning]

Paul Ince has to be worth a go.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Roy Hodgson or Gareth Southgate, or maybe both of them. Bet the United board would at least consider it. Think waistcoat would turn them down though, he's got it made for life.

[Spikey M]

1462213321743032324?t=uGoSDnQhixzKIP_o_ci9-g&s=19

:happycry:

[Giggles]

What they need is a club legend that has managed over a thousand games.

[Kikó]

I'm still reeling at United considering Steve Clarke from phonics. I think he's a good coach but surely no one in the top 4 would be thinking of him.

Anyway, this change is at least 4 games too late (Liverpool should have been the end) and basically feels like if they both do relatively well, we're back into the same cycle. We should have committed to Conte when we had the chance and probably want to wait for Pochetino if the midfield managers do well.

[Offshore Toon]

Bring in Lucien Favre for the season. He wants something short term, has pedigree and plays attacking football

The whole elevating ex-players thing is so lazy but I guess is the problem with having businessmen over footballmen at the top of the hierarchy.

[niko_cee]

Sad times, although at least it came on the back of a properly disastrous performance, rather than just being outclassed by better sides.

Binedine Binman though? Good of them to keep the lols rolling in.

[phonics]

I'm still reeling at United considering Steve Clarke from phonics. I think he's a good coach but surely no one in the top 4 would be thinking of him.

Anyway, this change is at least 4 games too late (Liverpool should have been the end) and basically feels like if they both do relatively well, we're back into the same cycle. We should have committed to Conte when we had the chance and probably want to wait for Pochetino if the midfield managers do well.

You missed out on all the good coaches to put ole at the wheel. Clarke gets teams to be the sum of their parts. You have really really good players. You just need them to put them in a system where they show up and you’ll win 80% of your games.

[Kikó]

Look, I like Steve Clarke, but there's next to zero chance any of the top teams in Europe are appointing him.

[phonics]

That’s exactly what I said. Right appointment. Won’t get the job.

[Shindig]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/steve-bruce-alex-ferguson-newcastle-25286027

He has the hotline to Ferguson. Club status: known.

[phonics]

Man calls man he knew for most of his life.

[Shindig]

Sure, it's not like United's bothered to ask him for his pick before.

[Giggles]

Carrick to be interim to the interim.

[Lewis]

Michael Carrick is surely partly responsible for how bad it is. Either he contributes and he's shit or he doesn't and he's useless, so kick him out as well.

[Spikey M]

1462375242563833860?t=gaIIT1vMfQfeJFHLb0jcBQ&s=19

Strong English. Even stronger logic. Get him in.

[Giggles]

Just missed out on Stevie G by a week.

[Offshore Toon]

It would be worth bringing Steve Bruce in just to hear Ronaldo's future autobiography comments on his training methods.

[Giggles]

To but have the time.


1462377542107774979

[Giggles]

You'd have to imagine there's no coming back at anywhere near the level for Solskjaer himself after this either. Back to Norway?

[Offshore Toon]

He'll get paid and just retire, you'd think.

[Kikó]

You'd have to imagine there's no coming back at anywhere near the level for Solskjaer himself after this either. Back to Norway?

Depends on his appetite really. He didn't do an awful job at all but I doubt any top team would hire him. Maybe a smaller team would but again, does he want another job.

Maybe Norway manager.

[Yevrah]

To be fair, he was sacked before he could do an awful job, but he was well on the way there.

[Kikó]

I honestly think we could have been in the bottom half easily if we didn't sack him.

[Yevrah]

I honestly think we could have been in the bottom half easily if we didn't sack him.

Agree completely. Yesterday was a properly relegation standard performance and against a side with four of your rejects in it.

[Luke Emia]

A tragic day which can only be compared to the day David Moyes lost his job. I don't see Zidane as the answer though he doesn't strike me as the type of manager to improve players and structure a team which has no structure at the minute. Not saying he won't do it but I'm not sure.

From a United viewpoint though who actually thinks you have a good team? I wouldn't want any of your back 5 in the Liverpool team, central midfield Fernandes if you have the right system and then upfront you'd have Ronaldo because he's Ronaldo and Greenwood I think would improve the Liverpool team instead of Mane. But who else? For all the money spent it's a very mediocre squad/team. Yes you finished second last season but that was more because Chelsea had Fat Frank in charge and Liverpool had no defence for most of the season.

[niko_cee]

They should go mad and get Simeone in, even if they have to wait for the end of the season. He's done it all where he is and it doesn't really feel like that team is getting any better.

[Boydy]

Simeone in the premier league. :sick:

[Jimmy Floyd]

What they need to do is have a bit of nous and go down the betting order a bit. I think Eddie Howe actually wouldn't have been a bad choice, had he not already taken the murderous petro dollars. Short of that, if they want to wait for Ten Hag at the end of the season then they just need to put Carrick/Fletcher/David May in charge, accept that they won't be playing European football in 22/23, and go from there.

I suspect they'll be unable to see past the top couple of most famous names and won't be wiling to write the season off.

[Manc]

Greenwood I think would improve the Liverpool team instead of Mane.

:happycry:

[Giggles]

:happycry:

That one stood out for me too :cab:

[Spikey M]

Lol wut.

[niko_cee]

What they need to do is have a bit of nous and go down the betting order a bit. I think Eddie Howe actually wouldn't have been a bad choice, had he not already taken the murderous petro dollars. Short of that, if they want to wait for Ten Hag at the end of the season then they just need to put Carrick/Fletcher/David May in charge, accept that they won't be playing European football in 22/23, and go from there.

I suspect they'll be unable to see past the top couple of most famous names and won't be wiling to write the season off.

Going down the field who does that yield? Laurent Blanc is a club-knower with at least some pedigree, I guess. Wouldn't fancy him to be anything other than shit. Graham Potter? Can't see it, he seems to be on odds-par with Ronaldo (:happycry:). Jogi Low? Mancini? 'Arry and Steve Bruce rolling in at 100/1?

[Giggles]

Hadn't thought of Blanc. Is he available? You'd imagine whoever comes in until May would be a free agent.

[Boydy]

They should get Big Sam in.

[Offshore Toon]

Simeone would be best but I'm not sure he'd touch it. He'd need a whole new squad and the fans would hate the style of football.

[Ian]

From a United viewpoint though who actually thinks you have a good team?

It's hard to say when the manager is so utterly disorganised. You can't account for individual errors and there are clearly a number of players stealing a living but by the same token it wouldn't surprise me if those defenders look a lot better if we can get a halfway competent organiser in.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hadn't thought of Blanc. Is he available? You'd imagine whoever comes in until May would be a free agent.

He's managing a Qatari club. I checked yesterday as I thought he was likely to come in if he was free.

[phonics]

I already said the correct answer.

[Manc]

Are you fucking Steve Clarke?

[Kikó]

It's hard to say when the manager is so utterly disorganised. You can't account for individual errors and there are clearly a number of players stealing a living but by the same token it wouldn't surprise me if those defenders look a lot better if we can get a halfway competent organiser in.

I don't think they are as bad as they are playing. There's talent there if they are trained properly.

[igor_balis]

Yeah man, Steve Clarke

[Kikó]

1462473382172053509?t=3t_d6vJxc3WgvqO6UPIcBA&s=08

Such a strange interview. What a guy though.

[Giggles]

Even doing that shows what a shit show the whole club has become. Laughing stock.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't think I've ever seen a post-sacking interview video emanating from the club.

[Spikey M]

United are surpassing Arsenal in weirdness these days. Full blown Dying Empire syndrome.

[Kikó]

He's the kind of guy who would let you finish banging his wife then say you were fantastic

[Lewis]

It was over the day that story about him refusing to park in 'Sir Alex Ferguson's parking space' came out.

[Shindig]

Heh. Just paint over it in a power move.

Sir Olex.

[Manc]

1462473382172053509?t=3t_d6vJxc3WgvqO6UPIcBA&s=08

Such a strange interview. What a guy though.

What in the actual fuck is this?

[Yevrah]

It's yet another example of the soft as shit age we live in.

[phonics]

It's yet another example of the soft as shit age we live in.
You asked us to create a private invite only part of TTH because people didn’t give the appropriate respect to your goal to write the sitcom you gave up writing after a week. Come on man. Stop projecting.

[Lewis]

:lol:

[Yevrah]

You asked us to create a private invite only part of TTH because people didn’t give the appropriate respect to your goal to write the sitcom you gave up writing after a week. Come on man. Stop projecting.

That wasn't the reason I asked for that and what makes you think I've given up? It was a complete waste of time discussing it on here because unfortunately the idiot contingent takes over. If I was worried about criticism I wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place, so stop misrepresenting.

[phonics]

Fine. My apologies for the misrepresentation. Congrats on continuing. I hope it works out.

Out of interest, Would you care to elaborate on what the invite only tth forum was for if not for that?

Even if it was for something like that. That’s fine. You asked. Got told no. We moved on. But you can’t be calling society soft and then literally ask for a safe space.

[Yevrah]

Fine. Congrats on continuing. I hope it works out.

Out of interest, Would you care to elaborate on what the invite only tth forum was for if not for that?

Because and as I said at the time there were half a dozen or so posters who were intent on filling the thread with shite. It's staggering that that's seemingly such a difficult concept to grasp. Maybe those that can't are the ones projecting...

[randomlegend]

Shite = criticism you didn't want to hear.

[phonics]

So what you’re saying is you couldn’t take 3-5 people making fun of you but that interview is a sign that society is soft and you are a big strong boy who sees through the bullshit?

Come on Yev. I like you but don’t go gammon on the world.

[Yevrah]

Even if it was for something like that. That’s fine. You asked. Got told no. We moved on. But you can’t be calling society soft and then literally ask for a safe space.

I wasn't asking for a safe space - I was asking for a space that wasn't full of Gonorrhea. Again, how can people not understand this? I even asked Jim for feedback ffs, which he then posted in the thread and was taken on board. Criticism was not the issue.

[randomlegend]

That is literally what a safe space is.

[Yevrah]

So what you’re saying is you couldn’t take 3-5 people making fun of you but that interview is a sign that society is soft and you are a big strong boy who sees through the bullshit?

Come on Yev. I like you but don’t go gammon on the world.

Sigh. Are you genuinely too stupid to either read properly or understand what I'm saying? Making fun was fine (Kiko's post was brilliant, which again I gave kudos to in the thread), the sheer wave of banal shite was the problem.

[phonics]

If you’ll remember correctly I actually gave you lots of practical advice and you said I didn’t know what I was talking about because people said the same things to Ricky Gervais. We’ll move past that and to just the above posts.

So, when I said you asked for a private invite only part of tth for your sitcom idea and you said you didn’t do that and I was misrepresenting you. Which part did I misrepresent?

[phonics]

Sigh. Are you genuinely too stupid to either read properly or understand what I'm saying? Making fun was fine (Kiko's post was brilliant, which again I gave kudos to in the thread), the sheer wave of banal shite was the problem.

Yeah sorry Yev you’re operating at an iq far above me. Must be why you can see how the above interview is the symbol of the downfall of society but you doing something even softer on a miniscule scale in comparison is completely different. I’m just too thick.

[Yevrah]

If you’ll remember correctly I actually gave you lots of practical advice and you said I didn’t know what I was talking about because people said the same things to Ricky Gervais. We’ll move past that and to just the above posts.

So, when I said you asked for a private invite only part of tth for your sitcom idea and you said you didn’t do that and I was misrepresenting you. Which part did I misrepresent?

You're misrepresenting why I asked for it. You can't be this stupid, you just can't. But then you've also failed to see that you weren't one of the posters I had a problem with at the time, so maybe you are.

[phonics]

That is literally what a safe space is.

Fucks sake Yev you’ve fucked this so badly me and RL are on the same side.

[Yevrah]

Because at times you can both be utter morons who're incapable of understanding what is written.

[phonics]

You're misrepresenting why I asked for it. You can't be this stupid, you just can't. But then you've also failed to see that you weren't one of the posters I had a problem with at the time, so maybe you are.

Yev, I had a completely fair dig at you and nailed it. The proper response is ‘fair play you got me’.

Instead you went with:

https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/225/61b/a6b1d3e45b7eb1b3b6255e801713b76c78-wojak-03.w710.jpg

I’m looking out for you telling you not to go full boomer and realise you’re similarly flawed. That’s all.

[Yevrah]

When your World view is challenged you always go down the road of starting with a dig and then not reading or understanding the things that follow. I don't know why I engage really, it's utterly pointless.

[phonics]

When your World view is challenged you always go down the road of starting with a dig and then not reading or understanding the things that follow. I don't know why I engage really, it's utterly pointless.

For the same reason we all do. Because it’s what we’ve done for the last 20 years. None of this is a personal attack. Just saying what I see.

[Don]

This is the content I'm here for on a Sunday night. Come on then, you fucking tipp-ex drenched cunts, let's be 'avin ya.

[phonics]

Can we at least come together and agree that Steve Clarke would be better than Steve Bruce Yevrah?

[Yevrah]

For the same reason we all do. Because it’s what we’ve done for the last 20 years. None of this is a personal attack. Just saying what I see.

The personal attack aspect is not one I was remotely concerned about this being, more that my brain cells are bleeding out of my ears - surely you can see in 20 years of posting here I'm not someone who is particularly bothered by criticism, let alone needs a safe space to avoid it?

I must be forgetting all of the times I've asked for one when I've upset the Man Utd contingent...

[Lewis]

TTH =/= Yorkshire cricket

[Yevrah]

Can we at least come together and agree that Steve Clarke would be better than Steve Bruce Yevrah?

You know, I really don't know enough about the man. Why is he being considered?

[phonics]

You know, I really don't know enough about the man. Why is he being considered?

He’s not and that’s the problem.

[Giggles]

It’s his previous record even any good?

[phonics]

The personal attack aspect is not one I was remotely concerned about this being, more that my brain cells are bleeding out of my ears

Make sure to plug the bleeding or you’ll be thick like me.

[phonics]

It’s his previous record even any good?

Didn’t follow his club record in Scotland but was unfairly sacked by West Brom for falling to 12th with a team that his replacement got relegated. Has qualified Scotland to their first tournaments since my pubes were the colour of Colin Hendrys hair.

I don’t think he’s the five-ten year guy but he gets teams to perform to the sum of their parts and they have a bunch of good players.

[randomlegend]

A safe space is somewhere to hide from stuff that offends or "triggers" you. It doesn't have to be criticism. You are clearly triggered by whatever it is you've deemed "banal shite".

You absolutely wanted a safe space.

Everyone else isn't stupid because they "can't understand you", you're just talking complete bollocks.

[Yevrah]

Is that a nomination for Clarke Phonics?

[phonics]

We’ve moved on RL.

You had to go and ruin it just when we were starting to get a long.

[phonics]

Is that a nomination for Clarke Phonics?

I don’t particularly rate Poccetino but I admittedly do have an inbuilt bias and I don’t see anyone else that makes sense.

Zidane would be an absolute disaster. He couldn’t handle the Spanish press and the majority of them were paid to say nice things about him.

United need a coach and Brendan Rodgers spends too much time caring about making himself look good to be a United manager.

Steve Clarke’s been bald half his life and is Scottish. You need two things. someone that will call anyone who says something negative about United a cunt and someone who can tell Paul Pogba what he’s supposed to do. Seems a perfect fit.

[randomlegend]

The fact we don't get along is the only reason this place is still going after however many years.

[Yevrah]

A safe space is somewhere to hide from stuff that offends or "triggers" you. It doesn't have to be criticism. You are clearly triggered by whatever it is you've deemed "banal shite".

You absolutely wanted a safe space.

Everyone else isn't stupid because they "can't understand you", you're just talking complete bollocks.



safe space

a place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm.

Unless you think you were harassing me or causing emotional harm I don't see how it fits the definition. Were we all creating a 'safe space' for ourselves when we perma-banned Harold, or just a more enjoyable one?

[Shindig]

I'm not sure about Clarke but he's clearly enhanced his reputation since heading back over the border. Not enough for United to take notice but stranger things have happened.

[Yevrah]

I see Neville was still dying on the 'Conte was the wrong man' hill earlier. Is there now a right way to win at Man Utd? If so, lol.

[Ian]

I never thought I'd miss the Steve Bruce chat.

[Ian]

I see Neville was still dying on the 'Conte was the wrong man' hill earlier. Is there now a right way to win at Man Utd? If so, lol.

Neville would likely have you believe Ferguson was always about all-out attacking football and that that is The United Way.

[phonics]

I see Neville was still dying on the 'Conte was the wrong man' hill earlier. Is there now a right way to win at Man Utd? If so, lol.

He would have been a disaster in a completely different way. You can’t be at a club like United and be calling your board a bunch of knobs every week. That shit flies at Inter because everyone knows they’re a joke so the board will take their slaps in exchange for wins.

[Shindig]

"Well, it's been a long process but we're ready to announce our new United manager. We went with a former Reading boss who knows the club. Come on in, Steve."
<Steve Coppell's music hits>

[Don]

The fact we don't get along is the only reason this place is still going after however many years.

Dildoboy ain't wrong here, is he?

[Yevrah]

Dildoboy ain't wrong here, is he?

Probably not, but it's only going to get worse the older and more stuck in our ways we all get.

[phonics]

Quoting the posh cunt when I said the exact same thing earlier. Almost enough for me to launch into a foul tirade of racist abuse. Maybe that’d get gammon Yev on my side.

^the above is a joke, just in case.

[Don]

The weak will pass. The strong will unite in the metaverse under the leadership of Kiko.

[randomlegend]

Posh?

[Giggles]

The weak will pass. The strong will unite in the metaverse under the leadership of Kiko.

Sieg heil.

[Giggles]

Quoting the posh cunt when I said the exact same thing earlier. Almost enough for me to launch into a foul tirade of racist abuse. Maybe that’d get gammon Yev on my side.

^the above is a joke, just in case.

Tirade you say? Would be a first on here if so.

[phonics]

Posh?
You literally have a degree that means I have to give you a different title than Mr.

That’s the definition of posh.

[phonics]

Sieg heil.
At least do the Mussolini version.

This place lacks effort.

[Giggles]

You literally have a degree that means I have to give you a different title than Mr.

That’s the definition of posh.

That’s the definition of educated. Do you really not know what the word posh means?

[randomlegend]

You literally have a degree that means I have to give you a different title than Mr.

That’s the definition of posh.

I don't think it is...

Didn't you go to some elite private school?

[Giggles]

At least do the Mussolini version.

This place lacks effort.

He just shacked up in Germany. I’m happy with my decision.

[phonics]

I don't think it is...

Didn't you go to some elite private school?

Yep but was poor enough in comparison to the girl I had a crush on who had a bloke whos sole job was to operate the elevator in her house that I can pretend otherwise.

[phonics]

That’s the definition of educated. Do you really not know what the word posh means?

I decided not to do an Irish joke here. That’s growth.

[Giggles]

I decided not to do an Irish joke here. That’s growth.

I don’t think there was one there for you anyway without making an even bigger fool of yourself than you already have been.

[randomlegend]

Yep but was poor enough in comparison to the girl I had a crush on who had a bloke whos sole job was to operate the elevator in her house that I can pretend otherwise.

My grandad was a farm hand with a broad Norfolk accent.

[Lewis]

*phonics nodding at the imaginary lift attendant*
'My dad supports West Brom.'

[Spikey M]

What a couple of pages. The finest cut of beef is unnecessary beef. :drool:

[Shindig]

The pandemic has been really great for this place.

[Spikey M]

Yep but was poor enough in comparison to the girl I had a crush on who had a bloke whos sole job was to operate the elevator in her house that I can pretend otherwise.


My grandad was a farm hand with a broad Norfolk accent.

I was parentless by 20, had Iceland Lasagne for Christmas Dinner and went without a boiler for 18 months as a kid.

Top Trumps you cunts. Let's go.

[phonics]

My grandad was a farm hand with a broad Norfolk accent.

My grandad was literally sold to a hotel in Newcastle for 3 shillings. My Nan was a nurse at an orphanage. Our ancestors don’t define our class. Embrace it.

[phonics]

*phonics nodding at the imaginary lift attendant*
'My dad supports West Brom.'

As if I’d talk to such peasants.

[Shindig]

At the same time, I'm not sure a PhD does either. Otherwise the NHS becomes a giant haze of decadence and privilege. It's not. It's all immigrants with tired eyes and bibles.

[phonics]

At the same time, I'm not sure a PhD does either. Otherwise the NHS becomes a giant haze of decadence and privilege. It's not. It's all immigrants with tired eyes and bibles.

Are you saying immigrants can’t be posh? Racist much?

[Dquincy]

Because and as I said at the time there were half a dozen or so posters who were intent on filling the thread with shite. It's staggering that that's seemingly such a difficult concept to grasp. Maybe those that can't are the ones projecting...

That occasion was the most fun I've had on here in a long time.

[Boydy]

Phonics calling someone else posh :D

[Boydy]

How's the sitcom coming along Yev?

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKHFZBUTA4k

Nothing changes.

[Kikó]

What's Steve Bruce's xG?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He expects three goals.

[randomlegend]

My grandad was literally sold to a hotel in Newcastle for 3 shillings. My Nan was a nurse at an orphanage. Our ancestors don’t define our class. Embrace it.

I think immediate ancestors do a bit.

Google defines posh as "luxuriously elegant", so on second thoughts I think I am most certainly posh and would like to thank you for the compliment.

[randomlegend]

Anyway, on the subject of the thread, very strong rumours Poch wants it. The bizarrely-reliable-in-recent-times Talksport reckon he'd take it now.

PSG fans are desperate for him to go. Seems the only way it could happen mid-season is if they get positive noises out of Zidane and sack Poch for him.

Not sure what I think to the whole prospect. The PSG fans seem to have very similar complains as were levied at Ole i.e. he has no system, he just hopes the front 3 will win the game. Then again I'd imagine anyone is onto a losing battle trying to get Messi, Neymar and Mbappe to gegenpress

[Jimmy Floyd]

He has a 12-1-1 record in a league they didn't win last year, and unbeaten/as good as through in the CL with a chance still to top the group ahead of Pep's Man City who are a bloody good side.

What exactly are PSG fans expecting and what sort of imaginary coach do they think can deliver it?

[randomlegend]

Yeah those were my thoughts.

Apparently the football they are playing is dreadful and the scorelines they are getting are very flattering based on how the games are playing out but who knows.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I think it's more of a case of no system being possible at PSG, rather than Pochettino not having one or being able to coach a side to one. Plenty seem to have tried and failed there. No idea why you'd want out of the cushtiest job in world football to walk into a complete shitstorm at United but who knows, maybe he fancies one long term contract paid off and another one to follow hot on its heels. Or perhaps he realises that his good work at Spurs star is fading fast and he probably needs to jump into a BIG job now if he ever wants one or it's the bin of mediocre continental management for him.

[niko_cee]

Also, PSG have no fans, so the outrage will be from twats like Julien Laurens or whatever he is called.

[Shindig]

Messi opened his domestic account the other day. It's nearly December. Let that sink in.

[Adramelch]

He has a 12-1-1 record in a league they didn't win last year, and unbeaten/as good as through in the CL with a chance still to top the group ahead of Pep's Man City who are a bloody good side.

What exactly are PSG fans expecting and what sort of imaginary coach do they think can deliver it?

Granted I've mostly watched highlights but they really seem to struggle to create chances and they get (often late) wins just through quality of finishing.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, I think it's more of a case of no system being possible at PSG, rather than Pochettino not having one or being able to coach a side to one. Plenty seem to have tried and failed there. No idea why you'd want out of the cushtiest job in world football to walk into a complete shitstorm at United but who knows, maybe he fancies one long term contract paid off and another one to follow hot on its heels. Or perhaps he realises that his good work at Spurs star is fading fast and he probably needs to jump into a BIG job now if he ever wants one or it's the bin of mediocre continental management for him.

Is jumping from PSG to United jumping into a big job? I can't see it.

[randomlegend]

Is jumping from PSG to United jumping into a big job? I can't see it.

Like an enormous poo clogging a toilet.

"That's going to be a big job".

[niko_cee]

Is jumping from PSG to United jumping into a big job? I can't see it.

It is.

For all their flashy wealth and 'the city of light', PSG is a waste of time job in management terms [the club itself is a waste of time as well]. You [should] cruise the league every year. OK, maybe you could deliver the 'holy grail' of a Champions League win, but who would give a fuck? A few Qataris and that's about it. United are proper, historic team, there is no comparison. I'm not sure they're at 'restore former glories' stage yet, but maybe the structure of football now means they'll probably never get that shit. I don't see why you'd jack a well-paid cakewalk at PSG, but on isolation, of the two jobs, United is far the BIGGER [perhaps in all senses]. Managing PSG must be like when you start a computer game coveting all the far off things you can get later in the game [you can apply this to life as well] but once you've got to the point of having all those things the excitement is largely gone.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There was nothing worse than getting to the point in Civ 2 where everyone had tanks and railroads. Managing PSG must be like having a whole 25-stack of 'Mech. Inf.' blitzing its way through a lowlier rival who only have a couple of riflemen in each city.

[Spikey M]

It is.

For all their flashy wealth and 'the city of light', PSG is a waste of time job in management terms [the club itself is a waste of time as well]. You [should] cruise the league every year. OK, maybe you could deliver the 'holy grail' of a Champions League win, but who would give a fuck? A few Qataris and that's about it. United are proper, historic team, there is no comparison. I'm not sure they're at 'restore former glories' stage yet, but maybe the structure of football now means they'll probably never get that shit. I don't see why you'd jack a well-paid cakewalk at PSG, but on isolation, of the two jobs, United is far the BIGGER [perhaps in all senses]. Managing PSG must be like when you start a computer game coveting all the far off things you can get later in the game [you can apply this to life as well] but once you've got to the point of having all those things the excitement is largely gone.

When I think "big clubs" my brain says Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man Utd, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus. There's varying degrees of difficulty there, but I don't see moving about amongst those teams as a change in prestige.

I can see the "HE SAVED MAN UTD" angle, but that seems like a big risk considering the dubious quality of the players and the dog shit board. Having done 5 years under Levy I'm not sure if that would make it easier or harder for him to stomach, actually.

[Adramelch]

To put it differently and not in terms of "bigger club", it's just more difficult to "make a name" for yourself managing the PSG's and Bayern's of the world, as realistically, winning anything domestically is just considered par for the course and you are only really successful if you win the Champions League which, given its nature, takes a decent bit of luck. So I could see how a move from PSG to United could be considered an upwards move, however risky.

[Giggles]

Maybe not.


1462742078639808515

[Offshore Toon]

It was a bit sad when he kept rambling on about how many friends he'd made during his time as manager. That's a man who doesn't have many friends.

[randomlegend]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59372826

Stone saying Poch could come now as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pochettino is reluctant to force a move mid-season but a switch to Old Trafford could work for both parties, since the Qatari owners of PSG are known to be keen admirers of Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid manager who is out of work.

There are other possibilities for United, though.

They are also known to admire Ajax's Erik Ten Hag but it is believed he would be unwilling to leave the club in mid-season. Leicester's Brendan Rodgers also has his admirers.

If United do go for an interim appointment, their former France defender Laurent Blanc has been mentioned as a potential candidate. He has not had a job in Europe since 2016 and is working in Qatar.

It has also been suggested former United skipper Steve Bruce would be interested in the short-term role following his exit from Newcastle.

Come on lads. You know you want to.

[Ian]

To be fair it would give TTH a chance to discuss the merits of Steve Bruce as a manager which I feel like we don't do enough.

[Yevrah]

Come on lads. You know you want to.

He's a good manager that can organise a defence, can't really see any negatives in a short term stint.

[Offshore Toon]

Surely if they gave Ole a chance they'll give Bruce a chance.

[SvN]

All we are saying...

[Lewis]

If Smallpockets is available then he is the obvious choice, as he was when Tottenham sacked him, and as he was when they originally needed a new manager but didn't want to buy him out of his contract. If he ends up being shit then whatever, but he is far and away the no-brainer option.

[Kikó]

Bruce has more of a clue than Ole tbf.

[Manc]

But is he a good manager?

[Adramelch]

Well he does have over 1000 games so he must be.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was going to do a new thread and poll this morning on the subject of Steve Bruce's managerial abilities, with the options being:

- A good manager who can organise a defence
- Able to organise a defence; overall, a good manager
- I approve of beheading the gays

Decided not to in the end. It's not the threads you make, it's the threads you don't make.

[Spikey M]

Well I hope that poll was going to be multiple choice.

[randomlegend]

Aren't all polls multiple choice? Other than, like, Russian elections and stuff.

[Kikó]

Turtle.

[niko_cee]

Aren't all polls multiple choice? Other than, like, Russian elections and stuff.

VFP(utin)BIC

[Giggles]

Get Solskjaer back quick.


1462832940623314953

[Ian]

I said to somebody yesterday that trying to get Zidane absolutely fucking reeks of Woodward.

[Dquincy]

This Steve Bruce 'joke'. For fucks sake. It wasn't funny in the first place.

[Giggles]

Joke?

[Smjffy]

Given I took quite a hiatus, this thread has been a bit of an eye opener but what on earth happened to Yevrah?

Or rather, not so much him, but a fair few of you. He's probably not assed but it does seem like a bit of a free for all at times and I always had him down as a well liked member of the forum, certainly didn't see him getting leapt on half as much as I have since returning.

On topic:

Poch would be a decent name to bring in but he'd have his work cut out for him given Man United have created more problems for themselves such as bringing back Ronaldo (not that he's a bad signing, of course) and he's hardly making magical movements over in France considering what he has at his disposal. That said, listening to a TalkSport club earlier (yeah, I know) Danny Murphy suggests that United would be better served bringing in an interim manager and waiting for a big game big name manager to come available. I don't see too many of those who you'd automatically think of becoming available anytime soon and if an interim is the way they go (Carrick I believe) then what is the point because if he does what Solksjaer did whilst interim then you're essentially being forced into the same position of having to settle for what you got, no?

It does make you wonder just how serious Mourinho was when he said 2nd was one of his greatest achievements. Not that the football was any good (less so in recent weeks/months) under OGS but even though I've enjoyed the demise, what is the point in bringing any new manager in if you're not going to completely tear up the script. There is no Man United Way, it was Alex Ferguson's way and no one is going to replicate that so why not just go a different direction. If they brought in a few midfielders which I think is possibly the weakest area, got rid of the hangers on who just don't add anything and added competition instead of clear backups that exist in the club already then it might not be so bad for them, as it is, the backline pretty much writes itself (Varane will be decent but too injury prone).

They should wait and use Carrick to do the dirty work so the new manager comes in without the sideshow of who stays and who goes. Pogba for example should be gone regardless, yeah he's got talent but he's been there now for four or five years and has done the square root of sod all. Even this process so soon after getting rid of Solksjaer just strikes you as a complete shambles in the making.

Not that I'm arguing but still. Thoughts?

[Dquincy]

Smiff, most of them are nobheads. That shouldn't come as surprise to you. But yes it's definitely getting worse.

[Smjffy]

Just to confirm, we're talking about those jumping on Yev or Man United? It could be either. :D

EDIT: Shouldn't come as a surprise but I at least know there were times when despite everything, I probably deserved it sometimes but Yev has always struck me as a harmless, valuable member. Seems completely out of place unless he's threatened to WWE someone on YouTube.

[Lewis]

Which potentially available in the summer 'big game big name manager' is worth passing over Pochettino for?

[randomlegend]

Given I took quite a hiatus, this thread has been a bit of an eye opener but what on earth happened to Yevrah?

Or rather, not so much him, but a fair few of you. He's probably not assed but it does seem like a bit of a free for all at times and I always had him down as a well liked member of the forum, certainly didn't see him getting leapt on half as much as I have since returning.

On topic:

Poch would be a decent name to bring in but he'd have his work cut out for him given Man United have created more problems for themselves such as bringing back Ronaldo (not that he's a bad signing, of course) and he's hardly making magical movements over in France considering what he has at his disposal. That said, listening to a TalkSport club earlier (yeah, I know) Danny Murphy suggests that United would be better served bringing in an interim manager and waiting for a big game big name manager to come available. I don't see too many of those who you'd automatically think of becoming available anytime soon and if an interim is the way they go (Carrick I believe) then what is the point because if he does what Solksjaer did whilst interim then you're essentially being forced into the same position of having to settle for what you got, no?

It does make you wonder just how serious Mourinho was when he said 2nd was one of his greatest achievements. Not that the football was any good (less so in recent weeks/months) under OGS but even though I've enjoyed the demise, what is the point in bringing any new manager in if you're not going to completely tear up the script. There is no Man United Way, it was Alex Ferguson's way and no one is going to replicate that so why not just go a different direction. If they brought in a few midfielders which I think is possibly the weakest area, got rid of the hangers on who just don't add anything and added competition instead of clear backups that exist in the club already then it might not be so bad for them, as it is, the backline pretty much writes itself (Varane will be decent but too injury prone).

They should wait and use Carrick to do the dirty work so the new manager comes in without the sideshow of who stays and who goes. Pogba for example should be gone regardless, yeah he's got talent but he's been there now for four or five years and has done the square root of sod all. Even this process so soon after getting rid of Solksjaer just strikes you as a complete shambles in the making.

Not that I'm arguing but still. Thoughts?

It's amazing how Liverpool fans still care more about United than they do Liverpool given we've been irrelevant for about 8 years.

[Dquincy]

Just to confirm, we're talking about those jumping on Yev or Man United? It could be either. :D

EDIT: Shouldn't come as a surprise but I at least know there were times when despite everything, I probably deserved it sometimes but Yev has always struck me as a harmless, valuable member. Seems completely out of place unless he's threatened to WWE someone on YouTube.

:D Definitely re jumping on Yev.

[niko_cee]

The only critical thing you can say about 'the Bruce stuff' is that this gem was lost at the bottom of a page.


All we are saying...

Catty sniping is the very essence of this place anyway, it's more astonishing anyone could be surprised or irked by it or even find it worthy of comment after so many years.

[Smjffy]

Which potentially available in the summer 'big game big name manager' is worth passing over Pochettino for?

That's what I didn't understand. I'd say if he's willing to pop over then he's by far the best bet since Zidane doesn't seem interest, the Ajax chap seems content where he is and then there isn't really a whole lot left after that in my mind. I'd be throwing everything at him because PSG clearly isn't for him. As I understand he's still living in a hotel whilst his family in London. Just makes clear sense.


It's amazing how Liverpool fans still care more about United than they do Liverpool given we've been irrelevant for about 8 years.

It's amazing how fans of football are unable to have discussions with fellow fans of football. Is there an unwritten rule that you can't have an opinion outside taking the piss on match days? As much as I've enjoyed the demise, the 5-0, the 2-0 in our league winning season, there is a small, tiny, minute part of me that would prefer to do it whilst you're actually decent again. Same goes with Arsenal tbh although that's more unlikely but to have ourselves, City, Chelsea, Arsenal and United all at the top of their game and challenging one another for the title would make for a pretty darn tasty season.

I've enjoyed our tussles with Man City but it's not the same when the clubs you really wanted to beat growing up are now pretty poor.

[randomlegend]

That's what I didn't understand. I'd say if he's willing to pop over then he's by far the best bet since Zidane doesn't seem interest, the Ajax chap seems content where he is and then there isn't really a whole lot left after that in my mind. I'd be throwing everything at him because PSG clearly isn't for him. As I understand he's still living in a hotel whilst his family in London. Just makes clear sense.



It's amazing how fans of football are unable to have discussions with fellow fans of football. Is there an unwritten rule that you can't have an opinion outside taking the piss on match days? As much as I've enjoyed the demise, the 5-0, the 2-0 in our league winning season, there is a small, tiny, minute part of me that would prefer to do it whilst you're actually decent again. Same goes with Arsenal tbh although that's more unlikely but to have ourselves, City, Chelsea, Arsenal and United all at the top of their game and challenging one another for the title would make for a pretty darn tasty season.

I've enjoyed our tussles with Man City but it's not the same when the clubs you really wanted to beat growing up are now pretty poor.

You post more about United than every other team put together by a wide margin.

[Smjffy]

Your point is? If you don't want to answer or engage with a what was a perfectly legitimate post then kindly sod off. I had a natural dislike of Man United being the sole Liverpool fan in a big family full of glory hunters, I had to wait nearly twenty years before witnessing them turn to shit, it's been enjoyable, funny but still a little bit sad because it could quite easily have been us under Hicks and Gillet.

If I took off my blinkers, it's still Man United and they are still a huge sporting institution being dragged through the mud. I don't want them to be dominant or nowt but seeing what they have become is funnier more than it is sad but it's still sad.

Calm down, buddy.

[randomlegend]

My point is it's fucking tragic.

[Lewis]

He's been like this since Liverpool got good again. It's like some weird concern trolling.

[Smjffy]

My point is it's fucking tragic.

Then just ignore it like an adult, move along and don't answer it, it really is that simple.

Have a nice evening.

[randomlegend]

Yev can Smiffy have a spot in your safe space?

[Manc]

You post more about United than every other team put together by a wide margin.

Can we get a a spreadsheet? -james-

[Smjffy]

He's been like this since Liverpool got good again. It's like some weird concern trolling.

Quite the contrary, I've probably been one of the most reserved Liverpool fans amongst us. I got so used to us just waltzing past teams without the potential heart attacks and the season we won it, I imagine many here would have expected me to go absolutely mental with posts, raising old quotes and the like but do you know what it really did? It did me in good and proper. Waiting so long to end the wait and for it to be ended as it was, no mass celebration, the very true definition of an anti-climax, no supporters in the ground, it just stopped me giving too much of a shit about something that I always thought was hugely important for me.

I barely watched any football at all when the stadiums were empty, coupled with how we ended our title winning season, none of it really mattered. Now I'd rather just see some good football irrespective of who is playing. Difficult to explain via text but football/Liverpool I always thought were huge parts of my life, one of the very few constants, turns out, neither were.

[Smjffy]

Can we get a a spreadsheet? @-james- (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/member.php?u=43)

Must remove all mentions of them if in FM threads, in the interest of fairness and all that.

I think it'll surprise a few how little I've mentioned any football for nearly two years. Football just isn't that important anymore, I'd rather watch than have my blinkers on thinking any and every Liverpool side is the best in the world as the case used to be. Perhaps because at one point we were genuinely the best in the world and it made me think oh, how clueless was I.

[Kikó]

Yev can Smiffy have a spot in your safe space?

This is a lovely piece of bait

[randomlegend]

1463106017319919617?t=CdeO5G_3eXa9dyd7C3-HnA&s=09

Looks like it's happening.

[Manc]

Couldn't quite get Messi working. Bodes well.

[Yevrah]

Sound move that, even if (as Lewis said) it doesn’t work out.

[-james-]

Managing PSG must be insanely grim.

[Yevrah]

I watched a bit of Ligue 1 when Sky arrived and it’s just shit. The atmosphere was abysmal.

[Offshore Toon]

Disappointing, but I understand why they'd rather go with a good manager.

[Yevrah]

The Proper Football Man really is a species that needs protecting now.

[Raoul Duke]

We should swap Pogba for "Poch" and some money/some of their midfielders who aren't chancers

[Jimmy Floyd]

Zidane will do a good job at PSG as well (I think there and Real Madrid may well be literally the only two clubs he would do well at). A tragic sequence of moves all round.

[randomlegend]

I honestly think PSG are unmanageable; you're obliged to play all of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe if they are fit (unless you want family members to start going missing) and I don't think a team with all 3 is ever going to be balanced.

[-james-]

I honestly think PSG are unmanageable; you're obliged to play all of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe if they are fit (unless you want family members to start going missing) and I don't think a team with all 3 is ever going to be balanced.

Don't United have a similar problem with Greenwood/Rashford/Ronaldo?

[randomlegend]

No.

[niko_cee]

Aye, the problem is more that all of their defenders and midfielders are shite.

[Don]

Man who thought Bruno, Ronaldo and Pogba in a side was superb says you can't play Neymar, Messi and Mbappe in a side :D

[Spikey M]

He's right, nobody has ever managed to play 3 attacking players together before.

[Don]

I won't argue that you can make the Utd 3 operate in a succesful team but the PSG 3 is definitely doable owing to their ridiculous talent.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you put those three in front of the Burnley back eight and put Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen in charge, they'd probably come top eight in the PL, maybe top six.

[Yevrah]

The bigger problem than the defensive abilities of the attacking personnel at PSG is that none of them really want to be there.

[randomlegend]

Man who thought Bruno, Ronaldo and Pogba in a side was superb

I've always said I don't think Pogba works in the two behind Fernandes.

[randomlegend]

He's right, nobody has ever managed to play 3 attacking players together before.

The problem is that none of them press at all. You can cope with 1 player who has no defensive contribution whatsoever but not 3.

[Manc]

Lazy narrative imo.

[Pepe]

They are eleven points clear. Sounds to me like coping.

[randomlegend]

Despite what happened last season, that league is a one horse race let's be honest.

[Don]

Also, I'm not sure working with the best players (including the greatest ever), coasting to domestic silverware to add to your CV and having a shot at the greatest prize all amount to a very tough gig. Tuchel certainly survived it okay.

[Pepe]

So let them play their three lazy superstars. No need to bench one just so Dirk Kuyt can press.

[Don]

Despite what happened last season, that league is a one horse race let's be honest.

The City game this season was evidence of how it doesn't automatically mean failure.

[randomlegend]

So let them play their three lazy superstars. No need to bench one just so Dirk Kuyt can press.

Which is fine in the League but I wouldn't be surprised if they get some absolute bummings in the Champions League, which is the only thing that actually matters for them.

[Spikey M]

The problem is that none of them press at all. You can cope with 1 player who has no defensive contribution whatsoever but not 3.

https://i.gifer.com/2WX7.gif

[randomlegend]

The City game this season was evidence of how it doesn't automatically mean failure.

Maybe, we'll see I guess.

[randomlegend]

Also, I'm not sure working with the best players (including the greatest ever), coasting to domestic silverware to add to your CV and having a shot at the greatest prize all amount to a very tough gig. Tuchel certainly survived it okay.

Wasn't Tuchel constantly fighting with the board/Leonardo and ended up getting sacked mid-season whilst 3rd in the League?

He's obviously gone on to be great at Chelsea but I don't think his time at PSG was all roses.

[Giggles]

I'm picking up a 'Pochettino good' vibe here.

[randomlegend]

I'm not massively sold on Pochettino but it can't possibly be worse than the last couple of months.

[Manc]

He's no Steve Clarke.

[randomlegend]

Mark Noble.

[Giggles]

None of which have managed 1000 games.

[Giggles]

Plus, his two headers basically won their first Premier league so that should buy the same credit as Solskjaer in 1999.

[Mellberg]

Cheating Manc bastards.

[Shindig]

Just leaves Steve Bruce open to manage PSG. I’m sure that was the plan all along.

[Mellberg]

Smiff, most of them are nobheads. That shouldn't come as surprise to you. But yes it's definitely getting worse.

From what I can tell the only thing that's changed between now and the other best part of 20 years he's posted here in exactly the same way, is an admission of a period struggling with his mental health.

Which reflects on everyone extremely well.

[Kikó]

Just leaves Steve Bruce open to manage PSG. I’m sure that was the plan all along.

He's taking over Boris.

[Waffdon]

Wasn't Tuchel constantly fighting with the board/Leonardo and ended up getting sacked mid-season whilst 3rd in the League?

He's obviously gone on to be great at Chelsea but I don't think his time at PSG was all roses.

Would have won the CL if Mbappe wasn’t a bottling bastard

[Lewis]

Leonardo getting in with the ragheads (thanks Taz) early doors was a great career move. Who is he to be undermining actual managers?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was thinking that. Last time I thought about him he was looking pretty and dishing out platitudes on the BBC at World Cup 2006.

[Lewis]

He had something to do with Kaka going to Milan, got some sort of non-job there for a few years, eventually fell into the big job... Even his Brazil caps were mostly Copa America/qualifiers during those years when the big names never bothered to play in them. What a career.

[niko_cee]

Ernesto Valverde?

:cab:

Has Hiddink finally retired/died?

[randomlegend]

1463609950073200644

[Baz]

Bruno Martinez it is.

[Shindig]

Steve 'The Fifth Candidate' Bruce.

[Boydy]

Is the Steve Bruce rumour actually a thing beyond here?

I was talking to my dad earlier and he said he'd read it in the paper. I thought it was just a joke here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is the Steve Bruce rumour actually a thing beyond here?

I was talking to my dad earlier and he said he'd read it in the paper. I thought it was just a joke here.

Schmeichel has said Bruce should get the job and apparently Bruce's agent has been ringing the club up.

[Lewis]

Ed Woodward must be absolutely cringing at the thought of hiring those last two names. Their journeyman manager faces alone are enough to set the social media side back five years.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lucien Favre looks like Rod Liddle, while Ernesto Valverde just looks like every front of house manager at every edge-of-town motel in Spain.

[randomlegend]

1463887628948881412?s=20

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Poor Steve :(

[randomlegend]

I'm amazed we've done something so competent.

[phonics]

What has he done outside of Leipzig that seems to run pretty competently without him?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure it's even competent, it's just more flavour of the month shite vis-a-vis German managers.

[-james-]

Oof. Pretty interested to see how this goes. He's basically a dictator so I wonder if he'll immediately be allowed to give Carrick and co the chop.

[-james-]

I'm not sure it's even competent, it's just more flavour of the month shite vis-a-vis German managers.

Yeah it does stink of this a bit, he's obviously got pedigree but I'm not sure it's a good fit at all.

[Ian]

Poor Steve :(

He's too good to piss around with interim jobs.

[Kikó]

He's a million times better than Carrick. I'm pretty happy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon if they'd announced the appointment of Helmut Müller and cited his famous 'sausage of steel' midfield setup, at least 30% of United fans would have become giddily excited without even googling him.

[Ian]

To be fair if we had a manager who was going to implement the Sausage of Steel I'd be unequivocally in favour.

[Yevrah]

What's the 2 year consultancy bit about? He's a manager, not a non-exec director.

[Ian]

I was curious about that and he's not manager at Lokomotiv, he's their "Head of Sports and Development."

So it'll partly be just to bung him to come even though they may have no real intention of giving him the job but maybe they'll chuck him in with Murtough and Fletcher. I know Murtough is United's "Football Director" but I've no idea what that actually involves so if it's not the traditional DoF stuff maybe get Ragnick doing a bit of that?

But it's mostly to slip him a few extra quid I imagine.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

To stop them from giving him a fat new contract if he does well.

[Kikó]

To be fair if we had a manager who was going to implement the Sausage of Steel I'd be unequivocally in favour.

Aka the Schweinsteiger era.

[Lofty]

New manager bounce just in time for Arsenal :nono:

[-james-]

What's the 2 year consultancy bit about? He's a manager, not a non-exec director.

It's a director of football style gig I would think. Objectively it's probably the best decision they could possibly make. Now they just need to let him have the reins and see what happens.