Universally, changing something wholesale to try and fix it is not a thing. It's sometimes a thing, but often times there better options. I find it somewhat hilarious that many in the fandom and on here have been screaming for different ownership (not knowing what that might actually look like, but me included) so that we have different decision making at the top. We now get that, they have assessed the situation (seemingly) carefully...and have concluded (likely given the alternatives as well) that keeping ETH is the best way forward. This is one of their first major decisions. People on here are already just rejecting it because it's not the decision they want. So I guess it's not a different ownership group with different decision-makers that the moaners want...just a desire for a group to do exactly as that fan desires.
What's clear is often new ownership decision-makers want to hire a new manager. They went through a lengthy review that likely involved interviewing players and staff, as well as watching the relationship closely the last few months. They concluded:
- ETH was not the reason for the poor season, but other changes to the club would bring more success
- OR, the alternatives to ETH would either be worse or marginal...negating positives vs. the upheaval of making a wholesale change
Thats big deal IMHO, because you have an easy out for sacking an old manager as a new ownership group. Regardless the reason, this is all based on many data points we are not privy to. I was 51-49 to keeping ETH. I felt as though our issues were more squad based and also tied to some brutal injuries this year. I don't fully love the man, but I think he's earned the right to another go after these first two seasons. He's shown good big game management and the players seem to support him generally. I don't know if it's the right decision, but I trust it was made with thought and care...so I'm willing to trust it.
I'll leave with this...we have been constantly churning through managers with different styles, temperaments, and histories since SAF. I have seen this churn produce instability and absolutely no improvement as club for an extended period of time. ETH has created, IMHO, a more sustainable looking program at least, but we had a down season no doubt and thats an issue. I think it's totally fair game to sack him if we have another season like last. But we have to give the manager some rope to implement their program, and I think three years is a solid period of time. I, for one, am (slightly) happy we kept him.