I'd say that our financial position (whether we like it or not, as fans) alone makes it unreasonable to claim we're the worst run “elite” club in Europe. We're a club that has kept sticking to the classic British managerial model – which involves an inherent risk: If the bloke isn't up to scratch, the club will (obviously) struggle results wise. Plus, it's an expensive model – if you intend to keep challenging, that is. You have to hire new managers, at great cost, who will need new players, at an even greater cost, etc. The continuity a different, more continental structure can potentially ensure, isn't there – obviously.
But we have the money. And the owners are clearly willing to splash it. I can't say I like this approach (keep hiring, keep buying, until it clicks), but if Mourinho now gets it right, I don't think one can claim that it absolutely doesn't work. A few seasons in relative turmoil after Fergie's retirement (but with ever more cash flowing in, in spite of poor results), then back to challenging properly – it's hardly shockingly bad.
