Problem with these discussions is almost everyone sits in an extreme, which makes it really difficult to have any sort of fair or reasonable conversation.
In this very thread there were plenty of comments saying he'll need time etc.
Up to the start of this season, I didn't see many (if really any) calling his ability as a manager into question.
By and large his appointment was met with optimism.
So when people come in and say he's shit, doesn't have a clue etc then they're clearly emotional ramblings of an upset individual, not really the best demographic to look for meaningful or thoughtful input.
IMO he's done enough and had enough mitigation to be given the summer and at least start of the season. But he's at a point where if he doesn't get things turned round then he's in real trouble.
We still have a lot of this squad to gut out and I'd prefer to do that before moving on to yet another manager.
On paper ETH has the attributes we will likely want from the next manager. I don't expect our recruitment will result in players that the next manager's style wouldn't suit either.
Last thing we need is upheaval going on at the top, players leaving left, right and centre, decisions still to be made on certain players and then a brand new manager and staff to come wading in and try to oversee it.
I think there's a fair argument to be made that last season he took a more pragmatic approach. Realised we don't have the players to dominate games, so we bunkered down a little more. We were pretty sound defensively last season but we also couldn't really control or dominate games. This isn't sustainable in the long term and won't consistently win titles, so we've looked to move to a more forward thinking, attacking style but we don't have the players to do it.
Sure, he could have changed this back but if you're thinking long term, I don't think it's unreasonable that he may be saying "no, we'll see who can swim and who will sink". Tightening it up, being harder to beat an playing on the counter won't highlight all of the played who can't play a more attacking, dominant style and could paper over the cracks leading to some players staying, when really they need to be moved on.
Mourinho tried this as well and was sacked. Ole tried it and was sacked.
At some point we need to take it on the chin and say yeah OK, let's play through the pain and give it more than a month before we kick off.
I do feel he'll have found more out about the squad this season than he would have had if he'd just looked to keep it tight and play counter attack to get through the season.
I expect Ineos to be drawing up (and maintain) a list of candidates. Happy to let them sort other things out first and give ETH until October/November and if things are the same, move him on at a time when you aren't bringing in backroom roles and seeing a large number of players come and go. Next season won't be a title challenge either way and if we end up sacking him, I'd rather a new manager come in with minimal upheaval.
According to football fans, Fergie was a dinosaur and needing to go on at least two occasions, Arteta was useless and the process was a meme, Klopp was a flop who couldn't get over the line in a final, Mourinho is shite and the list goes on.
Football fans are not who you want to go to for a balanced, reasoned and informed view on things. I trust that Ineos will take a less emotionally immature view and at this stage if they feel we're better replacing him then I'll trust that thought process but I am also fine to keep him in and see how things ago. Again, if they have had months at the club and feel that would be the better way to navigate this summer with him here then I trust their judgement over mine in all honesty.
