I’d rather he stays at this point because I don’t like the alternatives and I think that’s the pragmatic position of most of the ETH in crowd.
I get the first part of that statement, because I can respect that one might not rate the obvious alternatives; but the second part feels like repackaging apathy as pragmatism. I don’t see it as pragmatic to keep a manager who has just delivered our worst ever PL campaign, with multiple “worst ever” metrics underpinning it. Again, it feels more like apathy or perhaps more accurately, resignation.
Whilst I agree that viewed in isolation none of Tuchel, Pochettino, Frank, Potter, or Southgate seem like inspiring appointments; my perspective of each changes considerably when viewed through a comparative lens. For example, Tuchel as an appointment viewed independently….okay, I have my reservations about him, I’m not entirely convinced. However, Tuchel as an alternative to another season with Ten Hag suddenly looks a much more desirable appointment to me. The same goes for Poch, and Frank. Potter, I would still take over ETH, although with less enthusiasm, and I draw the line at Southgate. He’s about the only potential appointment that would have me switch to the ETH in camp.
I don’t know if I’m doing myself, and my ability to judge the situation, a service or a disservice by looking at it this way. I feel like they have to each be looked at for their independent merits; but I find it virtually impossible to divorce that process from the reality of it being [insert candidate name here] or Erik Ten Hag. That is perhaps because I am steadfastly against his continuation as manager, and think his position is completely untenable. I think it also takes into account the reality of the situation, and acknowledges that improvement can be incremental.
Whatever happens, even if we end up keeping him (I dearly hope we don’t), I’ll get behind whoever the manager is and give them a fair shake of the stick next season. For ETH next season is absolutely make or break for him if he stays, but I don’t feel the need to be beating that drum throughout the season. I certainly won’t be part of any “I told you so” nonsense. This isn’t about my, or anyone else’s, ego. It’s about the success of the club. So even though I’ve made clear many times that I want him gone because he’s failed so dismally to this point, and crucially I don’t see him being able to turn it around; if he does stay, I will be actively rooting against my own prediction. Because I’d rather be wrong and have United succeed, than be right and have another season in the wilderness.
Sadly, I think many posters are so partisan and entrenched in their views that they’d rather be right, than the club be successful. Everyone just feels too ready to rub it in someone else’s face whichever way it goes. As a fanbase things are likely to get toxic in the next 24 months, with the only cure being success. And even that isn’t a panacea.
If he stays and succeeds, ETH outers will be vilified. If he stays and fails, ETH inners will be ridiculed. If he goes and his replacement succeeds, ETH inners will be subjected to similar treatment, and if he goes and his replacement fails, it’ll be the most toxic situation of all.
I just want my beloved club to be successful again and to play good football. If ETH, Tuchel or Fred the fecking Red delivers that, then I don’t care. The reward is the glory and joy. All I can do is say that at this point in time, ETH seems one of the least likely candidates to be able to deliver that; but I’ll happily be proven wrong if that is what the future decides.