Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | W15 D2 L4

Is Ole a good appointment?

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Garethw said:
It’s been a great run, but let’s be honest, appointing Ole as the permanent manager is a massive massive gamble for the club.
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Who isn’t?
Ole is the only one we can try before we buy, so I would say he’s one of the smallest gambles if appointed.
 
This spate of international withdrawals from United players in the last few days is a huge sign that Ole is the right man for the job imo.

Most of these players are not badly injured and could have pushed themselves through the international qualifiers but they've chosen not to in order to recover properly. It really suggests a determination to get this top 4 spot and keep the momentum going for Ole. As United supporter it's warmed my heart to see the players start putting the club first again. We need someone who can inspire this level of buy in from players. It's great to see.
 
Garethw said:
It’s been a great run, but let’s be honest, appointing Ole as the permanent manager is a massive massive gamble for the club.
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Based on the results so far i'm not sure how big a gamble it is assuming we do get a DOF. He's inspired the team, committed to attacking football and isnt prone to pick fights or call out the players. The fact that he's a club legend is icing on the cake. Poch will cost us a lot of money...that is the big gamble IMHO.
 
AgentSquirrel said:
New manager bounces are widely accepted to only last for a few games. I can't think of a single interim manager (besides Paul Ince, Bruce & Hughes naturally) who would have been able to do what Ole has done, because he is a unique sort of person, in a unique situation.
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It’s not any old bounce though is it? Mourinho was a darker cloud than just some guy who can’t muster up results.

I don’t mean it lasted all the way through to the fortunate VAR decision in Paris, but it’s disingenuous to say it was only a couple of games.
 
ForestRGoinUp said:
It’s not any old bounce though is it? Mourinho was a darker cloud than just some guy who can’t muster up results.

I don’t mean it lasted all the way through to the fortunate VAR decision in Paris, but it’s disingenuous to say it was only a couple of games.
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That's what I mean. This is longer than any new manager bounce can account for, therefore, it's not that. And I don't believe that everything that has happened is down to Ole not being Mourinho. I think it's specifically down to who he is; as a man, a manager & United legend. I don't believe anyone else could have reset the entire atmosphere of the club.

I think that the performance of the players can be looked at two ways: Are they performing at a higher level than they're currently capable of due to the change in atmosphere? Possibly. But it's more likely to me that the playing style paired with the management style is working for them, and fitness is hampering it. But on the flip side of that, if we're currently as unfit as everyone is saying(and I think it shows), what will we look like with some new players and an entire pre-season to work on that fitness? That's why I want Ole to be given the job. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out, but I'd rather see what he can do with a transfer window & pre-season behind him, rather than keep judging it from game to game. He started out at an extreme disadvantage and he's already done more than is reasonable to expect, IMO.
 
horsechoker said:
Isn't he a Liverpool fan?
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He said this in an interview a while ago...
" I was big into football as a kid, but more as a player than a watcher. I suppose if you pushed me I would say Manchester United, but that’s only because it gets passed down from generation to generation. I think just about everyone in Ireland is either a Liverpool or United fan. But some people go a little weird, referring to the team they support as “we”. To me that’s a little crazy. "

https://www.independent.ie/sport/mm...ou-may-not-have-known-about-him-31223894.html
 
duffer said:
He said this in an interview a while ago...
" I was big into football as a kid, but more as a player than a watcher. I suppose if you pushed me I would say Manchester United, but that’s only because it gets passed down from generation to generation. I think just about everyone in Ireland is either a Liverpool or United fan. But some people go a little weird, referring to the team they support as “we”. To me that’s a little crazy. "

https://www.independent.ie/sport/mm...ou-may-not-have-known-about-him-31223894.html
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There is a vid on youtube where he says "I'm a red, Liverpool, feck Everton" Then he tries to say he's a fan of Man Utd.. Fecking hell that man. Doesn't surprise me though he's a crack head and obviously has severe mental problems.
 
AgentSquirrel said:
That's what I mean. This is longer than any new manager bounce can account for, therefore, it's not that. And I don't believe that everything that has happened is down to Ole not being Mourinho. I think it's specifically down to who he is; as a man, a manager & United legend. I don't believe anyone else could have reset the entire atmosphere of the club.

I think that the performance of the players can be looked at two ways: Are they performing at a higher level than they're currently capable of due to the change in atmosphere? Possibly. But it's more likely to me that the playing style paired with the management style is working for them, and fitness is hampering it. But on the flip side of that, if we're currently as unfit as everyone is saying(and I think it shows), what will we look like with some new players and an entire pre-season to work on that fitness? That's why I want Ole to be given the job. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out, but I'd rather see what he can do with a transfer window & pre-season behind him, rather than keep judging it from game to game. He started out at an extreme disadvantage and he's already done more than is reasonable to expect, IMO.
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This squad needs some real surgery and some of our young players need significant development, beyond just the go play quick and freely Ole has rightly instructed. I can’t figure out what indicates Ole is the man to oversee that or that he is the man to develop these players.

He absolutely might be, but I don’t think it’s clear that he is. Hence it being a massive risk after:
Moyes
LvG
Mourinho
 
BlueHaze said:
There is a vid on youtube where he says "I'm a red, Liverpool, feck Everton" Then he tries to say he's a fan of Man Utd.. Fecking hell that man. Doesn't surprise me though he's a crack head and obviously has severe mental problems.
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Probably an Arsenal fan for all we know
 
ForestRGoinUp said:
This squad needs some real surgery and some of our young players need significant development, beyond just the go play quick and freely Ole has rightly instructed. I can’t figure out what indicates Ole is the man to oversee that or that he is the man to develop these players.

He absolutely might be, but I don’t think it’s clear that he is. Hence it being a massive risk after:
Moyes
LvG
Mourinho
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Nothing is clear or certain in football. Those names you've mentioned are exactly the reason I think he should be given a chance. We've already tried the solid, young(ish) British successor, the one with enormous experience and the serial winner. None of them worked. Given that track record, he's no more of a risk than any other manager. I can't think of any potentially available manager that has marked themselves out as being a cert for this job regarding their ability. Ole is actually doing it right now, under circumstances any potential new manager won't have to deal with i.e. not being able to sign players, build his own team, pre-season work etc.. He's tactically flexible, able to motivate, knows the club inside and out, knows how to delegate. There's a stability to the club at the minute after an absolute shambles of a first half of the season. It's more risky to me to rip all that up and get rid of the staff rather than build on what seems to be a good foundation. It's all moot anyway, as I think he's probably already got the job and they haven't announced it yet.
 
14 wins, new away win record, players are happy, fans are happy. If this guy doesnt get the job, i dont know what else to say. That being said, I believe that the decision has already been made to to hire him.

I hope he is given about 2-3 years to rebuild the squad because there's so much deadwood in the squad that needs to be cleared, and so many positions that need reinforcing. It would take at least 2-3 windows to ship these players out and give our new signings time to gel.

In 2 -3 years, our core players like Pogba, Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, Shaw, De Gea should hit their peak and with players like Mason, Chong and Gomes in their early 20s. It would be really exciting to watch. The current group of players seem to be "willing" to play for Ole, although it does feel to me that they felt the win at PSG was the high point of the season and some of them seems to have let that win got into their heads.

Lets get our expectations clear if Ole does get the job. the target for next season should be a comfortable top 3 finish in the league, at least get to the semi-final of domestic cup competitions and at least the quarter final of the champions league (if we get in next year) or win the Europa league.

Klopp finished 8th in his first season with Liverpool and Pep 3rd. It would be take some sort of miracle and a mammoth effort from the team if we were to win the league next season. Post Fergie, we already had a guy that was proven in the league, proven in Europe, and of course the special one, and the best we got in the league was a 2nd place finish. The club has been on a decline since Fergie left and things seems to be only picking up since Ole took charge.

I hope that even if we go trophyless for next season, we dont call for his head. Its time we brought stability back to the club and with Ole, i think that he is the right man to lead us into the next era.
 
Ole needs his own players tbh, Deadwood FC is starting to rear its ugly head once more, really annoyed the last guy got rid of Blind.

What Ole has done in such a period of time is remarkable, he needs to be given a real shot to prove his mettle if he is indeed being given an audition - as he's spent nothing.
 
Varun said:
Who isn't though? There's hardly a Guardiola available.
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Poch has a more established history of building solid foundations for maintained success (relative to club ambitions) to be fair.
 
I think they could easily give him a 2 year contract without it making any difference. If he's improved the team and performance greatly after the first season then they could extend during the second season. If it's slower then wait and see where we are at the end of the second season. If it's a complete disaster then they only have to write off one season, and then go for poch or whoever. I think it will probably be the middle option as it will take a couple of summers to shift the deadwood and buy or promote the right players. A top 3 position next season and a lot closer to the champions points wise with entertaining football would be a good season compared to the last few, seasons. A cup as well would make that a really good season
 
AgentSquirrel said:
Nothing is clear or certain in football. Those names you've mentioned are exactly the reason I think he should be given a chance. We've already tried the solid, young(ish) British successor, the one with enormous experience and the serial winner. None of them worked. Given that track record, he's no more of a risk than any other manager. I can't think of any potentially available manager that has marked themselves out as being a cert for this job regarding their ability. Ole is actually doing it right now, under circumstances any potential new manager won't have to deal with i.e. not being able to sign players, build his own team, pre-season work etc.. He's tactically flexible, able to motivate, knows the club inside and out, knows how to delegate. There's a stability to the club at the minute after an absolute shambles of a first half of the season. It's more risky to me to rip all that up and get rid of the staff rather than build on what seems to be a good foundation. It's all moot anyway, as I think he's probably already got the job and they haven't announced it yet.
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This is a sensible post.
There is no other manager available right now that is better for the job. Any other manager will have to come in, rip it all up, and start again. Using their own staff and trying to implement their own ideas of how this club should be run. Ole already knows all of this. Just give him a pot of gold and let him better the squad and retain our better players.
We've had a miserable six years, theres nothing worse that can happen apart from relegation. At the very least we will continue having positive pre and post match interviews.
 
SteveW said:
This spate of international withdrawals from United players in the last few days is a huge sign that Ole is the right man for the job imo.

Most of these players are not badly injured and could have pushed themselves through the international qualifiers but they've chosen not to in order to recover properly. It really suggests a determination to get this top 4 spot and keep the momentum going for Ole. As United supporter it's warmed my heart to see the players start putting the club first again. We need someone who can inspire this level of buy in from players. It's great to see.
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They could genuinely be injured?
 
Chairman Steve said:
If we're appointing OGS full-time, then we're going to need footballing directors of some form in too in my opinion.

We're taking a gamble that Bayern, Real or Barca can afford to take because they've got that infrastructure.

Those clubs have safety nets to fall into if a Kovac or Martino fecks up, because those clubs carry on regardless through their football directors who will continue to sign players, overlook the first team etc and they'll already have a shortlist of manager candidates who fits their style of play and hire the one who they like the most. OGS for all we know could be having one of the longest honeymoon periods known and next season we're bang average and we'll be back to square one again if it happens. I hope it doesn't but it's a possibility.
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Great Post.
 
VP89 said:
Poch has a more established history of building solid foundations for maintained success (relative to club ambitions) to be fair.
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Without getting into a more or less discussion, do you disagree that Poch would be a gamble too?
 
Varun said:
Without getting into a more or less discussion, do you disagree that Poch would be a gamble too?
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Any manager is technically a gamble, I agree with this. I think Poch is less of a gamble though.
 
Some ungrateful tarts with short memory span.

When Mou was sacked, the Ro16 draw vs PSG seemed like an impossible challenge and Top4 was not even seen on the horizon. Everybody played like crap and felt miserable.

But now he's forced to also knock Barça out, finish 3rd and make the players play better than in the 2006-09 era. And with half of the Starting XI stars injured!

J.H.C.
 
Casanova85 said:
Some ungrateful tarts with short memory span.

When Mou was sacked, the Ro16 draw vs PSG seemed like an impossible challenge and Top4 was not even seen on the horizon. Everybody played like crap and felt miserable.

But now he's forced to also knock Barça out, finish 3rd and make the players play better than in the 2006-09 era. And with half of the Starting XI stars injured!

J.H.C.
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Also he must achieve all this having been at the club for 4 months. With only one days notice that he was being appointed. And no signings. With the knowledge that if he succeeds, it's just because he 'put smiles on peoples faces'.
 
Casanova85 said:
Some ungrateful tarts with short memory span.

When Mou was sacked, the Ro16 draw vs PSG seemed like an impossible challenge and Top4 was not even seen on the horizon. Everybody played like crap and felt miserable.

But now he's forced to also knock Barça out, finish 3rd and make the players play better than in the 2006-09 era. And with half of the Starting XI stars injured!

J.H.C.
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We're back to spoilt and ungrateful, are we?

Try using facts and argument rather than pathetic insults.
 
JohnnyKills said:
We're back to spoilt and ungrateful, are we?

Try using facts and argument rather than pathetic insults.
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He's not wrong though. Wind back to Mourinho being sacked and we'd never have dreamt of the start he's had.

The fact we're actually in the race for top 4 is shocking in itself, I thought the remainder of this season was about regaining confidence. Now we've got a chance.

Whatever happens this season is always going to end positively for Ole.
 
Adam-Utd said:
He's not wrong though. Wind back to Mourinho being sacked and we'd never have dreamt of the start he's had.

The fact we're actually in the race for top 4 is shocking in itself, I thought the remainder of this season was about regaining confidence. Now we've got a chance.

Whatever happens this season is always going to end positively for Ole.
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I agree. But the name-calling is just tiresome. We're here for a debate, not a playground squabble.
 
I think it may all hinge on how Spurs and United do in the CL. If they go further than us, we might offer the job to Poch. If not, OGS gets it.

Not saying that's right or wrong, just feel like that's what Woodward will do.
 
wolvored said:
I think they could easily give him a 2 year contract without it making any difference. If he's improved the team and performance greatly after the first season then they could extend during the second season. If it's slower then wait and see where we are at the end of the second season. If it's a complete disaster then they only have to write off one season, and then go for poch or whoever. I think it will probably be the middle option as it will take a couple of summers to shift the deadwood and buy or promote the right players. A top 3 position next season and a lot closer to the champions points wise with entertaining football would be a good season compared to the last few, seasons. A cup as well would make that a really good season
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Yeah I'd give him a short contract too. We can always renew if things go well.
 
VP89 said:
Poch has a more established history of building solid foundations for maintained success (relative to club ambitions) to be fair.
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Does he though? He inherited most of his best players at a good age, including arguably the best striker in the world in Kane.

The players signed during his tenure were signed by someone else.

He had a class core of players who were able to develop and grow naturally together, and he hasn’t actually won a thing.

It might be argued he’s rather fortunate.
 
Cliche Guevara said:
Does he though? He inherited most of his best players at a good age, including arguably the best striker in the world in Kane.

The players signed during his tenure were signed by someone else.

He had a class core of players who were able to develop and grow naturally together, and he hasn’t actually won a thing.

It might be argued he’s rather fortunate.
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Not at all. Tottenham weren't anywhere near as polished under Sherwood as they became under Poch. Even since then he's signed the likes of Trippier, Delli Ali, Eric Dier, Alderweirald, Wanyama, Son, Lucas, Davis, Sissoko, and D. Sanchez. All of these players play a role towards the squad he's built. To put the efforts of what he has built down to him "inheriting most of his best players" is a lazy argument.

Yeah, he hasn't won anything but Ole hasn't either so when looking between these two best candidates we can't really knock points off Poch for failing to win silverware.

Regarding fortune if he's managed to get into the Champions League for 3 consecutive seasons(?) with a net spend of 30m I think his skill-set has more than luck. Sure there is no trophy for such an achievement but it's impressive nonetheless when you have 3 other clubs spending 300-500m more than you have on their squads.

I want to see how Poch does with a budget with this in mind. Doesn't have to be at our club, it can be somewhere else (just not with a domestic rival!)
 
VP89 said:
Not at all. Tottenham weren't anywhere near as polished under Sherwood as they became under Poch. Even since then he's signed the likes of Trippier, Delli Ali, Eric Dier, Alderweirald, Wanyama, Son, Lucas, Davis, Sissoko, and D. Sanchez. All of these players play a role towards the squad he's built. To put the efforts of what he has built down to him "inheriting most of his best players" is a lazy argument.

Yeah, he hasn't won anything but Ole hasn't either so when looking between these two best candidates we can't really knock points off Poch for failing to win silverware.

Regarding fortune if he's managed to get into the Champions League for 3 consecutive seasons(?) with a net spend of 30m I think his skill-set has more than luck. Sure there is no trophy for such an achievement but it's impressive nonetheless when you have 3 other clubs spending 300-500m more than you have on their squads.

I want to see how Poch does with a budget with this in mind. Doesn't have to be at our club, it can be somewhere else (just not with a domestic rival!)
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He doesn’t sign the players and, as I said, a class core will grow organically in any event.

Once again it’s not about player cost but squad value. He has a £200m striker. Add that to the equation.
 
Cliche Guevara said:
He doesn’t sign the players and, as I said, a class core will grow organically in any event.
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So you're suggesting that his managerial acumen is all void because Tottenham and Southampton had good players and bought well?

Odd. Let's discount most the other managers in the world too. Ole included.
 
VP89 said:
So you're suggesting that his managerial acumen is all void because Tottenham and Southampton had good players and bought well?

Odd. Let's discount most the other managers in the world too. Ole included.
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I’m not discounting anything. I’m playing devil’s advocate and posing the question.

I’m undecided either way and actually find it difficult to evaluate the job he’s done.

The original point was he has a proven track record of building something. I’m asking how much he specifically can be credited with.
 
Should get a 2 year contract with an additional open for an extra year. Watch us go all sentimental and give him 5 years.
 
Cliche Guevara said:
I’m not discounting anything. I’m playing devil’s advocate and posing the question.

I’m undecided either way and actually find it difficult to evaluate the job he’s done.

The original point was he has a proven track record of building something. I’m asking how much he specifically can be credited with.
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OK - fair enough, I do see where you are coming from. I just find it difficult to really evaluate any potential candidate if you can play devil's advocate to that extent.

We can play devils advocate and discount Zidane for having Ronaldo with him at Real, or Pep for being a chequebook manager, or Allegri for being in a one horse league and so on.
 
VP89 said:
OK - fair enough, I do see where you are coming from. I just find it difficult to really evaluate any potential candidate if you can play devil's advocate to that extent.

We can play devils advocate and discount Zidane for having Ronaldo with him at Real, or Pep for being a chequebook manager, or Allegri for being in a one horse league and so on.
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If they were candidates to be the next United manager I’m quite sure we would be doing exactly that.

Well, asking the questions.
 
Bratt said:
Who isn’t?
Ole is the only one we can try before we buy, so I would say he’s one of the smallest gambles if appointed.
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Right?!
Moyes - *vomit*
LVG - gamble on a manager we probably would have said was past it until the WC
Mourinho - huge gamble considering his previous exits

Other options:
Ancelotti - probably the best gamble possible
Pep - probably the only sure fire winning appointment
 
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