Ole Sack Watch

[Nytram Shakes]

so you're saying that the board hired him expecting him to do WORSE than he actually has?

I don't think the board has a clue what it's doing, I think they hired him for some good PR after how depressed everyone was with Mourinho and his style of football. I think it was simply let's bring in a club legend with a bit of material experience till the end of the season it will give everyone a lift and make for some good press.

In the meantime, I think at the time they were reluctantly resigned to the idea that they were going to have to actually bring in some people to run the football side of the club, as it had basically become common knowledge among fans, media, fans of other clubs, ex-players, potential mangers, potential signings, clubs dealing with them in transfer business, player contract negotiations, basically everyone and their mums that they didn't know what they were doing and needed help. So they were going to have to bite the bullet and hire an experienced DOF just to save a tiny bit of face and show they weren't too ignorant to the club's needs.

Then Ole won a few games and they jumped at the chance to hire him as it meant they didn't have to bring in anyone from outside to the football side of the club, so they didn't have anyone challenging them and people like Woodward didn't have to give up any power. And then they promoted John Murtough who had been with the club since Moyes and so present through the scattergun approach to squad building and Fletcher who has no experience as "see we are doing something" kind of appointments.

I think since that point he has done far better than we or they had any right to expect but now really it getting to the point where it is utterly undeniable that Ole, while a lovely guy and a club legend who is really doing the best job he can, isn't a top-level coach and never was. Additionally, the squad building aspect of the club is still a mess and the club is again facing scrutiny as to who is making the football decisions at the club. So now they are back at square 1, and I don't think they have the faintest idea what to do, as I think they would pretty much do anything not to upset the club hierarchy structure by bringing in external experienced individuals who know how to run the football side of a club.

 

[pocco]

Okay. But it’s not a resent tweet like the account that tweet it and his podcast was yesterday as I said.

Really? I just had a look on their Twitter page and it said they'd posted a tweet one hour ago with a podcast discussing Solskjaer. Was it not today?

Has anybody checked to see if the quotes are actually legit? He's not entirely reliable anyway but I could absolutely believe him when he says we've not even spoke with another manager.

 

[Random Task]

For those wanting Solskjaer sacked, how many defeats would you be willing to stomach in order to do so? Would you be happy to cheer the opposing team for the next 5 matches, for example, for the ‘greater good‘ of removing the manager? Or would 10 consecutive defeats, perhaps, be the price you’re willing to pay if it means that would bring a new manager in?

None? I mean, the whole point of wanting Ole out is so we can avoid more defeats. Wanting to lose to expedite the manager's sacking is odd to say the least. I get it, sure, but the football fan in me just can't follow the logic. Believe me, I've tried.

 

[Bratt]

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I'd love to know if Joel, Woodward and Arnold discover a couple of leaks in their roof, do they wait for the whole fecking thing to collapse before calling someone in to repair it?

Absolute amateurs the lot of them.

 

[Raw]

Oh yay.

 

[Mainoldo]

Really? I just had a look on their Twitter page and it said they'd posted a tweet one hour ago with a podcast discussing Solskjaer. Was it not today?

Has anybody checked to see if the quotes are actually legit? He's not entirely reliable anyway but I could absolutely believe him when he says we've not even spoke with another manager.

Im on his twitch now where he puts up his podcast. The last one was yesterday discussing Xavi and Christian Falk talking about stuff Germany related.

I highly doubt he would have news exclusively about Solskjaer without the United leakers being in the know too.

I’m more optimistic. I think they are talking to people. Will they get it done? I’m not optimistic about that

 

[The Man Himself]

What a time to be alive if Joel Glazer is our only hope

 

[sewey89]

For those wanting Solskjaer sacked, how many defeats would you be willing to stomach in order to do so? Would you be happy to cheer the opposing team for the next 5 matches, for example, for the ‘greater good‘ of removing the manager? Or would 10 consecutive defeats, perhaps, be the price you’re willing to pay if it means that would bring a new manager in?

None. I want the team to succeed above all else. My opinion is that the best way to achieve that is for Ole to be sacked and somebody else brought in. But if thats not going to happen, then I want the team to win with Ole.

 

[padzilla]

Maybe we should just spam United's social media channels with Has He Gone Yet?

 

[Rash Decision]

I wonder how far the board are willing to go to die on the Solskjaer hill. If Ronaldo hands in a transfer request, would they just let him go? What about Bruno, or Varane? Are they willing to build Solskjaer a new team if our star players want out?

 

[Hawks2008]

Not sure what the feck him or the players done to earn a week off. Hopefully the trip to Molde was with a one way ticket.

 

[L1nk]

We are the laughing stock across Europe and the butt of everybodies jokes. If the likes of Sir Alex are on this board then you have to say that they are keeping the club down at this point. How does he have any supporters left, how can you look at what's been going on and still back this farce?

 

[Mainoldo]

So no brief. If you see Simon Stone tweet yesterday it’s copy and paste. He doesn’t know anything yet.

 

[Nytram Shakes]

Because he’s talked a whole load of nonsense for 3 years. Pretty much used buzzwords to pull the heartstring of United fans but in reality has put none of his words into action.

I don't feel that. I think he is a nice man trying to do the best job he possibly can. I don't think he is trying to pull on hearts strings or manipulate United fans, I think that is very cynical. I think he isn't good enough to put his words into action, again that's not his fault. He was hired to do the job and he is doing it as best he can.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

We're all going on our winter Oleday.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

I don't think the board has a clue what it's doing, I think they hired him for some good PR after how depressed everyone was with Mourinho and his style of football. I think it was simply let's bring in a club legend with a bit of material experience till the end of the season it will give everyone a lift and make for some good press.

In the meantime, I think at the time they were reluctantly resigned to the idea that they were going to have to actually bring in some people to run the football side of the club, as it had basically become common knowledge among fans, media, fans of other clubs, ex-players, potential mangers, potential signings, clubs dealing with them in transfer business, player contract negotiations, basically everyone and their mums that they didn't know what they were doing and needed help. So they were going to have to bite the bullet and hire an experienced DOF just to save a tiny bit of face and show they weren't too ignorant to the club's needs.

Then Ole won a few games and they jumped at the chance to hire him as it meant they didn't have to bring in anyone from outside to the football side of the club, so they didn't have anyone challenging them and people like Woodward didn't have to give up any power. And then they promoted John Murtough who had been with the club since Moyes and so present through the scattergun approach to squad building and Fletcher who has no experience as "see we are doing something" kind of appointments.

Now really it getting to the point where it is utterly undeniable that Ole, while a lovely guy and a club legend who is really doing the best job he can, isn't a top-level coach and never was. Additionally, the squad building aspect of the club is still a mess and the club is again facing scrutiny as to who is making the football decisions at the club. So now they are back at square 1, and I don't think they have the faintest idea what to do, as I think they would pretty much do anything not to upset the club hierarchy structure by bringing in external experienced individuals who know how to run the football side of a club.

Absolutely agree with all of that, but surely they must have thought he'd be doing better than he is? Anyway, we're on the same page I think.

 

[Ralph1386]

Absolutely agree with all of that, but surely they must have thought he'd be doing better than he is? Anyway, we're on the same page I think.

With the players they bought him this summer, they were not expecting this crisis. Hence why they hadn’t even bothered to look for a back-up.

 

[Buchan]

I find it peculiar that the journalist pack haven’t hopped onto the holiday story in a great amount of detail. I’d have thought that would be another pressure point for them to attach to, but apparently not…

This is all so bizarre.

 

[AltiUn]

Following United this last decade has been very depressing.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I find it peculiar that the journalist pack haven’t hopped onto the holiday story in a great amount of detail. I’d have thought that would be another pressure point for them to attach to, but apparently not…

This is all so bizarre.

To be fair the majority of journalists are now putting out pretty damning pieces on Man Utd. They don't know what the club is thinking because they have no ties to Joel Glazer.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Clutching at hopeful straws, but it might be that the board have one man in mind to be a caretaker, and we've only been in touch with him - at which point you'd think the journo's wouldn't really know much about it.

 

[Strats]

If what Romano says is true we are in absolute shambles right now; Not looking to sack Ole, players seeming to have lost faith/are in uproar, giving Woodward a new role and coaching Sancho to be come a right wing back.

What the feck is going on?

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

We don’t know because he is a private guy and keeps the media at arms length with cliches and platitudes. He certainly isn’t a quitter, and he isn’t going to give up. If he is to move on then it I’ll have to come from the club.

You're stating that as though it's a clever ploy by Ole. Are you sure that the opposite isn't true: that all he has is cliches and platitudes? To hear Pep talk tactics after the derby game, and compare that to how Ole speaks about football was chalk and cheese. One has a genius mind when it comes to football tactics and philosophy, the other seems to think all he needs to do is send 11 good players out on to the pitch and tell them to enjoy themselves...even my kid's U14 coach seems to have more of a tactical mind than Ole. If he DOES have more footballing intelligence than he is letting on, then what possible reason would he have for not showing it in interviews and post match analysis? It feels like you are willing to absolve him of almost everything that he is employed to actually do.

Logic still dictates that he goes.

I don't think there's any serious football person that can sincerely argue for him remaining in post. Even Rio, one of his biggest supporters and former teammate, thinks he should go.

As much as the Glazers and Woodward are (deservedly) derided on here, they're not completely thick. They know Ole isn't going to succeed and that we need a new manager.

The problem is that the Glazers' (and ergo Woodward's) idea of success is a top 4 finish. The fans, understandably want more. The amount of barneys that I've had on here down the years with posters who argue that because the Glazers spend a lot on transfers then they must want us to be successful is huge. Hopefully now it's clear to everyone that they DO NOT CARE about us being the best, most successful, club that we can be (which with our resources ought to be in the top 5 in the world), all they care about is their dividends and the overall value of the club.

 

[Garethw]

For those wanting Solskjaer sacked, how many defeats would you be willing to stomach in order to do so? Would you be happy to cheer the opposing team for the next 5 matches, for example, for the ‘greater good‘ of removing the manager? Or would 10 consecutive defeats, perhaps, be the price you’re willing to pay if it means that would bring a new manager in?

I don’t think it really matters now. If they don’t sack him during this international break then he’s probably here until the summer. 5 consecutive defeats and he would likely survive. 10 and we’ll be in a relegation battle then they’d panic and sack him.

 

[pocco]

Im on his twitch now where he puts up his podcast. The last one was yesterday discussing Xavi and Christian Falk talking about stuff Germany related.

I highly doubt he would have news exclusively about Solskjaer without the United leakers being in the know too.

I’m more optimistic. I think they are talking to people. Will they get it done? I’m not optimistic about that

We live in hope!

What's the podcast on the Here We Go Twitter page from an hour ago about then? Discussing Solskjaer

 

[bosnian_red]

Just imagine how immune he would be if we actually won the Europa League last year.

 

[AltiUn]

Clutching at hopeful straws, but it might be that the board have one man in mind to be a caretaker, and we've only been in touch with him - at which point you'd think the journo's wouldn't really know much about it.

I mean, that’s definitely clutching at straws but I hope you’re right

 

[Cal?]

I wonder how far the board are willing to go to die on the Solskjaer hill. If Ronaldo hands in a transfer request, would they just let him go? What about Bruno, or Varane? Are they willing to build Solskjaer a new team if our star players want out?

Hopefully Ronaldo can save the club by forcing Ole out. Maybe he can help convince Zidane too.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I mean, that’s definitely clutching at straws but I hope you’re right

I mean for a start it would rely on the board having a plan ... which is really where this whole thing falls apart.

 

[Nytram Shakes]

Absolutely agree with all of that, but surely they must have thought he'd be doing better than he is? Anyway, we're on the same page I think.

I genuinely don't know. Would anyone of a really sound mind be expecting a manager who did ok at Molde and utterly awful at Cardiff to do better than a second-place finish? Or a manager who over the past 3 years has shown he really shown he knows how to set up a team to play counter-attacking football and has no idea how to coach a squad to break teams down to figure out how to balance a squad of a million attackers and hardly a midfield?

I think most of the board are more interesting in holding on to the power they have and trying to get good PR and I think that drives their decisions rather than how to create the most successful football club. And the Glazers are clearly most interested in the bottom line financially. Do I think these people thought Ole is the man to bring them great success, No I think they thought Ole is a man who provides good PR as he is likable and a club legend, who won't rock the boat in a way that would jeopardize their positions or how the club is run and as long as things don't go too bad they like him in the role.

 

[Hoof the ball]

This whole situation is depressing enough to make you shave your head and rend your garment.

 

[Shark]

Hopefully Ronaldo can save the club by forcing Ole out.

He's one of the only players left that's still busting a gut for the man.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

With the players they bought him this summer, they were not expecting this crisis. Hence why they hadn’t even bothered to look for a back-up.

Indeed, not to mention the new contract they gave him when it wasn't needed or deserved.

Deep down they must have known that he was never going to match the likes of Klopp and Pep. I think their main interest was whether he could compete with the next tier down of managers at clubs that are competing for top 4 places. Unfortunately, as most of us have been able to see for a loooooong time, he's a heck of a long way off that standard too.

 

[Cal?]

He's one of the only players left that's still busting a gut for the man.

He's busting a gut due to his own standards.

 

[croadyman]

I wonder how far the board are willing to go to die on the Solskjaer hill. If Ronaldo hands in a transfer request, would they just let him go? What about Bruno, or Varane? Are they willing to build Solskjaer a new team if our star players want out?

Yeah unbelievably I genuinely think they would choose the manager over the star players to keep their Norwegian shield in place

 

[Cal?]

Maybe we should just spam United's social media channels with Has He Gone Yet?

I've been doing my share of #oleout #oleoutnow today

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Just imagine how immune he would be if we actually won the Europa League last year.

If he won the EL he would have earned a bit of time. However he made a right mess of it.

 

[The-Natural]

Not bowing to someones insistence you say something that will gratify a number of people who in turn will get a great amound of schedenfreude out of hearing you say said thing is more than a little understandable.

In the end, Gary Neville is not a journalist, he's a pundit who can have any opinion he wants. Graeme Souness is allowed to go on TV and shit all over Pogba for even existing. Its opinions.

Maybe its time for people to consider the way they speak in open forum if they want to have a cordial conversation.

So that's what got your goat about this, my use of profanity and lack of cordiality towards Gary Neville on that oh so esteemed and revered platform that is the online football fans forum. How dare I. Tell you what: I'll keep an eye out for you and do my utmost to not say any naughty words about ex-players in the threads you're in again.

In my most very humble opinion you need to not focus on idiots looking gratification and schadenfreude (which I'm sure there are) and realise there are pissed off fans who are looking to a person has an extremely influential opinion to at least acknowledge that their calls are legitimate rather than be patronised and ignored i.e. be a wanker (last time I promise) in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. You know, the bigger picture stuff that is potentially going to make a difference.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

I genuinely don't know. Would anyone of a really sound mind be expecting a manager who did ok at Molde and utterly awful at Cardiff to do better than a second-place finish? Or a manager who over the past 3 years has shown he really shown he knows how to set up a team to play counter-attacking football and has no idea how to coach a squad to break teams down to figure out how to balance a squad of a million attackers and hardly a midfield?

I think most of the board are more interesting in holding on to the power they have and trying to get good PR and I think that drives their decisions rather than how to create the most successful football club. And the Glazers are clearly most interested in the bottom line financially. Do I think these people thought Ole is the man to bring them great success, No I think they thought Ole is a man who provides good PR as he is likable and a club legend, who won't rock the boat in a way that would jeopardize their positions or how the club is run and as long as things don't go too bad they like him in the role.

Yeah, I think we were at cross purposes. I was specifically talking about this season. Agree that they were probably pleasantly surprised at a 2nd place finish, this season though it has reverted to his true level I think.