Why United shouldn’t settle so quickly for Poch over Hag

[Pronewbie]

The poor standard of football throughout, lack of quality of our competitors who were also rebuilding or going through challenges, no trophies, European failure makes that Ole did quite a poor job. 3rd and 2nd without context isnt bad, although he completely bottled top 4 after he signed his interim contract.

Quite a lot of fans were happy with the extension actually, which blows my mind. Much wiser to give him till Christmas and see what he would achieve, renew if he does well, let him go (in the summer) if not.

I recall reading the Ole thread around the time we signed Ronaldo - with many sharing my view that we should give Ole till end of year and if he is not in a title challenge he should be sacked. The EL Final put him on shaky ground.

But yet again we have the most incompetent Big Club Board - now that Barca have replaced theirs - offering him a bloody 3 year contract.

Only a sustained revolt and boycott will change things because unlike Barca we are not fan-owned..

 

[Yakuza_devils]

To me it's simple, there are only 2 managers in the world, Pep and Klopp, that's worth it for us to wait for them and in the process throw this season away, risking not qualify for CL next year, destabilize the squad this/next year and losing the chance to bring in world class players. It's definitely not worth doing this for Ten Hag, FFS.

Don't get me wrong, Ten Hag is an up and coming manager. But last year we have the likes of Nagelsmann as the next Klopp.

Poch in my book is on par or better than Ten Hag. I'm happy either one get the job but it makes so much sense if Poch wiling to come now.

 

[Laurencio]

I don't know why people keep getting offended over Poch being called a bottler.

In 12 years of management, his single trophy is a French cup.

He also managed to lose a one horse race with a team that costs more than twice that of any opponent.

And let's not forget spoiling Spurs only chance of ever winning the PL.

Top this off with a board that doesn't know a football is round, and I don't see this one turning out great.

(He will at least improve the viewing experience, though.)

See this would be a great point - if he actually did this in a full season. Tuchel was sacked with 4 losses and 2 draws. Pochettino finished with 4 losses and two draws - but he didn't have Mbappe who was injured the entire time. Basically matching Tuchel - who everyone agrees is not a bad manager. Now that it is his first full season he's 11 points clear.

The spurs bit is just ridiculous. Spurs winning the title? The mere fact that he got them to a Champions League final is miraculous, hitting 86 points in the league was close to wizardry. Leicester won the whole thing with 81 points. In most seasons they would have won it with 86 points - Rodgers losing it with Liverpool where everything was basically in their hands was a far bigger failure than Spurs not keeping up with Conte's Chelsea. Losing a premier league title to a record breaking Chelsea side and a champions league final to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool when you are Spurs is not really a failure.

Let's not forget that in 12 years of management prior to that French cup he has managed Espanyol (third from bottom when he took over), Southampton (Achieving their highest point tally in the premier league) and Spurs (from 6th to top four regulars and CL finalists). Which of these teams did you expect him to win trophies with? Aside from his first six months with PSG there's not a club you could point to and say he underperformed at - and even there it's questionable if you could attribute their lack of league success to him underperforming or Lille getting ahead while Tuchel was manager and simply maintaining their form.

This is actually the first full season in his career (2021/2022) he's in charge of a top club who has the ability to win trophies.

 

[AjaxCunian]

See this would be a great point - if he actually did this in a full season. Tuchel was sacked with 4 losses and 2 draws. Pochettino finished with 4 losses and two draws - but he didn't have Mbappe who was injured the entire time. Basically matching Tuchel - who everyone agrees is not a bad manager. Now that it is his first full season he's 11 points clear.

The spurs bit is just ridiculous. Spurs winning the title? The mere fact that he got them to a Champions League final is miraculous, hitting 86 points in the league was close to wizardry. Leicester won the whole thing with 81 points. In most seasons they would have won it with 86 points - Rodgers losing it with Liverpool where everything was basically in their hands was a far bigger failure than Spurs not keeping up with Conte's Chelsea. Losing a premier league title to a record breaking Chelsea side and a champions league final to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool when you are Spurs is not really a failure.

Let's not forget that in 12 years of management prior to that French cup he has managed Espanyol (third from bottom when he took over), Southampton (Achieving their highest point tally in the premier league) and Spurs (from 6th to top four regulars and CL finalists). Which of these teams did you expect him to win trophies with? Aside from his first six months with PSG there's not a club you could point to and say he underperformed at - and even there it's questionable if you could attribute their lack of league success to him underperforming or Lille getting ahead while Tuchel was manager and simply maintaining their form.

This is actually the first full season in his career (2021/2022) he's in charge of a top club who has the ability to win trophies.

Good post, however yet now still many PSG fans seem to be unimpressed by him, also havent been great performance wise in the CL.

I think that's the thing, he is more proven than Ten Hag. But United's football has been quite outdated since Fergie's latter years, a lot of fans want the club to take this opportunity to hire a progressive manager. Poch in his last few years hasnt really looked that when it comes to the football his teams play.

He did look like that in his first few years in the Prem.

 

[Blood Mage]

How is he the safer choice?

Ten Hag is unproven outside of Holland. Poch has done well in Spain, England and has been okay in France.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

So you don't agree the Leicester season was their best shot at a title in the last 20 or so years? He did well up to a certain point, but always seemed to stumble towards the finish line.

Here are some quotes from the last pages on the PSG forum:

I don't believe that Tottenham Hotspur's "best chance at winning the title in the last 20 years" really means very much at all.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I saw both of their Ajax records somewhere the other day. They've both had almost the same amount of games but De Boer had double as many defeats and double as many draws. Also ask some actual Ajax fans on here about Ten Hag and De Boer. I'm sure everyone will say Ten hag is miles better and plays way more attractive football than De Boer.

And won more leagues.

Let's base everything on things people say on internet forums aye

 

[MUFC OK]

Many of the complaints that PSG fans have about Poch are similar to ours about Ole - Late substitutions, reactive coaching, weird team selections, changing the formation, not animated on the touchline. Poch appointment worries me that it could be more of the same versus Ten Hag.

Especially worried that we might not compete for the title any time soon and have no clear style of play.. my biggest gripes under Ole.

 

[Laurencio]

Good post, however yet now still many PSG fans seem to be unimpressed by him, also havent been great performance wise in the CL.

I think that's the thing, he is more proven than Ten Hag. But United's football has been quite outdated since Fergie's latter years, a lot of fans want the club to take this opportunity to hire a progressive manager. Poch in his last few years hasnt really looked that when it comes to the football his teams play.

He did look like that in his first few years in the Prem.

Since when were PSG fans impressed by anyone? They didn't think Tuchel was good enough. 74% wanted him out - then he went and won the CL with Chelsea.

Pochettino's football at Southampton and Spurs was phenomenal, it beggars belief that people have already forgotten that.

People keep talking about wanting a coach that can coach players into becoming better. Under Pochettino Dele Alli was considered what Foden is today - the greatest talent in England - since he left, Dele's career has fallen apart. Lambert was bought by Liverpool because he was so impressive for the saints, Wanyama looked a top DM for Poch, Sissoko became a key player, Eric Dier was a top England prospect ala Rice until Poch left, Lucas Moura improved greatly when he switched from PSG to Spurs.

All in all players and clubs have historically done better with him in charge.

I'm not saying Ten Hag isn't exciting, but the negativity about Pochettino is just strange.

 

[2 man midfield]

He’s a great coach. I’ve always said Ten Hag was my choice but only marginally and he’s not without his risks either. I’d be very happy if we got Poch, especially if it happens now and we salvage something from the season.

 

[RedBanker]

Since when were PSG fans impressed by anyone? They didn't think Tuchel was good enough. 74% wanted him out - then he went and won the CL with Chelsea.

Pochettino's football at Southampton and Spurs was phenomenal, it beggars belief that people have already forgotten that.

People keep talking about wanting a coach that can coach players into becoming better. Under Pochettino Dele Alli was considered what Foden is today - the greatest talent in England - since he left, Dele's career has fallen apart. Lambert was bought by Liverpool because he was so impressive for the saints, Wanyama looked a top DM for Poch, Sissoko became a key player, Eric Dier was a top England prospect until Poch left, Lucas Moura improved greatly when he switched from PSG to Spurs.

All in all players and clubs have historically done better with him in charge.

I'm not saying Ten Hag isn't exciting, but the negativity about Pochettino is just strange.

This hatred is being peddled since Pochettino was touted as the best replacement for a now dismissed ex-manager. Maybe 2019 onwards.

 

[MUFC OK]

This hatred is being peddled since Pochettino was touted as the best replacement for a now dismissed ex-manager. Maybe 2019 onwards.

Good point, their fans will be p*ssed that Tuchel went on to lift the CL. In fairness though, they did fail to win the league last season which is very poor for them.

 

[wise_old_man]

I'm confident most on these boards didn't much about Ten Hag nor watched his Ajax team before a few weeks ago when his name became hot in here.

Ajax reached the Champions League Semi-Final just some years ago, closely lost to Tottenham in a thrilling match, playing fantastic football that season. Yet you assume most on here don't know Ten Hag or have never watched his Ajax team? That's weird.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Ajax reached the Champions League Semi-Final just some years ago, closely lost to Tottenham in a thrilling match, playing fantastic football that season. Yet you assume most on here don't know Ten Hag or have never watched his Ajax team? That's weird.

It's not weird, him and @TheReligion say so. Must be true.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Since when were PSG fans impressed by anyone? They didn't think Tuchel was good enough. 74% wanted him out - then he went and won the CL with Chelsea.

Pochettino's football at Southampton and Spurs was phenomenal, it beggars belief that people have already forgotten that.

People keep talking about wanting a coach that can coach players into becoming better. Under Pochettino Dele Alli was considered what Foden is today - the greatest talent in England - since he left, Dele's career has fallen apart. Lambert was bought by Liverpool because he was so impressive for the saints, Wanyama looked a top DM for Poch, Sissoko became a key player, Eric Dier was a top England prospect ala Rice until Poch left, Lucas Moura improved greatly when he switched from PSG to Spurs.

All in all players and clubs have historically done better with him in charge.

I'm not saying Ten Hag isn't exciting, but the negativity about Pochettino is just strange.

This team has far more quality than Tuchel had, and is even less exciting. His last 1.5 years at Spurs was not good, it brings doubts on him whichever way you look it.

As much as he got the best out of those players (whom all got worse under him again), he is not getting the best out of Messi, Neymar, Wijnaldum, di Maria now.

 

[Amadaeus]

Absolutely delighted if the 2 choices for our next manager are either ETH or Poch. Personally prefer Poch. Ive always thought he'd be a perfect fit for us but I wouldn't kick ETH out of bed for farting either.

Yea, there is no way we can blame poor managerial selection with these two as our leading choice. Ten hag might present more of a risk because the premier league is a different monster, but he has the type of philosophy we need at United.

I am glad we are overlooking Zidane. He seems like a more refined Ole. What United need at the moment is a proper footballing coach which is ten hag or Pochettino

 

[TheReligion]

It's not weird, him and @TheReligion say so. Must be true.

Grow up pal

 

[youmeletsfly]

I'm gonna be honest, I don't give a rat's ass about who's coming as long as we know the current coaches are on their way. I guess the recent atmosphere around United makes me feel that nothing can be worse.
Poch or Ten Haag, it's the same shit for me to be honest. As long as they bring in some decent coaches, I'm all good.

I see Ten Haag as the obvious choice around here based on the football Ajax play, but the dumb question still stands, can he replicate that here? (Of course it's a bit futile to ask, we'd never know unless he does come indeed.)
On the other side of the coin there's Poch that obviously improved that PSG side and nobody's giving him credit for that.

Both choices are more than good for our current situation in my opinion.

 

[Lecland07]

I would take Pochettino or Ten Hag. They are at the same level in my eyes.

I don't take a huge amount out of winning Ligue or the Eredivise with PSG and Ajax. Ten Hag has won more, but Pochettino would win a lot if he stayed at PSG. It doesn't really tell me much.

Ajax are expected to win their league. PSG are expected to win their league, and they will this season. They are already 11 points ahead. I don't care if Pochettino leaves PSG midseason as winning the league is an inevitability.

In the end, both managers have done well in the Champions League. I actually think Pochettino has done slightly better in his time at Tottenham. He is also doing well with PSG, topping the group thus far.

 

[JPB]

I'm gonna be honest, I don't give a rat's ass about who's coming as long as we know the current coaches are on their way. I guess the recent atmosphere around United makes me feel that nothing can be worse.
Poch or Ten Haag, it's the same shit for me to be honest. As long as they bring in some decent coaches, I'm all good.

I see Ten Haag as the obvious choice around here based on the football Ajax play, but the dumb question still stands, can he replicate that here? (Of course it's a bit futile to ask, we'd never know unless he does come indeed.)
On the other side of the coin there's Poch that obviously improved that PSG side and nobody's giving him credit for that.

Both choices are more than good for our current situation in my opinion.

I've heard he likes to Park the bus with PSG sometimes. Not quite sure how true this is though. Ten Hag surely doesn't. Is there any truth to this?

 

[Putting all banter aside]

Ten Hag is unproven outside of Holland. Poch has done well in Spain, England and has been okay in France.

This isn't a too convincing argument, is it? Ten Hag did terrific on a Champions League stage, managing a 'small country' team. That is more impressive to me than what Pochettino did in those A-countries. Besides, on a smaller level, Ten Hag trained the second team of Bayern Munich in the years when Pep was coaching the first team. They won the regionalliga, but more importantly, Ten Hag was received very positively by Pep, Uli Hoeness and many others at the time. He adjusted the progressive playstyle in those German years.

 

[youmeletsfly]

I've heard he likes to Park the bus with PSG sometimes. Not quite sure how true this is though. Ten Hag surely doesn't. Is there any truth to this?

Not really though. He has moments where he plays a bit more defensive, but I don't call that parking the bus.

 

[JPB]

Not really though. He has moments where he plays a bit more defensive, but I don't call that parking the bus.

Wow I can't wait.

 

[RedDevilMachine]

Agreed with OP that Ten Hag could truly be an up and coming manager prodigy to match Pep or Klopp. He seems to have that X-Factor that elite tier level managers like Pep, Klopp and Tuchel have. What he has done with Ajax is incredible and to those who say that Ajax is expected to stroll to their league, what about the work he has done for them in Europe? Led Ajax to the final of the Europa League and lose to a Jose's team who is a specialist in finals, led them to the semis of the Champions League two seasons later, beating Real Madrid, Juve and was injury-time away from getting to the final which I think they would have beaten Liverpool in the final, and now they won all their group games in the Champions League this season which is supposed to be a tricky group. Pochettino seems a bit soft and he is no doubt a good manager, but I think his ceiling can't go any higher. If we hire Pochettino, I am pretty sure the club will give him a 4 to 5 year contract and we're essentially ruling Ten Hang out whom I feel is more suited long-term as you can see a progressive style of play in his team.

 

[Ibrahimorich]

Why is everyone so hot on Ten Haag when he got beat by Poch in the only meaningful game he's ever managed?

 

[Caesar2290]

And won more leagues.

Let's base everything on things people say on internet forums aye

While playing tumescent football. Most of the Ajax fans wanted him out, but his winning is what kept his job.

Ten Hag is different. His football is different. His tactics are different. He has better European exploits. The only thing they share is nationality.

I would take Pochettino or Ten Hag. They are at the same level in my eyes.

I don't take a huge amount out of winning Ligue or the Eredivise with PSG and Ajax. Ten Hag has won more, but Pochettino would win a lot if he stayed at PSG. It doesn't really tell me much.

Ajax are expected to win their league. PSG are expected to win their league, and they will this season. They are already 11 points ahead. I don't care if Pochettino leaves PSG midseason as winning the league is an inevitability.

In the end, both managers have done well in the Champions League. I actually think Pochettino has done slightly better in his time at Tottenham. He is also doing well with PSG, topping the group thus far.

That's where you're wrong. Eredevise is a much much more competive league than the French league, partly due to the fact that there are no rich state owned football clubs.

Before Ten Hag was appointed, Ajax hadn't won the title in 4-5 years. Now that he is there he is expected to win it every season. That's what a good manager does, he raises the expectation of the clubs he manages.

See this would be a great point - if he actually did this in a full season. Tuchel was sacked with 4 losses and 2 draws. Pochettino finished with 4 losses and two draws - but he didn't have Mbappe who was injured the entire time. Basically matching Tuchel - who everyone agrees is not a bad manager. Now that it is his first full season he's 11 points clear.

The spurs bit is just ridiculous. Spurs winning the title? The mere fact that he got them to a Champions League final is miraculous, hitting 86 points in the league was close to wizardry. Leicester won the whole thing with 81 points. In most seasons they would have won it with 86 points - Rodgers losing it with Liverpool where everything was basically in their hands was a far bigger failure than Spurs not keeping up with Conte's Chelsea. Losing a premier league title to a record breaking Chelsea side and a champions league final to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool when you are Spurs is not really a failure.

Let's not forget that in 12 years of management prior to that French cup he has managed Espanyol (third from bottom when he took over), Southampton (Achieving their highest point tally in the premier league) and Spurs (from 6th to top four regulars and CL finalists). Which of these teams did you expect him to win trophies with? Aside from his first six months with PSG there's not a club you could point to and say he underperformed at - and even there it's questionable if you could attribute their lack of league success to him underperforming or Lille getting ahead while Tuchel was manager and simply maintaining their form.

This is actually the first full season in his career (2021/2022) he's in charge of a top club who has the ability to win trophies.

You're reading too much into points mate. Substitute David Moyes with Poch and you'll get a similar reading. He does make mediocre teams punch above their weight. It's the top teams where he has issues. Granted Poch is a better manager.

Thing is, managing Manchester United is a different animal to managing these smaller clubs. There is more pressure to win things here. Simply, overperforming is going to be good enough. You have to be able to challenge for trophies. There is no "I got 86 points" trophy, unless we want to go down the RAWK line.

Poch has shown time and time again that when he has a chance of winning a trophy, he completely bottles it. Just like Ole. And I remember it clearly when his Spurs side faced off against our Jose side in the FA Cup semi, even his press conference was about: "I care more about the league position than FA Cup". Suffice to say he got dumped out by a very unconvincing United side. That's not the type of mentality you want to have at United. You want manager who will challenge for every trophy, otherwise we will turn into Arsenal.

 

[Caesar2290]

Why is everyone so hot on Ten Haag when he got beat by Poch in the only meaningful game he's ever managed?

Ole and Moyes beat Pep. Do you want them instead of Pep as well?

 

[wolvored]

I've heard he likes to Park the bus with PSG sometimes. Not quite sure how true this is though. Ten Hag surely doesn't. Is there any truth to this?

Where you heard that from? Ive watched a lot of highlights on Youtube and never seen the other side take the ball to PSG and Messi Neymar Mbappe sitting on the goalline with the other 8 players. Thats bullshit.

 

[King Azaz the Unabridged]

Poch has shown time and time again that when he has a chance of winning a trophy, he completely bottles it.

Not going to lie, I find it quite funny that you say "that's what a good manager does, he raises the expectation of the club he manages" a few lines above, talking about an Ajax manager when his team (the most successful in the country's history) goes 5 years without a title.

... and follow it up with this to describe a Tottenham manager (what is it now, 2 domestic cups in 30 years and 1 league title in 50?) who finished 2nd and 3rd while losing an FA Cup semifinal and a Champions League final.

 

[Caesar2290]

Not going to lie, I find it quite funny that you say "that's what a good manager does, he raises the expectation of the club he manages" a few lines above, talking about an Ajax manager when his team (the most successful in the country's history) goes 5 years without a title.

... and follow it up with this to describe a Tottenham manager (what is it now, 2 domestic cups in 30 years?) who finished 2nd and 3rd while losing an FA Cup semifinal and a Champions League final.

Let's not pretend Poch took on Brighton and transformed them into Top contenders. Spurs were a decent Top6 side.

Before Poch, Spurs finished 4th, 5th, 4th, 5th, 6th. After Spurs finished 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th. An improvement, but the way some of you talk is as if he was prime Sir Alex

Ten Hag on the other hand took on a floundering Ajax side that constantly challenged but never crossed the line. He turned them into perenial winners. He won the double double with them while playing attacking football. And the thing that I find most fascinating is that he sets out to play this attacking football against Top sides and unlike someone like Bielsa, he actually gets results.

And that is the thing that sold it for me. I want United to play actual attacking football against the big dogs. Ever since the days of SAF we've adopted this pragmatic malarkey against the big teams. I think that 3-2 against Milan and that 3-0 at San Siro changed the way Sir Alex approached big games. It's been 14 years now. It's time for a change. I want United to behave like the biggest club in the world. And the biggest club in the world doesn't always play pragmatically. They have to impose themselves.

And thing is Poch is as pragmatic as you will get, especially when the results aren't coming. In way he is just what we hoped Ole would turn out to be. And that is the reason I don't want it at United.

 

[King Azaz the Unabridged]

Let's not pretend Poch took on Brighton and transformed them into Top contenders. Spurs were a decent Top6 side.

Ten Hag on the other hand took on a floundering Ajax side that constantly challenged but never crossed the line.

Really not worth getting too much further into this than pointing out (again) that Ajax are much, much better placed to win the league (and expected to win it much, much more often) in Holland than Tottenham are in England. Compare their revenue, transfer spending and wage spending with the rest of the Eredivisie and then do the same with Spurs and the rest of the PL.

Like I said to the other guy, it's perfectly fine to want Ten Hag over Pochettino. No need to use this wildly inconsistent logic to try and frame one of them as way better than the other.

 

[Ibrahimorich]

Ole and Moyes beat Pep. Do you want them instead of Pep as well?

Nah, we already tried them. Gotta get a new toy.

 

[Caesar2290]

Agreed with OP that Ten Hag could truly be an up and coming manager prodigy to match Pep or Klopp. He seems to have that X-Factor that elite tier level managers like Pep, Klopp and Tuchel have. What he has done with Ajax is incredible and to those who say that Ajax is expected to stroll to their league, what about the work he has done for them in Europe? Led Ajax to the final of the Europa League and lose to a Jose's team who is a specialist in finals, led them to the semis of the Champions League two seasons later, beating Real Madrid, Juve and was injury-time away from getting to the final which I think they would have beaten Liverpool in the final, and now they won all their group games in the Champions League this season which is supposed to be a tricky group. Pochettino seems a bit soft and he is no doubt a good manager, but I think his ceiling can't go any higher. If we hire Pochettino, I am pretty sure the club will give him a 4 to 5 year contract and we're essentially ruling Ten Hang out whom I feel is more suited long-term as you can see a progressive style of play in his team.

Agreed with everything what you said mate except the fact that it was Bosz who led them to a EL final. Ironically he didn't win the Eredevise. He later left for Leverkusen and Kaizer was appointed as his successor.

After a torrid start to the campaign and Ajax floundering midtable, he was sacked and Ten Hag was appointed. From the moment he was appointed Ten Hag immediately turned Ajax into a title challenging team. He missed out on the league title by just 2 points in his first "interim season".

After he got a whole summer and a couple of transfers in he won the Double domestically and reached the CL semis and the rest is history as they say.

 

[CanadianUtd]

All of this.

Poch is also thin skinned. Couldn't handle any small criticism at Spurs without getting defensive. How on earth is he going to be at United? Plus not the greatest with transfers.
Not a good idea at all.

Yes, I don’t know why this is going unnoticed. Have mentioned the same earlier.

Adding to what you said, also that he doesn’t really have firm control/relationships with the board. That’s something we all know could be an instant recipe for disaster but I’m hoping not since the club has sort of been revamped internally as a result of Ole’s overhaul…maybe it would’ve been an issue in the past but a little less inclined to believe so now, fingers crossed.

also another thing which has been conveyed is is inability to control/have a grip over players and egos. Just looking at his time at PSG, how is it going to be any different here? Virtually identical situation. Last thing I want is the players and locker room having a distaste for the manager, knowing that they are above him like at PSG.

 

[CanadianUtd]

I want Ten Hag as manager too but the thing is the board obviously feel that this season is salvageable.

We've much more chance of qualifying for the UCL with Poch than an interim/Carrick.

From the boards point of view; consistent top 4 finishes in the Premier League four seasons on the bounce with a team who spend considerably less than we do while also consistently giving opportunities to younger players.

this is a fair pov from the clubs perspective but I feel it’s so surface level to say that when so much of Poch can be questioned

Thread should be ended with this.

People will always have their preferences but the fact that each side has to put down the other to make their guy appear better is stupid.

I’m sorry if it came off that way, never meant to. Why that disclaimer was put. Not demonizing 1 while making the other out to be an angel. Just trying to be objective and critical

He also said trophies don't matter

 

[Glorio]

Poch is a very good manager. End of.

And a very good tactician at that

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Ten Hag is my preference because I like his football. But Poch is still a good manager who can coach and play attacking football. IMO both have good potential to succeed in here. We have some young attacking players and it also suits Poch. Thus, I have no issue to take Poch over Ten Hag if Poch is available first.

 

[Lentwood]

I don't understand the idea that taking the current PSG manager, a man who reached a Champions League final with Spurs and turned them into a very, very good side is "settling", as compared to taking the Ajax manager.

There is so much binary thinking in this place. "Pochettino hasn't won a major trophy, so he's inferior to Ten Hag"...should we appoint Neil Lennon (won loads of SPLs) or Roberto Martinez (won an FA Cup)?

What do we think would happen if Ten Hag had managed Southampton and Spurs? I'll tell you with a fair degree of certainty, I'd be impressed if he even got close to achieving the level of performance and consistency Pochettino achieved. Likewise, if Pochettino managed Ajax, surely he would have won major trophies. Or, if Pochettino stays on at PSG and wins Ligue Un, is it OK if we appoint him then?

Honestly, some people need to stop spending so much time on here and read some books! "Fooled by Randomness" would be a great start for a majority...

 

[SAF is the GOAT]

But we have players like Cristiano, Pogba, Martial, Cavani who can't play to either of them because they their teams play and press.

 

[golden_blunder]

*Disclaimer: not saying Poch is shit.



Everyone knows what Poch brings to the table. He gets players playing an exciting style of football irregardless of results (aka for better or worse). It’s why he’s prone and known to having bad stretches with his teams which doesn’t seem like a recipe for long term sustainability for the top of the top clubs like United.

Ole brought us the right mindset and turned the ship around; tactically he was out of his depth. Poch would bring much better offensive flow; however he’s known to be a bottler. Sort of the inverse José you can say. Of all the pros and cons or things these managers lack, Ten Hag has a mixture of all the pros with virtually no signs of the cons or at least very limited in comparison. Another thing is Ten Hag could truly be an up and coming manager prodigy to match the likes of a Pep or Klopp. Poch we know is good but a tier or 2 below them.

…it’s also at least a bit of a worry Poch is so easily ready to run away from the challenge at PSG. Seems he’s having troubles managing players/egos, along with their board, which is exactly what he’d have to face at United. Ultimately Ten Hag excites me more having more managerial potential to unearth and become someone truly special to which he+United could say they are the creators of a potentially great project/new era. I feel like if United secure Poch mid szn, it’ll be because it’s the easier thing to do simple as that.


Maybe I’m wrong who knows. It’s that in all honesty, Ten Hag seems to make most sense in terms of longevity and sustainability. If Poch were to be hired tomorrow I wouldn’t be mad - glad in fact seeing the state the club is in. But it would annoy me had it become known later on through reports or whatnot that United went with Poch because it was the easiest path when they could’ve got Ten Hag had they been a little patient.

I thought you were bringing something different going by the headline but in reality it’s just another managed thread. Like others please post your opinions on the candidates in the thread that’s created for it. We don’t want the forum to end up with 11 different threads again like before