Bloody Football!

[SammiValentine]

Can you really see moyes outsmarting many or any managers in the champions league??!?!!? Ridiculous shout, imo.

[Stavros]

I don't think Moyes will get it, this could be deliberate disinformation or some tartanesque conspiracy by Scots to maintain the club's connection with Lanarkshire...other than my tip for Ole, Pep Guardiola might suddenly ditch Bayern for Manchester, and then there's Arry who can't spend all 'is daze playin' golf now can he? Or, there could be a dual arrangement: Phelan becomes Manager, with Ole as Assistant, the assumption being that in five years time Ole will take over completely. Unless it really is Jose rather than Ole. A case of Ole Jose?

But as I said, for all the trophies, did AF actually change football in the way Shankly did at Liverpool, and Busby in Manchester? Much as I have admired United, some of those Liverpool teams of old were frightening in their intensity, it was like watching a lion tearing a young buck to shreds. That was Shankly, physical presence, team spirit, adept organisation, and merciless attacking. Total war, as much as total football.

[robertlouis]

Can you really see moyes outsmarting many or any managers in the champions league??!?!!? Ridiculous shout, imo.

Disagree, Sammi. He's never been tested at that level, but he fits the Man U template perfectly. While Ferguson has managed at Old Trafford, Chelsea have had 24 managers, Real Madrid the same. Moyes is 50, in his prime and has a reputation for nurturing talent as well as building a credible team on an absolute shoestring.

The noise for the likes of Mourinho and others like him is just that. United's success, like it or not, has been built on the stability of Fergie and his backroom staff and the absolute dictum that no one individual is bigger than the club.

And where did he take that model from? Liverpool, who have by contrast forgotten the virtues of stability and continuity in the desperate struggle for success. The bootroom bought decades of success, now it's upheaval every few years.

I've got no axe to grind, I like both sets of reds and if anything favour Liverpool because my uncle played for them in the 60s, but what's been to Ferguson's advantage throughout is that in the face of upheaval off the field, he was able to maintain absolute control where it matters.

Following Fergie is the toughest act in football. As Gary Lineker said today, it would have been easier to be the manager AFTER the manager who succeeded Ferguson, but Moyes should make it. And Ferguson is astute enough not to have the Wilf McGuinness/Frank O'Farrell situation with the baleful figure of Sir Matt constantly looking over their shoulders.

As to Ferguson's place in the pantheon of great Scottish managers, well, it's there in terms of the trophies, but he's not the motivator or innovator that the likes of Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein were. In terms of profound change to the way that football players are managed, trained etc, the accolade during the last twenty years surely lies with Arsene Wenger.

But I can't help liking Fergie. After all, he played his best football for my team, Dunfermline, back in the 60s, and he's never forgotten his roots either.

It's not a sad day, but one for celebrating. Only the meanest of souls would refuse to acknowledge his superb record of achievement. It will never be bettered.

[JenniferParisHusband]

As a Liverpool fan, I'd love to see Moyes get it. Won't be losing to Man U anytime soon then. LOL

Whoever it is that comes in next, I agree, they're going to have a tough act to follow.

Just curious, the finanical fair play thing is getting tossed about over here as one of the reasons he's taking off now, so he won't have to deal with it and losing the quality of teams he is used to by over-spending. John Harkes was yapping on about it earlier tonight. Is that even a talking point over there? I didn't think so, but the US football shows seem to be making a huge deal out of FFP.

[Stavros]

As a Liverpool fan, I'd love to see Moyes get it. Won't be losing to Man U anytime soon then. LOL

Whoever it is that comes in next, I agree, they're going to have a tough act to follow.

Just curious, the finanical fair play thing is getting tossed about over here as one of the reasons he's taking off now, so he won't have to deal with it and losing the quality of teams he is used to by over-spending. John Harkes was yapping on about it earlier tonight. Is that even a talking point over there? I didn't think so, but the US football shows seem to be making a huge deal out of FFP.

Looks like I got the succession wrong. Anyway, the point is that there is still a lot of hostility to the Glazer family and the way they sponge money out of United for their own benefit -they haven't interfered with the footballing side of the club, and Ferguson's personality and the success on the field have muted the public hostility to the owners: for now -though Ferguson will be in the Board Room, it remains to be seen if the Financial Fair Play regulations will have a greater impact on the Glazers than the players. Rooney is rumoured to be in search of a new club, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Evra and Carrick are at the end of their careers but EUFA'a FFP regulations cannot legally cap a footballer's salary as I understand this is against EU legislation on free trade. I suspect that a key aim of FFP is to limit the power of agents, and make an attempt to deal with fixed matches particularly in countries like Bulgaria where the final score can be eerily predicted before the kick-off -the BBC radio team did a programme on this complete with fans booing their own side when it became clear the result had been fixed -you might not be able to access it but the report is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m182v

Manchester United posted this on FFP just yesterday:
http://mufclatest.com/manchester-uni...cial-fair-play

[SammiValentine]

Disagree, Sammi. He's never been tested at that level, but he fits the Man U template perfectly. While Ferguson has managed at Old Trafford, Chelsea have had 24 managers, Real Madrid the same. Moyes is 50, in his prime and has a reputation for nurturing talent as well as building a credible team on an absolute shoestring.

The noise for the likes of Mourinho and others like him is just that. United's success, like it or not, has been built on the stability of Fergie and his backroom staff and the absolute dictum that no one individual is bigger than the club.

And where did he take that model from? Liverpool, who have by contrast forgotten the virtues of stability and continuity in the desperate struggle for success. The bootroom bought decades of success, now it's upheaval every few years.

I've got no axe to grind, I like both sets of reds and if anything favour Liverpool because my uncle played for them in the 60s, but what's been to Ferguson's advantage throughout is that in the face of upheaval off the field, he was able to maintain absolute control where it matters.

Following Fergie is the toughest act in football. As Gary Lineker said today, it would have been easier to be the manager AFTER the manager who succeeded Ferguson, but Moyes should make it. And Ferguson is astute enough not to have the Wilf McGuinness/Frank O'Farrell situation with the baleful figure of Sir Matt constantly looking over their shoulders.

As to Ferguson's place in the pantheon of great Scottish managers, well, it's there in terms of the trophies, but he's not the motivator or innovator that the likes of Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein were. In terms of profound change to the way that football players are managed, trained etc, the accolade during the last twenty years surely lies with Arsene Wenger.

But I can't help liking Fergie. After all, he played his best football for my team, Dunfermline, back in the 60s, and he's never forgotten his roots either.

It's not a sad day, but one for celebrating. Only the meanest of souls would refuse to acknowledge his superb record of achievement. It will never be bettered.

I tottally disagree.. Everton with strong squad he assembled (very well with little money, credit where credit is due) have failed abysmally in europe, never won a trophy in 11 years, not even the mickey mouse ones - the ones championship clubs have been getting to the finals in..... Has still never managed to beat one of the original "sky" top 4 teams away goodisoon park, in nearly 50 attempts.

At least we can sit back and see who is right. Am quite sure on this one.

Ferguson was the glue holding the club together, massive debt, key players are old, and possibly taking david moyes.................. fat lady is singing

[robertlouis]

I tottally disagree.. Everton with strong squad he assembled (very well with little money, credit where credit is due) have failed abysmally in europe, never won a trophy in 11 years, not even the mickey mouse ones - the ones championship clubs have been getting to the finals in..... Has still never managed to beat one of the original "sky" top 4 teams away goodisoon park, in nearly 50 attempts.

At least we can sit back and see who is right. Am quite sure on this one.

Ferguson was the glue holding the club together, massive debt, key players are old, and possibly taking david moyes.................. fat lady is singing

You hope, Sammi, you hope.

Moyes and I went to the same school, as it happens. I think he's the closest they could have possibly got to Ferguson - and with better social graces.

It might go tits up, but he's a decent man with integrity, perseverance and a lot of talent. It will be interesting to see how he copes with having a meaningful transfer budget. He's worked miracles at Everton on a pittance.

I hope for his sake that it works.

But Mourinho would have been a disaster. Let him go back to Roman's three-ring circus (three rings means you're fired ) by all means. If Wigan go down, I reckon Martinez will go to Everton - and possibly Owen Coyle to Wigan.

[robertlouis]

Oh, and Sammi, what's your verdict on Rodgers' first season at Anfield? Will Suarez stay? What signings do they need to make to become credible challengers? (Centre-back and a solid defensive midfielder at least - Mascherano has never been adequately replaced).

Does any club with real championship and champions' league ambitions need to do the same as Man U and rotate four high quality strikers? Seems ludicrous that Chelsea and Liverpool have a choice of only two - dictates and restricts team shape and tactics. Only Man C have any choice.

Arsenal have made some poor signings and Adebayor and Defoe aren't enough for Spurs to mount a challenge - Bale's form is simply papering over the cracks.

[JenniferParisHusband]

Oh, and Sammi, what's your verdict on Rodgers' first season at Anfield? Will Suarez stay? What signings do they need to make to become credible challengers? (Centre-back and a solid defensive midfielder at least - Mascherano has never been adequately replaced).

Does any club with real championship and champions' league ambitions need to do the same as Man U and rotate four high quality strikers? Seems ludicrous that Chelsea and Liverpool have a choice of only two - dictates and restricts team shape and tactics. Only Man C have any choice.

Arsenal have made some poor signings and Adebayor and Defoe aren't enough for Spurs to mount a challenge - Bale's form is simply papering over the cracks.

I don't know about Sammi, but for me, Brendan Rodger's first season was a small step forward. I mean, we are up one spot in the tables over last year, so that's good. And while the summer signings when he didn't have a scouting group were mostly a bust, Coutinho and Sturridge have been outstanding since coming over in the winter window. I hate the constant fake praise of pedestrian achievements, the lack of responsibility and fair play (usually where Suarez has screwed up again), and the lack of consistency. But I think the second year is more what I will judge him on.

That said, he really needs to improve the team over the summer, and he really needs to make them consistent and have them imrpove over their typical slow starts. End of his second season though, we need to be top-4 to deserve a third season. And it's possible for this team to get there. A few upgrades on Defense (well, 4 really), another striker of the Suarez caliber, and then some depth on the bench. It sounds like a lot, but it can be done.

[Stavros]

A fascinating weekend of football with the climax to come -Manchester City lose the cup to a dogged Wigan side, and Mancini loses his job; Wigan look like they are going down when it should be the abject Newcastle; Cardiff will join the Premier League to give us another fascinating rivalry -with Swansea; and nobody knows where Rooney is going, if he goes anywhere. Maybe a swap with Frank Lampard?