2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread

[nik-]

Yeah, if it's purely what he has to work with, it's likely City.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well seeing as Mourinho is only the highest point per game coach in Premier League history, where exactly does he end up? Does the Pep Derby loser go after Jose? Does he go to another league?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

It also points out most important though that Pep doesn't like a rebuild, and I don't think he wants to spend a year trying to get Chelsea back to the CL

Same reason why Man United would fall behind City, chance they miss top 4 this year plus if Pep is rebuilding that side how many of the current squad would he want to keep as key players? DDG/Shaw/Smalling is all I can think of

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah, if it's purely what he has to work with, it's likely City.

Yeah and this is important. Pep isnt a 'long-haul' manager, and hes admitted as such on numerous occasions. Hes typically in it for 3-5 years tops, so whats there to work with is going to be hugely important.

If I were Arsenal I'd do whatever it takes. They've got decent players, some will have to move and some will have to come in, they have money, they're likely to be in the CL next season and they're in London. They tick all of Pep's boxes.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

If I were Arsenal I'd do whatever it takes. They've got decent players, some will have to move and some will have to come in, they have money, they're likely to be in the CL next season and they're in London. They tick all of Pep's boxes.

Unfortunately, Wenger's contract expires in May 2017. However, if he were to win the league this year it may be an excellent opportunity to leave on a high note.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

It also points out most important though that Pep doesn't like a rebuild, and I don't think he wants to spend a year trying to get Chelsea back to the CL

Same reason why Man United would fall behind City, chance they miss top 4 this year plus if Pep is rebuilding that side how many of the current squad would he want to keep as key players? DDG/Shaw/Smalling is all I can think of

HEY NOW! You be nice. That's a pretty small list you got there





...



You're missing Anthony Martial.

[d_phaneuf]

I like Martial, just don't see him as a Pep kind of player


should also say I think there's at least a decent chance Pep one day turns out to be one of the most overrated managers of all time

his Barcelona team at their heights was essentially a homegrown Spanish national team (featuring arguably the two best midfielders in Spanish history) plus Messi, Eto'o, and Henry

his Bayern team was one that had just come off winning the treble and already had signed Lewe on a free transfer

I wouldn't say he's a bad manager, but the only proof we have is that he can keep a good thing going, which some would say is easier than rebuilding or even just applying a few fixes to one

[d_phaneuf]

I take back what I said about Hiddink, there's not enough comedy in that

JT player manager, make it happen Roman, you know whomever you bring in that Terry is going to appoint himself anyway like he did under RDM

[Senator Clay Davis]

Shouldn't they just make Eva Carneiro the manager? Everything fell apart as soon as she was fired by Jose.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I like Martial, just don't see him as a Pep kind of player


should also say I think there's at least a decent chance Pep one day turns out to be one of the most overrated managers of all time

his Barcelona team at their heights was essentially a homegrown Spanish national team (featuring arguably the two best midfielders in Spanish history) plus Messi, Eto'o, and Henry

his Bayern team was one that had just come off winning the treble and already had signed Lewe on a free transfer

I wouldn't say he's a bad manager, but the only proof we have is that he can keep a good thing going, which some would say is easier than rebuilding or even just applying a few fixes to one

Wholeheartedly agree and have been banging that drum for a long time now.

Pep has never had to manage a crap team hes just been handed the keys to fantastic teams with world class players. Now theres skill to that too in managing players and egos and everything else.

But what is special about Pep? Keep the ball? Win it back when you dont have it?

[browna]

He will be back for a third stint. Certainly the large minority of the supporters wanted him kept around, and the fact that it took the notorious Mr. GazProm that long to pull the trigger,speaks volumes.

Insert cliche about firing the coach before the roster of course, but if anyone could've turned over the roster with multiple buyouts, it was this team. So many players though playing terribly and some real wild cards like Costa, even Abromovitch couldn't justify a full reset, at least within the next calender year.

And, these were JMs guys,guys who got him a title,and they've up and quit. JM’s comments about the players betraying him on the pitch compared to training also is telling. Raneri isn't on his Christmas card list but he gave Leicester full credit, but guaranteed he wanted to shut down Vardy and trained for that all week but Vardy ended up being key in the result.

Returns CFC to relative obscurity outside of the next manager hiring. JM coaches a national team? Or back to Real?

English press is likely already figuring out how they can gert him back in the EPL. They lost a massive quote machine.

[nik-]

Mourinho will never be back to Real as long as Ramos and Ronaldo are there. He destroyed that room, Ancelotti barely got them back together. It's why I laughed when I saw the "mole" comments about Chelsea today. I bet it was Casillas there too!

[Locke]

Well United fans, tired of LvG? Lets see who comes riding to the rescue...

Sources have said it is no longer so certain Van Gaal will see out the final year of his contract in 2016-17, and though much depends on performance in the remainder of this season, United have already begun pursuing Pep Guardiola as the Dutchman's successor.

With Manchester City believed to be leading the race for the Catalan, however, his old rival Mourinho would represent an ideal alternative for United in terms of profile -- if not managerial approach.

The prospect of Mourinho taking over at Old Trafford has long caused intense debate among the club hierarchy. The Portuguese is known to have wanted the job when Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and, while some key officials favoured hiring him then, others felt the controversy he brings and football style just didn't fit with United.

http://www.espnfc.us/manchester-unit...xt-job-sources

[devo22]

never going to happen.

[Barnet Flame]

Rest in peace Jimmy Hill. My earliest memories of football include him and the late great Brian Moore.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35141430

[Senator Clay Davis]

Might not even take a week for Van Gaal to follow Mourinho to the unemployment line. Gotta imagine he's out if they lose this one

[devo22]

what can I say, I'm not even surprised any more.

If they lose this one, van Gaal has to be gone for sure.

[devo22]

2-0 Norwich

So long, Louis!

[Senator Clay Davis]

When you need a 20 year old to carry your offense, isn't it possible the team isn't really that good? Martial is their only threat up front, Memphis looks lost and Rooney is in decline.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Leicester is gonna get pillaged after the season, but it's hard to not see them in Champions League next year. Vardy and Mahrez should be following each other wherever, they look great together.

[Slava]

Big win for Spurs and 4th place at Christmas. Kane scored a nice goal and then just a few minutes later Dele Alli added another for the 2-0 win. Early on it looked like the Saints were going to take to them all day. So now three teams tied for 29 points on the table: Manchester United, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

Oh and how 'bout the Cherries?! Bournemouth with another win today!