Do we believe the Ancelotti rumours? This summer?

[Ash]

Ivan: "Yes, Arsene, we know you always respect your contract, so here's the money and consider it respected."

[Pat Vegas]

maybe it's been in place for a while.

[PSRB]

Ivan: "Yes, Arsene, we know you always respect your contract, so here's the money and consider it respected."

Dreadful decision, if it happens

[Pat Vegas]

Dreadful decision, if it happens

I'd rather him than Henry or Arteta.

[Ash]

Dreadful decision, if it happens

Why's that?

[Luis Anaconda]

Why's that?

He's only good in the Champions League - no experience of the Europa at all

[Burney]

Ivan: "Yes, Arsene, we know you always respect your contract, so here's the money and consider it respected."

The last thing we need is a has-been manager to act as a caretaker. We need to rebuild completely.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Ivan: "Yes, Arsene, we know you always respect your contract, so here's the money and consider it respected."

Get his into your pretty little head Ash. That dithering, vacillating, Cleuso sounding senile old tit is never leaving. He is a megalomaniac and they never relinquish power voluntarily.

The board have never been interested in the trophy cabinet. The unseemly push for silverware is a little vulgar to them so Wenger will do nicely.

[PSRB]

The last thing we need is a has-been manager to act as a caretaker. We need to rebuild completely.

:nod: Get a season, possibly 2

[Ash]

Get his into your pretty little head Ash. That dithering, vacillating, Cleuso sounding senile old tit is never leaving. He is a megalomaniac and they never relinquish power voluntarily.

The board have never been interested in the trophy cabinet. The unseemly push for silverware is a little vulgar to them so Wenger will do nicely.

We've got loads of silverware! 3 trophies in 4 seasons. :-) And that's before we add the League Cup and the Fairs Cup this year.

[Ash]

:nod: Get a season, possibly 2

We just need to time it to the point that Pep is ready for his next challenge.

[Luis Anaconda]

The last thing we need is a has-been manager to act as a caretaker. We need to rebuild completely.

:hehe: Has-been? He's only 58 ffs

[redgunamo]

The last thing we need is a has-been manager to act as a caretaker. We need to rebuild completely.


looooooooooooooool.

[PSRB]

We just need to time it to the point that Pep is ready for his next challenge.

I just can't think of a manager that I actually want (and that we could actually get)

[Burney]

:hehe: Has-been? He's only 58 ffs

That's too old. We need someone in his early 40s.

[redgunamo]

We just need to time it to the point that Pep is ready for his next challenge.

I've always had the idea Wenger doesn't actually like Pep very much?

[Ash]

I just can't think of a manager that I actually want (and that we could actually get)

I'm basically open to anyone who can organise a defence at this point.

Is Pulis available?

[Luis Anaconda]

I just can't think of a manager that I actually want (and that we could actually get)

That's the problem - some of the names mentioned are ridiculous (Tuchel being a very good example - poor man's Klopp, if you are being kind). Interesting comparison is with Bayern - they planned to name their new manager during the last international break, yet don't seem to be any closer. If Ancelotti is a has-been what is Jupp :old:

[redgunamo]

I'm basically open to anyone who can organise a defence at this point.

Is Pulis available?

Lippi is currently working in China, I believe, so presumably he'd have to take a substantial pay-cut. What about Capello?

[Burney]

I'm basically open to anyone who can organise a defence at this point.

Is Pulis available?

Somewhere deep in the bowels of Colney Hatch, the bio-genetics division that brought us Gunnersaurus is nearly ready to unveil the clone of Don Howe we've made from a piece of dandruff left in a flat cap found in his old desk drawer when we were knocking down Highbury. He shall burst forth, fully-formed and start organising our back four into an unbreachable wall. :cloud9:

[Burney]

I've always had the idea Wenger doesn't actually like Pep very much?

I think he knows his teams are full of drugs.

[redgunamo]

I just can't think of a manager that I actually want (and that we could actually get)

Manager's are all over-rated nowadays anyway. There's highly-qualified specialists in every corner of a club's backroom staff so their boss' influence is greatly reduced.

[Luis Anaconda]

That's too old. We need someone in his early 40s.

How ludicrously prescriptive, b. Are you honestly saying you prefer a candidate like 44-year-old Tuchel over a serial winner like Ancelotti, just because his age fits?

[redgunamo]

I think he knows his teams are full of drugs.

:hehe: Perfectly understandable then.

[Burney]

How ludicrously prescriptive, b. Are you honestly saying you prefer a candidate like 44-year-old Tuchel over a serial winner like Ancelotti, just because his age fits?

Yes. This isn't about winning things, it's about a wholesale change of culture. A gun for hire type like Ancelotti isn't going to do that.

[redgunamo]

Yes. This isn't about winning things, it's about a wholesale change of culture. A gun for hire type like Ancelotti isn't going to do that.

He might, you know, as he wouldn't be concerned about his long-term prospects at the club. Unlike certain senile Frenchmen we could name ..

[Luis Anaconda]

Yes. This isn't about winning things, it's about a wholesale change of culture. A gun for hire type like Ancelotti isn't going to do that.

Hmmm - I get your point, but the wholesale changes are already taken place behind the scenes and completely altering the power structure will take, so I would argue throwing in a less experienced manager to front all of this is just asking for trouble. A more experienced man can handle the flak while we go through the teething process. Can you imagine the pressure on someone like Eddie Howe if he was to take on the role next season? (Although, possibly the best man for the job in that case is the man already in it :) )

[redgunamo]

Hmmm - I get your point, but the wholesale changes are already taken place behind the scenes and completely altering the power structure will take, so I would argue throwing in a less experienced manager to front all of this is just asking for trouble. A more experienced man can handle the flak while we go through the teething process. Can you imagine the pressure on someone like Eddie Howe if he was to take on the role next season? (Although, possibly the best man for the job in that case is the man already in it :) )

Wenger is not going to dismantle or rearrange His life's work in any meaningful way, imo, so we shouldn't get too carried away with talk of "wholesale change".

[World's End Stella]

Yes. This isn't about winning things, it's about a wholesale change of culture. A gun for hire type like Ancelotti isn't going to do that.

His last four job outcomes as far as I can tell, remember I'm not a pervert:

Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Bayern - two seasons, sacked

Hardly an inspiring record, is it?

[Burney]

Hmmm - I get your point, but the wholesale changes are already taken place behind the scenes and completely altering the power structure will take, so I would argue throwing in a less experienced manager to front all of this is just asking for trouble. A more experienced man can handle the flak while we go through the teething process. Can you imagine the pressure on someone like Eddie Howe if he was to take on the role next season? (Although, possibly the best man for the job in that case is the man already in it :) )

The best man for the job may be the guy already in it, but we won't know that until we get rid of him and try someone else. :shrug:

[PSRB]

The best man for the job may be the guy already in it, but we won't know that until we get rid of him and try someone else. :shrug:

:nod: Better the devil you know. Grass isn't always greener.

[redgunamo]

His last four job outcomes as far as I can tell, remember I'm not a pervert:

Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Bayern - two seasons, sacked

Hardly an inspiring record, is it?

Didn't he win the league at all of them though?

[redgunamo]

:nod: Better the devil you know. Grass isn't always greener.

We can talk in clichés until the cows come home, P.

[PSRB]

We can talk in clichés until the cows come home, P.

Indeed, a change is as good as rest. You always do what what you've always done and you'll always get what you always got, r

[Burney]

:nod: Better the devil you know. Grass isn't always greener.

I think we're past that now. Wenger's continued presence is just making everyone miserable - including him. We need catharsis - for good or ill. We're at the stage where even the wrong man would be better than carrying on with Wenger.

[Pat Vegas]

His last four job outcomes as far as I can tell, remember I'm not a pervert:

Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Bayern - two seasons, sacked

Hardly an inspiring record, is it?

Chelsea - two seasons, sacked, FA cup winner, premier league winner, community shield
PSG - two seasons, sacked, league champions
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked, copa del ray, champions league, uefa super cup, fifa club world cup
Bayern - two seasons, sacked, league title, 2 dfl supercups.

yeah he's rubbish

[Luis Anaconda]

His last four job outcomes as far as I can tell, remember I'm not a pervert:

Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Bayern - two seasons, sacked

Hardly an inspiring record, is it?
I know you are just being an idiot but it's actually
Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
Won the double in the first one- lost his job because Abramovich saw a bright shiny new toy he wanted to play with (Villa Boas, I think - that went well). Third highest win percentage in Premier league history behind Mourinho and Ferguson
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Actually one and half- Won the league in only full season and wasn't sacked - he resigned to go to Real
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Won the European Cup
Bayern - two seasons, sacked
One and a bit seasons - still won the league

[Ash]

I think we're past that now. Wenger's continued presence is just making everyone miserable - including him. We need catharsis - for good or ill. We're at the stage where even the wrong man would be better than carrying on with Wenger.

Yes. Even failing in a different way would ease the pain at this point. Also, Arsene has a book to write, with many volumes. He needs to get started on it. Also when he goes he'll be able to say what he really thinks about referees. :hehe:

[Peter]

I know you are just being an idiot but it's actually
Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
Won the double in the first one- lost his job because Abramovich saw a bright shiny new toy he wanted to play with (Villa Boas, I think - that went well). Third highest win percentage in Premier league history behind Mourinho and Ferguson
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Actually one and half- Won the league in only full season and wasn't sacked - he resigned to go to Real
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Won the European Cup
Bayern - two seasons, sacked
One and a bit seasons - still won the league

I would take two seasons of something like that. Would rather we didnt sack him though...that sounds expensive.

[Peter]

Yes. Even failing in a different way would ease the pain at this point. Also, Arsene has a book to write, with many volumes. He needs to get started on it. Also when he goes he'll be able to say what he really thinks about referees. :hehe:

I think it is more about further redefining success. Failure, of course, is simply not an option.

[redgunamo]

I think it is more about further redefining success. Failure, of course, is simply not an option.

A decent definition of professionalism, that. Perhaps not inspiring enough for many though.

[Ash]

I think it is more about further redefining success. Failure, of course, is simply not an option.

A decade or so in mid-table would certainly redefine the 'lack' of success of the hated 4th place trophy.

[Burney]

I think it is more about further redefining success. Failure, of course, is simply not an option.

Well it seems to have been an option for a few years now. :shrug: After all, we can only judge AW on the high standards he himself has set and by those standards, the last decade or so has been a failure.

I realised the other day that in 2022 it will be the same length of time between league wins as between 1971 and 1989. That's only four years away now. :-(

[redgunamo]

A decade or so in mid-table would certainly redefine the 'lack' of success of the hated 4th place trophy.

If you care to define mid-table as "not winning the league" then arguably we've already been there for a decade.

[redgunamo]

Well it seems to have been an option for a few years now. :shrug: After all, we can only judge AW on the high standards he himself has set and by those standards, the last decade or so has been a failure.

I realised the other day that in 2022 it will be the same length of time between league wins as between 1971 and 1989. That's only four years away now. :-(

We had six or seven managers between '71 and '89, didn't we. That's something of an issue, I suppose.

[Ash]

If you care to define mid-table as "not winning the league" then arguably we've already been there for a decade.

Well, I don't. I've never gone with the 91 losers approach.

[Burney]

We had six or seven managers between '71 and '89, didn't we. That's something of an issue, I suppose.

Four, I think. Mee, Neill, Howe and Graham.

I'm assuming we're not counting Steve Burtenshaw's illustrious 11-game reign?

[Luis Anaconda]

We had six or seven managers between '71 and '89, didn't we. That's something of an issue, I suppose.
Four full-time ones: Mee, Neill, Howe, Graham

Only two more since as well :yikes:

[redgunamo]

Well, I don't. I've never gone with the 91 losers approach.

What's that then?

[redgunamo]

Four, I think. Mee, Neill, Howe and Graham.

I'm assuming we're not counting Steve Burtenshaw's illustrious 11-game reign?

It seems I can't actually count at all :homer:

[Tony C]

Reckon Ancellotti is looking at it thinking he could do a way better job at training this lot that Arsene.

Would be fantastic to go into matches with an actual game plan and strategy.

We’ve got the players but Wenger is failing them at the moment.

[World's End Stella]

I know you are just being an idiot but it's actually
Chelsea - two seasons, sacked
Won the double in the first one- lost his job because Abramovich saw a bright shiny new toy he wanted to play with (Villa Boas, I think - that went well). Third highest win percentage in Premier league history behind Mourinho and Ferguson
PSG - two seasons, sacked
Actually one and half- Won the league in only full season and wasn't sacked - he resigned to go to Real
Real Madrid - two seasons, sacked
Won the European Cup
Bayern - two seasons, sacked
One and a bit seasons - still won the league

Which sort of begs the question; if he won all that silverware why was he sacked at three of the four clubs after only two years?

Despite what we've become after all these years of Wenger, I'd still prefer we hire someone that might hang around for longer than 2-3 years. Carlo's recent record suggests that's unlikely.

[redgunamo]

Which sort of begs the question; if he won all that silverware why was he sacked at three of the four clubs after only two years?

Despite what we've become after all these years of Wenger, I'd still prefer we hire someone that might hang around for longer than 2-3 years. Carlo's recent record suggests that's unlikely.

Any particular reason you'd want someone who'd hang around .. ?

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

I'm basically open to anyone who can organise a defence at this point.

Is Pulis available?


I'm not going to mention Fabio Capello or Arrigo Sacchi

Darn, I did :-(

Ok, I will not mention George Graham. :banghead:

[SWv2]

Which sort of begs the question; if he won all that silverware why was he sacked at three of the four clubs after only two years?

Despite what we've become after all these years of Wenger, I'd still prefer we hire someone that might hang around for longer than 2-3 years. Carlo's recent record suggests that's unlikely.

None of the clubs involved would be really known for exercising patience with Managers, perhaps Bayern the exception.

Winning the domestic league is not deemed a success either, it is the most basic task required.

[redgunamo]

None of the clubs involved would be really known for exercising patience with Managers, perhaps Bayern the exception.

Winning the domestic league is not deemed a success either, it is the most basic task required.

No, Bayern are typical. They've had about a dozen (he says, consulting his instruments) managers/head coaches since we hired George Graham. Probably more.

[Pat Vegas]

None of the clubs involved would be really known for exercising patience with Managers, perhaps Bayern the exception.

Winning the domestic league is not deemed a success either, it is the most basic task required.

:nod: and if Arsene had gone off to one of these clubs at some point I am sure he would have been sacked too.

[redgunamo]

:nod: and if Arsene had gone off to one of these clubs at some point I am sure he would have been sacked too.

And there's the rub. Wenger has been great for us, so it's always uncomfortable when we appear not to appreciate that so much as we maybe ought to. The fact that He may or not have proved good enough for Bayern Munich or Real Madrid or whoever doesn't change that.

[Luis Anaconda]

Which sort of begs the question; if he won all that silverware why was he sacked at three of the four clubs after only two years?

Despite what we've become after all these years of Wenger, I'd still prefer we hire someone that might hang around for longer than 2-3 years. Carlo's recent record suggests that's unlikely.
Well, few people turn down Real and I would say Bayern was different as there was a clear culture clash (they are so desperate to somewhere who understands Bavaria and the Bayern way, I have spoken to fans who thing Wenger is the ideal choice!) but how many other managers have stayed at Chelsea and Real for much longer? His successors in both those jobs didn't survive to the following March. He was at AC Milan for 8 years before that - don't think he chooses to go

[World's End Stella]

Any particular reason you'd want someone who'd hang around .. ?

I like the idea of a project a la Spurs and Arsenal in the 2005+ years. No one supported the idea of building a young team and watching them grow together more than I did, I thought it was a brilliant idea and that we had the perfect manager for the job. Just a shame it didn't work out.

So I'd like another go. Why do I like the idea of a longer term project? Dunno, really. We'd need to ask your parents. :-)

[Pat Vegas]

I like the idea of a project a la Spurs and Arsenal in the 2005+ years. No one supported the idea of building a young team and watching them grow together more than I did, I thought it was a brilliant idea and that we had the perfect manager for the job. Just a shame it didn't work out.

So I'd like another go. Why do I like the idea of a longer term project? Dunno, really. We'd need to ask your parents. :-)

It never really worked out though. We had a some decent squards but they never won anything.

Plus we could never keep them together as we had this habit of selling them all.



Though at least we played exciting football then.

[eastgermanautos]

Ivan: "Yes, Arsene, we know you always respect your contract, so here's the money and consider it respected."

That would be so fvcking great. I'm serious.