Speed: The Next Gaffer?

[LouTheBlade]

Here is something to debate. I'm starting to become suspicious that the managerial reigns might be handed over shortly. Its funny that Gary Speed has been given a lot more responsibility recently; handling interviews and media questions - not to mention his increasing presence on the touchline in camparison to KB.

Sam Ellis, who is the Assistant Manager I might add - has been as quiet as the Manager in recent weeks.....I just wonder.....

My prediction is Gary Speed to take over as manager at the end of the season with Kevin moving upstairs in a Director of Football Role. Would make sense - I could see Blackwell in such a role and he seems to become increasingly fed up with the being the main man and handling the pressure that comes with it. By moving into DOF role he would most likely increase his salary and take less grief.

Mr McCabe has been wanting to appoint a Director of Football for some time as well, it would be easy enough to appoint from within. Just a vibe i'm getting - what does everyone else think?.....

 

[ciento%hoja]

i hope so.
i might be on my own here, but i do like kb. but not in manager role. just as a professional, someone around the players and honesty.
i do like GS and i think a season he would bring enough in to push the squad up either in the prem or to get promotion.

 

[Torrix1889]

I think you have a point about Speed, certainly think he will take the reigns of a club sooner rather than later.

As for Blackwell, a DOF should be someone who carries a bit of weight in the game, (not physically!) can demand a bit of respect and is recognised enough to represent the club at all levels. Blackwell is sadly lacking in every area for me.

Get him as far away from BDTBL as possible!

 

[Ted Danson]

I think Speeds being groomed for a full time role on the BBC personally, hasnt he been on MOTD the last 2 weeks and the championship show.

Sod that anyway I want Sabbella now. Speeds been coaching here for over a year and our footballs not amazing, what makes people think we'll be better with him in charge?

When we had Warnock everyone said it was Blackwell that was really pulling all the strings, then our good form in the prem was all down to Brian Kidd and now Blackwells in charge everyone thinks Speeds the answer. Why do we always think the person we've got as number 2 does more than the manager?

 

[Ollessendro]

what he (Torrix) said ^^^^

there is no guarantee that Speed would be a good manager. That said I'd sooner have him in charge than that clown Blackwell. I'd prefer to see us bring O'Driscoll in (and keep Speed in a no 2 role). However, I'd happily take Speed in charge over Blackwell.

 

[shorehamview]

Everyone loves a good number two.


Sorry.

 

[LouTheBlade]

there is no guarantee that Speed would be a good manager. That said I'd sooner have him in charge than that clown Blackwell. I'd prefer to see us bring O'Driscoll in (and keep Speed in a no 2 role). However, I'd happily take Speed in charge over Blackwell.

True, there is no guarantee that Speed will be a good manager but I don't think you can guarantee that with anyone anymore - certainly nobody we can afford.

Gary Speed is relatively young as far as management and coaching is concerned. Like everything else in life, you have to do the job and gain experience on the job before you start fulfilling your potential. I think he has the making of a good manager and will eventually become one - be it with the Blades or somewhere else.

I'm not a massive fan of O'Driscoll to be honest. Reasonable manager who's team is having a purple patch thanks to our striker. Good bloke, but his managerial abilities are a little over-hyped for me. Donny were in a decent state before he took them over, he just built on someone elses legacy with a little more money in my opinion.

 

[Micalijo]

You've got to be joking Lou. The reality of Blackwell managing SUFC is horrible, to think he may leave to work above a new manager is laughable.

 

[Santos]

Here is something to debate. I'm starting to become suspicious that the managerial reigns might be handed over shortly. Its funny that Gary Speed has been given a lot more responsibility recently; handling interviews and media questions - not to mention his increasing presence on the touchline in camparison to KB.

Sam Ellis, who is the Assistant Manager I might add - has been as quiet as the Manager in recent weeks.....I just wonder.....

My prediction is Gary Speed to take over as manager at the end of the season with Kevin moving upstairs in a Director of Football Role. Would make sense - I could see Blackwell in such a role and he seems to become increasingly fed up with the being the main man and handling the pressure that comes with it. By moving into DOF role he would most likely increase his salary and take less grief.

Mr McCabe has been wanting to appoint a Director of Football for some time as well, it would be easy enough to appoint from within. Just a vibe i'm getting - what does everyone else think?.....

I don't think Blackwell is suited to a DOF role.

 

[Grecian2000]

I don't think Blackwell is suited to a DOF role.

I will be very surprised if anyone comes out with a statement I agree with more this side of Easter.

 

[raul]

Ian Bell - why?

 

[judge]

brittany murphy ,werth one ?

 

[Pinchy]

It may be that those in power at The Lane think that Speedo still has a lot to learn It won't be happening.


What on earth has Sabella done to indicate an aptitude for management in the English Championship? That's one of the crazier ones I've heard - even dafter than Mickey Adams. Chris Wilder or Kevin Blackwell.

The obvious choice for DoF, or better still, manager is the excellent Mr. Coppell.

 

[JohnDenver]

The obvious choice for DoF, or better still, manager is the excellent Mr. Coppell.

I'd like to see Coppell here. But I sincerely doubt he'd survive the impatience our fans have developed in recent years.

It took him a good few seasons to build the side that everyone remembers. I'm certain many Reading fans were as vehemently opposed to him in the bad years as some of our lot are/were towards Robson/Blackwell/Warnock.

It's like being a politician. You can't make the right choices for fear of losing the authority to make them!

 

[shorehamview]

I'd like to see Coppell here. But I sincerely doubt he'd survive the impatience our fans have developed in recent years.

It took him a good few seasons to build the side that everyone remembers.

Ah yes, one promotion, two seasons in the Premier League as opposed to our one, and now down the arse end of the Championship. We can but dream, eh...

 

[Pinchy]

Ah yes, one promotion, two seasons in the Premier League as opposed to our one, and now down the arse end of the Championship. We can but dream, eh...

Take a look at his full record SV!

More to the point, his Reading team was assembled without spending a fortune and included a number of unknown gems who are now established Premiership players. 106 points wasn't it?

Even more to the point, they played the sort of football that we, under Blacko, can only dream of.

 

[shorehamview]

And Coppell's legacy is? Sales of Pro-Plus and Red Bull increase when he's around, that is for sure.

 

[raul]

Whereas Robson..........

 

[Pinchy]

And Coppell's legacy is? Sales of Pro-Plus and Red Bull increase when he's around, that is for sure.

Not when you're watching the football he promotes though!

Class on the pitch or Warnockesque comedy in the media and on the touchline?

I know which I prefer!

 

[tomtheblade]

Can anyone explain what exactly a DOF does? Or give an example of a successful English club who have a DOF in a prominent role?

I don't see the point myself. Plenty of clubs do well by simply having a good manager and a good coach or two.

 

[shorehamview]

Can anyone explain what exactly a DOF does?

Signs lots of players the manager doesn't want, then sits on his arse waiting for the manager to get the sack so he can step in without taking any of the blame, despite it being partly his fault. See Grant, Avram.

 

[tomtheblade]

Signs lots of players the manager doesn't want, then sits on his arse waiting for the manager to get the sack so he can step in without taking any of the blame, despite it being partly his fault. See Grant, Avram.

Yeah, that's what i thought.

As an analogy, if the manager of a football club is a film director, then the director of football is like the 'executive producer' who thinks he has creative talent because he took photography in high school, so all he does is trample all over the directors decisions and generally fuck everything up (see: Dennis Wise at Newcastle)

the funny thing is, avram grant is actually decent as a manager, which just goes to prove how silly the whole director of football thing is.

 

[ciento%hoja]

DOF is a role that i am mightily confused by... would love to see the job description or verifiable indicators of success in position.
can someone explain to me please !

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Can anyone explain what exactly a DOF does? Or give an example of a successful English club who have a DOF in a prominent role?

I don't see the point myself. Plenty of clubs do well by simply having a good manager and a good coach or two.

Chelsea, and Tottenham (relative success).

 

[alcoblade]

Can anyone explain what exactly a DOF does? Or give an example of a successful English club who have a DOF in a prominent role?

I don't see the point myself. Plenty of clubs do well by simply having a good manager and a good coach or two.

Bang on. With our debt and wagebill, it's beyond me why people would want to spend another £750K (or whatever) every year to fill a role that's proved absolutely zero worth in English football.

UTB

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

It depends on who it is. If it is a name that will attract players (even like Robson) then it is a good thing for a smaller club to attempt as the names won't come otherwise. However if we honestly think anyone is going to come because Blackie is there we are having a laugh. Unless McCabe is just using it in order to fill a role because he'd only have to pay his contract off if he sacks him. Therefore move him upstairs to setup the role for 2 years and then get someone else in with no additional cost.

Incidentally what is all this speculation based on. Not just because Speed has been doing interviews and MOTD surely?

 

[alcoblade]

It depends on who it is. If it is a name that will attract players (even like Robson) then it is a good thing for a smaller club to attempt as the names won't come otherwise. However if we honestly think anyone is going to come because Blackie is there we are having a laugh. Unless McCabe is just using it in order to fill a role because he'd only have to pay his contract off if he sacks him. Therefore move him upstairs to setup the role for 2 years and then get someone else in with no additional cost.

Incidentally what is all this speculation based on. Not just because Speed has been doing interviews and MOTD surely?

Players come for money, and use the manager to fill people with shit because it sounds better than "I came for the money". Sol Cambell signed for Notts County because "they are the oldest club in the league and I want to be a part of that", and people fall for such crap.

Anyhow, if we think our manager can't attract players, then let's not add a further huge cost that we can't afford by adding someone who can. Let's just get in a manager who can.

UTB

 

[tomtheblade]

Chelsea, and Tottenham (relative success).

The question, really, is, is there an example where the appointment of a Dof for an english club has significantly improved their fortunes? Of course this is hard to define but you can still make an educated assessment.

Of the two examples you gave, Chelsea i can understand because with the vast resources at their disposal and dramatic reprofiling of the club under Abramovich as an 'elite european club' they represent an exception to most English league clubs in that such a role might be required.

However whilst both these clubs have undoubtedly recently employed directors of football and also have recently enjoyed success, ie on the face of it the role is beneficial, if you look closely it's not as straightforward as that.

Chelsea's current Dof is frank arnesen who was appointed this year, having been at the club since 2005 as a youth talent scout. So he's hardly been the catalyst for Chelsea's success as he, Mourinho and Abramovich all arrived at relatively the same time (with a top coach and a billionaire it's no surprise Chelsea became successful at this point). Mourinho has also blamed Arnesen for the 'lack of talented youth' in Chelsea's ranks- hardly a glowing assessment. Before Arnesen the role was Avram Grant's, who's interference was given a prime example for Mourinho, the coach who had given them 2 consecutive league titles, leaving.

Spurs until recently had Damien Comolli as their Dof. Martin Jol has cited his interference as a reason for leaving the club. Comolli was sacked along with Juande Ramos after Spurs' woeful start to the season last year, and they've improved immensely since Redknapp was appointed.

I realise you were just answering my question, Bob , so thanks and i'm not having a dig, but my point is basically that the 'added value' that a Dof brings to a club is questionable at best, and a disruptive and negative influence behind the scenes in many scenarios. It's the manager that makes the difference.

 

[tomtheblade]

Also, just look at Sven at Notts County. It's a bit of a farce there at the moment, and no doubt more than a few of the fans feel disenfranchised about the situation, not least the harsh sacking of McParland for really no reason whatsoever.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Well I think Harry Redknapp is a shite chequebook manager anyway so no worries.

I suppose the point is would Campbell and even Hughes have gone to Notts County unless Sven was there?
I take on board Alco's comment about the money but if that was the case then they could of signed anyone in theory. I think the wages help but a well known DOF helps convince the player that dropping down a level is a good idea because they wouldn't be there if they didn't believe the club was going places.


Who knows, but I think my point about Blackie's contract still holds up. He's moving Blackwell into a role which in all probability is more over the academy (which we should of left Reid in charge of) than first team signings. Speed would be the attraction for some players I would think.