The Bohemian
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
- Messages
- 472
- Reaction score
- 2,198
We are about to start a Premier League season in s significantly weaker position in terms of squad depth and quality than we left the Championship. Arguably weaker than our League One promotion winning squad. Through the efforts of two outstanding managers we built not one but two squads capable of winning promotion to the Big League within the space of four years. No mean achievement in recent Sheffield United history given we'd only spent one season in the previous quarter of a century there before Wilder's promotion in 2019.
We all know how difficult it has proved for Sheffield United to find great managers - capable of building and rebuilding successful teams. John Harris fitted that description. He left in 1974. In almost 50 years since, the Blades have had 29 different managers, including caretakers. Of those only four – Bassett, Warnock, Wilder and Heckingbottom – have achieved outstanding success, measured by winning promotion to the top league. By a quirk of fate, two of those have arrived within the last three appointments. One left feeling disenchanted with promises made and unkept by the owners. The other is clearly furious and frustrated by the nonsense happening around him. Who would blame him if he was considering his own career options? Do our owners understand how difficult it is to find top-class managers who are committed to the cause?
Meanwhile, we have lost two of our best players for a fraction of their market value - one to a key rival. Ndiaye had previously been "frozen out" of the first team squad when he initially failed to agree to the reported derisory terms offered to him. Jokanovic brought him back in once he realised he wouldn't have the means to reshape the team in the way he wanted. It has been reported that Berge was similarly treated once he refused to sign a new deal. Hecky made clear he wanted to retain ALL his players from last season with a view to strengthening selectively. We now know why. He evidently didn't trust the word and/or ability of those in charge to deliver on their promises. How right he was.
This is no way to run any business, let alone a football business. If we didn't know better it could be construed as self sabotage. We are supposedly "in advanced discussions" with potential buyers. How does destroying our prospects of remaining in the richest league in the world enhance our prospects of a sale? It just doesn't make sense.
As supporters, we all care - some of us possibly too much for our own good. I know lots of others who, like myself, were really looking forward to the new season and are now hollowed out by events. We all need to vent occasionally but ranting, raving and finger pointing doesn't actually achieve much. So what next? If the Prince moves out, what are the prospects of him replacing himself with someone, or others, better equipped for the challenge of running a football club? What do we as supporters want and expect from our next owner?
We all know how difficult it has proved for Sheffield United to find great managers - capable of building and rebuilding successful teams. John Harris fitted that description. He left in 1974. In almost 50 years since, the Blades have had 29 different managers, including caretakers. Of those only four – Bassett, Warnock, Wilder and Heckingbottom – have achieved outstanding success, measured by winning promotion to the top league. By a quirk of fate, two of those have arrived within the last three appointments. One left feeling disenchanted with promises made and unkept by the owners. The other is clearly furious and frustrated by the nonsense happening around him. Who would blame him if he was considering his own career options? Do our owners understand how difficult it is to find top-class managers who are committed to the cause?
Meanwhile, we have lost two of our best players for a fraction of their market value - one to a key rival. Ndiaye had previously been "frozen out" of the first team squad when he initially failed to agree to the reported derisory terms offered to him. Jokanovic brought him back in once he realised he wouldn't have the means to reshape the team in the way he wanted. It has been reported that Berge was similarly treated once he refused to sign a new deal. Hecky made clear he wanted to retain ALL his players from last season with a view to strengthening selectively. We now know why. He evidently didn't trust the word and/or ability of those in charge to deliver on their promises. How right he was.
This is no way to run any business, let alone a football business. If we didn't know better it could be construed as self sabotage. We are supposedly "in advanced discussions" with potential buyers. How does destroying our prospects of remaining in the richest league in the world enhance our prospects of a sale? It just doesn't make sense.
As supporters, we all care - some of us possibly too much for our own good. I know lots of others who, like myself, were really looking forward to the new season and are now hollowed out by events. We all need to vent occasionally but ranting, raving and finger pointing doesn't actually achieve much. So what next? If the Prince moves out, what are the prospects of him replacing himself with someone, or others, better equipped for the challenge of running a football club? What do we as supporters want and expect from our next owner?