Steven Gerrard

[RUSSEL85]

2 minutes ago, SuperDziek said:

And how do they feel now?!

Exactly, Ipswich are a classic case of don’t know what they have got until it’s gone. Charlton fans did the same with Curbishley.

[TonyTonyTony]

1 hour ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

By ‘prove himself’ I meant Gerrard needs to take a more challenging job than the one he’s got at Rangers - if he could improve a club in the championship and show he can develop players and motivate a squad to make real progress then I will be more convinced he can be trusted at the helm of Liverpool in four or five years time 

I agree with you, but to go from managing a championship club or Rangers to Champions league winners is a huge leap. I think he'll need to go quite a lot more rungs up the ladder before he is allowed anywhere near them. Hopefully one of those rungs is city

[Leveller]

14 minutes ago, RUSSEL85 said:

Exactly, Ipswich are a classic case of don’t know what they have got until it’s gone. Charlton fans did the same with Curbishley.

Let’s hope we’re not the same with LJ ...

[Lez]

4 minutes ago, Leveller said:

Let’s hope we’re not the same with LJ ...

Dont be silly.

[BS4 on Tour...]

16 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

I agree with you, but to go from managing a championship club or Rangers to Champions league winners is a huge leap. I think he'll need to go quite a lot more rungs up the ladder before he is allowed anywhere near them. Hopefully one of those rungs is city

Yep, it would be a huge leap for him, as I said, I think it depends how well he does as a manager over the next four or five years - I can’t believe Chelsea appointed Lampard so soon into his fledgling managerial career

[ballwinningcentrehalf]

I think if the interest is real, then Gerrard himself probably has a very tough personal decision to make.

I actually believe that him staying at Rangers and winning the title this season would be a bigger achievement than taking the reins here and leading us to promotion. But that is taking into account both where Rangers were when he took over, and also what a hugely historical season it is going to be north of the border. It's easy for many of us down here to look at the upcoming SPFL season as another pointless exercise, that will probably lead to another Celtic title. But with the prospect of a first 10-in-a-row on the table it is a monumental season. Generation defining for whichever side of the Glasgow divide wins out.

His sides of the last two seasons have fallen away, but they've made real progress and a man of his self belief must believe he'll get it right and mount a sustainable challenge this year. If he succeeds he'll be worshipped as a King at Ibrox for the rest of his life, whatever he chooses to do next.

Conversely, despite how massive a season it is for Rangers, I think coming to City and getting us to the EPL would gain him more plaudits and more worldwide attention, and make him look a more attractive option if a bigger job became available. We'd also then be a club that would be able to attract players far out with those he could bring to Rangers. I'm sure that challenge also appeals to him.

Overall, I believe he'll feel that his current job isn't done and that he can shift the balance of power in Scotland. But if we press hard enough, and sell our potential to him strongly enough, he must surely have a temptation to test himself here.

[Mendip City]

1 minute ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Yep, it would be a huge leap for him, as I said, I think it depends how well he does as a manager over the next four or five years - I can’t believe Chelsea appointed Lampard so soon into his fledgling managerial career

I reckon that only happened because of the transfer ban at Chelsea. The usual level of manager Chelsea would go for wouldn’t have been interested. They probably thought Lampard would hold the fort for a year, maybe 2, but he’s done much better than expected. 

[BS4 on Tour...]

3 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

I reckon that only happened because of the transfer ban at Chelsea. The usual level of manager Chelsea would go for wouldn’t have been interested. They probably thought Lampard would hold the fort for a year, maybe 2, but he’s done much better than expected. 

Good point!

[cidered abroad]

5 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

I reckon that only happened because of the transfer ban at Chelsea. The usual level of manager Chelsea would go for wouldn’t have been interested. They probably thought Lampard would hold the fort for a year, maybe 2, but he’s done much better than expected. 

But also, don't forget that Lampard is a member of a football family which has the expertise and experience at the top levels to support him off the field and during times when the team is not doing as well as expected.

Gerrard's family may not be as well known as Lampard's but he has lived with, played with and socialised with all the Liverpool greats that are living in Liverpool and who are there for him when he needs them.

Initially, I preferred Hughton because he has gained promotions from Championship. But something inside, is telling me that we really need a big kick start and the passion that could follow Gerrard's appointment could lift us to where Wolves and Sheffield United are, within two or three years.

[Philly The Kid]

1 hour ago, Numero Uno said:

If Mick McCarthy, a manager you correctly state has won the Championship title twice, kept an Ipswich team in the Championship for years on a budget that even the Blue Few Manager would be moaning about, qualified for a World Cup and reached a Euro's play off with a very limited Ireland team, did apply for our job it would be interesting to know why he was unable to make the apparent "final four" shortlist behind Ryan Lowe and Lee Bowyer.

Because I suspect, he's an "Old school" manager. Nothing wrong with that, he's been successful and is proven.
I think the club (SL & MA) want a modern thinking approach which incorporates all manor of things the 'old school' managers didn't use or dream of using. Psychologists, nutritionists etc. Not to say the likes of Mick didn't, but but I think they've nailed their colours to the mast with the young coach (as opposed to manager) with fresh modern innovative ideas who can be moulded into the clubs way of thinking and doing. The fact they gave LJ so long past his use by date shows how desperate they were for him to succeed. I think SL will say the model is right, the idea was right, LJ just couldn't get us over the line but the young gun approach is one I think they'll stick with.
Wrongly in my opinion.

[Leveller]

26 minutes ago, Lez said:

Dont be silly.

Despite all the excitement about various candidates, it’s perfectly possible that one of them could do worse with our squad than LJ did.

[downendcity]

27 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

I reckon that only happened because of the transfer ban at Chelsea. The usual level of manager Chelsea would go for wouldn’t have been interested. They probably thought Lampard would hold the fort for a year, maybe 2, but he’s done much better than expected. 

Also, the usual level of manager would almost certainly not have been prepared to play Chelsea's youngsters, as Lampard has done. That Chelsea have done so well with a fairly rookie manager and using their youngsters is a bit of an eye opener.

Perhaps also a lesson for us?

[Major Isewater]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

If Chris Hughton took the job he will want big money to spend on players. 
His successes in this division have come with either parachute payments or a club ‘going for broke’ with big spend and big salary. 
Yes, he’s been there and done it at this level, but with money. 
Of the two candidates, I would say Hughton would be the one asking for bigger funds. 

That was pré-COVID, every body in football is going to have to accept the constraints imposed by the huge loss of revenue.

If they don’t they will find themselves on the shelf. 
 

[Major Isewater]

8 minutes ago, Leveller said:

Despite all the excitement about various candidates, it’s perfectly possible that one of them could do worse with our squad than LJ did.

Possible but unlikely.

 

[brad blit]

Don’t get people being happy with managers such as Mick McCarthy - older managers lose track of new training techniques and envaribly lose touch with modern game with old fashioned or stubborn tactics. Look at mourinho at spurs who (despite bringing in Porto coaching staff) has kept same defensive tactics as he’s played all his life and spurs are nowhere near where they were under Poch. 
 

Hughton has proven he can get teams promoted from this league, but not sure he can do it again (name me any other managers who have got 3 teams promoted??) so id be happier with a more gambled approach of younger manager with new coaching style like Gerrard or Lowe despite apparent lack of success/credentials. 

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, CodeRed said:

Lansdown still hopes to persuade Stevie G to join. Doing everything he can.  He sent him a puppy yesterday.

With a note ‘ sign for us or the puppy gets it ‘ 

[joe jordans teeth]

4 minutes ago, brad blit said:

Don’t get people being happy with managers such as Mick McCarthy - older managers lose track of new training techniques and envaribly lose touch with modern game with old fashioned or stubborn tactics. Look at mourinho at spurs who (despite bringing in Porto coaching staff) has kept same defensive tactics as he’s played all his life and spurs are nowhere near where they were under Poch. 
 

Hughton has proven he can get teams promoted from this league, but not sure he can do it again (name me any other managers who have got 3 teams promoted??) so id be happier with a more gambled approach of younger manager with new coaching style like Gerrard or Lowe despite apparent lack of success/credentials. 

Jose is younger than Bielsa so I don’t think age has anything to do with it

[BCFCGav]

Well we've hit 50 pages and I've still not said anything so I'm feeling left out.

Overall, I'd be happy with Stevie. Inexperienced, maybe, but he'd bring in money through media and connections to big clubs. BUT if this delay is because he's umm-ing and ahh-ing do we really want him here? I'd rather a fully committed, say, Paul Cook then a 50% committed Steven I think. 

[Harry]

2 hours ago, Kingswoodactor said:

Where is the evidence for him spending big? Or any bigger than how we’ve been spending these last 2 years? Hughton made some clever signings in the summer before Brighton were promoted to Prem. He signed Shane Duffy from Blackburn for 4 million, Knockaert from Standard Liege for £3 million. He also found Hemed for £1.2 million from LaLiga 2, and also picked up some clever free transfers in the champ like Bobby Zamora, Rosenior, Bong, Sidwell. Bloke has an eye for good signings that won’t break the bank. He only actually spent big when they got to the Prem which obviously is fine within reason

I’ve got 3 words for you sir. 
 

Wages, wages, wages. 
 

Hughton’s Brighton team were in the top 4 in terms of wage bills in the champ. 
They were paying twice the amount we were. 
Hence he was able to attract the players you highlighted. 
 

Brighton were very very much in the ‘speculate to accumulate’ philosophy. Which is one which SL doesn’t like to operate. 

[Harry]

9 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

That was pré-COVID, every body in football is going to have to accept the constraints imposed by the huge loss of revenue.

If they don’t they will find themselves on the shelf. 
 

Exactly. 
Hughton’s success in this league has been with money to spend. 
I’m not slating him, just pointing out that, whilst he’s had success at this level, it’s under a different financial structure than he’ll have here. So, he’s not proven to achieve success without money. 

[Davefevs]

43 minutes ago, ballwinningcentrehalf said:

I think if the interest is real, then Gerrard himself probably has a very tough personal decision to make.

I actually believe that him staying at Rangers and winning the title this season would be a bigger achievement than taking the reins here and leading us to promotion. But that is taking into account both where Rangers were when he took over, and also what a hugely historical season it is going to be north of the border. It's easy for many of us down here to look at the upcoming SPFL season as another pointless exercise, that will probably lead to another Celtic title. But with the prospect of a first 10-in-a-row on the table it is a monumental season. Generation defining for whichever side of the Glasgow divide wins out.

His sides of the last two seasons have fallen away, but they've made real progress and a man of his self belief must believe he'll get it right and mount a sustainable challenge this year. If he succeeds he'll be worshipped as a King at Ibrox for the rest of his life, whatever he chooses to do next.

Conversely, despite how massive a season it is for Rangers, I think coming to City and getting us to the EPL would gain him more plaudits and more worldwide attention, and make him look a more attractive option if a bigger job became available. We'd also then be a club that would be able to attract players far out with those he could bring to Rangers. I'm sure that challenge also appeals to him.

Overall, I believe he'll feel that his current job isn't done and that he can shift the balance of power in Scotland. But if we press hard enough, and sell our potential to him strongly enough, he must surely have a temptation to test himself here.

Do you think that could be because of the demands of Europe catching up?  I don’t really follow Scottish football these days, so just wondering.

3 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

Jose is younger than Bielsa so I don’t think age has anything to do with it

Yep, agree, it’s about willingness to embrace new methods and ideas. 

[hertsexile]

What I do not want to see is a repeat of the Coppell episode. 

[Mr Hankey]

We waited long enough on Nketiah pissing about & plenty of other targets slipped through the net. Lets hope Ashton isn't making the same mistake this time around. If Gerrard isn't certain, move on before we miss out on the rest.

[GlastonburyRed]

18 minutes ago, brad blit said:

Don’t get people being happy with managers such as Mick McCarthy - older managers lose track of new training techniques and envaribly lose touch with modern game with old fashioned or stubborn tactics. Look at mourinho at spurs who (despite bringing in Porto coaching staff) has kept same defensive tactics as he’s played all his life and spurs are nowhere near where they were under Poch. 
 

Hughton has proven he can get teams promoted from this league, but not sure he can do it again (name me any other managers who have got 3 teams promoted??) so id be happier with a more gambled approach of younger manager with new coaching style like Gerrard or Lowe despite apparent lack of success/credentials. 

A bit like an, um, Lee Johnson kinda character, you mean...

[mozo]

55 minutes ago, ballwinningcentrehalf said:

I think if the interest is real, then Gerrard himself probably has a very tough personal decision to make.

I actually believe that him staying at Rangers and winning the title this season would be a bigger achievement than taking the reins here and leading us to promotion. But that is taking into account both where Rangers were when he took over, and also what a hugely historical season it is going to be north of the border. It's easy for many of us down here to look at the upcoming SPFL season as another pointless exercise, that will probably lead to another Celtic title. But with the prospect of a first 10-in-a-row on the table it is a monumental season. Generation defining for whichever side of the Glasgow divide wins out.

His sides of the last two seasons have fallen away, but they've made real progress and a man of his self belief must believe he'll get it right and mount a sustainable challenge this year. If he succeeds he'll be worshipped as a King at Ibrox for the rest of his life, whatever he chooses to do next.

Conversely, despite how massive a season it is for Rangers, I think coming to City and getting us to the EPL would gain him more plaudits and more worldwide attention, and make him look a more attractive option if a bigger job became available. We'd also then be a club that would be able to attract players far out with those he could bring to Rangers. I'm sure that challenge also appeals to him.

Overall, I believe he'll feel that his current job isn't done and that he can shift the balance of power in Scotland. But if we press hard enough, and sell our potential to him strongly enough, he must surely have a temptation to test himself here.

Interesting stuff and you could put his decision in the context of his playing days. He was loyal to Liverpool even when pushed to the edge of temptation with Chelsea. Yes boyhood club and he was an icon, but that hasn't stopped many a footballer chasing glory elsewhere. I'd argue that loyalty is in his DNA and might make walking out of Rangers - with Europa League and the top end league challenge - a little bit jarring for him.

[Red Army 75]

11 minutes ago, hertsexile said:

What I do not want to see is a repeat of the Coppell episode. 

Should be alright. Struggle to get a flight into Thailand at the moment 

[YGBjammy]

21 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

Well we've hit 50 pages and I've still not said anything so I'm feeling left out.

Overall, I'd be happy with Stevie. Inexperienced, maybe, but he'd bring in money through media and connections to big clubs. BUT if this delay is because he's umm-ing and ahh-ing do we really want him here? I'd rather a fully committed, say, Paul Cook then a 50% committed Steven I think. 

Yes I agree with this. If we've already offered him a big wodge of cash and he doesn't fancy it, then I don't think going back with even more would help particularly. Would rather go for someone who wants it 100%.

[Kingswoodactor]

22 minutes ago, Harry said:

I’ve got 3 words for you sir. 
 

Wages, wages, wages. 
 

Hughton’s Brighton team were in the top 4 in terms of wage bills in the champ. 
They were paying twice the amount we were. 
Hence he was able to attract the players you highlighted. 
 

Brighton were very very much in the ‘speculate to accumulate’ philosophy. Which is one which SL doesn’t like to operate. 

I'd be surprised if Knockaert was paid more in 2016 when he 'initially' signed, than what we're now paying Kalas (inflation aside). If Hughton came in, I really don't think he'd need to start splashing the wages around massively on new players. Perhaps if he did do that for one or two experienced heads coming in (especially in central mid, like for new Paul Hartley) it will be seen as a wise investment by the board. 

[Rossi the Robin]

1 hour ago, Leveller said:

Let’s hope we’re not the same with LJ ...

Was thinking the same next season sitting in 23rd 1 point above Wycombe 

[Mendip City]

46 minutes ago, downendcity said:

Also, the usual level of manager would almost certainly not have been prepared to play Chelsea's youngsters, as Lampard has done. That Chelsea have done so well with a fairly rookie manager and using their youngsters is a bit of an eye opener.

Perhaps also a lesson for us?

Yes, agreed. You need to make sure the rookie manager plays the kids. 
we had a rookie manager who talked a lot about playing kids.... yet never did unless absolutely forced to and couldn’t get shot of them quickly enough even after they’d performed well (Max O, Taylor Moore). 
Playing kids is as much about the strategy of the club from the top... not signing loads of average, like-for-like players and making sure academy players are given a go (not just talking about it). 
As you rightly say, Chelsea had no choice in their strategy and look how positively it worked out!