Nigel Pearson - Confirmed ‘Manager’ Till End of Season

[cityloyal473]

Gregor MacGregor

 

@GeeMacGee

 

Nigel Pearson: As reported last night by

@benfisherj, it's going to be just a deal until the summer initially. But could become longer if it works out. Close to being completed. As it stands, Pearson will work with the existing backroom staff. #BristolCity

Working with dumb and dumber and very much a short term goal at the moment. Not as enthused by this appointment as I had been.

 

[cidered abroad]

7 minutes ago, Blackbird1 said:

This is a very contentious appointment, if it happens, NP has a very arrogant personality that just might damage this club beyond the period of his tenure. Or it might gust ignite some passion and fight in the players, either way it is as far removed from a Bristol City manager as I can ever recaĺl.

I hope this works out .

Do you believe that the great majority of our post war managers did not instill passion and fight in their players.

Beasley, Ford, Dicks, Cooper, Jordan, Cotterill and even John Ward all won promotion and it's impossible to do that quietly, without passion and a great deal of fight.

[Sir Geoff]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

There is little to suggest he is heavy handed with his players....everything to suggest he’s massively protective of them.  Heavy handed with owners and media?  Absolutely, but not players.

Just listened to the Mark Pougatch interview / pod totally agree about protecting players.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

11 minutes ago, Abraham Romanovich said:

From the 3 Lions.

Is that an Ostrich?

***** sake! 

[MSN Red]

Listening to TalkSport who say appointment of Pearson verbally agreed and could be announced this afternoon 

[Fordy62]

14 minutes ago, Harry said:

I don’t think he’s arrogant at all. I think he doesn’t suffer fools and he’s not shy is saying so. That’s not arrogance. 

**** me. If you’re not allowed to be arrogant after seeing off a pack of Wolves, when are you allowed to be arrogant?

[ray savino]

This wouldn’t be my first choice, liked Cook. However there’s no doubting Pearson’s pedigree.

The other factor is the initial length of the appointment. He is obviously a motivator, fire-fighter and organiser. At the moment this is exactly what we need. Both parties can suss eachother out. If he’s a success, then he’ll either want to stay and be happy with the structure or we will see the benefit in going the extra mile in accommodating him in terms of his overall influence on football decisions iwithin the club as well as financially.

If it doesn’t work, then we either go down, or survive by the skin of our teeth, in which case is a whole different scenario. 

FWIW I think he is on paper the best available candidate for our situation at the minute. If he does well but goes to a bigger club in the summer, we at least may learn from him what we need to do with the structure of the football side and maybe open Steve Lansdown’s mind to maybe appear more flexible in the appointment of the next manager, as well as to evolving the football structure in the club.

Whichever way could be a win win appointment if handled right. 

[bcfc01]

1 hour ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I'd argue the evidence is that since they came in the team has started to lose the ability to do the basics - and it has just got worse and worse and worse.

Now we have a less than 50% pass rate completion and can't defend set pieces.

I think that is as much down to the players, probably more.

Watch Mariappa for the Barnsley goal for instance, that is nothing to do with coaching, it is the player switching off.

[Sheltons Army]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

**** me. If you’re not allowed to be arrogant after seeing off a pack of Wolves, when are you allowed to be arrogant?

I and a few others , can probably make that claim too Fordy

That underpass outside Molineux was always interesting 

[stortfordred]

4 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

**** me. If you’re not allowed to be arrogant after seeing off a pack of Wolves, when are you allowed to be arrogant?

What? City cat? Or was it pig?

[Kodjias Wrist]

19 minutes ago, Blackbird1 said:

This is a very contentious appointment, if it happens, NP has a very arrogant personality that just might damage this club beyond the period of his tenure. Or it might gust ignite some passion and fight in the players, either way it is as far removed from a Bristol City manager as I can ever recaĺl.

I hope this works out .

Well football is full of arrogance but what makes you think he is arrogant? Could it be mistaken for confidence. Not having a pop just genuinely interested in why you think he is and why it would be bad for the club?

[Top Robin]

5 minutes ago, MSN Red said:

Listening to TalkSport who say appointment of Pearson verbally agreed and could be announced this afternoon 

Effin hope so...can't stand the tension!

[brad blit]

People worrying about the short term deal fear not, prudent on both sides. 

IF City relegated we won’t want to pay his wages at L1 level, and he won’t wanna manage us. Agreement/contract will be in place once safety secure and both parties happy to continue. 
Imagine Pearson will then look to get his own backroom team in at this point too if he’s not happy with Downing & Simpson. 

Perfect and best available candidate we could have hoped for. 

[Ska Junkie]

5 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

I and a few others , can probably make that claim too Fordy

That underpass outside Molineux was always interesting 

That is / was dodgy as f*c* Shelts! 

[Robin101]

3 minutes ago, brad blit said:

People worrying about the short term deal fear not, prudent on both sides. 

IF City relegated we won’t want to pay his wages at L1 level, and he won’t wanna manage us. Agreement/contract will be in place once safety secure and both parties happy to continue. 
Imagine Pearson will then look to get his own backroom team in at this point too if he’s not happy with Downing & Simpson. 

Perfect and best available candidate we could have hoped for. 

Plus why would we want to keep a manager who can’t get us 10 points from 15 games! 

[Sheltons Army]

Just now, Ska Junkie said:

That is / was dodgy as f*c* Shelts! 

Wasn’t it ever !

Not my favourite away ground

[erndogz]

OK who edited the manager section of Wiki? 

[Ska Junkie]

Who was this? Own up, who writes for the sporting life?

Bloody funny, fair play. 

[S_C]

18 minutes ago, BanburyRed said:

Why do you think this might be the case?

Confidence shot to pieces due to a lack of any real plan they can get behind. I’m sure with clear instruction confidence will follow, and I’m sure Pearson would provide that.

16 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

There is little to suggest he is heavy handed with his players....everything to suggest he’s massively protective of them.  Heavy handed with owners and media?  Absolutely, but not players.

Fair, and maybe I’m being sucked in by the constant stream of posts discussing how terrified Ashton will be, or how he’ll put a rocket up the players etc, but I think there’s a weight of risk in the appointment given his relatively short spells at clubs since Leicester approaching six years ago.

All that has been discussed recently is the model and how it may only accommodate certain types. You’ve got a mentally shot squad, a CEO who {apparently} manipulates to achieve his ends and what appears to be a seriously frustrated owner. And into that you’re introducing the exact opposite character that people assumed. Someone who has left previous jobs in a hurry after fallings out.

Look, don't get me wrong, I’m not against the appointment. It’s a calibre of candidate I didn’t think we’d attract. But I think Cook, Neil etc keep us up with an arguably lower ceiling going forward. Pearson will probably keep us up with an arguably higher one.

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, erndogz said:

I guess this has been posted in the thread somewhere but I enjoyed this interview with NP https://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/managing-in-the-modern-game-nigel-pearson-the-leader/

À very good article, if he’s still genuinely up for it then this could be a marriage made in Devon. 
 

He sounds exactly like the sort of bloke we should have bought in after LJ, still better late than never. 

[exAtyeoMax]

1 minute ago, Major Isewater said:

À very good article, if he’s still genuinely up for it then this could be a marriage made in Devon. 
 

He sounds exactly like the sort of bloke we should have bought in after LJ, still better late than never. 

or even after Cotts…

[Red-Robbo]

12 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

I think that is as much down to the players, probably more.

Watch Mariappa for the Barnsley goal for instance, that is nothing to do with coaching, it is the player switching off.

Funny they all seem to switch off at once then? Players who, in some cases, were performing a lot better earlier this season.

Coaching should make them "switch on". Should reinforce what they were doing right and teach them how to avoid mistakes.

If one or two players saw declines in form, then maybe you'd look to those players.  The whole outfield does, and I'd point at the coaching.

[lenred]

1 minute ago, Major Isewater said:

À very good article, if he’s still genuinely up for it then this could be a marriage made in Devon. 
 

He sounds exactly like the sort of bloke we should have bought in after LJ, still better late than never. 

Should’ve brought him in before LJ. He was keen. But as you say, better late than never. 

[Ska Junkie]

Good endorsement

[bcfc01]

1 minute ago, Major Isewater said:

À very good article, if he’s still genuinely up for it then this could be a marriage made in Devon. 
 

He sounds exactly like the sort of bloke we should have bought in after LJ, still better late than never. 

As we know, NP had the Covid virus quite badly at that time and SL did mention recently that there were a couple of likely candidates who weren't available at the time of LJs sacking.

Maybe the length of time taken to employ a successor to LJ was to see if NP would recover to fit in with the timeline ? 

[glastonred]

34 minutes ago, Greedo said:

Would be lively if Stacky came in 

Why's that then?

[Lrrr]

24 minutes ago, cityloyal473 said:

Gregor MacGregor

 

@GeeMacGee

 

Nigel Pearson: As reported last night by

@benfisherj, it's going to be just a deal until the summer initially. But could become longer if it works out. Close to being completed. As it stands, Pearson will work with the existing backroom staff. #BristolCity

Working with dumb and dumber and very much a short term goal at the moment. Not as enthused by this appointment as I had been.

 

Very much seems a case of allow him to asses current staff, if he stays on then he'll make changes in the summer. If we allowed him to make changes now what happens if he decided he didn't want to stay? Would the next head coach then be hamstrung by his changes? Logical really

[bcfc01]

4 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

Funny they all seem to switch off at once then? Players who, in some cases, were performing a lot better earlier this season.

Coaching should make them "switch on". Should reinforce what they were doing right and teach them how to avoid mistakes.

If one or two players saw declines in form, then maybe you'd look to those players.  The whole outfield does, and I'd point at the coaching.

Fair enough.

I'm pointing the finger at the players.

 

[Lrrr]

38 minutes ago, Harry said:

I don’t think he’s arrogant at all. I think he doesn’t suffer fools and he’s not shy is saying so. That’s not arrogance. 

Comes across as if you work for him then work hard, be respectful and you'll get along fine (as is the case for most people)

[M.D]

4 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

Good endorsement

Pearson getting the band back together, yes please..

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, David Brent said:

He played Holden to a nil-nil

Not very well though

[Simon79]

People mention a few of his sudden departures from jobs, but one was Watford, who are a basket case club with regards managers & they ended up going down after he dragged them out of the relegation zone. He left Derby because Mel Morris wanted drones above training so he could watch training ( different to the manager using them! ), so I think there was a level of trust issues there. Think he left Hull quickly due to the offer from Leicester who he set up to do the unthinkable. Might be a few I’m missing, but that’s the main ones I can think of. Really think he will like Lansdowns way of playing with a straight bat. COYR 

[MarcusX]

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

The job he did at Watford was unbelievable?!

Am I right in saying only 3 teams have survived having been bottom at Xmas, and one of them was Pearson's Leicester? The fourth would have been Watford if they'd kept him.

He's got something about him, that's for sure

I wont judge him on derby, wasnt there long enough and they are a basket case

Overseas jobs are always hit and miss, different culture, language etc

He's done very, very well at most places hes been

[Superjack]

4 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I would suspect that it’s a contract whereby he’s committed for the season - if he keeps us up and it’s working well it’s verbally agreed he’ll continue. I would suspect his contract includes a hefty ‘survival’ bonus and an even heftier ‘playoff’ bonus if he somehow achieved that.

Obviously he won’t come cheap so in a worst case scenario it’s not realistic to keep him in L1. We’d also need to restructure like we did under SO’D.

A short term contract for now is prudent on our part. 

I personally doubt that there would be any agreement regarding next season, even just verbally. What I suspect is that, taking into account Ashton and 'the structure', it benefits both parties to have a short term deal in order to see if a working relationship can be implemented.

Having been quite ill, it may also suit Pearson to 'see how he goes' without committing to anything long term.

Both scenarios eminently sensible in my opinion.

 

[Lrrr]

1 minute ago, Simon79 said:

People mention a few of his sudden departures from jobs, but one was Watford, who are a basket case club with regards managers & they ended up going down after he dragged them out of the relegation zone. He left Derby because Mel Morris wanted drones above training so he could watch training ( different to the manager using them! ), so I think there was a level of trust issues there. Think he left Hull quickly due to the offer from Leicester who he set up to do the unthinkable. Might be a few I’m missing, but that’s the main ones I can think of. Really think he will like Lansdowns way of playing with a straight bat. COYR 

I think the obvious question is the potential clash (if he stays on) over how much control for transfers he has, will he be allowed to bring in Walsh, will Ashton be told to stand down etc 

[BanburyRed]

10 minutes ago, S_C said:

Confidence shot to pieces due to a lack of any real plan they can get behind. I’m sure with clear instruction confidence will follow, and I’m sure Pearson would provide that.

Fair, and maybe I’m being sucked in by the constant stream of posts discussing how terrified Ashton will be, or how he’ll put a rocket up the players etc, but I think there’s a weight of risk in the appointment given his relatively short spells at clubs since Leicester approaching six years ago.

All that has been discussed recently is the model and how it may only accommodate certain types. You’ve got a mentally shot squad, a CEO who {apparently} manipulates to achieve his ends and what appears to be a seriously frustrated owner. And into that you’re introducing the exact opposite character that people assumed. Someone who has left previous jobs in a hurry after fallings out.

Look, don't get me wrong, I’m not against the appointment. It’s a calibre of candidate I didn’t think we’d attract. But I think Cook, Neil etc keep us up with an arguably lower ceiling going forward. Pearson will probably keep us up with an arguably higher one.

For a group of professionals, this would truly worry me.  More worrying is Simpson & Downing, England coaches not that you'd know it.  Brought in to assist DH and we appear to have gone backwards at a rate of knots, I'd have these bombed out....some of the senior pro's need to step up now, make their voices and feelings heard and let's crack on.

[Simon79]

Just now, Lrrr said:

I think the obvious question is the potential clash (if he stays on) over how much control for transfers he has, will he be allowed to bring in Walsh, will Ashton be told to stand down etc 

I think there will have to be a bit of give & take, maybe a slight bend from Lansdowns game plan if you want. Something he actually alluded to on Friday. I don’t see why Walsh couldn’t come in & work with a CEO. That would be a real coup, wasn’t he linked with a few big clubs? COYR 

[Superjack]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

Maybe either Ashton or Pearson (or both) have reservations they can work together well. A try before you but might suit both parties on this occasion  

Most likely explanation.

[cityexile]

Refreshes thread.

Does not see ‘confirmed’ added.

Tries again in 20 minutes...

[Sheltons Army]

Just noticed this - was Pearson possibly not well enough (CoVid in June)  to be considered in the Summer 

 

In August and September 2020, after his departure from Watford, Pearson endured a bout of rheumatoid arthritis that saw him suffer with swollen joints.He struggled to move during this period, slept heavily and had a shortness of breath.

[Lrrr]

Just now, Simon79 said:

I think there will have to be a bit of give & take, maybe a slight bend from Lansdowns game plan if you want. Something he actually alluded to on Friday. I don’t see why Walsh couldn’t come in & work with a CEO. That would be a real coup, wasn’t he linked with a few big clubs? COYR 

Yeah its certainly there as a workable option even potentially/probably what should happen, but would it need a clear instruction from Lansdown to Ashton or is Ashton willing to be part of it so to say. As has been said on here I don't think many people have questioned Ashton's job as CEO of it, the general criticism appears to be purely related to his involvement in recruitment.

[Murraysrightplum]

We signed this POS yet?!

[Lrrr]

Just now, Sheltons Army said:

Just noticed this - was Pearson possibly not well enough (CoVid in June)  to be considered in the Summer 

 

In August and September 2020, after his departure from Watford, Pearson endured a bout of rheumatoid arthritis that saw him suffer with swollen joints.He struggled to move during this period, slept heavily and had a shortness of breath.

Would certainly line up with Lansdown's line about looking at people whose situation has changed since the summer

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, Sheltons Army said:

Just noticed this - was Pearson possibly not well enough (CoVid in June)  to be considered in the Summer 

 

In August and September 2020, after his departure from Watford, Pearson endured a bout of rheumatoid arthritis that saw him suffer with swollen joints.He struggled to move during this period, slept heavily and had a shortness of breath.

 

Another reason why a short-term contract suits both parties.

Pearson will want to assess if his health has fully recovered.  

[exAtyeoMax]

has anyone been down the ground or Failand to see what's going on yet?

[Bat Fastard]

Its great to see the optimism on this thread and I really hope that NP can save our bacon and go on to create a promotion winning team.  It will be very interesting to see how he copes with the immediate challenges of the injury crisis, lack of left sided players and the general lack of physicality and pace in the remnants of our squad available for selection.

[RUSSEL85]

Looking close. Ignore the Barnsley beater on the left.

[ontariored]

4 minutes ago, Bat Fastard said:

Its great to see the optimism on this thread and I really hope that NP can save our bacon and go on to create a promotion winning team.  It will be very interesting to see how he copes with the immediate challenges of the injury crisis, lack of left sided players and the general lack of physicality and pace in the remnants of our squad available for selection.

Plus our first, what appears, non-yes man since Terry Cooper and Joe Jordan. 

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

Just now, ontariored said:

Plus our first, what appears, non-yes man since Terry Cooper and Joe Jordan. 

Cotts?

[Ska Junkie]

15 minutes ago, Superjack said:

I personally doubt that there would be any agreement regarding next season, even just verbally. What I suspect is that, taking into account Ashton and 'the structure', it benefits both parties to have a short term deal in order to see if a working relationship can be implemented.

Having been quite ill, it may also suit Pearson to 'see how he goes' without committing to anything long term.

Both scenarios eminently sensible in my opinion.

 

If we cannot take the advice / recommendations of someone like Pearson re structure, as long as we can afford it, we really do have long term problems.

[Son of Fred]

1 hour ago, Harry said:

I don’t think he’s arrogant at all. I think he doesn’t suffer fools and he’s not shy is saying so. That’s not arrogance. 

Confidence can come across as arrogance I guess...

Nothing wrong with a bit of that mind,,so long as you can back it up.....

[Bat Fastard]

2 minutes ago, ontariored said:

Plus our first, what appears, non-yes man since Terry Cooper and Joe Jordan. 

If he can save us from relegation and build a winning team, I don't care whether he is a yes man, no man or anything else.  He will, like all managers and players be falsely labelled by certain sections of the fan base. I believe that he has a very difficult task in front of him and I hope that some of the injured players can get back into contention to help him lift the whole club.

[glastonred]

Does anyone think Pearson may insist he becomes the 'manager' as opposed to 'head coach'? Because, as far as I know, won't that give him more power over the first team affairs? Or are both titles the same these days?

[TedsHeadIs Red]

Everything happens for a reason, so they say.

Perhaps the DH/PS/KD debacle was fate, a temporary delay before we got the right man when he became available.

If DH was doing 'ok' then he would still be here.

All part of MA's master plan I'm sure 

[marmite]

What will happen when he turns up for training and 18 players walk in? He will say  "where's the rest of the squad"?

[Fordy62]

12 minutes ago, Bat Fastard said:

Its great to see the optimism on this thread and I really hope that NP can save our bacon and go on to create a promotion winning team.  It will be very interesting to see how he copes with the immediate challenges of the injury crisis, lack of left sided players and the general lack of physicality and pace in the remnants of our squad available for selection.

Hi mate. Nice to see you in different circumstances!  

[RedEd73]

8 minutes ago, ontariored said:

Plus our first, what appears, non-yes man since Terry Cooper and Joe Jordan. 

Denis Smith was in no way a yes man!

[Will Rollason]

2 minutes ago, glastonred said:

Does anyone think Pearson may insist he becomes the 'manager' as opposed to 'head coach'? Because, as far as I know, won't that give him more power over the first team affairs? Or are both titles the same these days?

 the man himself says he's a manager that coaches.....

[Bat Fastard]

1 minute ago, Fordy62 said:

Hi mate. Nice to see you in different circumstances!  

Same old, same old I'm afraid Fordy. I will give my total support to the guy in charge because i want the very best for Bristol City. The king is dead - long live the king, seems to be totally reasonable in the circumstances.  I hope he signs up and saves our bacon!

[Lrrr]

4 minutes ago, glastonred said:

Does anyone think Pearson may insist he becomes the 'manager' as opposed to 'head coach'? Because, as far as I know, won't that give him more power over the first team affairs? Or are both titles the same these days?

Head coach now, potential for conversion to manager role if he stays on.

[milo1111]

22 minutes ago, Bat Fastard said:

Its great to see the optimism on this thread and I really hope that NP can save our bacon and go on to create a promotion winning team.  It will be very interesting to see how he copes with the immediate challenges of the injury crisis, lack of left sided players and the general lack of physicality and pace in the remnants of our squad available for selection.

Will be interesting for sure. Would also of been interesting to see if this mess would of transpired in the first place if we had appointed someone of Pearson’s standing last summer rather than a joke manager with no experience or credentials.

for me the injury situation can’t be all bad luck. Much of it is on the medical staff and the manager who rushed players back too soon and is responsible for what happens at training where loads of these injuries occurred.

If Pearson was here in January I’m pretty sure he would of demanded a left back as well.

[rednotblue]

I wonder who leaked the info or was it a delieberate leak by the club??

[sludge]

40 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

Good endorsement

Didn't realise Shakin Stevens had his FA coaching qualifications. 

[DT The Optimist]

3 minutes ago, Will Rollason said:

 the man himself says he's a manager that coaches.....

Does it really matter. So much fake news about Ashton our CEO, the board and owner.  The fact is SL as owner always had final say and signs off signings...  supports the wishes of HC & CEO.  

No doubt NP or who whoever it is will continue in same vein. The fact of the matter is they will all need a good working relationship.  Simple really. Cannot see much changing in how we actually operate with NP at the helm. 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

5 minutes ago, rednotblue said:

I wonder who leaked the info or was it a delieberate leak by the club??

Jamie Mac.

oh.

[Lrrr]

Seems held in similar esteem at Leicester as Cotts is here

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/124736-podcast-on-nigel-pearson/#comments

[Tin Soldier]

40 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

I think the obvious question is the potential clash (if he stays on) over how much control for transfers he has, will he be allowed to bring in Walsh, will Ashton be told to stand down etc 

I see this as Lansdowns appointment and against what Ashton would prefer. One way or another if NP joins, we may have a power battle in the summer. Hopefully Ashton then ***** off.

[RedM]

Again, I’m just catching up with this thread. I missed out chunks of it so went and had a re-read. I didn’t get all the ostretch comments. Thank goodness for YouTube, also found some other interviews.

My verdict...I love him, blunt and to the point so much that is almost cruel. But if you don’t want a bollocking from him don’t give him cause to. That’s how I do my job, why should footballers and journalists be any different. 

[One Team]

4 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

Seems held in similar esteem at Leicester as Cotts is here

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/124736-podcast-on-nigel-pearson/#comments

Indeed very similar. 

Interesting how they both are surprised he is joining us (us being too small) but also that he will do well. 

[Ska Junkie]

13 minutes ago, sludge said:

Didn't realise Shakin Stevens had his FA coaching qualifications. 

You do realise I'm gonna be humming 'you drive me cra a zy' all bloody day now?

GIT!

'When I look into your big blue eyes

I feel I'm in paradise

You drive me cray ay zee