Managers you like

[Phileas Fogg]

Who are the managers of other clubs that you like? Whether that’s their ability and/or personality.

I was thinking about this because I’ve really warmed to Jesse Marsch at Leeds. Seems like a very good man in clips and interviews I’ve seen on him.

I’ve also always liked Mourinho - great character. Klopp is another one, don’t always enjoy his complaining - but when things are going well for Liverpool it must be great fun to have him as a manager.

I also like those slightly madcap enigmatic managers like Bielsa and Sarri. 

Lastly Neil Warnock. I really recommend his book. If you see past the attention diverting panto villain stuff, you can see he’s a good guy. 

Who are yours?

[DaveF]

Always been a fan of Eddie Howe. Good manager and he looks like a Teddy bear.

Edited January 19, 2023 by DaveF

[Phileas Fogg]

7 minutes ago, DaveF said:

Always been a fan of Eddie Howe. Good manager and he looks like a Teddy bear.

Good one - until Newcastle I wasn’t sure I rated him that much but he’s proven me wrong. 

Despite the money they have, the expectation that comes with it would’ve made it a challenging 12 months.

[ExiledAjax]

Any slightly eccentric German with a statistical and system-based mindset and a mild-mannered voice. Preferably coming to our shores from relative obscurity, ideally as an assistant or first team coach of a Bundesliga 2 team. Daniel Farke is the epitome of this but you've also got Jurgen Klopp, David Wagner, Ralph Hassenhüttel* perhaps even Tommy Tuchel who fulfil some or all of those criteria.

*yes I know he is Austrian. 

Edited January 19, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[CodeRed]

Lee Johnson - Proven winner.

Papa John's 2021. Legend!

[steveybadger]

15 minutes ago, DaveF said:

Always been a fan of Eddie Howe. Good manager and he looks like a Teddy bear.

I did until he stuck his head in the sand  and took over the Death Star (see David Squires in the Guardian ).

[Davefevs]

Gareth Ainsworth

Paul Warne

Paul Cook

Eddie Howe

Tony Mowbray

Mick McCarthy

Michael Duff

Matt Taylor

Mark Robins

basically ones who seem principled and don’t make excuses

I’ve not added in any City ones although I could

[ExiledAjax]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Eddie Howe

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

who seem principled and don’t make excuses

[2015]

In the current Premier League I like Ten Hag, Arteta, Howe, Potter, Vieira.

Used to like Klopp but the last few years he's turned very passive aggressive and irritable.

[Davefevs]

6 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Football-wise.

[Phileas Fogg]

Graham Potter is another one. Think it may have been a mistake to take the Chelsea job, especially with their transfer approach and owner, but obviously a hard opportunity to turn down.

I’m certain he’ll succeed there given time though.

[2015]

1 minute ago, Percy Pig said:

There's nothing likeable about Arteta. 

I admire the job he has done at Arsenal after the huge amounts of criticism he received for the first 18 months of his tenure. Proof that sometimes you have to trust the process.

[Super]

Always liked Carlo Ancelotti.

[pillred]

42 minutes ago, DaveF said:

Always been a fan of Eddie Howe. Good manager and he looks like a Teddy bear.

He does now, my god he seems to have doubled in size since he joined Newcastle those deep fried mars bars and Parmo are doing him no favours :laugh:.

Edited January 19, 2023 by pillred
Punctuation.

[Phileas Fogg]

Ex-City of course so I’m sure many will feel the same, but I do really like Cotterill as a guy. He’s clearly mad as a fox, very intense and emotive - but he’s someone I’d really like to succeed.

[hinsleburg]

I've always liked Tony Mowbray and has always been one last few vacancies I would have liked to see us try and tempt away from Blackburn at the time.

In terms of other leagues I don't think Marco Silva gets enough credit, seems to have done a good job everywhere other than a brief stint at Everton where nobody has succeeded! Also been really impressed with the approach and temperament of the new Brighton Manager, will be watching them with interest next 12 months as could still go either way when a lot of the work Potter did gets changed/adapted!

[Open End Numb Legs]

Any manager who doesn't take themselves too seriously would be good but then who can smile when under so much pressure on a losing streak?

I have great sympathy for managers who have been hammered in the media hence I am glad that Arteta and Ten Hag have got the media backtracking on their criticisms. Only for now though, I don't support those teams!

Cotteril was great fun I thought, seemed open and honest.

Loved the Harry Redknap interview technique, always looking left and right as though he was expecting to be mugged at any moment. Pearson does that too.

[Phileas Fogg]

4 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

Any manager who doesn't take themselves too seriously would be good but then who can smile when under so much pressure on a losing streak?

I have great sympathy for managers who have been hammered in the media hence I am glad that Arteta and Ten Hag have got the media backtracking on their criticisms. Only for now though, I don't support those teams!

Cotteril was great fun I thought, seemed open and honest.

Loved the Harry Redknap interview technique, always looking left and right as though he was expecting to be mugged at any moment. Pearson does that too.

I've met Pearson and he's exactly the same as he comes across in interviews. He's clearly tough, intelligent and gregarious. Works the room like an old school comedian or actor. 

I like that because it makes him authentic. He's clearly a bit marmite, but I can imagine he's great to play under provided you 100% buy into him and his philosophies. Absolutely not someone you'd want to get on the wrong side of though, as Marley Watkins found out. 

[Carey 6]

17 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Ex-City of course so I’m sure many will feel the same, but I do really like Cotterill as a guy. He’s clearly mad as a fox, very intense and emotive - but he’s someone I’d really like to succeed.

Definitely this man. 

Quite like Mick McCarthy. Loved it when Ipswich fans hounded him out and then got relegated. Got what they deserved there. 

Mourinho too, even though he's perhaps not managed to evolve with the times tactically.

A lot of what he says at the time gets laughed at, but gets proven to be correct down the line. 

[Phileas Fogg]

2 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Definitely this man. 

Quite like Mick McCarthy. Loved it when Ipswich fans hounded him out and then got relegated. Got what they deserved there. 

Mourinho too, even though he's perhaps not managed to evolve with the times tactically.

A lot of what he says at the time gets laughed at, but gets proven to be correct down the line. 

The Secret Footballer book is an interesting read on Cotterill at Portsmouth.

I think his emotive personality, and arguably a bit of insecurity, is a blessing and a curse. Like Pearson, must be great to play under when things are going well. 

[INCRED]

25 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Ex-City of course so I’m sure many will feel the same, but I do really like Cotterill as a guy. He’s clearly mad as a fox, very intense and emotive - but he’s someone I’d really like to succeed.

Genuinely nice bloke and was fortunate to have a brief chat with him a few years ago whilst queuing in Costa coffee

Passionate about football, still has a massive soft spot for us but felt hard done by and how it ended at City 

[Carey 6]

4 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

The Secret Footballer book is an interesting read on Cotterill at Portsmouth.

I think his emotive personality, and arguably a bit of insecurity, is a blessing and a curse. Like Pearson, must be great to play under when things are going well. 

Kitson certainly didn't like him.

Watched a couple of Undr the Cosh interviews with Clarke Carlisle & Wilbs - they absolutely loved him. 

Edited January 19, 2023 by Carey 6

[Midred]

Klopp leaving Liverpool?

Now available? 

[Bristol Oil Services]

47 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I've met Pearson and he's exactly the same as he comes across in interviews. He's clearly tough, intelligent and gregarious. Works the room like an old school comedian or actor. 

I like that because it makes him authentic. He's clearly a bit marmite, but I can imagine he's great to play under provided you 100% buy into him and his philosophies. Absolutely not someone you'd want to get on the wrong side of though, as Marley Watkins found out. 

Can you be a "bit" marmite? I wouldn't say I was in the know like yer @kid in his riot van about these things, but surely marmite "doesn't work like that (mate)," does it?

[Open End Numb Legs]

I have only met one professional manager. Our sons played in the same cricket team, I won't say who because you will all know him. He was engaging and happy to talk about how tough managing is, in fact he told me his son would not be encouraged to go near any professional sport which was sad to hear and the reason I won't name him out of respect. I will say he was never a City manager but is fairly local.

The constant travelling, weeks away, pressure to succeed, media grilling. The highlight was the 90 or so minutes when, hopefully, you could enjoy just the game. This was at a time for him when he was successful!

Unfortunately he didn't have any time for fans and forums. His view was that the vast majority of opinions was based on rumour and conjecture which was completely untrue. He understood the passion and reason for forums but there were too many keyboard warriors for his liking. He said something like, you just have to be in it to know what it is like, you can't tell from the outside.

Quite sobering talking to him and probably why I do have sympathy for those in the spotlight.

[Bristol Oil Services]

I loved TC, game was different then but he seemed to be a very decent man. And not just because when I wrote to him about Paul Stevens wrangling over a new contract he wrote back saying (pretty much), "don't worry, I've got this." And responded with hand written letters of reassurance on embossed club note paper to other anxieties and naive nonsense I peppered him with.

I've still got some of his letters, I wonder of he kept mine?

[Supersonic Robin]

Mourinho the outright winner for me. Full of charisma, character, and personality. Clearly a very intelligent and entertaining man too. On a footballing level, pretty much as good a manager as there's been IMO - incredible ability to set teams up and find solutions to win games/competitions.

Bristol City wise, Lee Johnson is the manager who I've warmed to the most on a personal level (perhaps controversial, I know!). He comes across as quite interesting/creative/quirky, as well as a fairly nice bloke in general. Not the best manager in the world, but also nowhere near as bad as some of our fans would have you believe.

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Good one - until Newcastle I wasn’t sure I rated him that much but he’s proven me wrong. 

Despite the money they have, the expectation that comes with it would’ve made it a challenging 12 months.

Plus he has got a lot more out of certain players who were dismissed as flops- Joelinton and Alimiron two notable examples.

[Phileas Fogg]

57 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Can you be a "bit" marmite? I wouldn't say I was in the know like yer @kid in his riot van about these things, but surely marmite "doesn't work like that (mate)," does it?

Thanks for that

[Robbored]

Danny Wilson. 

[Eddie Hitler]

Shoot me for it but I thought Darryl Clarke was excellent at Rovers and brought the best out of a team.

I always liked Paul Tisdale during his twelve years at Exeter as he was so consistently good at putting together a decent team on a low budget; his record post that time is poor but he's a manager who you need to give a lot of time and the modern game rarely allows that.

I would still love to see Neil Warnock given a go here and not straight into a relegation battle; this despite his age.

Or Sean Dyche - another entertaining character.

[ralphindevon]

5 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Danny Wilson. 

Yeah but Gary Johnson very close second, right?

[robinforlife2]

I think ex City Managers wise, I enjoyed our time with Gary Johnson, and I always wanted Lee to succeed. I liked Lee, he was happy to speak to the fans, cared about the club, and I think he is very intelligent. I like how he convinced good youngsters to come to City and I actually wouldn't be against having him back in some capacity in the future. I think he would be an excellent first team coach, or even manager of the U23/21. Without Ashton, I think he would have taken us up, and it's no surprise that the core of the team at Sunderland are all Johnson signings and developments, and they are up there. 

Outside of City, I think you have to admire Arsene Wenger for his longevity and consistency at Arsenal, and the invincible's is unlikely to ever be repeated. He overstayed, but I doubt there are many football fans who wouldn't say he was one of the greatest managers in the last 20 years.

I'm not a Klopp fan, I think he is smug, a poor loser and I'm delighted Liverpool are klipperty klopp flopping right now and its only a matter of time before he's sacked.

I always liked Warnock, good manager, winds up opposition fans and takes no prisoners. His record speaks for itself.

I would also agree with Eddie, Darryl Clarke done a very good job at Rovers, and I'm surprised he has never got a bigger gig. 

Finally although many hate him, I've always had a soft spot for Ian Holloway. I think he has a likeable personality and I think he gets underachieving players to believe in themselves. What he achieved at Blackpool, speaks for itself, and sometimes some managers just work for a club and it doesn't work elsewhere.

[Guest]

Eddie Howe has done fantastically. I really questioned whether he was the right appointment for them, but I think player-for-player he has them probably overachieving currently. To turn them around that quickly has been remarkable.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Ooh good thread.

NP obviously, Cotts too. Okay certain City bias there but met NP once, do like him. Cotts for the fantastic turnaround, seemed very passionate too- once sat near the dugout and noticed that intensity from closer quarters.

Think he should have been a bit more pragmatic in 2015-16 then he would have inherited the increased transfer and wage budget that came with the redevelopment being completed. The will to win, the ambition to process and progress- seize the moment all admirable.

Gary Johnson 1 game from PL from bottom of League One in 2 and a half years was quite a ride. Some fun Cup games too! (Coventry and Middlesbrough in 2006-07 FA Cup and Man City at home League Cup 2007-08).

Eclectic range really beyond that.

Paul Warne- Gets the very most out of his players, especially in a side that he has built and some of his earlier games at home v middling and lower sides were more attack minded than usual-- Rotherham certainly would be higher up the table if he was still there IMO.

Mark Robins- Inherited a shambles, decent football- SISU was one long shambles there...Plus the stadium issue, he's done very well in that environment.

Gareth Ainsworth, Wycombe had a strong of terrible decisions again at them in the Behind Closed Doors season, still almost kept them up. Great late run.

Claudio Ranieri- Always thought he was a bit of a character. Tinkerman all that, had never won a major title until Leicester which was a great story in itself but him winning it also quite good. A certain incumbent here laid some foundations of course but Ranieri himself arguably laid foundations at Chelsea, Valencia and maybe some others.

Bielsa, quite liked him. Some gt4st football, got s lot out of Leeds in a quickie 

Watch a bit of European foorball too. A few random ones.

Gasperini- Has done very good things at Atalanta on a budget, qualifying for the CL while selling best players and reinvesting and an attacking style of play is to be applauded. Had a strong Genoa side too but never saw it through- was swiftly sacked at Inter after a month or 2.

Briefly a very attack minded side, also matching or outstripping much richer Juventus over a 3 year period in the CL is impressive. Agnelli cited them as an example as to why 'big' clubs should get more protection in the CL. Very much greater than the sum of their parts under him, strong academy too.

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/atalanta-not-worthy-champions-league-juventus-agnelli/15wtw13l1rrpx1a6g58i3efn70

Slightly random but same year Ranieri won the title here the guy who got Turkey to 3rd in WC 2002 won his 1st title. Generally got overlooked in Turkey somewhat so was nice to see Senol Gunes get a certain level of vindication, 2 titles at Besiktas after bad luck in title races at his home town club (Trabzonspor).

Luciano Spalletti- Believe he was a bit underrated, did some quite good things at Roma in two spells. Possibly harshly sacked at Inter,  now has Napoli in a very strong position in Serie A- doing well in CL too.

Bielsa- Very impressive turnaround at Leeds, they were 15th when he took over, spent some money yes but up until his final few months did very well there. Fairly unique style of play as well, did Well with Athletic Bilbao and Chile too but bombed in his biggest job of all- Argentina 2002. They were justifiably one of the top candidates that year.

Edited January 19, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[shelts]

Always liked Neil Warnock . His teams were always hard to play against and I loved his passion for the game and the successes he had . Loved the antics/ street smart his teams had , never seen it at the gate and at times could’ve done with it . 
Not everyone’s cup of tea I grant you . 

[Sweeneys Penalties]

Always liked Arsene Wenger as a manager personally. I thought the way he kept Arsenal qualifying for Champions League Football for so many years given the budget he had was an immense achievement. 

 

City wise....Joe Jordan

[ralphindevon]

I was a massive Terry Cooper fan. Loved that bloke.

[Tinmans Love Child]

That guy at Wolves Nuno Espírito Santo I really liked, would love someone like him at some stage.  After Big Fat Benny we have never taken the plunge with a foreign manager and it would be an exciting change to the norm!

[Tinmans Love Child]

6 minutes ago, Sweeneys Penalties said:

Always liked Arsene Wenger as a manager personally. I thought the way he kept Arsenal qualifying for Champions League Football for so many years given the budget he had was an immense achievement. 

 

City wise....Joe Jordan

He revolutionised football in this country and was ahead of his time in many ways.  I think he probably stayed too long at Arsenal in the end but interestingly as part of the financing arrangements for building the Emirates, there was a clause that Arsene Wenger had to stay as manager, as a sort of insurance policy, so he actually had added pressure on his shoulders and this was also a reason he stayed on.

[SecretSam]

Moyes.

"Moyesie, give us a wave!"

[steveybadger]

Dare I say Southgate. You can argue with results (though personally I think that is really harsh), but he’s the first England manager I’ve warmed to since Bobby Robson. He’s got a bit of emotional intelligence and I think it shows, like Potter.

[GrahamC]

46 minutes ago, The Journalist said:

Eddie Howe has done fantastically. I really questioned whether he was the right appointment for them, but I think player-for-player he has them probably overachieving currently. To turn them around that quickly has been remarkable.

Only spending £210m in the process, an incredible achievement with such limited resources.

Been mentioned already but really like Mowbray, Robins & Warne.

As far as City go, Cooper & Jordan (first spell), GJ & Cotterill for me. Didn’t mind Millen but not a fan of McInnes, SOD, couldn’t warm to LJ & just thought Holden (nice bloke) was out of his depth.

Wilson was bland, never said anything worth hearing, Ward was successful at L1 with some pretty basic football, Coppell was weird & Pulis is the anti Christ.

[Eddie Hitler]

55 minutes ago, robinforlife2 said:

Finally although many hate him, I've always had a soft spot for Ian Holloway. I think he has a likeable personality and I think he gets underachieving players to believe in themselves. What he achieved at Blackpool, speaks for itself, and sometimes some managers just work for a club and it doesn't work elsewhere.

 

Indeed.

Though for obvious reasons, his many anti-City utterances, I would never want him to be manager here.

[AppyDAZE]

Based more upon whether they are annoying ***** or not ie, The nice guys:

Dean Holden

Darren Moore

Wade Elliott

Vincent Kompany

Paul Simpson

Paul Heckingbottom

Gareth Ainsworth

Joey Barton

 

 

 

 

 

and from the Prem:

probably Steve Cooper, Brendan Rodgers, and them I'm struggling.

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by AppyDAZE

[RedM]

Only one on my list.

Sadly even though he is currently stuffing up WHam (again) I am beginning to accept he will never manage us

[Merrick's Marvels]

Rinus Michels. 

Shankly.

Clough.

No mention of Alan Dicks, yet. Interesting.

[ralphindevon]

44 minutes ago, RedM said:

Only one on my list.

Sadly even though he is currently stuffing up WHam (again) I am beginning to accept he will never manage us

He should have and did come very close. 

[Show Me The Money!]

Can’t believe nobody has gone for Dean Saunders 

[Dan Robin]

Many names so not easy to choose. Talking about present, for quality of play of his teams, nice personality and win ratio in national cups, I'd say ...

[Bazooka Joe]

3 hours ago, Eddie Hitler said:

Shoot me for it but I thought Darryl Clarke was excellent at Rovers and brought the best out of a team.

 

The manager that took Rovers down into the Conference - good shout.

Blotted his copy book by taking them up again.

The dog-lover who couldn't resist the lure of spending time with Rovers.

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Rinus Michels. 

Shankly.

Clough.

No mention of Alan Dicks, yet. Interesting.

That’s a very good point, AD is 43 years ago now, so I guess far from the OTIB demographic?

 

[2015]

Clough, Wenger, Bobby Robson, Vialli, Hoddle (Believe he would have got the best out of England's GG) are among my personal favourite non City managers ever.

At Championship level always been a fan of Tony Mowbray. Sides always play quite attractive football and a likeable bloke.

[CliftonCliff]

I sit quite near the away bench area and so was able to watch Carlos Corberan at fairly close quarters when we played WBA not long ago. He was incredibly animated and hugely energetic on the touchline, constantly on his feet, urging his players on and shouting instructions. He must have burned up an enormous amount of energy over the course of the game, so much so that I remember thinking he'd come off the pitch almost as knackered as the guys who actually played. He was totally involved and utterly committed. That level of intensity and enthusiasm must communicate itself to the players during the match. For that alone I have to say I was impressed, but they were failing and massively underperforming under Bruce and he's turned that around remarkably quickly. Got them playing some very good football, as we saw to our cost. I am pro-Pearson, so absolutely not wanting to see managerial change at AG, but if we were appointing and stood even the remotest chance of attracting someone like him, I have to say he'd do for me.

[ralphindevon]

28 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

That’s a very good point, AD is 43 years ago now, so I guess far from the OTIB demographic?

 

Yes and the glorious promotion was 47 years ago, even I’m struggling to remember.

Plus, I was just re reading the Ashton Gate 8 anniversary brochure we were given. It states the seeds of the financial collapse can be traced back to Alan Dicks handing out long contracts without any relegation clauses in.

A bit unfair as it wouldn’t have been his job to write up a contracts but maybe there’s a shadow over those final couple of years?

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Nigel Pearson for me . Obvs.

[GrahamC]

30 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

Yes and the glorious promotion was 47 years ago, even I’m struggling to remember.

Plus, I was just re reading the Ashton Gate 8 anniversary brochure we were given. It states the seeds of the financial collapse can be traced back to Alan Dicks handing out long contracts without any relegation clauses in.

A bit unfair as it wouldn’t have been his job to write up a contracts but maybe there’s a shadow over those final couple of years?

That’s a lot of hindsight for me.

He lost Gary Collier through freedom of contract & understandably became anxious not to lose other stars the same way.

Someone (presumably the board at the time) signed this off, he didn’t have that autonomy.

[Davefevs]

@RedM scroll down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Superjack]

5 hours ago, Robbored said:

Danny Wilson. 

And there it is.

[Dolman_Stand]

Nathan Jones

[Sir Geoff]

Terry Venables 

[Superjack]

As the OP clearly stated current managers of other clubs, not ex City or past managers, I think I would say Marco Silva. Like his personality and how he comes across in interviews.

As someone with a blue persuasion as far as the City of Liverpool is concerned, it's a shame Everton are such a cluster**** of a club. Both him and Benitez could have been successful there, but I think we're deprived of the chance .

[Offside]

Off the top of my head, managers I like/rate (but who I wouldn’t necessarily want at City) are:

Mick McCarthy worked did well at Ipswich on a tight budget. 

Tony Mowbray’a teams always seem to play decent stuff. 

Gary Rowett’s sides always seem well organised. 

Neil Warnock is a great character who revels in his pantomime villain role. 

Mark Robins always comes across well in interviews.

Alex Neil - horrible football but is able to get results. 

In terms of City managers, Terry Cooper is my favourite, no one else comes close. Then it’s Joe Jordan (first spell) and Cotts. 

 

 

[Offside]

Oh, and I quite like Klopp - he seems unhinged, which is always entertaining. 

[sticks 1969]

JOE JORDAN 

for the 89/90 season which I like many others brought so many good memories 

[spudski]

I saw this video and thought of this thread.

As fans we sometimes become detached of reality when it comes to supporting our team.

And sometimes we say things, throw away comments, that when you put in perspective and compare to our own lives...it's worth stopping and thinking.

 

[TSG]

Bobby Robson and Woy Hodgson 

[Lanterne Rouge]

Big Mick is great when he`s interviewed properly rather than just soundbites - a very funny man in a dry way.

I reckon you could have a great night down the pub with Slaven Bilic too.

[maxjak]

Mikel Arteta...........has taken Arsenal in just 3 years to dizzying heights, with astute signings and outstanding tactics.  At just 40, he is the manager i admire   the most.     As for Eddie Howe, I admire him as a manager, and can fully appreciate his ambition and talent..........but anyone who goes near Saudi Arabia FC must lack a conscience........IMHO?

Edited January 19, 2023 by maxjak

[big dosser]

Gareth Ainsworth for me just love his rock and roll vibe and the way he works with peanuts