Dusic

The concept of hiring a "risk free manager" is absolute nonsense. The last time Saints did this it was probably George Burley. The only recent(ish) PL ones I can consider that might meet this category are Moyes at Everton (although they always say don't go back), Potter at West Ham (going well...), maybe Mourinho and Conte at Spurs (didn't work) and possibly Hodgson back to Palace? Run through the current PL top 10 and only Pep could have been considered a pretty safe bet when he was appointed, there are some big, big risks in there. I assume the name people refer to his someone like Cooper. He has probably peaked in what he did with Forest and regardless - if we want a high intensity style then it was never going to be him.

1. He is openly saying he is leaving because he knows what is happening and where he is going so its pretty relevant. Also suggests Lens know too as have been talking to other managers so its likely quite far advanced 2. Club telling Blackmore that Still is a "strong candidate" is about as much an indication they can give until everything is agreed. 3. All of Rohl's behaviour since the last day of the Championship season has pointed towards him being pretty uninterested in our job and clesrly thinking/knowing there is something better out there for him.

Yes, I understand that senior officials at Southampton pleaded with Will Still to announce in his post match press conference that he is leaving Lens at the end of the season to move home. Still kindly agreed. At the same time they told various national journalists to mention that Still was likely joining Southampton. They agreed. The purpose? Not because its true, but rather to hurry up another guy who clearly isn't interested in the job anymore and has likely already told them that hence why they have moved for Still. Fine to keep wondering but pretty sure Rohl to Saints is dead and has been for a while given his beggy interviews for a PL, Bundesliga job which clearly showed nothing had been agreed with us. In fact - quite telling the different approaches and levels of respect that both have shown whilst announcing they are leaving their current clubs.

I think that is just the skillset needed by a good manager to be fair and is more about their personality, aura, people skills etc than specific experience of a certain league. Martin as you say aced that, as did Koeman years earlier in his first job in England. Its going to be a key factor and Im sure Spors knows more than anyone just how much change there will be. In the MNF content I liked how Still said he adapted when Khusanov left for City. He came across as being used to that type of scenario and flexible to adapt to the players he had - an often wished for managerial trait on here. He isn't going to be suprised by what he walks into and seemingly will have max prep time too.

Ligue Un is definitely better than the Championship! And unless you have been living under a rock, its Spors who is selecting the Manager. Young, yes - but as he wasn't a pro player he started management earlier than usual and has good experience with solid clubs in Europe and is clearly not going to be clueless about what happens in England! Certainly more experience of management than title winning Maresca whose whopping 2 years of management now sees him at Chelsea. All appointments are a risk and perhaps there were 'safer' options but I don't see why you are reacting so strongly? He is clearly a competent manager who has earned a career the hard way. Good luck if he does join - great opportunity for him and expect his motivation wil match. Easy to add some experience of English football too - Lallana would be ideal to keep especially if moving towards a Klopp-esque style.

I don't think her health is worsening (she said a couple of days ago she was doing well, was at the Lens game today), more just that understandably being in a different country during a tough year must have been very difficult... He also said he hasnt agreed anything with a club, but that there has been interest. Clearly from us, but also a few 'big' Championship jobs available: Leicester, WBA, Norwich

Don't particularly get the feeling from some against Still. He has obviously grafted hard to get where he is at his age without having played professionally so has certainly done it the hard way rather than being handed opportunities on a plate. I don't pretend to be an expert on him but in the MNF chat he certainly didnt come across as being fixed on one approach and actually came across as being very adaptable, referring to changing shape since Kusanov moved to City for example. Ok he hasn't worked in England before but neither had a couple of our best managers and he would also be desperate to make a success of it rather it just being another job at another club like it ends up being for so many of the merry go round types. If we go for him then I'm sure its because Spors thinks he is the best fit, not because they are trying to be too clever - its not like Still is an unknown, he has been linked with Championships sides for a year or more now.

Exactly. He never adapts and is just as one dimensional as those he slags of - its hilarious.

Sean Dyche is widely recognised for adapting his playing style, displaying tactical variety and a willingness to change when things are not working well. Fascinated to see not only which team he takes over, but also which of the varied approaches from his career is adopted to get the best out of the squad.

No real evidence of any of that. This season hasnt even finished yet.

It did seem a logical one. Perhaps he has something seemingly better lined up, or is willing to wait for that, seeing as Norwich are now parachute payment-less.

Rohl and Still both seem flexible in their approach and havent seen anything that really suggests they are 'out of the box'.

I can see why people are big on Cooper just personally find him incredibly dull. If it became clear it was going to be him I wouldnt have an issue with it and sure he would do a decent job but not one I can excited about. Rohl or Still fine by me, just hope Spors can get whoever he wants and can work best with and that its sorted before too long.

Playing in L2 Playoffs now for Notts County aged 37 after a very good season. Nice career and fun player to watch especially at L1/2 level.

You think people at Saints (or another club) are actively planting stories in the media linking Rohl with different clubs so that if/when we appoint him people are happier about it? Well, its a theory. An absolutely ludicrous one that is certainly very unlikely but fair enough! (Also think most would be happy with Rohl regardless of other links anyway!)

They let him go as without Vince felt they needed to use the overseas slot on someone to bolster the batting. Initially with the Aussie allrounder Edwards but then he got injured and they ended up with Abbo's mate Hampton who can't get in the team after a couple of nothing games.

The whole point is that Sheff Weds are not well managed. He has created a steady team with little investment under an absolutely basket case ownership. Aa always, context is key. He has obviously had a massive falling out there aince our approach and their downturn has basically coincided with that. Like Cortese with Pochettino, Saints with RM etc sometimes recent results or league position aren't the way to judge because if Rohl were to come here then he would have far better players to work with. I am sure that factors such as his development of Shea Charles, experience of working in a RB style etc would be of greater value to Spors as a mechanism of assessing his fit.

https://sportwitness.co.uk/theres-an-agreement-with-the-owner-danny-rohl-on-reaching-deal-over-sheffield-wednesday-future/ https://sportwitness.co.uk/danny-rohl-sheffield-wednesday-quality-of-southampton-leicester-city-and-ipswich-town/ Reading the quotes here, whilst nothing concrete, it doesn't particularly come across as he has an agreement with Saints and is expecting to be announced in due course. If that were the case (with Saints or any club) I'm not sure what he has to gain from doing the podcast. Considering he is still contracted to Sheff Weds for 2 more years having willingly signed an extension its fairly unprofessional from him IMO.

On what criteria are you judging?

By that logic Russell Martin got 87pts so just get him back?

What does "higher" mean? They will just want to get the best person for the job and will have own criteria as to what that is.

If Rohl is to end up back in Germany then I am sure Spors will also have known that for a while too.

Rohl clearly confident he is leaving Sheff Wed for someone and wants it done ASAP. Sure it will become clear where his destination is soon enough. If we wanted him when RM went I don't see why we would have changed our minds on that since.

How many goals we conceded last time in the Championship was more to do with how we played than the quality of the individuals IMO. We did also score the second most goals so clearly were more balanced towards attack than defence. My recollection is that Bednarek was extremely comfortable at that level and can barely think of any games when he struggled 1vs 1 with any forward. In fact, he bossed the majority of them, including in key games versus Leeds. I get that we have had a poor defensive record which he has been part of but the majority of that has been in the PL where we aren't going to be next season. KWP, Bednarek and THB were all better than Championship level. Lose all three and all of a sudden our back 4 would look very much bog standard Championship level. To get promoted you need some of the best players in the league across key positions so lose those guys and we need to buy in players who meet that criteria, whilst also needing to get strikers and wide players who meet that criteria too. We could sell Bednarek for £6m and then be quoted £20m to sign someone of the same level - will get expensive quickly.

Bednarek was above the level of the Championship last time and its the relative quality of those types that gets you promotions. For £6m there is little chance we can buy that in so whilst I don't begrudge him a move I am suprised people celebrate something like that. He is a PL experienced Intl CB in his prime who is rarely injured! Was massive last time out in the Champ. The whole advantage you have as a relegated team is having some players who are too good for the lower level - regardless of their PL ability. Don't wish them all away!