Badger

Do you expect to be asking the same question in 48hours ? Or do you think you'll know by then.

We certainly missed a trick in not appointing John Williams. GR may be an excellent financial director, but CEO which in my view requires a higher public profile is too big a step.

Of the overseas names mentioned these two stand out. Although how the players react to either is questionable, but then again no one knew how MP would be met. Needless to say though if either do come here, Yakin may use it as a stepping stone to Galatasaray or wherever, Tuchel to wile away his time before replacing Klopp at Dortmund...

Definitely.

How about honouring his existing contract ? Board should hold him to that, or put him on leave. The 'board' whether its the entire board, or a combination of Krueger and Reed, seem pretty hapless from the limited noises heard, actions seen.

You're confusing him with his brother Ricoh.

I'll be pucking livid if Ralph lets MP leave without a fight.

I can see that one being sold to us and the media as "giving a young English manager a chance in the Premiership etc..." I'd certainly prefer him to the Petrescu's , Di Masturbateo's previously mentioned. Or Oscar Garcia for that matter.

Agree. If he informs the board he wants to go off then I hope they remind him he has a year left on his contract and will be put on gardening leave. If he went to Spain or Portugal then so be it, but I really detest Levy, Tottingham etc.

Do you get a prompt whenever someone types his name ? Strangely though, we were one of the better periods in his managerial career, helping his rehabilitation along the way, but the phrase "lost the dressing room" did tend to feature a few times on his CV. Please don't reply about GH ; that topic is long gone.

Interesting. But to add a few observations: Contract - although he has left Mainz he has an agreement with them regarding taking another post http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2013/0000294912.php "tactical genius" - that label worries me as the last one we had was Hoddle, wizard on a whiteboard in setting out formations but without man management skills to motivate "ambition" - if this is in place we might not be discussing MP leaving "bigger clubs" - not yet, although I'm sure his progress might be monitored closely ( we all know how this could pan out don't we ?) I agree with much of what you say and can see the attraction, but don't agree this to be an incredible signing (though might prove to be for someone).

A promising manager by all accounts, but not sure he'd be either "incredible" or "out of our league" , why do you think this ? He's achieved league positions towards the top of their league and qualified for Europa League with an unfashionable side, but to my knowledge has yet to win a trophy. Perhaps a German equivalent of MP. Klopp would be "incredible" and "out of our league" without a doubt,[ so not suggesting for a second it would happen ] Tuchel would represent 'unfulfilled potential' and, in coming to England, a 'gamble' (for him as well as for us).

No reason why it should be after all it seems to manage for Ajax without it becoming a dog's breakfast.

Not for me it doesn't. Better than our last two efforts admittedly, but the white sleeves are too Arsenal for my liking. Away version is better but again would not be first choice.

...& I've got Shaw going there for £81m.

Expect the salary will more than make up for it.

Or possibly his friends in the media might not have dared print so many wild stories without seeking his approval. Agree with that, a great shame. The big difference between ML & KL unfortunately was that NC probably felt answerable to ML but probably felt he could continue full speed ahead as he saw fit without KL being party to it.

No. Agree with most you have written until that last bit. He was single minded in driving SFC forward as he saw it, but that does not make him "Saints through and through". His "ambition" probably did not factor in the 'risk' element of overspending, or at the very least he was not permitted to get to that point. He was Cortese through and through, and if anything Saints were becoming Cortese through and through.

As opposed to Poch who sat on his arse motionless as we went out of the FA Cup without a fight. Interesting response though, thanks.

Really ? Sad thing is I think you're probably right, but with the summer window etc its a question whether players are prepared to see what the new bloke has to offer, especially with the vultures circling publicly via the media and privately through agents. Then you get to the question of what confidence in the current set up to make the right selection. Yes, I like KL and the sounds - until they dried up - from RK but at the moment the vibe appears a naïve one. (Prepared or hoping to accept they're doing the right things behind closed doors..but not holding my breath on that one).

Big and perhaps only concern is retaining players and how any change impacts on that prospect.

yeh, f'sure....

If he stays, and we make a statue of him....

I think people are thinking he - or possibly Simeone - might be looking for another job after tonight depending on the result.

Probably a step too far for him at the moment.