New Manager Debate

[SuperSAINT]

1 hour ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Going by watching the U21s , Eckert will play 3 cbs and possession based as I believe this is his preferred style.

Personally I'm not too bothered on formation or style of football.

I just want to see a Saints team thats confident and focused and understands what they're meant to be doing....time will tell. 

Yeah, I mean i think I know the style and formation - it’s more just how we actually look (you never know with these players).

I never saw much difference or improvements under WS.

[Wade Garrett]

55 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

That’s very harsh on Will Still. He did a very impressive job in France at such a young age.  We were the right club for him at the wrong time. I believe he’ll have a successful career.

I think he’s been found out as a snake-oil salesman, just like Russell Martin.

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

I was led to believe that Still was a bit of a prodigy. In reality not the most impressive numbers given the context.

Good pal of mine’s wife is from Lens, and dad and brother are season ticket holders (stadium is a great concrete edifice worth visiting). Didn’t rate Still and think he would have likely been sacked had saints not approached him. 

[coalman]

21 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

I think he’s been found out as a snake-oil salesman, just like Russell Martin.

Any manager that has the hubris to do a YouTube "masterclass" is probably more interested in promoting themselves than managing a football club.

[Dusic]

@davefizzy14 any update on DO'L?

[Turkish]

12 minutes ago, Dusic said:

@davefizzy14 any update on DO'L?

David O’Leary? Not sure he’s the answer 

[aintforever]

3 hours ago, Pwoite said:

I fear your second paragraph may well be true, but I can’t accept the first.

if Dragan sacked Still, rather than Spors doing the deed, then there was no time to line up candidates. Maybe clandestine conversations had taken place, we don’t know, and maybe Gary O’Neill was being lined up, but again we don’t know. SR have made many poor decisions, so I think time, consideration and some common sense are required this time.

Whoever made the decision is irrelevant, sacking a manager before having a replacement lined up is just a fuck up.

[Yorkshire Saint]

22 minutes ago, Turkish said:

David O’Leary? Not sure he’s the answer 

What is the question?

[StrangelyBrown]

2 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

But if Gary O’Neill was suddenly hired and we continued to play crap football and a back five then suddenly Russ doesn’t look so bad.

Martin plays crap football too. Just a different type of crap. But he's also an egotistical bellend

[Oldandtired]

https://www.facebook.com/61555704255903/posts/pfbid0wLAKDWCDuYxBsKfHFz9tZnUiAt69krg5zuUyH3WcZH1JMhe9SCkwsKL5TF1wfys5l/

[Themotherfunky]

3 minutes ago, Oldandtired said:

https://www.facebook.com/61555704255903/posts/pfbid0wLAKDWCDuYxBsKfHFz9tZnUiAt69krg5zuUyH3WcZH1JMhe9SCkwsKL5TF1wfys5l/

They also claimed OGS was imminent 3 days ago too, bullshit merchants. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/17Kg6EC7zD/

[Oldandtired]

1 minute ago, Themotherfunky said:

They also claimed OGS was imminent 3 days ago too, bullshit merchants. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/17Kg6EC7zD/

Well there you go then.

[chiknsmack]

10 hours ago, Graziano94 said:

What on earth was that kick-off 

It's a relatively new tactic employed by pressing teams. Put the ball into touch down the opponents end, press the fuck out of them as they mess around at the back, and score from their mistakes. PSG are credited with starting it. (The one in the video was poor because MLS is of a poor standard in general.)

As Saints fans we know pressing a team obsessed with possession and playing out from the back can pay dividends. This is taking it to the extreme: "We know Saints will mess around at the back and make mistakes, so let's just give them the ball and let them shoot themselves in the foot".

[Dark Munster]

10 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

This is exactly how I see it. Spors wants Tonda; the others are saying let's not rush in to a decision like we did with Selles, so we're in this holding pattern. If we get 4-6 points from Charlton, Leicester & Millwall, we'll continue with him. Any more than that and I can see him being offered the role to the end of the season.

The problem comes if we blow up against these teams because it doesn't sound like they've got anyone in line for the role.

 

[Dark Munster]

8 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Johannes Spors has been in football for nearly 20 years, starting as an analyst, through to scouting and head of recruitment, and now multiple Sporting Director posts. 

Rasmus Ankersen was a professional player, has some coaching badges, coached Midtjylland u17s before becoming chairman, and has been a director for more than a decade. 

Yes, they might not be very good, but inexperience and not being "football people" has absolutely nothing to do with it. 

Nope.

[HnycS]

11 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever why they want eckhart what benefit is there in picking a totally inexperienced manager ?  We seem to have total obsession with young everything ..  how difficult can it be to get someone in who has actually done good jobs at other clubs id even prefer Nathan Jones back 

Recency bias, gone wild. That's a no way Jose from me.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

13 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Going by watching the U21s , Eckert will play 3 cbs and possession based as I believe this is his preferred style.

Personally I'm not too bothered on formation or style of football.

I just want to see a Saints team thats confident and focused and understands what they're meant to be doing....time will tell. 

I'm not convinced by the whole possession based view. Saints were doing it under Still as well and it just gives teams time to reset. Sick of it as to me it'll be very much more of the same.

Players are gutless especially the defenders that are still here, so I dont see it working.

[Weston Super Saint]

16 hours ago, Starksj1995 said:

I can’t see him getting it ft not after fab was told he was only here interm and that’s it 

Was the F.A.B told that he would 'never' be more than an interim or were they told he is currently the interim and that's it?

Maybe it's too nuanced for some to understand?

[Thripp87]

The realistic options out there currently are horrendous.

I wouldn’t want any of them. 

It’s telling that Middlesbrough and Swansea are also still managerless after the international break. 
 

[tdmickey3]

55 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Was the F.A.B told that he would 'never' be more than an interim or were they told he is currently the interim and that's it?

Maybe it's too nuanced for some to understand?

[sadoldgit]

13 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever why they want eckhart what benefit is there in picking a totally inexperienced manager ?  We seem to have total obsession with young everything ..  how difficult can it be to get someone in who has actually done good jobs at other clubs id even prefer Nathan Jones back 

Although he is doing a good job at Charlton he wasn’t a good fit here before and I don’t think he would be again. Just because Ekhert is young doesn’t mean to say he couldn’t do a decent job for us. Plenty of very experienced managers have failed at United. It is all about finding the right person at the right time. No one wanted Lampard not so long ago. I think we would all be very happy with him now. I am not suggesting that Ekhert should get the job by the way, but Spors has indicated that he was being groomed for the top job so at some point you assume that he will be the right age for the top job. They know that they have to get this appointment right. I’m not surprised that they are not rushing into to anything (which is still not to say that they might get the wrong person in again, but hey ho!).

[lambtiss]

On 12/11/2025 at 06:39, Sheaf Saint said:

We need someone who will get the team playing with a bit more Jazz.

 

1 hour ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I'm not convinced by the whole possession based view. Saints were doing it under Still as well and it just gives teams time to reset. Sick of it as to me it'll be very much more of the same.

Players are gutless especially the defenders that are still here, so I dont see it working.

I think most fans feel the same. It seems like a bandwagon that we've joined just as teams have worked out how to counter it and it is therefore less effective.

[Greenridge]

1 hour ago, sadoldgit said:

 They know that they have to get this appointment right. 

Same could be said for Jones, Selles, Juric, Still. But they didn't. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Greenridge

[Oh no Mick Mills]

54 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

 

I think most fans feel the same. It seems like a bandwagon that we've joined just as teams have worked out how to counter it and it is therefore less effective.

For me its about picking a system of play that best suits your playing squad.

Horses for courses. 

 

 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I've recently been writing up the horrendous 2005-09 seasons for a new book and one name jumped out at me who has unfinished business at Saints and that's Nigel Pearson (61) who Lowe sacked on the basis he was a Crouch appointee. He's old school, takes no crap from those above him and has lots of experience in the second tier. Also credited with building Leicester's PL winning team. He flopped at his last post at Ashton Gate, but no one seems to be able to get Bristol City going. Been out of football two years during which time he has overcome a nuerological illness.

Anyway just throwing a random name about in the absence of any other "interesting' names emerging.

[UpweySaint]

7 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I've recently been writing up the horrendous 2005-09 seasons for a new book and one name jumped out at me who has unfinished business at Saints and that's Nigel Pearson (61) who Lowe sacked on the basis he was a Crouch appointee. He's old school, takes no crap from those above him and has lots of experience in the second tier. Also credited with building Leicester's PL winning team. He flopped at his last post at Ashton Gate, but no one seems to be able to get Bristol City going. Been out of football two years during which time he has overcome a nuerological illness.

Anyway just throwing a random name about in the absence of any other "interesting' names emerging.

A good blast from the past. If it is Tonda some proper experience and nous around him would be valuable - I wonder if Pearson would be up for a supporting role?

[OldNick]

17 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

So why put Baz back in goal? You saying players are fragile after last season is a bit of a stretch when we have had an influx of players not tainted by that shit show. 

I totally agree, it was madness

[Dusic]

Clever ploy to wait for Intls to be concluded...new name to the fore and increasingly seen as front runner. Will need to upgrade the club-issued umbrellas.

[SaintLondon]

In other words, we don't know what we're doing and we're hoping for a miracle. 

 

[DT]

In other words, we have no intention of paying any money for people who know more about football than they do, and are hoping that we can justify taking the cheap option by fluking some results - or even one win out of those three, in addition to some fluff about how we've turned the corner or are rewarding the pathway.

Bloody jokers.

 

[Saint NL]

Looking at the team analysis, we need a coach that can get the best out of the strikers we have. This isn't exactly groundbreaking news to any of us, but the chart makes it clear if anyone hasn't been paying attention.

[Rebel]

I am starting to think Sports Republic have no idea what to do when it comes to the manager. 

When they sacked Russell Martin last season the obvious answer was to pay the compensation to Sheff Weds and appoint Danny Rohl. Instead they went for the cheap option and appointed Juric - with I think no plan to keep him beyond the summer.

In the summer when they let Juric leave they didn't really seem to have a plan of what to do next.  The obvious answer was to pay the compensation to Sheff Weds and appoint Danny Rohl.  Instead they went for the cheap and 'aren't we clever' option of appointing Will Still when they baulked at the money Sheff Weds wanted for Rohl.

Right now the most obvious answer is probably to appoint Michael Carrick - he has a good track record with Boro and took over there when they were in a similar position and did a good job.  The problem is I don't think he wants the job - and Sports Republic are trying to clever again in giving the job to Eckhart.

From the outside I think one of the problems is a lack of a clear strategy when it comes to football - or clear lines of responsibility.  I can't help thinking Rasmussen keeps interfering on signings and managerial appointments which means between him and Spors we have a mess of players, playing style and management philosophies. At times it seems its mandated from above to play 3-4-2-1 - but that makes the signing of players like Fellows and Azaz an odd decision as they suit a 4-2-3-1.  

It looks like they will stick with Eckhart - and delay making a decision - until he wins enough games for them to say 'aren't we clever' or loses enough games that they have to sack him.

In reality I don't think any of the good or proven managers out there want the job - the squad is unbalanced missing a centre forward and a good enough goalkeeper. There is a good chance of being sucked in to a relegation battle and a very slim chance of making the play-offs and getting promoted.  And if you don't get promoted an already unbalanced squad will get ripped apart in the summer as Sports Republic will need to cut costs by selling the best players to raise cash - and getting rid of the overpaid players on the cheap.   

Saints future is starting to look a lot like Norwich's present.

 

[sotonjoe]

1 hour ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I've recently been writing up the horrendous 2005-09 seasons for a new book and one name jumped out at me who has unfinished business at Saints and that's Nigel Pearson (61) who Lowe sacked on the basis he was a Crouch appointee. He's old school, takes no crap from those above him and has lots of experience in the second tier. Also credited with building Leicester's PL winning team. He flopped at his last post at Ashton Gate, but no one seems to be able to get Bristol City going. Been out of football two years during which time he has overcome a nuerological illness.

Anyway just throwing a random name about in the absence of any other "interesting' names emerging.

He's fucking nuts, mate. 

[Mboto Gorge]

At least this shit show is saving me a lot of money over the Christmas period, as I’m not spending any money on going to watch the club under this current shambolic stewardship. Usually it would be a wrench not going, but it’s a fairly easy decision currently under these complete piss takers.

Edited 8 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[saint michael]

I would love to see who has actually applied for the job

[sadoldgit]

2 hours ago, Greenridge said:

Same could be said for Jones, Selles, Juric, Still. But they didn't. 

Which is why the pressure is greater to get it right now.

[Mboto Gorge]

This club is, and always has been, too big for them. They’ve not got a fucking clue what they’re doing and they reinforce this with every managerial decision, transfer window, etc etc. 

[Charlie Wayman]

4 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I'm not convinced by the whole possession based view. Saints were doing it under Still as well and it just gives teams time to reset. Sick of it as to me it'll be very much more of the same.

Players are gutless especially the defenders that are still here, so I dont see it working.

Not really. Still had no system of play whatsoever, players were left to make it up as they went along.

There's nothing wrong with possesion based football at all as long as it doesn't deteriorate into aimless sideways and backwards passing just to keep the ball. Players must learn to receive the ball to feet, turn quickly and always pass forward to break the lines. Eckert should drill this into their heads and fine them - or drop them - if they do not follow these golden rules.

 

[Charlie Wayman]

11 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

This club is, and always has been, too big for them. They’ve not got a fucking clue what they’re doing and they reinforce this with every managerial decision, transfer window, etc etc. 

A tad extreme when you don't know their side of the story. It may not be quite as easy as you think

[Dr. Kucho]

37 minutes ago, Rebel said:

I am starting to think Sports Republic have no idea what to do when it comes to the manager. 

When they sacked Russell Martin last season the obvious answer was to pay the compensation to Sheff Weds and appoint Danny Rohl. Instead they went for the cheap option and appointed Juric - with I think no plan to keep him beyond the summer.

In the summer when they let Juric leave they didn't really seem to have a plan of what to do next.  The obvious answer was to pay the compensation to Sheff Weds and appoint Danny Rohl.  Instead they went for the cheap and 'aren't we clever' option of appointing Will Still when they baulked at the money Sheff Weds wanted for Rohl.

Right now the most obvious answer is probably to appoint Michael Carrick - he has a good track record with Boro and took over there when they were in a similar position and did a good job.  The problem is I don't think he wants the job - and Sports Republic are trying to clever again in giving the job to Eckhart.

From the outside I think one of the problems is a lack of a clear strategy when it comes to football - or clear lines of responsibility.  I can't help thinking Rasmussen keeps interfering on signings and managerial appointments which means between him and Spors we have a mess of players, playing style and management philosophies. At times it seems its mandated from above to play 3-4-2-1 - but that makes the signing of players like Fellows and Azaz an odd decision as they suit a 4-2-3-1.  

It looks like they will stick with Eckhart - and delay making a decision - until he wins enough games for them to say 'aren't we clever' or loses enough games that they have to sack him.

In reality I don't think any of the good or proven managers out there want the job - the squad is unbalanced missing a centre forward and a good enough goalkeeper. There is a good chance of being sucked in to a relegation battle and a very slim chance of making the play-offs and getting promoted.  And if you don't get promoted an already unbalanced squad will get ripped apart in the summer as Sports Republic will need to cut costs by selling the best players to raise cash - and getting rid of the overpaid players on the cheap.   

Saints future is starting to look a lot like Norwich's present.

 

This is a very good post and I think you’ve hit the nail firmly on the head.

My believe is that Rasmus wants to have to much of a say and that Spors’s hands are tied on certain things. Makes me believe that once Spors gets an offer of another club he’s off. Like Wilcox, Shields etc.

I worry that we could end up in a bad place with the club with high debt and stripped to the bone. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

6 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Not really. Still had no system of play whatsoever, players were left to make it up as they went along.

There's nothing wrong with possesion based football at all as long as it doesn't deteriorate into aimless sideways and backwards passing just to keep the ball. Players must learn to receive the ball to feet, turn quickly and always pass forward to break the lines. Eckert should drill this into their heads and fine them - or drop them - if they do not follow these golden rules.

 

I meant in terms of stats, Saints were pretty possession heavy under Still. Whether that was down to Still or the players reverting to type who knows.

It was a mess overall. 

[sadoldgit]

12 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

This club is, and always has been, too big for them. They’ve not got a fucking clue what they’re doing and they reinforce this with every managerial decision, transfer window, etc etc. 

The same sentences are probably appearing on the vast majority of football forums of the vast majority of football clubs around the world.

[Mboto Gorge]

4 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

The same sentences are probably appearing on the vast majority of football forums of the vast majority of football clubs around the world.

Ah, that’s ok then. What a relief. So you’re ok with how this clubs being run are you? Because going by your comment, you’re seeing it as the norm , being that the vast majority of fans feel the same about their club. 

[gammon cheeks]

Steve McClaren is available .....just saying 😁

[Fabrice29]

35 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

At least this shit show is saving me a lot of money over the Christmas period, as I’m not spending any money on going to watch the club under this current shambolic stewardship. Usually it would be a wrench not going, but it’s a fairly easy decision currently under these complete piss takers.

Don’t necessarily disagree but an outsider will just say ‘won the last two since your ownership decided to get rid of the manager didn’t you? Feels like a good thing?’

[SaintLondon]

15 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

A tad extreme when you don't know their side of the story. It may not be quite as easy as you think

How does the Kool-aid taste? 

[Dman]

1 hour ago, SaintLondon said:

In other words, we don't know what we're doing and we're hoping for a miracle. 

 

Absolute cowards. Desperate to give him the job but don't want to face the music. Will give it another month and then say "noone was avalible" and he has it until the end of the season. 

A year wasted. Get these idiots out the club. 

[BERMUDASAINT]

18 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Going by watching the U21s , Eckert will play 3 cbs and possession based as I believe this is his preferred style.

Personally I'm not too bothered on formation or style of football.

I just want to see a Saints team thats confident and focused and understands what they're meant to be doing....time will tell. 

Anyone out there that watches the u21? Can give any insite to Tonda's playing stye? Improvements over last year?

[EBS1980]

1 hour ago, SaintLondon said:

In other words, we don't know what we're doing and we're hoping for a miracle. 

 

I mean every other club doesn’t seem to have an issue in selecting a manager from those that apply…..

[sandwichsaint]

1 hour ago, Saint NL said:

Looking at the team analysis, we need a coach that can get the best out of the strikers we have. This isn't exactly groundbreaking news to any of us, but the chart makes it clear if anyone hasn't been paying attention.

That will be a 1-0 to Charlton then?