Ronald Koeman

[Horatio]

i think i've had this discussion with someone else on here. i understand that for dutch people it was a turnaround when compared with past humiliations. but finishing in second place of a qualifying group that contained germany, northern ireland, belarus and estonia is no great achievement.

Fair point. But again, look beyond pure results. Netherlands still lack forwards. But he created a young team with a great sense of unity and mentality and a system that would work with the players we have. Van Gaal did the same thing getting the best out of the players we had on 2014 wc. He did great, but he also had prime Robben, Van persie, Sneijder, Kuyt. These all retired before Koeman came in. We are left without great strikers or forwards. Only Depay is noteworthy. Quite below that Luuk de Jong and Huntelaar who will retire this year.

I concede Koeman was forced to play young players because of retirement of some, but then again Koeman has shown in past to want to play young players.

Also forgot to mention that some of those world qualifying/nations league games were noteworthy because we would be losing in first half and team turned things around in second.

 

[fergus90]

I think people do acknowledge Koeman as doing well with the National team. His reputation here is basically nil purely because of the Everton disaster and some sticky spells at Saints.

That says more on us though, as soon as someone flops in the Premier League they are labelled as shit forevermore despite doing well elsewhere.

Basically, the several good jobs he does gets forgotten about because of the Everton fiasco. It's difficult to find any manager with a resume that hasn't had at least one or two bad spells though.

 

[Gnidrologist]

German media says Mikel Arteta could be new barca coach next season, is this the end of the hero of Koemannder ?

Holy fuck plz no.

 

[Birdy]

Arteta rumor coming a few days before elections from the anti-Laporta media outlets to destabilize him.

Laporta backing Koeman is the best news coming from his camp I have heard in a loooong while...

 

[Vilarrubi]

German media says Mikel Arteta could be new barca coach next season, is this the end of the hero of Koemannder ?

They’ll just be repeating what RAC1 have said. There’s a vid I posted of Laporta laughing in an interview when they mention Arteta as possible Barca coach.....

 

[serghei]

I'd rather keep Koeman than get Arteta. If we change Koeman it should be for Xavi only.

I'll be very surprised if Koeman doesn't get another year. He did a decent job.

 

[Horatio]

I'd rather keep Koeman than get Arteta. If we change Koeman it should be for Xavi only.

I'll be very surprised if Koeman doesn't get another year. He did a decent job.

I will embrace Xavi's arrival, but I believe forum members to be correct who say he will only come after most veterans are gone.

 

[Rassvet]

Koeman's most impressive achievement here has been lowering expectations to the point that a trophyless season and R16 humiliation is considered a decent season.

 

[Birdy]

I'd rather keep Koeman than get Arteta. If we change Koeman it should be for Xavi only.

I'll be very surprised if Koeman doesn't get another year. He did a decent job.

Serghei why are you so sold on Xavi?
I am curious to know...

It's a bet, and we don't have enough evidence that he will be a success more than evidence that he will be a failure

 

[serghei]

Serghei why are you so sold on Xavi?
I am curious to know...

It's a bet, and we don't have enough evidence that he will be a success more than evidence that he will be a failure

Imo, there's a decent chance he will become a great manager. If you look at his interviews, his football insights remind me of Guardiola.

You can either go for Guardiola, Klopp or very big names like that (actually only these two guarantee you success currently). But let's face it, these guys can't be brought in. So your best bet is to find the next visionary manager. Xavi could certainly be the next big one.

It's simple. We really need an elite manager, or a manager who is a hidden gem and will become elite. From the first echelon, there's only Guardiola (dream manager for us, but the idiot doesn't want to come back), or Klopp. From the 2nd echelon, Xavi is by far the best option.

 

[Birdy]

Imo, there's a decent chance he will become a great manager. If you look at his interviews, his football insights remind me of Guardiola.

You can either go for Guardiola, Klopp or very big names like that. But let's face it, these guys can't be brought in. So your best bet is to find the next visionary manager. Xavi could certainly be the next big one.

Sure, I have watched some of his interviews.
But the same can be said about many coaches that never reached the top level...
Look at Bielsa for example, he is a super-intelligent football nous, and he can work wonders but never at a top club.

And on the other hand, you have people like Ten Haad or Nagelsman that I mentioned in Laporta's thread, for whom we have stronger evidence that they can succeed at a top club like Barca

 

[serghei]

Sure, I have watched some of his interviews.
But the same can be said about many coaches that never reached the top level...
Look at Bielsa for example, he is a super-intelligent football nous, and he can work wonders but never at a top club.

And on the other hand, you have people like Ten Haad or Nagelsman that I mentioned in Laporta's thread, for whom we have stronger evidence that they can succeed at a top club like Barca

Yea, but that's the game. Xavi can fail, but I'd rather try to find the ideal manager for us than to go through cycles and cycles of "decent" ones with good resumes.

Toss aside experience. The only ones who are proven winners and have the experience that is needed for a club like Barcelona either don't fit us in terms of playing style or can't be brought in.

Allegri has experience, a lot of it. Would be a terrible Barca manager right now for example, because his brand of football is miles away from what Barca are about.

 

[Birdy]

Yea, but that's the game. Xavi can fail, but I'd rather try to find the ideal manager for us than to go through cycles and cycles of "decent" ones with good resumes.

Toss aside experience. The only ones who are proven winners and have the experience that is needed for a club like Barcelona either don't fit us in terms of playing style or can't be brought in.

Allegri has experience, a lot of it. Would be a terrible Barca manager right now.

Yeah, of course I am mentioning coaches that will play football compatible with Barca values, that's why I didn't mention Conte or Allegri for example.

I am questioning the thought process that tell you Xavi right now will be the ideal manager.
Plus, when you say 'ideal manager' you imply that he is going to stay for 20 years if he is a success?? I don't think that can happen in modern football

 

[serghei]

Yeah, of course I am mentioning coaches that will play football compatible with Barca values, that's why I didn't mention Conte or Allegri for example.

I am questioning the thought process that tell you Xavi right now will be the ideal manager.
Plus, when you say 'ideal manager' you imply that he is going to stay for 20 years if he is a success?? I don't think that can happen in modern football

Nah, not 20 years, but he will stay longer than Pep, simply because the team will not click as fast. 2008 Barca was a team having a crisis, but a team filled with insane talent all over the place, plus a team that had money to spend. This is a tougher task, and I expect Xavi to take 2-3 seasons to possibly dominate again, and by domination, I don't mean the level we seen with Guardiola, that was a dream scenario.

 

[Horatio]

Nah, not 20 years, but he will stay longer than Pep, simply because the team will not click as fast. 2008 Barca was a team having a crisis, but a team filled with insane talent all over the place, plus a team that had money to spend. This is a tougher task, and I expect Xavi to take 2-3 seasons to possibly dominate again, and by domination, I don't mean the level we seen with Guardiola, that was a dream scenario.

And what about La Liga's overall level, Serghei? If it stays at a lower level or goes even lower you still expect domination?