Saints Need To Make Big Statement With Managerial Appointment Monday, 19th Jun 2017 13:12 Make no mistake, it is crucial that Saints get it right in replacing Claude Puel as they need to get a frustrated supporter base onside for the coming season. Anyone who has read the Ugly Inside over the past 3 years will know that I can see what Saints are doing and that they have worked hard over that period since the departure of Nicola Cortese to put foundations in place that will sustain the club for decades to come if continued with. That doesn't mean that they will get everything right , but the main problem is that many supporters frustrated by what they see as the club selling players at every opportunity, are quick to get on their backs when they do get it wrong. This has been the case in the last year, the supporters saw Ronald Koeman leaving as the fault of the club rather than for what it was the Dutchman eventually being offered much more money than Saints ever could pay him and when the likes of Mane and Wanyama departed that meant the fans blamed the board rather than the players for wanting to go. Claude Puel was therefore always going to be on a slippery slope, I am not going to defend him, in the final quarter of the season he did not show he had what it took, but in fairness too him he was not only trying to emulate Koeman's sixth place something that was always going to be hard, but events were conspiring against him, it was not his of the clubs fault that Fonte wanted away for money reasons and his agent pushed the issue, it as not their fault that key players got injured, the fans took little of this into account therefore it is fair to say they will not be in a mood to allow any leeway for the club and indeed the new manager next season. This is not the right attitude for the supporters to have, they should give the club some credit for what they have achieved in the last three years, however I cannot see it changing in the coming months. It is therefore imperative that the club not only gets it's choice of new manager right, but it makes a statement in doing so. When Pochettino left three years ago, they got it spot on, a manager who had a big reputation both as a player and as a manager and perhaps more importantly a man with an aura and personality that could get the fans on his side immediately. Claude Puel was the opposite, from the moment he first stepped in front of the cameras at his press conference on appointment he did not look the part, top button undone, tie loosely round his neck, to be blunt he looked like the father of the bride at a wedding reception after a few drinks, rather than a man who should have been trying to make first impressions count. If we thought that things were going to get better we were wrong, it was not just his lack of English. after all Pochettino never uttered a word publicly whilst Saints boss, but the way he put out his teams that ultimately did for him. It should be noted that at times Koeman himself has similar issues and the defeat in Denmark in the Europa League saw a rotated team go out limply. So now Saints have to make a big statement, firstly that means no gambling with those who are unproven, we cannot risk the likes of Ryan Giggs, Patrick Vieira or even Garry Monk taking charge, none of these have the experince and clout neccessary, perhaps Ryan Giggs would make a good assistant to whoever we bring in, but he is not ready to the task in hand just yet as the boss. Nor should we go for someone in the mould of Puel, experience is fine, but we need that aura and personality and reputation. So that narrows down the list greatly, Mauricio Pellegrino is one of the favourites, but I am not quite convinced that he has the experience in Europe or that personality, however I think that he could work with a good number two experienced in the Premier League and Ryan Giggs could be to him what Sammy Lee was to Ronald Koeman. For my money the favourite should be Frank De Boer, he seemed to be the choice last year before he opted for Inter Milan and we went to Claude Puel, he is grounded in the Ajax culture and that is what we have tried to emulate at St Mary's, he would seem to be the right fit for the job in that respect, but like Koeman he would need a good number two but then again don't we all. In recent days Thomas Tuchel has dropped from favourite a week or so ago to an outsider with odds of 50/1 in some places, of course he has said that he is not interested in the job , but then again how many times did Ronald Koeman say he would be manager of Saints next season and that he was not interested in the Everton job that showed two things, firstly that things can change and secondly every man has his price. Tuchel might prefer a club in the Champions League, but that could change. The rest of the candidates with the bookies should be taken with a pinch of salt. So Saints really need to pull this one out of the hat, they cannot afford to make another mistake, they have to bring someone in with a good reputation, experience and with a hunger to take Saints forward and try to win a cup. That narrows down the 20 or so candidates to just three, Tuchal, De Boer and Pellegreno, unless Saints truly have someone up their sleeve. Saints have established themselves as the leading contender to challenge the top six, Everton have sneaked in on the rails last season but Saints are capable of getting that ground back, after all even with such a traumatic season we still finished 8th. But make no bones about it, the Saints support is fickle at the moment, it needs to be brought back behind the club, it needs to be reinvigorated and it needs to be done sooner than later !! Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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