Five things Arsenal can learn from Manchester United’s managerial mess
Arsenal have a deal on the table for the longest serving manager in the Premier League. Metro reported that it is worth £24m over 3 years. That’s big money.
It hasn’t been signed yet, fueling concern the manager won’t sign it until the end of the season, where, goes the thought, he might not sign at all… if we’ve won the league. He might, ‘pull a Ferguson’, which is striking the fear of god into Arsenal fans around the globe.
… but I say don’t fear. Not every transition has to end in a David Moyes like disaster. You just have to follow a few simple rules.
1. Don’t let the previous manager choose the successor.
Alex Ferguson is widely believed to be the man behind Moyes. You know he must have had a hand in the appointment because no one else in their right mind would have made a decision like that. Being a great manager doesn’t always mean you recognise other great managerial talent. The decision to employ the next manager should be made by people who have worked across the game in the modern era.
It should be made by people who understand the game, but maybe not from being part of the game. David Dein chose Wenger, but he’d never played football. Choosing your own successor reeks of ‘old boys’ club. Give the ex-manager a say… but don’t let it be defacto. It should be a group decision made by people with differing skillsets.
2. If you want to go for inexperience, then have a bloody good reason for doing so.
David Moyes struggled to beat top 4 teams, his clubs have never been revered for playing anything other than brutalist football, and he’d never won a trophy. What was he bringing to the United fold? Moyes isn’t a visionary coach, he’s didn’t have an amazing reputation in the game and he wasn’t a name. How was he every going to be able to win over the players?
3. Don’t rock the damn boat.
United allowed David Moyes to come in and work on his terms. He was allowed to shake up the back room staff. He sent the assistant manager and the head coach packing and he tinkered elsewhere. When the CEO of a successful business leaves, the incoming CEO doesn’t sack all the heads of department. Continuity is just as important in sport. If it ain’t broke, don’t sack it. Bringing in a raft of staff who’ve won precisely zero in a previous role isn’t a recipe for winning over the incumbent players or the fans.
4. Think of the players.
How are the players going to react to the new man. If you are replacing the greatest manager of all time, you need to bring in someone who can win them over with managerial skill and vision, an incredible playing career or an incredible managerial career. David Moyes doesn’t have any of those attributes. For me, United would have been better placed employing Brian Laudraup. At least he has a presence.
5. Plan, plan, plan.
I don’t know the ins and outs of the new appointment, but it all felt a little rushed and ill thought out. It might come good. Moyes can chuck money at the problem and maybe it’ll come good. But right now, their two best players want out (Robin and Rooney) and the rest of the players are failing to play above their skill grade. Moyes can’t win over legacy players. So the question is, do the United board believe he can build a new club and are they willing to back an untrusted manager with £150m to rebuild… after watching him spank £27m on a very bland midfielder who texts during games?
United are in trouble because they didn’t think their managerial choice through. Hopefully Arsenal will learn from the mistakes they’ve made an make sure there’s a very good plan in place should the worst happen next summer and Arsene packs it in for the sweet, sweet days of retirement.
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
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