There will come a day when Sir Alex Ferguson’s name is associated not with Manchester United’s dug-out, but the North Stand at Old Trafford. It may not be in the coming summer, nor perhaps until the 70-year-old Scot is carried from the Theatre of Dreams in a box, but a change, as Sam Cooke once promised, is gonna come.
United’s stability under Ferguson, driven by the Scot’s obsessive-compulsive requirement for total control, is an outlier in football, where the average tenure of a Premier League manager is just 24 months. Moreover, the trend is increasingly away from the dictatorial model practiced in Manchester.
Yet, overseas owners at Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking enviously at Old Trafford as a model for storied and stable success as those clubs reach out to the market for new managers this summer.
But one day soon David Gill and the Glazer family will go through the same process now underway at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, of recruiting not only Ferguson’s successor, but the quality of manager demanded by a club of United’s stature. Yet, true to United’s cloak and dagger modus operandi it is highly unlikely that the club will hold any formal search, selection and interview the process for the role.
Indeed, football is one of the few industries remaining where senior executives are appointed, frequently on multi-million pound contracts, and then given even larger capex budgets, without any hint of due diligence. In other industries people would, quite literally, go to prison for the crass neglect of fiduciary duty.
Contrast this approach with the typical Fortune 500, or other large corporation, where an executive can expect to beat off potentially hundreds of candidates through a four or five round interview process, technical exercises and psychometric, intelligence, mathematics, language and logic testing. Often this process involves both interviews by the corporation’s board, executive management and outside consultants.
Even known candidates, whose track record is not in doubt, can still expect a due diligence process if only to ensure cultural fit at the highest levels of management.
Yet, football is an industry that is “different” Rant was told by one experienced journalist today; a sector where fickle fans, apparently, will not accept that there should be a process for finding the best candidate, leaving owners to appoint on a wing and a prayer. It is, of course, rank nonsense that helps explain the criminal failure rate of football management appointments.
No surprise, then, with the mocking tone of media coverage of Liverpool’s search and selection process for Kenny Dalglish’s successor at Anfield. Fenway Sports Group, led by Boston Red Sox’ owner John W Henry, has drawn up a long-list of candidates, including André Villas-Boas, Pep Guardiola, Didier Deschamps, Brendan Rodgers and Roberto MartÃnez whom, prudently, they would like to interview for the post.
Burned by Dalglish, an employee who spent more than £100 million on new players, but whose track record includes just two trophies in the past 20 years, FSG has set about deepening the due diligence process this time around. It is surely a sensible move.
To put Dalglish’s failure in context, while the Scot’s wages were around £4 million per annum, his spending was more than 50 per cent of Liverpool’s annual revenues. This is akin to newly IPO’d Facebook offering a new employee $2 billion to spend on whatever they want, and then Mark Zuckerberg complaining that HR hadn’t interviewed anybody else for the role.
Similarly at Aston Villa, who informally interviewed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Friday, Randy Lerner is seeking to cast the net wide to find not only the best candidate, but the man who will fit with the ethos and philosophy of the owner, staff and players. Solskjaer is not the only candidate, with Lerner undertaking a process, not simply appointing the latest hot thing.
Yet, there is still shock in the British media that FSG should want to break with football’s traditional method of appointing managers on a nod and a wink. Managers – ‘the most important employee at a football club’ – Rant was told, do not like to be interviewed because it undermines their current position. The heart bleeds that football clubs are, apparently, simply unable to recruit in the normal fashion, behind closed doors, and with a sensible level of due diligence.
Meanwhile, in the capital Roman Abramovich will likely continue the model that has served Chelsea poorly since Jose Mourinho’s departure. On each occasion Abramovich has anointed the new man seemingly on a whim – either through personal friendship, or in the case of the aforementioned Villas-Boas, because the Portuguese was the latest ‘hot thing’ on the market. The last mistake cost the Russian oligarch nearly £30 million, and his team a place in next year’s Champions League.
Which is all the more worrying when United comes round to replacing Ferguson. After all, while we know much about Mourinho, Solskjaer, and even David Moyes on a superficial basis, United’s senior executives will have little insight on a personal level. Not so much the blind leading the blind into a new era, as the partially sighted hoping that the light ahead is the end of the tunnel, and not a train wreck waiting to happen.
It’s precisely why FSG, despite the monumental mishandling of Liverpool’s transfer, communications and marketing strategy over the past 12 months, is now doing the right thing. Football industry be dammed, it’s better to get the right man, despite the negative headlines, than appoint another ill-fitting candidate on little-to-no information.
And while United fans may snigger at Swansea manager Rodgers turning down, on Friday, an interview with Liverpool, it may be best to remember that old Cooke refrain: change is gonna come. The question is, how will United manage its way through?
The hire race
(53 posts) (11 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Crip
Member
Posted by unregistered user: CripI think you make a valid point and given the fact that FSG are not people who have been entrenched in football, it is prudent to take this course of action. I imagine they have a vision and structure in mind for the club, they are now trying to identify who best fits that profile.
However that said, I think the very open manner in which they are going about it does not help. We’ve already seen Brenden Rogers decide he didn’t want to be part of a beauty parade and I would not be surprised to see other candidates rule themselves out. No manager will be able to command the same respect from his players and fans if he was to sit through a formal open interview process. He can’t return back to his club and demand 100% loyalty on the pitch and seek to tie down a player to a contract if he was ready to walk out.
The other factor is the rumored size of this list, 12 potential candidates. This suggest a club that doesn’t actually know what it wants and hopes to discover so during the process.
FSG might be correct in creating a due process, they simply should have been more discreet about it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
To be fair to Villas-Boas... I think he was screwed over.
From what I've read... he was brought in with an ambitious, long term project in mind... Abramovic recognised that Chelsea was now an ageing outfit... and Villas-Boas was the man charged with overseeing the transition, and shaping a new and more exciting team.
Now whether or not he would have succeeded... we'll never know... but it is obvious that he was undermined by some of the players, and never really allowed to get control of the dressing room... he was doomed, the minute he made an unpopular team selection.
Anyway... heaven help United when Fergies done, if the Glazers are still in charge.
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 1 year ago # -
DamnedUnited
Member Posted by unregistered user: DamnedUnitedAnd boy, did I snigger when I read about Rodgers turning down Liverpoo. I am actually sad Dalglish was sacked. He could have single handedly alienated the few overseas fans Liverpool still had in the next year or two. Let’s see what Martinez can do with Liverpool though. The only time I ever heard about him was when he was whining about refereeing decisions. As if Wigan NEVER got any decisions in their favour? And being able to make the team play in the last 10 games of a season consistently for three seasons or more makes him awesome?
I wonder how many managers are staying in their current jobs hoping to be in the mix when Fergie steps down?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bumweepoo
Member Posted by unregistered user: BumweepooNice article. Amusingly, Rodgers’ attitude to Liverpool is a contributing factor in the traditional managerial appointments process. According to reports, he felt he shouldn’t have to interview, and that Liverpool should have simply offered him the job based on his achievements with Swansea if they were serious. Staggeringly arrogant.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Charmingman93
Member Posted by unregistered user: Charmingman93Martinez was the catalyst for what Swansea is today, and besides, he’s still a good manager. Apart from the whining he needs to shut up about that. He has a team that sells some great players they could develop – like Antonio, and they are left with mediocre to terrible players who don’t bother to play well because they think they have nothing to win, but they do have a premiership place to lose. If the Wigan team have the potential to be a good team, why only at the LAST possible moment? Its the players mentality and I will blame Martinez for this, for not making them think they can beat ANYONE, if you think anything is possible it is possible.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Crip – well to be honest that was my point. There will be push back from the ‘football community’ to a more thorough process, but there’s always protest when there’s change. But as football grows and more serious business people take over, I suspect that this will be more common.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bumweepoo – here’s a story from Facebook that might give some clarity. When Zuckerberg wanted to hire Cheryl Sandberg from Google he ‘interviewed’ her at his house for four days. Not because there was any doubt about her ability as a COO, but to see if they could work together. Imagine a football club making that effort to get the right man. Four days, you’d be lucky if they made four hours worth of effort.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Charmingman93
Member Posted by unregistered user: Charmingman93I think we need some Liverpool bashing. I read in the metro (yes I can be very sad sometimes…) that Liverpool are proud of Dalglish’s contribution to the club.
Well, he left a first time, and now another time ending with Liverpool being in the worst position they’ve had in the amount of time I have lived on this earth (18 years) and they are PROUD. That is a failure, he’s not won anything worth a pound. And he’s certainly wasted more pounds buying players for ridiculous amounts ala Mr Carrol.
If I were Liverpool, I’d bloody well interview a manager, because at least I’d be sure, very sure, he’d do a good job. Not because he’s a hero that deserves that second chance. Life is not a film…
Posted 1 year ago # -
DeadRevel
Member Posted by unregistered user: DeadRevelSolksjaer just turned down the aston Villa job.
Thank god. I’m cautiously optimistic about his chances of becoming a top manager and taking over at United one day. This step was too soon and he needs to make sure he can follow up success at Molde first.
Posted 1 year ago # -
vlad
Member
Interviews definitely should be in place, and should be discreet. I think Mourinho considered being Barcelona manager but ended up in Inter because during talks (call them interviews, whatever) with Laporte he understood that Barca board were planning to impose Pep as his assistant. Jose realized the extent of power he would be given and pulled out - the interview mission was achieved but noone presented these talks as intimidating beauty parade undermining manager's authority. They should not be formal.
I'm pretty sure if Jose comes to United (i'm not sure he will be a success, but just "if") - he will interview rich uncle Malcolm, too.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Herbie Simms
Member Posted by unregistered user: Herbie SimmsChelsea have won the Champions league, now Tottenham do not qualify, therefore Gareth Bale will be looking to move on. This is a chance for SAF to get his left sided player. He’s got 100 million so 40 million for Bale is a great deal. SAF will get 15 million from the sale of Berbatov and another 30 million for Nani if Nani does not sign his new contract. Hazard will be meeting SAF on Monday while Kagawa has already met with SAF. So its beginning to look like we will buy two midfielders this summer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator Commenter said:
Chelsea have won the Champions league, now Tottenham do not qualify, therefore Gareth Bale will be looking to move on. This is a chance for SAF to get his left sided player. He’s got 100 million so 40 million for Bale is a great deal. SAF will get 15 million from the sale of Berbatov and another 30 million for Nani if Nani does not sign his new contract. Hazard will be meeting SAF on Monday while Kagawa has already met with SAF. So its beginning to look like we will buy two midfielders this summer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Herbie Simms
Member Posted by unregistered user: Herbie SimmsNot spoiling the picture, just keeping up on whats going on. As for Martinez and Rodgers, these are too good managers. Wigan and Swansea play some of the best attractive football other than Arsenal. The style of football is the key. Look at Bilbao and Barcelona.
Liverpool will continue to slide down the table. Teams coming into the Premier division with new young managers bring a new style of football with new ideas and tactics.
Hopefully, Martinez will stay at Wigan. Solskjaer should be offered a job at Man United to replace Mike Phelan.Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member
Commenter said:
Chelsea have won the Champions league, now Tottenham do not qualify, therefore Gareth Bale will be looking to move on. This is a chance for SAF to get his left sided player. He’s got 100 million so 40 million for Bale is a great deal. SAF will get 15 million from the sale of Berbatov and another 30 million for Nani if Nani does not sign his new contract. Hazard will be meeting SAF on Monday while Kagawa has already met with SAF. So its beginning to look like we will buy two midfielders this summer.You need to dramatically lower your expectations Herbie because you are going to be disappointed.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Daniel
Member Posted by unregistered user: DanielI’m not too worried about the appointment of the next manager as Fergie will be in charge of it, David Gill said so once if I’m not mistaken. He’ll look for someone to continue the United way, like he and Busby did with such success. I trust he’ll also take into consideration the changing of the times and the need for someone more modern. Not many fill both requirements but there are enough and almost all would jump at the chance to succeed Sir Alex. Now, here’s hoping for a surprise coming from Mr. Hazard’s lips tonight. Not holding my breath, but I’d take him over Nani who is not a leader for our offence (and we need one to help Rooney out).
Posted 1 year ago # -
Gabagool
Member Posted by unregistered user: GabagoolThis is a wind up right?
15m for Berba!?! We’ll be lucky to get 7.
30m for Nani!?! You’re dreaming.
I’m confident we’ll get Kagawa, apart from that I reckon it’ll be bargain basement stuff, ie Clyne.
Sincerely hope I’m proved wrong but just can’t see it happening.Posted 1 year ago # -
Bill
Member
I reckon Berba might stay now with not many forwards going round the rumour mill and the bargain basement price we will get. Nani would go for 20-30 mill, I can see Madrid sniffing round.
If Fergie can give Berba 15 starts and 15 subs apps I think he will be happy. He clearly brings something different to our mix than Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez.
Posted 1 year ago # -
DeadRevel
Member Posted by unregistered user: DeadRevelHerbie simm
“Solskjaer should be offered a job at Man United to replace Mike Phelan.”
That’s the most intelligent thing you’ve ever said.
although saying that, he’s already learned enough from Ferguson. and he might not be the guy to challenge Fergie’s madcap decisions due to the old player/manager respect.
Would be good way to ease him in though.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator I don't want anyone associated with the club in charge until the Glazers are gone... especially not a United hero like Ole... he'd just be forced to suck up to the Glazers, and made to work miracles with a substandard team... on a hiding to nowt... that would just suck.
Posted 1 year ago # -
bman
Member
Alfonso Bedoya said:
I don't want anyone associated with the club in charge until the Glazers are gone... especially not a United hero like Ole... he'd just be forced to suck up to the Glazers, and made to work miracles with a substandard team... on a hiding to nowt... that would just suck.I feel the opposite. I'd rather someone with a real connection with the club had to put a brave face on it than the club was just run by total wankers I couldn't give a shit about. What would be the point of watching at that point?
Posted 1 year ago # -
bman
Member I don't really get the point of the original article to be honest. Are you saying that clubs should hire managers in a more corporate way, the way Liverpool is supposed to be doing? This misses that point that football is a talent-driven business, like Hollywood. Do you think Tom Cruise auditions for parts? Does he fuck, film producers beg him to join the film and throw a lot of cash his way.
Liverpool can run an interview process because they are not competing for the top talent any more. The idea that the likes of Guardiola would even consider coming to Liverpool for a second is fucking deluded. Guardiola is not going to interview. Any club that wants him would quite rightly have to beg him and offer him the world. A more corporate interview process makes sense in liverpool's situation where they are a medium sized club offering a step up to managers who've only worked at small clubs until now.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
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