Rumour - Gareth Ainsworth

[South Coast Royal]

[quote="Brogue"]

That's all right then, a geriatric Yank who knows little about football is confident so no worries then chaps.

[Sutekh]

That's all right then, a geriatric Yank who knows little about football is confident so no worries then chaps.

So long as it’s not Starmer confidence then Noel should be safe for a while yet then.

[Snowflake Royal]

I assume that if it ever comes to having to negotiate compensation with a club whose manager you’ve just poached, it probably doesn’t help your case if you’ve gone on record several months earlier with your plan to do it. And whatever names Couhig had in mind in the summer doesn’t mean any of them would certainly be interested or available next time there’s a vacancy, so really that’s no more than dampening down the Ainsworth speculation at the start of the season.

Didn't bother Brooking, he did it live on TV. Couhig's not exactly backward in speaking his mind.

[jonnyroyal1871]

I assume that if it ever comes to having to negotiate compensation with a club whose manager you’ve just poached, it probably doesn’t help your case if you’ve gone on record several months earlier with your plan to do it. And whatever names Couhig had in mind in the summer doesn’t mean any of them would certainly be interested or available next time there’s a vacancy, so really that’s no more than dampening down the Ainsworth speculation at the start of the season.

If we take the transfer window as a model, it seems we had to readjust expectations and shop in a less exclusive pool.
I can only assume the same would apply when looking for a new manager and coaches.

That would hopefully rule out Ainsworth, since he’d cost money. The highest probability is that it will be someone unemployed and already in Couhig’s or JJ’s small “black book.”

If they move soon, I think the likeliest candidates are Selles, or someone with a Wycombe, Shrewsbury, or perhaps Welsh connection.

So, based on nothing but my own guesswork, my prediction is… a duo of Robbie Savage and Mark Bowen.

It won't happen - because Vince is prepared to shovel more into his promotion goal than we are in ours - but that really would be the next management team I'd prefer.

I can see NHunt taking a step back to the 21s, and Selles coming back. He's had two large pay-offs now, and shouldn't be that fussed about wages, but should be more worried about rebuilding his reputation. I'm not trigger happy with managers usually, but I don't think I'm feeling it with Noel, but more importantly, I'm not sure he's feeling it either.

[JedMaxwell]

As much as I love Selles I don't think he should come back here. It's a very different squad to the one he left and we also have the added expectation this season, which is much more difficult than the siege mentality he operated in previously.

If Hunt does go - I personally think he's earnt this season to have a good go, unless things become toxic etc. - I would sincerely hate it if Ainsworth came in. The style of play is absolutely interminable and we don't have the players to execute it anyway, so it wouldn't even be successful.

[Snowflake Royal]

I assume that if it ever comes to having to negotiate compensation with a club whose manager you’ve just poached, it probably doesn’t help your case if you’ve gone on record several months earlier with your plan to do it. And whatever names Couhig had in mind in the summer doesn’t mean any of them would certainly be interested or available next time there’s a vacancy, so really that’s no more than dampening down the Ainsworth speculation at the start of the season.

If we take the transfer window as a model, it seems we had to readjust expectations and shop in a less exclusive pool.
I can only assume the same would apply when looking for a new manager and coaches.

That would hopefully rule out Ainsworth, since he’d cost money. The highest probability is that it will be someone unemployed and already in Couhig’s or JJ’s small “black book.”

If they move soon, I think the likeliest candidates are Selles, or someone with a Wycombe, Shrewsbury, or perhaps Welsh connection.

So, based on nothing but my own guesswork, my prediction is… a duo of Robbie Savage and Mark Bowen.

It won't happen - because Vince is prepared to shovel more into his promotion goal than we are in ours - but that really would be the next management team I'd prefer.

I can see NHunt taking a step back to the 21s, and Selles coming back. He's had two large pay-offs now, and shouldn't be that fussed about wages, but should be more worried about rebuilding his reputation. I'm not trigger happy with managers usually, but I don't think I'm feeling it with Noel, but more importantly, I'm not sure he's feeling it either.

There isn’t a job for Hunt to step back into. If he's sacked, he's most likely out of the club.

Probably Legs with him

[Crowbar6753]

I assume that if it ever comes to having to negotiate compensation with a club whose manager you’ve just poached, it probably doesn’t help your case if you’ve gone on record several months earlier with your plan to do it. And whatever names Couhig had in mind in the summer doesn’t mean any of them would certainly be interested or available next time there’s a vacancy, so really that’s no more than dampening down the Ainsworth speculation at the start of the season.

If we take the transfer window as a model, it seems we had to readjust expectations and shop in a less exclusive pool.
I can only assume the same would apply when looking for a new manager and coaches.

That would hopefully rule out Ainsworth, since he’d cost money. The highest probability is that it will be someone unemployed and already in Couhig’s or JJ’s small “black book.”

If they move soon, I think the likeliest candidates are Selles, or someone with a Wycombe, Shrewsbury, or perhaps Welsh connection.

So, based on nothing but my own guesswork, my prediction is… a duo of Robbie Savage and Mark Bowen.

Robbie Savage is actually a really good shout!! The guy was a great professional footballer who is well regarded and a bit of a tough guy so would command respect. He also seems to be an all-round good likeable person and at Macclesfield the players loved him, yes, he is only a baby in terms of his managerial career but he got Macclesfield promoted and Forest Green have are currently top of the league! I get that both of these two teams are heavy weights in their respective leagues but credit where credits due.
He is well versed on everything that has happened at Reading thanks to Charlie being here and is a keen supporter of the club.

I get it may be a bit of a gamble however, every manager has to start somewhere and i really don't think this is as far fetched as some people would make out. Just don't throw Bowen in the mix please

[Sutekh]

I assume that if it ever comes to having to negotiate compensation with a club whose manager you’ve just poached, it probably doesn’t help your case if you’ve gone on record several months earlier with your plan to do it. And whatever names Couhig had in mind in the summer doesn’t mean any of them would certainly be interested or available next time there’s a vacancy, so really that’s no more than dampening down the Ainsworth speculation at the start of the season.

If we take the transfer window as a model, it seems we had to readjust expectations and shop in a less exclusive pool.
I can only assume the same would apply when looking for a new manager and coaches.

That would hopefully rule out Ainsworth, since he’d cost money. The highest probability is that it will be someone unemployed and already in Couhig’s or JJ’s small “black book.”

If they move soon, I think the likeliest candidates are Selles, or someone with a Wycombe, Shrewsbury, or perhaps Welsh connection.

So, based on nothing but my own guesswork, my prediction is… a duo of Robbie Savage and Mark Bowen.

Robbie Savage is actually a really good shout!! The guy was a great professional footballer who is well regarded and a bit of a tough guy so would command respect. He also seems to be an all-round good likeable person and at Macclesfield the players loved him, yes, he is only a baby in terms of his managerial career but he got Macclesfield promoted and Forest Green have are currently top of the league! I get that both of these two teams are heavy weights in their respective leagues but credit where credits due.
He is well versed on everything that has happened at Reading thanks to Charlie being here and is a keen supporter of the club.

I get it may be a bit of a gamble however, every manager has to start somewhere and i really don't think this is as far fetched as some people would make out. Just don't throw Bowen in the mix please

Not much wrong with Bowen from a manager perspective (in fact quite probably the best of those appointed by the Chinese one). However with all that’s gone on previously I doubt he’d want to rejoin anyway, even under new management so if it came to it he could take up the FGR role himself.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

If we take the transfer window as a model, it seems we had to readjust expectations and shop in a less exclusive pool.
I can only assume the same would apply when looking for a new manager and coaches.

That would hopefully rule out Ainsworth, since he’d cost money. The highest probability is that it will be someone unemployed and already in Couhig’s or JJ’s small “black book.”

If they move soon, I think the likeliest candidates are Selles, or someone with a Wycombe, Shrewsbury, or perhaps Welsh connection.

So, based on nothing but my own guesswork, my prediction is… a duo of Robbie Savage and Mark Bowen.

Robbie Savage is actually a really good shout!! The guy was a great professional footballer who is well regarded and a bit of a tough guy so would command respect. He also seems to be an all-round good likeable person and at Macclesfield the players loved him, yes, he is only a baby in terms of his managerial career but he got Macclesfield promoted and Forest Green have are currently top of the league! I get that both of these two teams are heavy weights in their respective leagues but credit where credits due.
He is well versed on everything that has happened at Reading thanks to Charlie being here and is a keen supporter of the club.

I get it may be a bit of a gamble however, every manager has to start somewhere and i really don't think this is as far fetched as some people would make out. Just don't throw Bowen in the mix please

Not much wrong with Bowen from a manager perspective (in fact quite probably the best of those appointed by the Chinese one). However with all that’s gone on previously I doubt he’d want to rejoin anyway, even under new management so if it came to it he could take up the FGR role himself.

Bowen???? Had the benefit of a talented squad yet the football was turgid and the team basically downed tools towards the end of the season he was in charge.

[hughsies no.1]

It was inevitable really wasn't it, I would suspect this is just lazy journalism at this stage drawing the obvious link but no doubt if Hunt does go he will be top of the betting market.

I do think the article I read from some 'EFL expert' the other day did nail it - we are a bad team full of good players (and that sadly falls on the manager).

Hunt has us set-up as a second ball team, his post match interviews post Wimbledon/ PV where he references 'second ball' is not what you want to hear from you manager - in games where we need to dictate play.

IF Hunt was going to go, I would have Selles back in a heartbeat. He had us playing exciting, front-footed football that got fans on the edge of our seats. I feel if he came back he could almost pick up where he left off after a month or so. Hunt was unable to carry-on the Selles way of play that got us to where we were.

No fans should hold a grudge against him, as he managed us through one of the most adverse period in the clubs history - and did what 9/10 people would have done when offered a decent exit route imo.

[Snowflake Royal]

It was inevitable really wasn't it, I would suspect this is just lazy journalism at this stage drawing the obvious link but no doubt if Hunt does go he will be top of the betting market.

I do think the article I read from some 'EFL expert' the other day did nail it - we are a bad team full of good players (and that sadly falls on the manager).

Hunt has us set-up as a second ball team, his post match interviews post Wimbledon/ PV where he references 'second ball' is not what you want to hear from you manager - in games where we need to dictate play.

IF Hunt was going to go, I would have Selles back in a heartbeat. He had us playing exciting, front-footed football that got fans on the edge of our seats. I feel if he came back he could almost pick up where he left off after a month or so. Hunt was unable to carry-on the Selles way of play that got us to where we were.

No fans should hold a grudge against him, as he managed us through one of the most adverse period in the clubs history - and did what 9/10 people would have done when offered a decent exit route imo.

Any team that is going to press needs to be good at getting to second balls, because the initial challenge is frequently not going to secure possession, but it will disrupt the opppositions.

The importance of getting to the second ball is relevant for any team, whether dominating possession or not, because breakdowns in possession are where teams have the most chance to create something or are at their most vulnerable.

[Hound]

It was inevitable really wasn't it, I would suspect this is just lazy journalism at this stage drawing the obvious link but no doubt if Hunt does go he will be top of the betting market.

I do think the article I read from some 'EFL expert' the other day did nail it - we are a bad team full of good players (and that sadly falls on the manager).

Hunt has us set-up as a second ball team, his post match interviews post Wimbledon/ PV where he references 'second ball' is not what you want to hear from you manager - in games where we need to dictate play.

IF Hunt was going to go, I would have Selles back in a heartbeat. He had us playing exciting, front-footed football that got fans on the edge of our seats. I feel if he came back he could almost pick up where he left off after a month or so. Hunt was unable to carry-on the Selles way of play that got us to where we were.

No fans should hold a grudge against him, as he managed us through one of the most adverse period in the clubs history - and did what 9/10 people would have done when offered a decent exit route imo.

Any team that is going to press needs to be good at getting to second balls, because the initial challenge is frequently not going to secure possession, but it will disrupt the opppositions.

The importance of getting to the second ball is relevant for any team, whether dominating possession or not, because breakdowns in possession are where teams have the most chance to create something or are at their most vulnerable.

Selles whole philosophy was about winning those second balls high up the pitch wasn’t it?

Basically hit Smith quickly who does his usual pain in the backside thing, ball comes loose for Knibbs and co to sweep up in the opposition half

[MartinRdg]

If we're looking for a new manager, why look any further than the dad of one of the current players? It worked out really well last time...

[Ascotexgunner]

Selles shouldn't even be in the conversation..... I don't want him back. His performances away from home were pathetic and his subs at times when we needed changes were non existent. I'd have been happy if he had been sacked back in November 23 but for the financial issues.

Savage as mentioned is an interesting shout. I've also heard good things, and he has been a massive success at Macclesfield. I think his media interests would make him reject the role though.

Parkinson? No thanks. Don't think he is a fit, and his football is a bit dull and archaic.

On Ainsworth, I've always believed Couhig wanted him for Reading. I don't think any different no matter what Couhig says.