28 Apr 2026 22:14:42.
Jose to Real Madrid. Alonso now looks favourite to join us. If that does happen, I’ve got to buy my mate a pint.
29 Apr 2026 09:31:39
I sincerely hope you are right about Jose, but completely wrong about Alonso, Tom.
29 Apr 2026 09:45:33
Out of curiosity, Bill, what's your objection to Alonso being made the manager?
29 Apr 2026 10:14:21
Bill, you didn't want Maresca calling him "Leicester Maresca" before he even arrived, and now you are against Alonso, two coaches who have achieved success in their short managerial careers, yet you championed Liam from the off, even saying we should keep him and give him a full pre-season? Could you share your logic with us all, please?
29 Apr 2026 12:55:58
No problems, I wanted LR to be given a chance because he had no pre season, no time to work with the players and had a total of one player he worked with. That being said, there was absolutely no way he could survive when the players downed tools.
Coming onto Alonso, yesterday had an excellent season with Bl, but tanked when he came up against the egos of Rm. LR and Alonso could not turn it around when players put their tools back in their ego box.
Hope that explains my views.
29 Apr 2026 13:36:53
Fair enough.
I feel like Madrid has never been a systems team, and if our players have half the egos of the RM lot, they are not only delusional as to their importance, but we got to clear the rot.
Liam and Xabi can't be compared either. Playing for one of the greatest midfielders of his generation who has won a league title as manager in a league mostly dominated by one team vs a journeyman wash out who constantly made a fool of himself in interviews and has never won anything as a player or manager.
Xabi may not have been able to tame the Madrid egos. However, our lot are far closer to Leverkusen in ability than to Real Madrid.
I have seen some fair criticism of his style of football and what he expects of his players, but very few managers in world football could do much with this Madrid team so I certainly don't judge his failure in Spain.
Who would you like to come in, Bill?
29 Apr 2026 14:19:13
Melbourne, I would go for Hoeness.
29 Apr 2026 15:20:12
What is it about Hoeness that appeals? I ask sincerely, as I haven't watched his teams play, and I was under the impression he hasn't won much. I know Tris is also an admirer, and has said he is similar to Klopp in his teams' intensity and press.
29 Apr 2026 15:53:44
That's what has been missing, Melbourne. Too much possession and not enough intensity.
Just look at last night's game. It was a terrific watch. It pains me to say it, but I also liked the Liverpool team under Klopp. Teams were beaten in the first 15 minutes.
29 Apr 2026 16:22:08
I would add a caveat. It all depends on who the SDs buy and sell in the summer.
No point in having a good coach if your best players are sold.
30 Apr 2026 00:59:35
I don't disagree. The big difference when Liam first arrived (unlikely his doing) was we played with intensity. Same reason we dominated the first 35 minutes against Leeds.
30 Apr 2026 08:06:39
We played with great intensity in Liam's first few games because he freely admitted he didn't change anything and carried on the Maresca approach, which had us comfortably sitting in a Champions League spot!
30 Apr 2026 09:37:06
Tbh, Greenaway, there was close to zero intensity in the 'Maresca' approach for months. One of the reasons I wasn't fussed with him leaving was that the build up was slow and created extremely little, especially against low blocks. I expect Maresca to be sacked within 18 months if he does join Citeh.
30 Apr 2026 09:42:52
Melbourne
I totally agree with you on Maresca's tactics. Bored the life out of me.
I also agree with your view if he joins City.
30 Apr 2026 10:41:30
Looking at reports today, Alonso wants more say within the club. That's that then.