Trapattoni - who would you replace him with?

**brine3** · 15/10/2013, 2:47 PM

The Liverpool youth team getting destroyed at Anfield. (Is it Anfield?)

**geysir** · 15/10/2013, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

lagerback was touted here around the Trap appointment. If he wasn't touted, then he was definitely used as an example of getting a coach who would get results with similar talent, but at a much cheaper outlay.

Lars Lagerback's replacement in Sweden, then the Swedish version of an antithesis to Lars, has reverted somewhat to Swedish type, reinstalling the infamous Lagerback opening 15/20 minutes of extreme caution and is partial to periods of protection, with the packed defence and plenty of hoofing in evidence.
Meanwhile, Lars has been transformed from staid plodder with Sweden to a kind of a, je ne sais quoi, liberated, grass smoking, free thinking, football hippy with Iceland.
Maybe next year, a visitor to Iceland will be landing at Lars Lagerback Airport, travel along Rue Lars towards Hotel Lars which faces out towards Stadium Lars. But thats not real fame here, real fame would be when they decide to name a mountain after you.

Probably Lars does not fit in with the blank chequebook type personality candidate that would get Ruud and Ray's attention.

**Bungle** · 15/10/2013, 3:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

The Liverpool Academy has been lauded constantly, but it still is struggling to show it's true worth. The problem to me appears to be that they are hoovering up a lot of talent around England and Europe, but then they don't seem to know what to do with them.

They've been undergoing a transformation since Benitez got rid of Steve Heighway. It's no surprise it's rated so highly because the guy who was chief at La Masia was Rodolfo Borrell, who is head of the Liverpool academy, and previously Pep Segura
The problem for Liverpool is that the players that a lot is hinging on, are the quick skillful continentals, such as Suso, Teixeira and Canos, and historically these players have struggled with the breakthrough to more adult football, as they just were not physically able for the PL.
Dani Pacheco, Kristian Nemeth, Dalli Valle, are just some of the hype and then bust players. Jon Flanagan and Conor Coady were widely lauded, but neither will make it at the highest level, and it remains to be seen if Andre Wisdom will either.

So the LFC academy really will need another 10 years before it can be properly judged, as it really is still in it's infancy, and hasn't produced anything yet.

You know alot more than I do so I'm bowing to you my good sir!!

I guess what I would say is that Liverpool are trying to sign players that are very good footballers, whether they are from Lisbon or Listowel.

**Bungle** · 15/10/2013, 3:40 PM

Originally Posted by Emmet7

Our best talent does indeed go to Academies like Liverpool but they rarely make it into the first team. They are usually loaned out at 18, 19 or 20 then end up playing championship or league one where hoof ball is the norm. Even in the lower divisions in Spain I'd imagine they try to play ball. Barcelona reserves play in the spanish second division for example. It's all about habits and philosophy. 30% of the EPL are English players, mostly defenders and goalies. Their academies aren't as cracked up as they are supposed to be.

Fair point that. I actually think that we produce quite alot of very gifted ball players. When they don't make the grade for various reasons at the big clubs, they go down the divisions or back to the LOI, where technique and skill is less in demand.

I do wonder how good a player McPhail for one may have been if he was at Ajax.

**OwlsFan** · 15/10/2013, 4:03 PM

Originally Posted by Bungle

I do wonder how good a player McPhail for one may have been if he was at Ajax.

Better than he is at Sheffield Wednesday I hope.

**geysir** · 15/10/2013, 5:15 PM

The song could have gone
'By the time I got to Sheffield, my talent was all burnt out'

**Kingdom** · 15/10/2013, 5:22 PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...stan-1.1560801

Last line is interesting; does it confirm the Cryuff rumours?

**DannyInvincible** · 15/10/2013, 7:30 PM

So, has Cruyff been spotted at the game or what?

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/10/2013, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

So, has Cruyff been spotted at the game or what?

If the FAI want Cruyff to take charge, they'll do well to keep him as far away from the game as they can.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 15/10/2013, 10:31 PM

Ha ha.

If it's him, it's gonna end in more tears.

**BonnieShels** · 16/10/2013, 9:57 AM

So did anyone see him last night?

**Crosby87** · 16/10/2013, 11:34 AM

Don't let Denis O'Brien choose next manager, insists one reporter:
http://www.football.co.uk/republic_o...s4447705.shtml

**DannyInvincible** · 16/10/2013, 11:48 AM

Pretty sure that's a Sunderland-based writer from Derry if that's the Paddy Appleton I know. Anyway,you appear to have misread him. Denis O'Brien is not and will not be involved in the consultation or selection process. Houghton and Dokter are the duo tasked with selecting our new manager. O'Brien wasn't involved in the selection of Trap either. He's just providing the necessary funds.

**Emmet7** · 16/10/2013, 11:50 AM

My own choice would be someone from Spain or familiar with the game in Spain - Michael Laudrap or the guy now managing Southampton would have been ideal. But I'd say there are dozens more like them out there. They are light years ahead of the hoof ball merchants rared in the British game like O'Neill and McCarthy.

**DannyInvincible** · 16/10/2013, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Emmet7

the guy now managing Southampton

Pochettino might even have Irish roots; he's from a town called Murphy in Santa Fe!

**ArdeeBhoy** · 16/10/2013, 12:15 PM

Much as I love Houghton, should he be involved either?

And would the S'ton lad want to manage Ireland, a ridiculous salary aside?

**back of the net** · 16/10/2013, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Emmet7

They are light years ahead of the hoof ball merchants rared in the British game like O'Neill and McCarthy.

When I think back on McCarthys Ireland Reign , hoofball is the last thing that comes to mind

**brine3** · 16/10/2013, 2:16 PM

Morten Olsen might be moving on soon enough...

**Closed Account 2** · 16/10/2013, 2:45 PM

If he did I think we should give him serious consideration, he did very well with Denmark in the Euros and to get to the World Cup before that. Even this campaign finishing 2nd behind Italy is fair enough.

Stimac is as good as gone from Croatia, talk of Niko Kovac or maybe Igor Tudor replacing him. I wouldnt touch Stimac myself as he has taken what was on paper one of the best teams at Euro 2012 and turned them into a team that has lost home and away to Scotland - it also suggests how much better Bilic was. Poland have got shot of Waldemar Fornalik and Sandor Egervari has left Hungary. Koller's kept his job as Austria manager, but he is being heavily linked with the vacant role at Nurnburg after Wiesinger was sacked after losing 5-0 at home to Hamburg (in Bert Van Maarwijk's first game in charge for them), so Austria could also be on the look out for a new manager.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/10/2013, 3:07 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Stimac ....turned Croatia into a team that has lost home and away to Scotland - it also suggests how much better Bilic was

I think that might show what Strachan has brought to Scotland. They look a far better outfit than under Levein, as did Wales under Speed rather than Coleman. What all this suggests to me is that we don't need a genius tactician from some far flung land, we need someone who can motivate and organise with a decent understanding of the modern game. Does MCCarthy fit that bill?