Rousseau

Yes, this is his first managerial appointment with us. Who did he appoint at Southampton? Was he responsible for Hasenhuttl? Edit: Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino, Mark Hughes and Hasenhuttl... Eek!

I'm actually quite excited. I've been quite unimpressed and bored by our performances this season.

Not DeBoer, please! He's been an absolute failure everywhere he's been (apart from Ajax). I also have a sneaky suspicion that Gio might be similar, but he's not been tested yet. For me, that rules them both out, actually.

Exactly. Maybe I misinterpreted, but I thought you said put Davis in charge to learn on the job, type thing? That's like a traditional 'managerial' job of the past, whereas 'managers' now are more coaches; they must develop their philosophy. I would want Davis to do his apprenticeship at a lower level club, to develop his coaching ideas and philosophy before he ever gets called up for us.

OK--two points against him... ?

I reckon you can identify people's ages depending on who they've voted for here.

Surely Villa won't be relegated? They've got too good a squad.

I can understand it, in terms of continuity, but I'm in the same boat. He clearly has the tactical ability -- that's what he brings now -- but would he still be able to do that with all the added managerial demands? And, does he have the leadership ability? There are numerous examples of good 'Number Twos' not being able to make that step up; they're best as an assistant -- although, in our history we have a supreme example of it working out in Walter Smith. Welcome to the site!

You know who I would have liked, as an 'out there' name? Xavi. Unfortunately, some mid-table La Liga side have already poached him...

That's not how it works.

I'm aware of the fact I've glossed over Lampard. Even although he has more experience than SG, I'm not convinced. SG was clever in bringing a capable backroom team, that gave him the tactical input. I don't like Lampard, as a manager.

F*ck. Off.

Would Lucien Favre or Paulo Fonseca be realistic targets? Maybe too high profile? Serhiy Rebrov has done good things too, at several clubs, like Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros, and he's currently in the UAE waiting for a real job!

I would rule out Scottish coaches altogether. I just do not rate them. They don't have a recognised style of play, and I doubt their tactical ability. I'm also wary of those that have had success in early jobs with big clubs, like Tomasson, Gio etc., because we've seen people like Frank DeBoer win titles with Ajax, but then do nothing because it's clear that it's more to do with the club than the coaching, if you know what I mean? I think they need to have a better record than that.

I mentioned Farke on the other thread. I think he'd be ideal. German with a high-pressing and ball-possession philosophy, with the ability to develop players and bring through youngsters. The only issue would be his inability to keep Norwich in the PL, but that can almost be explained by the level of the squad, comparatively speaking, which is... I wouldn't even say it's high Championship level, yet his sides have dominated the Championship, comfortably.

The DoF should be the one in charge of replacements. I expect him to have a shortlist already, with several candidates monitored regularly.

I'm hearing rumours that SG is open to the move, but only if he can take his backroom staff. It's unclear if John Beaton, Bobby Madden, Steven McLean, Andrew Dallas will agree, though... ?

That's not how it works - or, at least, it is a dated approach.

Daniel Farke.

Violently against.

Kent was superb in the first half, then faded in the second, as you would expect from someone just back from injury. I thought Aribo was a key player, throughout the match. Did Clive not say that Aribo was the most used player this season, or something like that?

You're all arguing about Tavernier/Patterson, and here I am fuming that my boy Stephen Kelly doesn't even get a spot on the bench!!

I've come to the personal realisation that I wouldn't be too upset at SG leaving. I don't know where this has come from, whether it's based on our current poor form, or something deeper, niggling in the back of my mind that this is as far as he can take us. I don't know... ? I don't think SG can go from us directly to Liverpool. I think he needs another step. Newcastle was a step up, but a bad project in terms of managerial prospects. Aston Villa is also a step up, IMO. I'm not worried about a replacement, because our DoF should have that sorted out already.