Rousseau

F*cking typical. We just need to do it the hard way.

I never proffered Cathro as the next Ranges manager. (I would like him as an assistant or coach, or youth coach, though.) Although, I do think a "laptop manager" need not be ruled out because of some draconian view on what it takes to be a manager (I'm not suggesting you hold this view), as it need not be a gamble, or at least not more so than any other appointment, if due diligence is carried out.

I wonder where Wenger's next step is? Would he take a few years at Rangers?

It's used as a pejorative term here for those young coaches that have no real playing experience -- like Cathro. However, it's actually used positively in Germany for those same young coaches, a few of which are doing remarkable things.

Perhaps it is too soon for Vieira, but he has done his apprenticeship, or started it at least, and Arsenal have been slowly switching to a DoF model, which Vieira has experience of. Maybe in the future.

I'm quite happy with this -- although they don't provide any details. The mock-ups doing the rounds on Twitter look quite nice.

Just because he's screwed it up recently doesn't mean it's not. When he came in he brought in a basic set-up, based on getting the most out of the players at his disposal; he's not good enough to bring anything more -- he's not even very good at that, other than that wee spell in December (?).

I think you've swung your hammer and missed the target altogether! Murty is not a "laptop manager"; his philosophy is as far removed as it's possible to be, as he doesn't actually have a philosophy. His football is basic, and is actually based on man-management. The 4-2-3-1 formation is old hat. IMO, he does change his approaches for certain games, but doesn't have the depth of understanding to implement it; He's tried 2-3 different formations, and a couple of different approaches. He's using the set-up to suit the players. They can't play anything other than 4-2-3-1/4-4-2, and Murty -- even if he does tinker (not much, granted) -- doesn't have the depth of understanding to implement it. He was appointed out of necessity, but only because there was no one else. If they're using Murty to experiment with a "laptop coach", then the Board have no idea what it is.

Yes, Vieira has done his apprenticeship in the MLS -- for Man City-owned NY City, ironically -- so he looks to be the most obvious option.

I disagree. He is slow as stop, though...

I'd actually like to see this (5-2-3 / 3-4-2-1): Morelos/Cummings Murphy - Windass/Candeias Goss - Docherty John - (AN Other) - Alves - McCrorie - Tavernier Foderingham

McCrorie actually provides an enormous amount of versatility: He can play RCB (in a back-three), CB (in a back-four), and DM -- and even RB at times, I think? He allows us to switch from a back-three to back-four mid-game.

Every CH needs protection from the midfield. (A sweeper technically plays behind the CH.) Every back-four has that problem nowadays (high full-backs); they get their protection from midfield, a DM. All of our midfield push forward too often and fail to intercept passes, meaning opponents have a free run at our defence (see Dundee). The best CH in the world would have issues in that situation. I'd love to see a back-three. In Germany you have the 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1, depending on whether you want a two strikers or two wingers. (Full-backs can play higher or deeper as required.) I think I'd prefer for us to use our two wingers, as they are our better performers.

I still like Alves. I'd build the defence around him -- not dramatically, because he's only got a year or two left in him. I think he's solid enough; he just hasn't been protected enough from midfield.

It's a few years too late, but I'm still shocked.

I like the idea of having these young 'winners' around, but I don't understand why we're enthusiastic about that and not about a young tactician. These young German coaches are tactically excellent, but we're ruling them out in favour of someone who's won a few games for us? I don't quite get that. It's an invaluable quality and characteristic -- I'm all for that -- but I would like to see that tactical proficiency come first. I agree the practicable solution may indeed be a young, up-and-coming coach; I'm all for that -- if they can demonstrate tactical proficiency.

What about Cathro?

Do Pampers make strips? (It's an old one, but a good one...)

Hummel? I don't think we can afford him: he's a German international... I don't care too much about the brand, as long as we get the best deal. I'll wait a see if it's true, though. It was almost an off-the-cuff tweet, and 5 minutes later we've got a 3 year deal worth £15M.

I think he's out of our league. Probably not, but he'd still need to hit the ground running, by winning games. I'm not sure he can do that; too set in his ways. Absolutely; it's nice to at least mention these guys, whether they're realistic or not.

Koeman's the Netherlands manager. You need to hit the ground running; he didn't. He wouldn't get much longer here, if he goes 4 games without a win, nor a goal.

Of course. He's mentioned because of the work he's done at Brondby and Swansea. Would FdB be mentioned if he wasn't Ronald's brother? Similar situation, but Laudrup has a better record, IMO.

For me, FdB fit Ajax like a glove. He won things there because they were already set up to play that way; it's instilled into them -- it's where he learned it. From that success he's not been able to recreate it anywhere. There were external circumstances, but the fact is he's not been able to recreate anywhere; that's a fact. @pete would be able to tell you more. Micheal Laudrup would be a better shout: he's recreated his success at Brondby at other sides, like Getafe and Swansea (he's even won titles in Qatar, for whatever that's worth).