MrGaryValentine

I genuinely don’t believe we are that far away. While Celtic have a much bigger income than us, which must be closed to compete more consistantly, I think even since last summer we have closed the gap. 

Since Caixinha was appointed we now have a DoF who is actually being allowed to do his job, it looks like we now know the type of player which suits us and our Academy is going from strength to strength. 

If you were just to look at the wages which we are wasting at the moment which off the top of my head are - 

Hererra, Pena, Cardoso, Dodoo, O’Halloran possibly add Alves to that list, not to mention Niko being released and Miller soon being off the wage bill that is alot of money to bring in two or three players of a greater quality. 

That is before we consider increased budget through a share issue, possible player sales and a new shirt deal. 

As I said yesteday on another thread the next managerial appointment in crucial, hopefully Murty will go back to the 20s to continue the great work he was doing before and we can hit the ground running next year. 

I am hopeful.

1 hour ago, Frankie said:

 

 

 

I'd imagine most bears can see both sides of this and that's probably reflected in the boardroom when it comes to selecting the new manager.

 

FWIW, the idealistic guys haven't worked (Warburton and Pedro) but the pragmatic choices (McCoist and Murty) haven't really either so it really is a tough decision.

 

Easy to forget we need to add in the Mark Allen factor too in that any new manager may not actually be a manager per se but a head coach. 

That could sway the decision towards a manager from abroad because it does look like Mark Allan takes a hands on approach, especially with transfers which may put a UK born manager off?

Must point out I have always thought a DoF was the way to go for us - if done the correct way as seems to be being done now. 

22 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

Here's a video on FdB's tactics when he was at Crystal Palace (obviously he was sacked three games after):

 

 

Saw this yesterday.

I quite liked the look at. 3-4-3 with someone like Windass as a false No9. 

Also watched an interview with him from Palace where he said before signing players he looks to the Academy first which would fit with the road we seem to want to go down. 

1 hour ago, Rousseau said:

I agree, but I can't help feel deflated at that.

 

A part of me still thinks an idealistic approach can work. And, I do worry that a pragmatic manager won't better Rodgers -- McInnes has an awful record, Clarke's a bit better.   

I have to agree with this. Will a McInnes or Clarke for example win us the league? I really can’t see it myself. 

4 hours ago, pete said:

So many rumours that it is RdB and that he is already working with the dof about recruiting in the background that it will be strange if it is not true.

Are these rumours from anyone of note though? Seems to me these rumours only started due to Ronald being caught out by a parody account & even then he didn’t say anything to make you think Frank (or him) were talking to Rangers. 

While I don’t believe Frank de Boer will be the manager next year, I really hope the board announce who the next manager is very soon. 

I want a new manager knowing he will start on whatever date, already having watched videos of our 20s & First Team, picking out players he likes for next season and players he doesn’t want. Perhaps a 20s player he likes who could be promoted as Advocaat did with Ferguson. I want plans being put in place now, not 2/3 weeks before our first European tie (if we do qualify).

I was really unsure about if FdB would be the right guy for us but having looked more in depth to what he done with Ajax and even interviews from his time at Inter and Palace I genuinely think him & Rangers could be a match made in heaven. 

I just worry our board were burnt with Pedro Caixinha and may go for a safer, less of a gamble appointment. I just hope they know what they are doing because we can’t afford to make a mistake this time. McInnes was a safe option but if a guy like Frank de Boer is interested in coming here then surely it is a no brainer? 

The Rangers job, regardless of the state of Scottish football should be seen as a massive opportunity for an ambitious coach. Hopefully de Boer (or whoever the new manager may be) can see that. 

it’s not as much as it used to be for 2nd place. closer to 3rd than what the winners get anyway.