[Albion] Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi drawing attention of Europe's top clubs

[Billy in Bristol]

Apparently a Sky interview incoming...might just set this thread alight...I am out at moment just heard them talking about it on 5Live

 

[The Grockle]

Of course would be bitterly disappointing but shouldn't come as any surprise really, he's arguably our greatest ever manager.

One massive positive is what it says to our next manager, do well and we could be the stepping stone to the biggest jobs in club football. We shouldn't have any problems attracting the next top manager. I feel pretty happy with our place in the football for chain, we are without question the most attractive club outside of the top six for aspiring managers.

 

[FCB]

Thank you for your knowledgeable and honest response. You’re absolutely right that Barcelona have brought through from the academy, my concern is really with the players they’re trying to supplement their youth with.

From here it looks as if Barcelona are still trying to buy the top young starlets available, regardless of cost. I understand not wanting to damage “the brand”, but to an extent that ship has already sailed, the club has mortgaged its future, which is never a great look.

My concern is that if the club doesn’t stop digging this hole, and with on-field success far from certain, it’s possible that something genuinely catastrophic could happen via the boardroom. My fear would be extensions of the existing levers, for a smaller financial return, trapping Barcelona in an ever tightening circle of debt reliance, though I believe La Liga has outlawed these levers? Is that correct?

1. True, we got more bad than good results from the players who were supposed to "bring Barca back". But that's what you get when you give an unproven coach like Xavi so much power. He was our de facto SD handpicking all the signings and we could say that the best ones were actually free agents like Christensen and Gundo (but OTOH likes of Bellerin and Alonso flopped too even as "free" players).

But we wasted future incomes (levers) for Lewa, Raphinha, Ferran and Kounde and we only have one La Liga title to show for. Probably won't get much more out of them as most are already linked with a move away from the club. Especially Raphinha but club will also consider selling Lewy and Kounde if good offers arrive. Ferran actually played better before injury and we might keep him around for his versatility unless we get a good offer.

2. Yes, we're still looking for potential cheap gems but have our limitations here. Latest example is Lucas Bergvall. We were close to sign him when our main competitor for his services was Eintracht Frankfurt who actually offered a bit more to his club but kid said he prefers Barca over them.

But then Tottenham came in with a last minute offer and it was pretty much over. We couldn't go into a bidding war. Tbf Xavi's announcement to leave just days before probably played a role in Bergvall's decision as well. Other example is Arda Guler last summer. Deco was in Turkey to close the deal with Fener and the plan was to leave him on loan there this season (would benefit his development playing regularly and also help us as wouldn't need to register him immediately). But RM jumped in offering him a possibility to leave Turkey immediately which he wanted and again game over for us.

We did manage to get Noah Darvich, a captain of Germany's U17 World cup winning team last summer for cheap though. And also have future deal set up for another standout player in that tournament - Mali's captain Ibrahim Diarra who is training with our B team and will officially join in December when he turns 18. These are really low risk/potential high reward type of signings we should continue doing especially in current financial state. You never know when you'll find a new Pedri or Araujo.

3. Yes, can't really do much more with levers so short term will probably need to sell players we don't want but mid to longterm I think one of the solutions that will be seriously considered is turning the club into a S.A.D - Sociedad Anonima Deportiva (or Public Limited Sports Company) like most Spanish clubs (Only Barca, RM, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna were allowed to retain their status as non-commercial sports associations for historical reasons) and so open the club to (most likely foreign) investors. Not just to get out of financial problems but also to stay longterm competitive with Madrid, PSG and ofc PL clubs who will continue to get richer. There is no point of return from there though. Right now I'd say there is no way socios will allow this to happen but in 5-10 years who knows.

 

[Hiheidi]

 

[Garyoldfan]

‘as he wants to leave the club in the best possible position’. Patronising prick. Don’t leave then. I’m almost beyond caring what these selfish twats do anymore. We’re a stepping stone. He says he loves the club but he doesn’t, we love the club. You’re Just another whore.

 

[Bakero]

‘as he wants to leave the club in the best possible position’. Patronising prick. Don’t leave then. I’m almost beyond caring what these selfish twats do anymore. We’re a stepping stone. He says he loves the club but he doesn’t, we love the club. You’re Just another whore.

Calm down, Gary. There are no direct quotes from DZ, just the speculation of a Portuguese pundit.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

‘as he wants to leave the club in the best possible position’. Patronising prick. Don’t leave then. I’m almost beyond caring what these selfish twats do anymore. We’re a stepping stone. He says he loves the club but he doesn’t, we love the club. You’re Just another whore.

Yeh mate. You want to properly read and engage your brain before ranting. You just called our manager a "patronising prick" and a "selfish twat" for something which he's never said and which has been made up about him.

 

[Garyoldfan]

Yeh mate. You want to properly read and engage your brain before ranting. You just called our manager a "patronising prick" and a "selfish twat" for something which he's never said and which has been made up about him.

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

Or, more reasonably, he's someone who wants to manage at the highest level possible whilst also maintaining a degree of integrity along the way.

If you've watched RDZ on the touchline or in interviews for more than a nanosecond, it would be impossible to say he doesn't give a shit about us.

Quite the opposite, I think he gives more of a shit than pretty much any manager I've experienced during 30 years of following the Albion.

Considering you've got 'old fan' in your name, you seem to be ignoring the fact that players and managers have been coming and going very regularly for decades.

If he didn't give a shit about us, he'd have zero interest in what happens at the club after he leaves. If these tweets are accurate, that couldn't be be further from the truth here.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

Welcome to NSC newbie!

 

[Munchkin]

He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

Is he really Gary? Have you heard that officially?

I’ve heard a lot of speculation that he “might be”

Bit harsh if you’re basing your comments on “press talk” via social media.

 

[Sussax]

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

Is he leaving?

 

[albionalba]

Do pictures 14 and 38 from the training ground gallery today look like a man hankering for life in a warmer climate.....?

 

[AmexRuislip]

Or, more reasonably, he's someone who wants to manage at the highest level possible whilst also maintaining a degree of integrity along the way.

If you've watched RDZ on the touchline or in interviews for more than a nanosecond, it would be impossible to say he doesn't give a shit about us.

Quite the opposite, I think he gives more of a shit than pretty much any manager I've experienced during 30 years of following the Albion.

Considering you've got 'old fan' in your name, you seem to be ignoring the fact that players and managers have been coming and going very regularly for decades.

If he didn't give a shit about us, he'd have zero interest in what happens at the club after he leaves. If these tweets are accurate, that couldn't be be further from the truth here.

Common sense prevailing here

Its the same ol' same ol'......
Non understanding fans put 2+2 and get 5.
We're never going to be a big club,
players / staff will come and go as is the normal for a club of our size.
If they don't get it they never will.

 

[Titanic]

‘as he wants to leave the club in the best possible position’. Patronising prick. Don’t leave then. I’m almost beyond caring what these selfish twats do anymore. We’re a stepping stone. He says he loves the club but he doesn’t, we love the club. You’re Just another whore.

Say what the f*** I want. He’s leaving cos he don’t give a shit about us.

OK @Garyoldfan ... you have made your point, now would be a good time to have a cup of tea and a biscuit and chill a little.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Apparently a Sky interview incoming...might just set this thread alight...I am out at moment just heard them talking about it on 5Live

This one ??

 

[Bakero]

This one ??

Does he say it's all a sham and he's been faking the whole time?

 

[dazzer6666]

Does he say it's all a sham and he's been faking the whole time?

'i don give a sheet about dis club, I off' ?

 

[AmexRuislip]

Does he say it's all a sham and he's been faking the whole time?

I don't believe so, just looking at the future.