With the humiliating defeat against Watford, the hours that followed have seen the calls for Ole Gunnar Solskjær to be relieved of his duties has been elevated to levels that you just can’t ignore. Even the most fervent of Ole supporters have finally turned on him. Nostalgia and a bitter break up with one of football’s most divisive manager paved the way for Ole to return as a messiah. But now, 3 years on, he might be leaving with his legend status barely intact.
Being appointed without the credentials to manage such a gargantuan role was always going to be a disaster waiting to happen, but the powers that be decided that it was fitting to hand over the reins to someone who’s only Premier League experience, led to relegation and 3 years in the Norwegian league. The decision lit bright as Ole came in and wielded the press with an unnerving similarity to his ex-boss whom he fondly refers to as “Gaffer”. Saying all the right things like “rebooting the club DNA” and “playing the United way” brought fans quickly and firmly to his side and projected an image that the Sir Alex Ferguson days were about to return. The next 19 games solidified this idea as Ole’s side went on an eye catching run of 14 wins in 19 games. This included comeback wins that were once hallmarks of sides under Sir Alex. The culmination of which was the 3-2 victory over PSG that led to him being given the job on a permanent basis. The semi-final defeats showed progress to the fans too.
But it is such games that paper the cracks over the actual performance of the team. In most of these games, Manchester United were often second best and it is individual performances rather than the collective abilities put together that conjured the victories. Now, when the faith in their manager has finally dwindled to the point of no return, once again the manager has to face the music – alone.
Whilst the performances of the team should be placed at the feet of the manager, Manchester United find themselves in this quagmire due to the decisions by the board since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager. Managers with more pedigree and experience than Ole have failed, but not for a lack of trying.
The appointment of David Moyes, backed strongly by Sir Alex, was not given time to develop and being let go after only 10 months. It is arguable that his decision to bring in his own backroom staff, his weak handling of press conferences and having to manage a group of winners who are accustomed to the game’s legend was his downfall. But look at West Ham this season, flying high and punching above expectations.
The board then brought in Louis Van Gaal, off the back of a strong showing in the 2014 World Cup, a manager who has a strong pedigree in the game and has his own footballing ideology. But they lacked the understanding that the brand of football that LVG plays is not “the United way”. Often laborious and dogmatic in their build up, the tiki-taka that he was trying to implement bored the supporters into giving up their support for him. Add that with the acquisition of players that did not fit his system made his task even harder. Bringing in an out of form Radamel Falcao, a free roaming Angel Di Maria and an aging Bastian Schweinsteiger was more of a statement signing rather than ones that functions in his system. Of the 15 players to come in his tenure, arguably only Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind were LVG signings. He was unceremoniously let go just hours after the club won the FA cup, their first silverware since Sir Alex’s departure.
The board then shifted their goal and bought in – The Special One, Jose Mourinho. He had the personality and the track record of a winner. His charisma in the press conferences and his on field tactics brought United to familiar areas – challenging for titles. Even though his best finish with United was a whopping 19 points behind Champions Manchester City, Jose restored faith in the fans with the EFL Cup and Europa League trophies in his first season and things looked encouraging – till the summer before his final season. It was widely reported that Jose was looking to sell Pogba and Martial, 2 players he felt did not contribute enough to the team. This move was vetoed by the board as they felt the 2 players had commercial value. His request for a centre back was also denied as the board again felt that he had the tools to be winning. And as Jose does, he created so much fuss, that the tone was set for the season and he was dismissed just before Christmas 2018.
Which brings us back to the present. Having endured a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, an even more crushing 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City, United had an international break to sort things out. Antonio Conte was eager for the role, but it was reported that the board did not want to go down the path of Jose Mourinho, getting a manager who is combative and outspoken. Conte then signed for Spurs. Names were flying around – Erik Ten Haag, Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers but of the 4, only Zidane is free. Zidane has expressed, albeit privately, that he has no interest in the Manchester United hotseat and the fact that he doesn’t speak English was always going to prove to be a challenge. Who would be able to come in? Or rather, who would be willing to come in mid-season when they are in better positions with their own clubs.
The board has lacked the vision for long term planning and it shows over the years. Their only reactions would be whenever their interest – continued financial success – is in jeopardy. For the foreseeable future, the on-field success won’t be sustained by whichever manager that comes in because the owners are not as interested in what has made Manchester United the brand they are today as they are of their own personal interest. As long as the Glazers are in charge, United’s synonymous affiliation with being serial winners will be nothing more than just a footnote.
Written by: Baz
