[Official Site] CLUB STATEMENT - VALÉRIEN ISMAËL

How many of our fans when first linked to him went oh yeah he manages in the Champions League? I think most would say we were giving someone a chance to be boss at a far better level and he was known best for being a 1990s Premier League flop.

 

Can't have bothered him that much. Stendel's still in the extended family...

 

105 words or 5 Stendels. Maybe its a sign....

 

Let's be reyt, no one had ever heard of him.

 

not a chance, it will be another up and comer

 

Why would anyone want Frank lampard for a start, and wilder won't come here more chance of appointing chrissy hynde than chrissy wilder.

 

Probably most that follows European football .
Of course they’ll be fans in Barnsley who hadn’t heard of him mainly because they only have interest in BFC or Championship but they’ll be loads of fans who had heard of him even in Britain . They played Man UTD in Champion's league his profile all over BT sport etc .

 

Heard of WHO ?

 

Who plays the counter press in UK?

I dont know but theres your answer

 

Vals a winner you can tell by his character I imagine he will do well at West brom. But I think he will have a few more egos in the dressing room and that style of play may not suit a ageing team who have to run alot.

 

Saying him and his family are welcome back is hardly a gushing statement. We've not even wished him well.

 

I am more concerned over who’s in charge if it’s true Dane is out the door. Conway was temp CEO after GG left but is he in the country at the moment? The transfer window he oversaw wasn’t a great one either

 

Well, I'm more gutted about this one than any of the last few managers. It's a crappy feeling to know that our club is just a development outfit, but hey-ho...

 

5 times more words than our Dan

 

All the best Valerien. Thanks for the memories of last season.

We move on to the next chapter

 

We all know why Stendel didn't get a massive send off, but let's be fair, we've hardly got the fireworks out for Val's departure either.

 

I’m absolutely gutted that he’s gone, same as when we lost Struber and Stendel and Hourihane and the like, I’ll also be gutted when we eventually lose Mowatt, Woodrow, Styles, Helik, etc etc, unfortunately it’s the way of football, I’m learning that it’s never as bad as it initially feels,….we’ll be reight

 

I found it unwatchable at times. Having said that, I did enjoy the lack of relegation-related stress.

 

Look at it like this it’s better than keep getting non descipts that go unnoticed.

 

How I feel.

Conflicted. He's a winner, evidently, and seemed a decent guy too. I never warmed to his style in possession at all. That may have changed with a different type of player or with a pre season. We'll never know now.

On one hand, I'm not that fussed. His comments at Swansea were somewhat reminiscent of Strubers at Brentford. His body language, his tone. he looked like someone who knew he had earned a shot at a bigger team on more money with more resource. So I'm not surprised at all. I felt he fit West Brom more than any other team with a vacancy.

But there is still a feeling of disappointment. A reminder that everything is for sale in football. Even loyalty. And more so at this club now. We're no longer built on coal but shifting sand.

First the news Dike wouldn't return. Not surprising, but there was suggestion it was doable right til it wasn't. Now Ismael to pastures new. Strong reports the CEO leaves in 6 days time when his contract lapses. Our captain out of contract and no news 6 days from him being a free agent.

It's a blow for fans to see another close season of massive upheaval. But what do the players think as they walk back into the building and likely see the 3 key figure heads departed.

Difficult times. Again. Adversity seems a staple at Oakwell.