Ismael to West Brom

I've little doubt the moment we had to pay a clause for Struber, it became the way forward as another revenue stream. If you have a really high amount that doesn't make sense to the wage structure, unless you've no chance of getting another job, you'd have to think about joining in the first place.

Imagine, if we want a £3m release clause. We sign coach on 3 year deal on what... £500k a year? If that? The release clause is way in excess of his wages over his contractual term and restricts his movement. Surely increasing the clause drives wage inflation, and if it fails and we sack them, thats even more to pay out, plus we lose the amount to then find a new coach with who might have a release clause.

Rather than a greedy profit intent, I'd look at it more as a means to afford your next coach if you have yours poached.

 

Yep agree with most of that. I doubt we would have a better season than last year even if Val stayed. Success makes you sexy let’s not forgot. Struggling doesn’t.

 

Bit worried about this tbf.

 

I was going to say how long before we get people claiming Valerien 'Wasn't that good anyway', 'I didn't like/rate him', 'I'm glad he's gone', 'We were luck last season', etc. etc. But I've been beaten to it.

 

Can't blame people for being realistic. He'll be gone

 

I would say thanks for the memories Big Val

 

At least i can stand by my views of his style of play and not be accused about an about face ;-)

 

We didn't last season. Listening to Murphy it seems he perfectly understands that.

 

Mixed feelings about this on I stand to win £970 if he goes but I'd rather him stay

 

Not for me, best manager we've had in my short lifetime (short compared to yours ) and he'll be a massive loss if he goes.

Replacing him will be a tough ask.

 

Last season was the ‘momentum one’ wasn’t it? The acid test is what we do now. As it has been in so many previous years.

 

I'd say to those people to be careful what you wish for and they don't know what they have until it's gone.

Don't break my heart Valerien. Stay and make yourself a hero

 

Exactly. Another season of attrition football is not on my wish list either.

 

Either way, I've no doubt he'll believe he can do a job there if given what he needs. If he doesn't feel he's being given what he needs, he'll bide his time here until the next offer comes in.

Getting attached to players and coaches nowadays at this club almost feels a futile exercise.

 

Not sure United is the best example to give, they spend ages talking about negotiating then either pay the asking price anyway, or don't buy the player.

I don't personally have any problem with Ismael's style of play, in fact I liked it. But in my opinion, I think a move to WBA would be quite a risky one for him. Expectation will be automatic promotion, 2 of last season's relegated teams sacked their manager mid season. He'd be at a team looking to prove the odds right, rather than upset them, and his style (off the ball anyway) will always be easier to coach a team previously coached by Hecky > Stendel > Struber, than Moore > Bilic > Allardyce. That plus, a top half finish won't dent his reputation, even staying out of the bottom 6 would be seen as success in some quarters. While sitting in the play off positions at WBA could see him sacked.

All a matter of opinion of course.

 

https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...pen-talks-to-appoint-valerien-ismael-as-boss/

 

Would be a good move for Val, a good move for WBA and probably a good move for Mowatt shortly thereafter.

 

I'm not saying he was rubbish, Lil. What he did last year was amazing and possibly the most impressive spell of leadership I've ever witnessed at Oakwell. Still doesn't mean I liked the style of football though.