2024-2025 European Football Thread
- Thread starter Portland Frog
- Start date
Purp
Active Member
I'd be okay with it, but only if Poch turned us down. After Poch and Klopp I think there's a pretty big gap in candidate quality to the next tier and Matarazzo is in that next tier. It wouldn't be altogether underwhelming, but it wouldn't inspire a ton of optimism either. I do like his preferred 3-5-2 shape as a fit for our current player pool and their strengths/weaknesses. I've long said a 3-5-2 is the ideal shape for our personnel (when healthy). His record is a bit mediocre as a manager, but that's all been at mediocre clubs where he's out-performed expectations each year so it's a little clumsy to dismiss his potential on account of that. You'd still like to think there's a better, more proven guy out there than this.
He'll have my support if he's the man, though. He's not Berhalter so he's got that going for him.
I’d be good with it. Better option than a lot of what has been put out there. Most of the players being based in Europe should mesh well with a manager who’s entire career is in Europe. I think he’s been quite successful with the hands he’s been dealt. He’s also familiar with turnaround projects and the USMNT is definitely a turn around project.
Purp
Active Member
It's starting to get a little embarrassing. I'm not shocked or embarrassed by the Klopp rejection. That was expected b/c he's said for a while he wants a break from football. But this one is a really bad look b/c he's stated his interest for this job previously. That he wouldn't take it now gives me some "you can't afford me" vibes, which would really underwhelm me about the prospects of a true high-end coach.
I'm still holding out hope for Poch b/c he hasn't formally rebuffed us, but it's the type of hope you formulate as a Cowboys fan that we'll one day win a Super Bowl again knowing that, as long as Jerruh owns the team, it's highly unlikely to happen.
I'm not optimistic that we'll like anyone further down the list more than we would have liked Marsch. I've been hopeful since Berhalter was canned that we'd land an upgrade to Marsch so I wouldn't feel like we had a huge missed opportunity, but I feel like that's less and less likely now.
Purp
Active Member
I've seen that too. Thierry Henry would be exciting in that he could hopefully squeeze all the potential out of our strikers. I'm not sure how good of a tactician he would be, but that's why you hire a great staff too.
Purp
Active Member
Saw that. Pretty incredible run they're on. I know they've benefitted from an uncommon infusion of cash at the club, but you still have to play the games and win to keep getting promoted. They captured a bit of lightning in a bottle.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Seeing reports that new men’s coach is Pochettino. Homerun hire if true.
I just saw. My first thought was Yes! Then a smaller thought, Purp is gonna be happy.
dawg
Active Member
Like Michael Scott, I was no question prepared to be hurt again. Fully expected another GGG-esque clone or USSF stooge as the MNT manager. But Poch? An actual manager with actual tactical acumen? This is a great hire. GREAT hire, if only for the fact that he will change the culture (which has gotten far too comfortable for the players). I'm a bit surprised he was interested in this gig. Maybe he wants a break from the day-to-day grind of club management.
Still... LFG.
Purp
Active Member
Seen a couple reports that this could be in jeopardy of getting across the finish line.
Apparently there are financial terms between Poch and Chelsea that have to be renegotiated before he's eligible to sign the USMNT contract and Boehly is being a prick about it. I thought I already hated Chelsea as much as possible. I discovered this morning that I was wrong.
Apparently there are financial terms between Poch and Chelsea that have to be renegotiated before he's eligible to sign the USMNT contract and Boehly is being a prick about it. I thought I already hated Chelsea as much as possible. I discovered this morning that I was wrong.
Purp
Active Member
It sounds like there was a period where we left Poch's radar b/c he was leaning toward taking Southgate's job as England boss. Credit to Crocker for getting back in his ear and convincing him to take this leap with us. Now if we can just get the Chelsea problem resolved I'll sleep well tonight.
Purp
Active Member
A couple thoughts on why I think this should be an ideal fit.
1) Poch plays a pressing style not too unlike what Berhalter ran, but better. The Uruguayan side that gave everyone so many problems with their press deploy what Poch runs. Poch learned it by playing for Bielsa. I think our youth and speed, especially at the forward and midfield lines, are ideally suited for this type of a style and their prior familiarity with Berhalter's press should make this an easier transition even if his press and some of his principles are a little different. An easy transition is important with only 2 years until the next WC.
1b) Somewhat related to the first point is my belief that McKennie will thrive in Poch's system. We've talked the last couple years about how he seems to have lost his edge at times and doesn't command the center of the park like he once did. I think Wes is the ideal fit for Poch's system b/c he's got a high work rate and is a physical presence in the middle, which is a necessity in his press. The nasty McKennie that bows up to Mexican opposition and gets in their heads will be able to come out more under Poch. Poch's press creates turnovers high up the pitch, which results in a higher percentage of possession in the attacking third and greater chances on goal, but it requires a superior central midfielder capable of a high work rate and physical presence to generate those turnovers. A press like Berhalter's that relies on the wings and outside backs to defend high, but surrenders space in front of the center backs doesn't apply as much pressure and doesn't suit McKennie's skillset nearly as well. And I believe a strong Wes in the center of the park makes the rest of the midfield much better.
2) Poch will have very high standards, but he's always been known as someone players enjoy playing for. The players' support is probably the single greatest reason Berhalter was brought back. The players will love plying for Poch, but Poch will lift them to a higher standard of excellence than Berhalter established without having to be a hard charging disciplinarian to achieve it. Someone too caustic, like a Conte, would have mixed with our players like oil and water. While I wish the players were more receptive to a disciplinarian who could bring a higher level of accountability, I think Poch brings the right mix for our group. He knows what winning football looks like to an extent Berhalter has never been around and he'll immediately raise our floor for expectations as a result.
3) His stint last year with Chelsea demonstrates his ability to make a quick turn-around, which is what we require given the 2 year timeline to the WC. It may start out a bit ugly like the early part of his Chelsea tenure, but once the players figure things out I think things will click in a way that they'll be reaching near peak potential by the summer of 2026.
1) Poch plays a pressing style not too unlike what Berhalter ran, but better. The Uruguayan side that gave everyone so many problems with their press deploy what Poch runs. Poch learned it by playing for Bielsa. I think our youth and speed, especially at the forward and midfield lines, are ideally suited for this type of a style and their prior familiarity with Berhalter's press should make this an easier transition even if his press and some of his principles are a little different. An easy transition is important with only 2 years until the next WC.
1b) Somewhat related to the first point is my belief that McKennie will thrive in Poch's system. We've talked the last couple years about how he seems to have lost his edge at times and doesn't command the center of the park like he once did. I think Wes is the ideal fit for Poch's system b/c he's got a high work rate and is a physical presence in the middle, which is a necessity in his press. The nasty McKennie that bows up to Mexican opposition and gets in their heads will be able to come out more under Poch. Poch's press creates turnovers high up the pitch, which results in a higher percentage of possession in the attacking third and greater chances on goal, but it requires a superior central midfielder capable of a high work rate and physical presence to generate those turnovers. A press like Berhalter's that relies on the wings and outside backs to defend high, but surrenders space in front of the center backs doesn't apply as much pressure and doesn't suit McKennie's skillset nearly as well. And I believe a strong Wes in the center of the park makes the rest of the midfield much better.
2) Poch will have very high standards, but he's always been known as someone players enjoy playing for. The players' support is probably the single greatest reason Berhalter was brought back. The players will love plying for Poch, but Poch will lift them to a higher standard of excellence than Berhalter established without having to be a hard charging disciplinarian to achieve it. Someone too caustic, like a Conte, would have mixed with our players like oil and water. While I wish the players were more receptive to a disciplinarian who could bring a higher level of accountability, I think Poch brings the right mix for our group. He knows what winning football looks like to an extent Berhalter has never been around and he'll immediately raise our floor for expectations as a result.
3) His stint last year with Chelsea demonstrates his ability to make a quick turn-around, which is what we require given the 2 year timeline to the WC. It may start out a bit ugly like the early part of his Chelsea tenure, but once the players figure things out I think things will click in a way that they'll be reaching near peak potential by the summer of 2026.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
I think he genuinely enjoys a challenge.
Forum Sponsor
KillerFrogs is proud to be sponsored by the Fort Worth Sports Commission who is focused on enhancing the image, economy, and quality of life for Fort Worth through the power of sports.
