LJC
3:49 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Four reasons Chelsea legend Roberto di Matteo would make a great West Ham manager
Julian Shea for Metro.co.ukThursday 9 Apr 2015 10:11 am
Roberto di Matteo (Picture: Getty)
With time running out for the 2014-15 season, the general feeling amongst West Ham watchers is that time will also soon be up for Sam Allardyce.
The manager’s contract expires at the end of a campaign which once held so much promise but now seems destined to end in huge disappointment, meaning it looks like Allardyce may miss out on taking the one giant leap for Hammerkind that will be summer 2016’s move to the Olympic Stadium.
This rips open the can of worms about who should replace him. Names bandied around so far (with varying degrees of believability) include David Moyes, Rafael Benitez, Glenn Hoddle and Slaven Bilic, but there is one name curiously absent from contention who would seem to be an ideal candidate. That name? Roberto di Matteo.
West Ham’s previous managerial acquisition from Chelsea, Gianfranco Zola, was hardly a great success – good bloke, but out of his depth. Di Matteo shares Zola’s Italian nationality, club background and nice guy status – but unlike the Sardinian, the current boss of Bundesliga side Schalke is the proven real deal as a manager. Here’s why he could be the answer to West Ham’s prayers.
1) Success. A cabinet full of playing honours may not have helped Zola manage, but Di Matteo has been there, done it all both on the pitch and in the dugout. So far every team he has managed have achieved. At MK Dons (note the lower league start to learn his craft, rather than walking into a top job – always a good sign) he took the team to the play-off semi-finals, losing out on penalties. At West Brom, the Baggies eased to promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking. At Chelsea, he won the FA Cup and Champions League. Although Schalke are out of this season’s Champions League, they went down fighting with a 4-3 win at reigning champions Real Madrid.
2) Experience. A background in the Premier League is a pre-requisite for any potential Allardyce replacement. Di Matteo has it in spades – six years of it playing in it, and having managed two clubs in it.
3) Culture. Despite their distant birthplaces, when it comes to England, Moyes and Benitez are north-westerners at heart. Much of Hoddle’s time in recent years has been spent on his Spanish academy. Bilic’s brief flirtation with English football was nearly 20 years ago. Although currently based in Germany, former Italian international Di Matteo played and managed in England for 16 years – mainly in or close to London – has an English wife, and two of his children were born here. Settling would hardly be a problem.
4) Ambition. Schalke are continuous knockers on the door of both Germany’s and Europe’s elite, but without ever threatening to gain full admittance, and with next season’s Champions League looking to be out of reach, that glass ceiling looks as thick as ever. But for an ambitious 44-year-old, the opportunity to help West Ham gatecrash the top table as part of the stadium move could prove tempting.
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Scraper
2:47 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Shit IQ
He thinks it's high, but it's not.
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Trevor B
2:40 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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try looking for Pulis instead ;-)
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LJC
2:39 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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C&H said that Pullis was linked this morning but i cant see anything anywhere! I swear he just makes it up.
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Eggbert Nobacon
2:07 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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I notice the Spurs fans in one article booing and moaning abou t a win agaist Hull
sounds awfully familiar
BFAVBS
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Eggbert Nobacon
2:07 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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and as when he left Spurs the fans will be delighted to see the back of him
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BRANDED
2:01 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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So. He'll be leaving Zenit.
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stepney hammer
1:59 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32780855
Style of football at Zenit is described as 'nauseating' and 'anti-football.'
So not just Tottenham fans who feel like this it would seem.
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Pancho
1:51 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Yes Trevor, keep dreaming little one...
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Yanto
1:49 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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And still a big improvement on Allardyce
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LJC
1:42 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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On that oddschecker website he is miles out. Saying that McClaren has jumped to 3rd with Slaven the clear favourite.
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Eggbert Nobacon
1:40 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/28/boring-boring-tottenham-win-again-but-was-victory-enough-against-hull-city-4163374/
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simon.s
1:36 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Fuck no.
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Eggbert Nobacon
1:35 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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a few more comments form spurs fans -
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tottenham-fans-vent-anger-over-2650885
Now hang on a minute Andre! We are accused of creating "much anxiety" on the pitch... the tactics we have been employing have created much anxiety.
"We come to the Lane to be entertained by the team so, Andre, if you do your part of the bargain, then we will do ours. Spurs have become boring to watch and it's your job to fix it."
"I hate watching us just now. We are so negative and pedestrian in our play."
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Eggbert Nobacon
1:33 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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and the spurs fans who watche dit every week
but what do they know, he's young and a bit hipster so we'll ignore that
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Joey Woodwork
1:31 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Well if Robbie Savage says so....
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Eggbert Nobacon
1:26 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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I'm not saying he's shit
I'm saying hi football is shit to watch
hich is exactly what I thought we were trying to get away from
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Eggbert Nobacon
1:25 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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I thought one of the main reasons for wanting a new manager was his style of play
not sure bringing in someone known for a boring style is really improving on that front,
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Lee Trundle
1:22 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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It used to annoy me hearing Chelsea/Spurs fans call him "AVB". Not sure I'd soften up hearing West Ham fans call him that.
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BRANDED
1:22 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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I mean he's the same age as Eddie Howe. Compare their records.
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BRANDED
1:21 Fri May 22
Re: Andre Villas-Boas
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Sure.
i like the idea a 37 year old has won what he's won and managed in 3 European countries with loads of experience.
He's fucking well shit though.
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