Theregulars

I agree. I can't remember when, but I am sure I recall an interview where Howe said he hadn't kept particularly close tabs on him and hadn't spoken to him during his time there. At most I think they wanted to take a look pre-season based on his better-than-expected time in Holland, but I think this was always a viable option if not the option.

On holiday?

Nature, may I introduce you to vacuum

Ryan Giggs R. Giggs Ryan G(iggs)

I think it’s really important to remember despite all the flowery eulogies - we didn’t deserve to win. We had as much fortune as you can realistically get in 2 Euros as well and still never looked convinced / convincing.

I don’t see it, to me he is obviously too invested in the players and is genuinely determined to achieve something.

My slight grumble is that I wanted us to flood the midfield without Rodri, but the better side won

the absolute bathos of the TV flop

But, crucially, they didn't get beat. Whether we want better or not, it can't be denied that the team is difficult to score against and beat. Huge difference between almost beaten and not beaten in tournament football. To be clear, I think he's inept in too many ways to justify his continued employment as England manager.

Or just any kind of original design or creativity would do. It’s contemptuous of fans in my cantankerous view.

I think some credit is due also for doing something important in tournament football - making the team hard to beat (h/t @LFEE). England don’t look like conceding many, and have had control of most of the games without doing much useful with it. The thing that stops me going past lukewarm for him is that it has never passed the naked eye test, both in terms of football as entertainment but also in terms of just looking like an effective unit who know what they’re trying to do. 4 tournaments in, if there’s such value in his man management and shire wellbeing holiday instructor vibe (and clearly there’s some value in it), could we not have got in some offensive strategic savant as an advisor to work with him?

Love Miggy, would not be sad to have him in the squad at all, can obviously be upgraded in some key ways but can never be upgraded for effort and willingness to learn in my view. Fact that both Rafa and Howe rate him is a good indication.

Stop

Unreal

Shameful. A coward’s exit.

To be fair, we have had enough of experts.

It’s more than obvious what the clubs are doing.

I don’t see how it’s patronising at all. It’s in plain sight for you to see how transparent it is.

That’s why I said in theory, but Brighton in my opinion have an eye for a talented young player with a high ceiling and able to play in England on the comparative cheap.

This is literally the exact situation a sporting director directs and achieves

On a serious note, it does in theory confirm he has a high ceiling and is probably ready to compete now. It’s a real shame.

Well crikey who’d have seen that coming

They literally offered the job to somebody and he turned it down….

But it’s really not that mad if you take the view that buying clubs know we literally have to sell. Of course they will wish to negotiate from the inevitable cliff edge we have to stand on. It’s quite logical.

Was Forest’s conduct the same - did they offer Johnson directly to Spurs?