lovejoy

I think it started with you saying Hughes would be a step down, I asked why, and you basically said because he isn't Michael Edwards. I've no idea what a DOF does, or what the yardstick is to be measured by, but it clearly isn't as simple as 'he's at Bournemouth, step down, he was at Liverpool, step up'.

Because with all due respect, you're not the authority on this ? Ashworth is widely considered 'elite level' and he hasn't 'wrestled a title' from anyone. Paul Mitchell the same. We've no idea what role they play and/or what role the manager plays. Do Liverpool win the title with Edwards but not Klopp ? Who knows. We've genuinely no idea on any of it and it isn't the same as an opinion of a manager based on playing style or trophies won etc. What we do know is we seem to get appointments right, so all we can do is trust them to do the right thing.

Precisely.

We have no idea what elite level means in this role though, none whatsoever.

Correct. Ashworth is widely reported to be the number one as you say, but he’s never been in a role where the team has won anything. Which is usually what it would take to be judged the best, so clearly this is different. The managerial appointments made while he’s been in jobs are very much a mixed bag (Di Matteo, Hodgson, Allardyce, Southgate, Potter). Dougie Freedman is another who’s supposed to be well thought of but they’ve been shite for years, so I’ve no idea how this role is judged, nobody does really. They’ll get it right. They always do.

They’ll appoint the best person for the job as they have with every other appointment they’ve made, simple as that. If he happens to come from Bournemouth, so be it.

Why would you hope it wouldn't be the case?

This, the over analysis is mental. His big pal wants him at one of the biggest clubs in the world, of course he's going to fancy it. He could have been unbelievably happy here and still fancied it. If he was leaving for Everton for example you'd ask the question, but it's Man Utd. That's all there is to it imo.

This. The recriminations for Man Utd would be huge if they breached it. Transfer embargo etc. Not a chance they’ll be blasé about it, nor will Ashworth. Just as we weren’t (and he wasn’t) when he was on gardening leave at Brighton.

Stick the high performance episode on with him, it's a good listen.

This is a no lose for all involved. If Ashworth is as good as we're told, the systems and processes will be in place so we'll transition seamlessly, and we'll get a bag of cash. If we isn't as good as we're told, we're well rid, and we'll get a bag of cash. Man Utd can bring in someone to sort out their mess for about 20% of what they paid for the car crash that is Antony, it's nothing to them. If it doesn't work (I think it will), they'll move on and they won't think of the fee they paid for Ashworth ever again. Ashworth has the opportunity to turn around the biggest club un the country ( if not the world), what an opportunity. If he does, he's made for life reputation wise, if he doesn't, it'll be the Glazers fault. It's a business, it happens, on we go.

Scratch this, he’s at Leeds now.

Who was the fella who took it on short term in an advisory role in that first January? we may see him back whilst we get a replacement. I have no clue who we’ll get, but I back them to get it right.

Edwards reckons we’re taking a hostile stance. good.

We’ve placed him on gardening leave today.

Yeah, Weir started at Brighton straight away I’m sure (internal appointment but the principal is the same).

Asked to leave today according to Hope.

Don't bite man ?

I’m not sure I’ve seen a Centre forward trouble botman as much as solanke did today. Probably right on the fee though.

I thought solanke and Kelly looked good for Bournemouth today. I’d take both.

If Dan Ashworth is as good as we're told, we won't miss Dan Ashworth as everything should be implemented and working, along with a succession plan. The end.

No, thats been suggested in some things i've read for sure.

Quick scan of a Brighton forum and they seem to think he’s brilliant at the set up phase and then he moves on because that’s the part he enjoys. A few think he’s over rated but guess that’s normal after he left them (we’ll be the same). ’A rolling stone gathers no moss’.

yeah, like this isn't the threat every time this situation happens.

Man Utd will be back amongst title chases quickly imo, quicker than us anyway. He’s not leaving us for Crystal Palace, he’s going to the biggest club in the country and one of the biggest in the world. As I say, don’t worry about it. We’ll get someone else, it’s nowt personal, they’re just bigger.