The final whistle has blown on another Premier League season, leaving a void in my weekends that even the most thrilling five day rain-effected cricket match can't fill. The rollercoaster ride of following Newcastle United, with its endless "ifs," "buts," and "maybes," is unmatched. But while I'm still basking in the afterglow of winning the "Better than Man Utd Trophy" ( ?? ), my mind has wandered to three other Premier League clubs: Liverpool, West Ham, and Brighton. They're all grappling with the same daunting question: succession. How do you replace a manager who has become synonymous with the club's identity? How do you ensure a smooth transition without derailing the progress that's been made? Rumors are swirling about appointments at two of these clubs, while Brighton, ever the meticulous planners, undoubtedly have a strategy in place. This brings me to a realisation that extends far beyond football: the importance of a succession plan for business. Over the years the topic of "planning my exit" comes up all the time in my conversations with business owners. Crafting a succession plan is rarely straightforward. It's a complex puzzle with countless variables, many of which are beyond our control. As the new season kicks off, it'll be fascinating to see whose succession plan proves most successful. And hey, maybe a little healthy competition will push all three clubs to even greater heights (as long as it's behind Eddie's Mags!)
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"A great challenge of life: Knowing enough to think you're doing it right, but not enough to know you're doing it wrong."
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole, Rangnick, ETH .... and now the next better manager please. Welcome to the Wilderness decades, Liverpool fans that supported the team in the 70s and 80s will understand. (Look, it is not possible for me to be a fan in the 60s cos' I wasn't born yet) False dawns. false Messiahs, returning heroes that failed to turn things around ..... we had seen all that. Liverpool had Rafa, Evans, Houllier, Rogers that went close with talents like Owens, Macca, Fowler, Alonso, Torres, Stevie G, Luis Suarez, New breakout stars, old stars on a comeback (Gary McAllistor). So we know what it is like. ETH failed, and failed rather miserably. Utd are a directionless team on the pitch, and it starts with the coach. The coach starts with 2 methods: start with what you got and slowly mold them into the style that you want them to play; or start with the style that you want and work the team over 2 seasons to get there. I think ETH tried with the first method - lost the stars; then he tried the second method, and somehow it did not work as well. The players coming in performed well for a season then dropped off. For reasons not clear. Every season under ETH, it looked like Man U started over again. ETH is a good manager, but maybe Utd was too early for him. It was too big for Moyes and Ole. They got v Gaal when he was really over the prime years, and Jose as well. United has many problems at the moment, and the team they have is not papering over the cracks. I dun think 'pool had the same problems, but we had problems too. But under FSG, Klopp and Edwards Liverpool FC worked on a change management strategy - and it worked well. Luckily. Klopp was energy, passion and fire - it was what Liverpool needed but also if handled badly could have been really really bad. In the latter years, Klopp and Edwards could not get along - Klopp built a team with heart, Edwards wanted one based on stats, Klopp kept players too long (Keita), Edwards wanted them sold. Klopp outgrew Edwards, some level of decline set in - and to be fair, Liverpool outgrew Klopp. For ETH it is time to break a trend. No one has left the Utd hotseat and gone on to better things. But no one is as young as ETH and as capable (both together); still this would be a knock. But look at Hansi Flick, when he left Bayern people said he rode on the work of the previous managers. He is showing at Barca he is not a bad manager. ETH was the wrong hire for Utd. But Utd, Ajax and Bayern ... are clubs that have some deep problems at the moment. (Barcelona is financially screwed); but sometimes the right guy, the right team also needs luck. And also to find the right guy - personally Rangnick was the right guy to build systems for 2 years before handing over to some BIG NAME to continue the build; but Utd wanted instant results.
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5000-1. When Leicester City kicked off the 2015-16 Premier League season, bookmakers rated their title chances at 5000-1. For perspective, they offered better odds (2000-1) on finding Elvis Presley alive. The team had barely escaped relegation the previous season, spending 140 days at the bottom of the table. Their entire team cost less than what Manchester City paid for a single player. Their striker, Jamie Vardy, was playing amateur football and working in a factory just four years earlier. Their manager, Claudio Ranieri, had been recently fired by Greece after losing to the Faroe Islands. Yet something magical happened. Match by match, this team of castoffs and bargain buys started winning. They didn't just compete. They dominated. Vardy broke the Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City all fell to Leicester's fast-paced, fearless style. Key lessons for 2025: - The "impossible" becomes possible when a group of people absolutely refuse to believe in their limitations. Leicester didn't just overperform. They rewrote what was considered achievable. - Leadership matters. Ranieri created a culture where players dared to dream big, famously using a bell in training to keep players focused, saying "Dilly-ding, dilly-dong, come on, wake up!" - Past performance doesn't dictate future success. As Vardy said: "Nobody gave us a chance, but we never stopped believing in ourselves." The miracle was complete on May 2, 2016, when Leicester clinched the title, becoming champions of England for the first time in their 132-year history. It remains the greatest upset in sports history. A testament that with belief, unity, and courage, even the "impossible" can become reality. Image credit: The sporting news
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MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ERIK TEN HAG REMAINS CONFIDENT DESPITE DEFEATS Ten Hag Stays Positive: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is not worried about his job security, even after his team suffered another 3-0 defeat at home in the Premier League. This loss marks the second time in a row that United has been beaten by three goals at Old Trafford. Team Struggles: United's recent defeat against Tottenham Hotspur was their fourth 3-0 home loss in the past year. They currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League standings and have more losses than wins this season. Despite these challenges, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the team's future. Team Unity: When asked about his future with the club, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of unity within the team. He mentioned that decisions are made collectively by the ownership, leadership group, staff, and players. While there have been setbacks, Ten Hag believes that the team will improve over time. Learning from Mistakes: United has struggled in recent games, winning only six out of their last 20 league matches. They have also conceded three or more goals in a game 23 times under Ten Hag's leadership. Despite these statistics, Ten Hag remains focused on learning from mistakes and moving forward as a team. Analysis of the Game: During the match against Tottenham, United fell behind early and struggled to recover. Ten Hag acknowledged that the team started poorly and made mistakes in defense. He highlighted the need for better decision-making and ball control in future games. Looking Ahead: While the recent defeats have been disappointing, Ten Hag is determined to work with the team to improve their performance. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and staying united as they face new challenges in upcoming matches. In conclusion, Ten Hag remains confident in his team's ability to bounce back from recent setbacks. Despite the tough losses, he is focused on building a stronger and more competitive Manchester United in the future. Follow the Kilowiblog channel on WhatsApp: https://lnkd.in/dJw5GDAc
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Enzo Maresca Hands Ben Chilwell Lifeline with Premier League Squad Spot Ben Chilwell’s Premier League journey with Chelsea appeared uncertain earlier this season, but a recent twist in the team’s strategy could breathe new life into the left-back’s career at Stamford… #EnzoMaresca #HandsBenChilwellLifelinewithPremierLeagueSquadSpot >>> Read more
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Southampton Football Club are on course for their worst ever season. Their misery is encapsulated in this picture: A fan's mother correctly (and innocently) predicted their 5-0 home thrashing at the hands of Brentford Football Club and won a Southampton shirt in the hospitality section...presented by a Southampton player, Adam Armstrong. They have themselves to blame. Russell Martin’s sacking made no sense, with an act of God now needed to keep them up. They have appointed a solid and pragmatic manager in Ivan Juric. This would have made sense in the summer or the autumn. But with only 6 points at Christmas, if they wanted to stay up through pragmatism, they needed to make that call a hell of a lot earlier. Juric is not a miracle worker. He also has a break clause after 6 months so if they don’t stay up, they can get rid of him. But who then comes in if (or more likely when) they get relegated? The Championship is an unforgiving place. Clubs who stick with the very manager that brought them up can then bounce straight back up: Burnley Football Club x Sean Dyche - 2015–16 Norwich City Football Club x Daniel Farke -?2020-21 Other clubs have backed their existing manager to bring them straight back up: QPR FC x Harry Redknapp - 2013-14 Newcastle United Football Club x Rafael Benitez - 2016-17 Russell Martin has a religious commitment to his style of play. It didn’t work with this team in The Premier League. But he has already navigated the Championship with his style. With relegation an almost certainty at Christmas, why not stick with Martin to give Southampton the best possible chance of bouncing back? Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If pragmatism is the best way to navigate the Premier League with a limited squad, then surely it’s upon promotion that clubs make that call?
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MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ERIK TEN HAG RESPONDS TO LIVERPOOL DEFEAT Erik ten Hag's Reaction: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faced a tough defeat against Liverpool, but he is not giving up. He believes in his team and their ability to bounce back. Post-Match Analysis: Liverpool dominated the game with a 3-0 win, but ten Hag remains positive. He acknowledges the defeat but is focused on moving forward and improving. Building a New Team: Ten Hag emphasizes the need to build a new team with young players and new signings. He is confident that with time and hard work, they will have a chance to win trophies this season. Defending His Coaching: Despite criticism, ten Hag stands by his coaching methods. He points out that United has won major trophies under his leadership and believes in the team's potential. Response to Criticism: When questioned about United's poor Premier League performance, ten Hag defends his coaching record. He highlights the team's success in winning trophies and beating top opponents. Clarifying Rumors: Ten Hag addresses rumors about Casemiro leaving at half-time. He explains that the substitution was a tactical decision to try and turn the game around, and he believes in the player's abilities. In conclusion, Erik ten Hag remains determined and focused on leading Manchester United to success. Despite challenges, he is confident in his team's potential and is ready to work hard to achieve their goals. Follow the Kilowiblog channel on WhatsApp: https://lnkd.in/dJw5GDAc
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??????????????????’?? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????'?? ?????????????????? ???????? ???????? Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, set up in a 4-3-3 formation, utilized the width of the pitch effectively against Tottenham. Cody Gakpo, positioned as the central striker, often drifted to the left, allowing Luis Díaz to move inward while Andrew Robertson supported from behind. This left-to-right ball movement targeted Tottenham’s left-back, Emerson Royal, with Mohamed Salah exploiting the space. Gakpo’s cuts inside and connections with Díaz and Salah were pivotal, with their collaboration resulting in the opening goal. The interchange between Díaz and Gakpo drew additional midfield support, shifting Tottenham’s defense and opening spaces for Salah on the right. Trent Alexander-Arnold exploited these areas with precise crosses. When play stagnated in midfield, Liverpool redirected play via Virgil van Dijk, maintaining a strategic emphasis on wide attacks. Harvey Elliott’s inside runs, supported by Alexander-Arnold, consistently troubled the opposition. The strategic rotations also pulled Tottenham's central defense out of position, with Micky van de Ven stretched to cover movements. This persistent wide play led to further goals from Gakpo and Elliott after Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou substituted Royal with Oliver Skipp, a move that failed to stem Liverpool’s dominance on the right flank. ??????????????????’?? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????? Tottenham initially held control, pinning Liverpool back and leveraging the full-backs to compact Liverpool’s midfield. Despite their possession and territorial push, Tottenham's attacks lacked final third effectiveness, evidenced by a meager shooting tally in the first half. Liverpool’s midfield trio, however, formed a resilient defensive line, blocking central routes and countering the inward moves of Tottenham’s full-backs. This solid central defense left Tottenham struggling to convert possession into clear chances. ??????????????????'?? ???????? ?????????????? In the closing stages, Tottenham showed signs of recovery with Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson repositioning, supported by James Maddison. This shift allowed their full-backs to exploit wider areas. Johnson’s penetrating runs and Son’s dribbling introduced fresh challenges for Liverpool’s defense. Maddison's deeper role improved Tottenham's connectivity, leading to more potent attacks and goals. However, their late surge was insufficient to close the gap fully. #?????????????????????????? #?????????????????????? #???????????????????????????????? #????????????????????
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Talent vs. Consistency: Who wins the Premier League legacy debate? ?? After yesterday’s star-class performance vs. Chelsea FC, Salah joins the top 10 all-time leading goal scorers in Premier League history with 162 goals, just 98 away from Alan Shearer’s record. Now, this page isn’t just about providing insights without sparking a debate. I think it’s fair to say that comparisons between Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah should end now. ?? I believe Eden Hazard had a natural talent and ability that even surpasses Salah. He was more skillful on the ball, the kind of player who left fans on the edge of their seats with his silky dribbling and flair. If he hadn’t left Chelsea, we might still have a real debate. Hazard could create magic, but when it comes to consistency and results, Salah stands above the rest. Here are the stats after 7 years in the Premier League for both players: Eden Hazard: 85 goals and 51 assists in 245 appearances Mohamed Salah: 162 goals and 74 assists in 271 appearances Both players have left their mark on the Premier League in their own unique way, but when it comes to the numbers, Salah is clearly setting the bar higher. What do you think? Has Salah moved beyond comparison, or does Hazard’s natural talent still deserve a place in this debate? ?? #BeyondThe90 #LiverpoolFC #MohamedSalah #ChelseaFC #EdenHazard #PremierLeague #FootballInsights #Soccer #JoinTheConversation
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? Crisis at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club: How Postecoglou's Team Is Losing Balance Tottenham is in a tough spot: 15th in the Premier League, 13 defeats this season, a seven-game winless streak, and Ange Postecoglou’s managerial seat is looking increasingly unstable. The accompanying chart highlights the 10-game rolling averages for non-penalty xG (expected goals created) and xGA (expected goals allowed) over two seasons under Postecoglou. Last season, during a similar stage, the team experienced a dip in xG and a rise in xGA, making Spurs a “negative” team in terms of xG difference. However, unlike this season, there were no extreme anomalies like the Liverpool match (5.6 npxGA). Injuries certainly played a role, but questions must also be asked of the coach. As the saying goes, “Once is a fluke, twice a trend, three times a pattern.” That said, in the second half of last season, Spurs were a “positive” team, consistently generating around 1.8 npxG per game. This season started on an even better note: Spurs were averaging nearly 2 xG per match, with an xG difference of 0.82. But then, the crisis hit. xGA spiked, and more worryingly, Spurs stopped creating chances. Their current xG levels are at their lowest since Postecoglou took charge. Even in the North London Derby, there were glimpses of Postecoglou trying to adapt to reality, but without much success. ?? The numbers speak for themselves: since the start of last year, Spurs have lost 25 Premier League matches. For comparison, Manchester United, a team deep in crisis, has lost only one fewer in the same period. And yet, when everything aligns, Tottenham looks like a team capable of achieving greatness. Can Postecoglou turn things around and lead Spurs back to success? Share your thoughts in the comments! #FootballAnalytics #Football #Soccer #EPL #DataAnalytics
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