I think people view these things a little too simplistically. For instance - the manager for the final quarter of the season before last was better for us than the manager for the first three quarters....wait a minute...it was the same bloke! Let's instead remove Powell from the equation - if people want to praise Riga by knocking Powell, they can get stuffed as far as I am concerned.
Now, let's praise Riga for coming in at a difficult time and doing a great job. maybe that job was a bit easier given that he wasn't fighting the owner, but it was a massive challenge all the same and he came through. Most of us want him to continue as manager because he did such a good job. Let's hope he signs and soon as I think it is better to be hearing some positives sooner rather than later. See easy enough to praise the bloke without having to be nasty or disrespectful to a legend!
I hear what you're saying Muttley, but it's actually quite difficult praising what Riga did well without it automatically reflecting back on Powell, eg Riga's football was more positive = Powell played too negatively, or Riga got the best out of Sordell & Harriot = Powell didn't, or Riga used his subs effectively= Powell was often too slow to use subs. Even if one is not intending to criticise CP, in can be easily be construed as such. It is likewise difficult to discuss the strength of the squad without it reflecting back on the managers and what they each managed to get out of the same players. So long as these things are discussed sensibly (and I don't see any nastiness or disrespect towards CP in this thread) then I don't see a problem. CP is a very honest bloke and I would suspect that he is already reflecting back on what he would have done differently. As GlassHalfFull said so excellently in his post above, there were certainly a multitude of problems that CP had to deal with which may well have had a big effect on his mindset and his performance.
I would summarise CP's final weeks as a situation where all at the club were in a rut and we all know how difficult it can be to escape from that. Riga re-energised things, the players & staff bought into the need to fight and survive. Chris Powell can hold his head up with pride as one of the most respected and loved Managers I have ever seen at Charlton Athletic Football Club & I've seen a lot of managers come and go! Everyone was gutted, if not distraught when Chris left which also makes it all the more amazing how Jose Riga managed to get the crowd on his side. Sir Chris will resurface, I'm sure, and many CAFC fans will suddenly find a second club to support/follow - that being Chris' new club.
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
At the POTY Katrien let it be known that it was a key objective to sign up the 14/15 squad by 30/6. This is good news and also indicates that targets may already have been identified by whoever makes such decisions.
I hope Riga stays, but either way we need a decision quickly. The right manager may persuade Diego to sign a contract here, if left in limbo, we stand no chance of him staying. Apart from wanting to see him in a Charlton shirt next season, several million quid of transfer fee could be at stake...
I have little doubt that wheels are well in motion in all areas
Steve Bradshaw's left his handbrake off again hasn't he?
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
We'd also had a manager in place for a good few months by that point who had been working on transfer targets all season. We do not have that this time even if Riga is appointed. Any Head Coach who comes in is unlikely to be responsible for or have much say in new signings anyway.
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
We'd also had a manager in place for a good few months by that point who had been working on transfer targets all season. We do not have that this time even if Riga is appointed. Any Head Coach who comes in is unlikely to be responsible for or have much say in new signings anyway.
That's what I am worried about! My only hope is that RD and his "people" have lined up targets and are ready to roll now, even before a manager comes in.
That might work on the continent but might not in England.
Sign JR up I say. 1) Who would we go for who is available, or who would join us? 2) JR knows the way RD works, and has the continental coaching style. Not many British managers will put up with someone else sorting transfers. 3) He gets on with RD, and clearly agrees with the way he runs a club.
Give the man a 2 year contract and let him have a crack at it
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
We'd also had a manager in place for a good few months by that point who had been working on transfer targets all season. We do not have that this time even if Riga is appointed. Any Head Coach who comes in is unlikely to be responsible for or have much say in new signings anyway.
That's what I am worried about! My only hope is that RD and his "people" have lined up targets and are ready to roll now, even before a manager comes in.
That might work on the continent but might not in England.
Let's also hope then, that he or whoever is responsible for identifying transfer targets / moving players within the network, hasn't underestimated the quality of player needed at this level. So far, Astrit excluded, he has.
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
We'd also had a manager in place for a good few months by that point who had been working on transfer targets all season. We do not have that this time even if Riga is appointed. Any Head Coach who comes in is unlikely to be responsible for or have much say in new signings anyway.
That's what I am worried about! My only hope is that RD and his "people" have lined up targets and are ready to roll now, even before a manager comes in.
That might work on the continent but might not in England.
Why not? So far as I am aware it really hasn't been tried widely and extensively in England , we can't write it off out of hand. Th ere is a lot of knee jerking going on in the British media that decries anything foreign as automatically worse than an English equivalent (just for example, the insistence on an English manager for the national team despite us not having produced a really successful top level manager since Brian Clough.)
I am not denying it COULD go wrong but Jose Riga worked under that system before, even if RD brings in another to replace JR then they will almost certainly operate similarly. It probably would not work with an English manager - Powell's situation proved that. But someone who understands the system could get a lot out of it I reckon.
A colleague of mine spoke to him whilst serving him. He said Jose wanted the job, but did not know what was going to happen. I hope he's involved with us in some manner.
Maybe he hasn't had that meeting with RD yet. It would make sense to have it sorted a.s.a.p. but I don't expect sense when it comes to the way RD does things.
At the age of 56 and after a mainly low-key career spent gainfully occupied in the Belgian leagues, an engaging and modest guy, having been offered and accepted Lord knows what terms and conditions, suddenly finds himself thrust into a much brighter spotlight as he seeks to achieve CAFC's bold escape from relegation under a most daunting set of circumstances. To the considerable surprise of a generally sceptical public he accomplishes this feat, even, ultimately, with a bit of style. There is certainly method in the man's madness, and admiration for him, albeit grudging at times, has grown by the week.
He finds a little piece of South London now lies at his feet. It may not seem much, especially when you think about the self-obsessed geniuses of Big Football and their much-trumpeted successes, but, you know, it's not been a bad start at all, now has it? Our latest hero is delighted with his new surroundings, and he is willing to admit he's been quite bowled over by the pleasant reception he's had right from the word go, and by the genuine warmth and respect a complete stranger has been shown by all these people, who as far as he can make out actually seem to be a pretty decent bunch. He settles in very quickly and comfortably. And after all, if he needs to he only has to jump on the train and inside a couple of hours he's almost back at his own front door. He's pretty confident that what he's succeeded in doing so far honestly hasn't been a fluke, a flash in the pan, and that given the chance he can really build something worthwhile and lasting in SE7.
He has no doubt that the big boss is well pleased with him. How could it be otherwise? However, he finds it impossible to say too much in public about the future in case he is accused of trying to manipulate the situation and twist the guvnor's arm, and this is something he just will not do to the bloke who was prepared so unexpectedly to entrust the mission to him and to give him this late chance - he feels that's the least he owes him. And who knows - maybe the boss has got something even tastier in mind for him.
And so, everyone can only wait. Certainly where Charlton are concerned our man knows that the guy at the top is contemplating some pressing decisions that clearly need to be made and that he will not hesitate to take the action he believes is necessary. Settling the position of manager will be a crucial part of the situation but there is so much else that will then require urgent attention. Personnel - players, staff, officials - disappear off on holiday. For the moment there's a bit of a pause while everyone finishes catching their breath, but no-one doubts that the clock is ticking louder and louder. The top man is holed up who-knows-where, busy plotting the next moves for his growing empire, our new friend is on the beach looking at his watch every five minutes, and like him, in various scattered parts of the globe the rest of his colleagues are dwelling endlessly on the new season and trying to second-guess their inscrutable leader.
It will take a little more time but then the first contracts will be getting signed, those who are moving on will be making their fond (or possibly embittered) farewells, new faces (and the new pitch) will start to arrive, either by accident or design our foreign legion will begin to reveal some more about itself, its methods and its intentions, and another Charlton close-season will have hit its stride. Good, eh?
Maybe Roland is waiting for the ends of each season for all of his network clubs, even the English playoffs. My advice to Roland is...get advice, good independent objective advice at that. Just as he subsequently found out about financial shenanigans in Budapest, he ought not to neglect things and then subsequently find out what a tough job managing in the English championship actually is. Roland really needs to work on the nature of the synergy between his European system and how it needs to be adjusted to take into account the peculiarities here at Charlton Athletic. I don't think one size will fit all.
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Maybe not Ormiston. Under the new regime player recruitment maybe in the hands of a sporting director (no I haven't a clue whether we have one of those at the moment) and the head coach may have no say in the matter?
Much still to be revealed!
Possibly, but our last really big transfer haul (before the L1 Promotion) we were signing most of our players in May and June.
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
We'd also had a manager in place for a good few months by that point who had been working on transfer targets all season. We do not have that this time even if Riga is appointed. Any Head Coach who comes in is unlikely to be responsible for or have much say in new signings anyway.
That's what I am worried about! My only hope is that RD and his "people" have lined up targets and are ready to roll now, even before a manager comes in.
That might work on the continent but might not in England.
Why not? So far as I am aware it really hasn't been tried widely and extensively in England , we can't write it off out of hand. Th ere is a lot of knee jerking going on in the British media that decries anything foreign as automatically worse than an English equivalent (just for example, the insistence on an English manager for the national team despite us not having produced a really successful top level manager since Brian Clough.)
I am not denying it COULD go wrong but Jose Riga worked under that system before, even if RD brings in another to replace JR then they will almost certainly operate similarly. It probably would not work with an English manager - Powell's situation proved that. But someone who understands the system could get a lot out of it I reckon.
Clough never managed England far too outspoken for the old farts at the FA. Terry Venables and Bobby Robson weren't t bad though :-0
We need it wrapped up by the time the Play-Offs finish because that's when the transfer market kicks in, if you leave it much past that and then bring in a new guy (who will have his own transfer targets) then you will really struggle to bring in the players you want.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
It's been said that the original plan was for Jose to run the Academy if PH moves to Citeh and a Head Coach to arrive once his existing contract terminates at the end of the season.
If this does transpire and the HC is from Belgium then the chances are that he will have been consulted IF he has any say in the matter.
Plenty of ifs and buts and as always only time will tell. Perhaps news of PH will give us an initial clue??
A colleague of mine spoke to him whilst serving him. He said Jose wanted the job, but did not know what was going to happen. I hope he's involved with us in some manner.
A colleague of mine spoke to him whilst serving him--don't like the sound of that
Hope Jose gets the chance he deserves - like his character and seems v modest. As much as I like CP we witnessed some terrible football under his reign.
Hope Jose gets the chance he deserves - like his character and seems v modest. As much as I like CP we witnessed some terrible football under his reign.
Yes a fair observation - time will tell if Jose is appointed and if so whether he can replicate his 'early form' over the longer haul.
I don't think RD planned on sacking Chrissy so quickly tbh. He was desperate and probably didn't skimp on the cash to get a good man in. The problem that I have suggested before, is that Riga may not fully sign up to all of RDs plans either. If the fact that Chrissy not picking the network players irritated RD, Riga not doing so suggested that what he did, he did his way. He was in a position of strength to do this when he came in, but my guess is that RD wants a manager who will do what he wants - not his own thing! Just my guess - like most people I am anxiously waiting for clues to see the direction we are going to take!
I don't think RD planned on sacking Chrissy so quickly tbh. He was desperate and probably didn't skimp on the cash to get a good man in. The problem that I have suggested before, is that Riga may not fully sign up to all of RDs plans either. If the fact that Chrissy not picking the network players irritated RD, Riga not doing so suggested that what he did, he did his way. He was in a position of strength to do this when he came in, but my guess is that RD wants a manager who will do what he wants - not his own thing! Just my guess - like most people I am anxiously waiting for clues to see the direction we are going to take!
I take it you both just make up stories in your heads and think yep I know I'll write it in Charlton life .
It's been a week today since our last game, give it time.
Comments
Riga re-energised things, the players & staff bought into the need to fight and survive.
Chris Powell can hold his head up with pride as one of the most respected and loved Managers I have ever seen at Charlton Athletic Football Club & I've seen a lot of managers come and go!
Everyone was gutted, if not distraught when Chris left which also makes it all the more amazing how Jose Riga managed to get the crowd on his side.
Sir Chris will resurface, I'm sure, and many CAFC fans will suddenly find a second club to support/follow - that being Chris' new club.
I hope it is Riga but if RD wants someone else then he needs to get on with it.
Much still to be revealed!
That's normally the sign of a well oiled transfer policy, you know your targets and you go in and get them.
Compare this to the farce of last summer when we brought in Church and Sordell the week before our first game.
That might work on the continent but might not in England.
1) Who would we go for who is available, or who would join us?
2) JR knows the way RD works, and has the continental coaching style. Not many British managers will put up with someone else sorting transfers.
3) He gets on with RD, and clearly agrees with the way he runs a club.
Give the man a 2 year contract and let him have a crack at it
I am not denying it COULD go wrong but Jose Riga worked under that system before, even if RD brings in another to replace JR then they will almost certainly operate similarly. It probably would not work with an English manager - Powell's situation proved that. But someone who understands the system could get a lot out of it I reckon.
He talked about completing his mission, but nothing about wanting to continue etc.
I'm expecting him to be replaced, but you never know.
At the age of 56 and after a mainly low-key career spent gainfully occupied in the Belgian leagues, an engaging and modest guy, having been offered and accepted Lord knows what terms and conditions, suddenly finds himself thrust into a much brighter spotlight as he seeks to achieve CAFC's bold escape from relegation under a most daunting set of circumstances. To the considerable surprise of a generally sceptical public he accomplishes this feat, even, ultimately, with a bit of style. There is certainly method in the man's madness, and admiration for him, albeit grudging at times, has grown by the week.
He finds a little piece of South London now lies at his feet. It may not seem much, especially when you think about the self-obsessed geniuses of Big Football and their much-trumpeted successes, but, you know, it's not been a bad start at all, now has it? Our latest hero is delighted with his new surroundings, and he is willing to admit he's been quite bowled over by the pleasant reception he's had right from the word go, and by the genuine warmth and respect a complete stranger has been shown by all these people, who as far as he can make out actually seem to be a pretty decent bunch. He settles in very quickly and comfortably. And after all, if he needs to he only has to jump on the train and inside a couple of hours he's almost back at his own front door. He's pretty confident that what he's succeeded in doing so far honestly hasn't been a fluke, a flash in the pan, and that given the chance he can really build something worthwhile and lasting in SE7.
He has no doubt that the big boss is well pleased with him. How could it be otherwise? However, he finds it impossible to say too much in public about the future in case he is accused of trying to manipulate the situation and twist the guvnor's arm, and this is something he just will not do to the bloke who was prepared so unexpectedly to entrust the mission to him and to give him this late chance - he feels that's the least he owes him. And who knows - maybe the boss has got something even tastier in mind for him.
And so, everyone can only wait. Certainly where Charlton are concerned our man knows that the guy at the top is contemplating some pressing decisions that clearly need to be made and that he will not hesitate to take the action he believes is necessary. Settling the position of manager will be a crucial part of the situation but there is so much else that will then require urgent attention. Personnel - players, staff, officials - disappear off on holiday. For the moment there's a bit of a pause while everyone finishes catching their breath, but no-one doubts that the clock is ticking louder and louder. The top man is holed up who-knows-where, busy plotting the next moves for his growing empire, our new friend is on the beach looking at his watch every five minutes, and like him, in various scattered parts of the globe the rest of his colleagues are dwelling endlessly on the new season and trying to second-guess their inscrutable leader.
It will take a little more time but then the first contracts will be getting signed, those who are moving on will be making their fond (or possibly embittered) farewells, new faces (and the new pitch) will start to arrive, either by accident or design our foreign legion will begin to reveal some more about itself, its methods and its intentions, and another Charlton close-season will have hit its stride. Good, eh?
If this does transpire and the HC is from Belgium then the chances are that he will have been consulted IF he has any say in the matter.
Plenty of ifs and buts and as always only time will tell. Perhaps news of PH will give us an initial clue??
As much as I like CP we witnessed some terrible football under his reign.
Roughly translated a new gaffer next season
It's been a week today since our last game, give it time.