Think the whole issue with the Peeters appointment is that his record looks fairly shit. Or uninspiring at best. Therefore what has persuaded the board (RD) to appoint him, what are his pros to Rigas cons?
Don't know why the club bother really. Some people moan when there is no communication yet when Katrien Meire does issue a statement it is taken apart as some kind of propaganda or saying nothing at all. Not sure what else could realistically be said.
Could have been said a lot bloody earlier. Also, where is an introduction interview from Peeters?
I don't see why the powers that be should have to elaborate on WHY they have chosen the candidate they thought was best, really. They've acknowledged JR, mentioned there were other candidates (and there is no reason to assume they are lying about that) and made a choice. That's employment in any field, football or any other.
In my opinion they should elaborate. They are surely aware of the fact that BP is,to the large majority of fans, a complete unknown. If they had hired someone with a higher profile, or who had managed in England before, then people would have more information to make a considered judgement,
However, BP is not known to us in a managerial sense. So why not spill the beans on what makes him the best option open to us? Do we not have a right to understand the reasons behind the appointment of a new manager?
I don't wish to appear rude, but this is simply unrealistic. Charlton Athletic is a Football Club not a Business School. Either you believe that Duchatelet believes Peeters is the best man for the job or, alternatively, you believe that there is a hidden agenda, some Machiavellian plot. If the latter, and that's entirely your prerogative, then its not going to matter what they say. If the former, what's the problem?
Why did Manchester United appoint David Moyes? What were the qualities they saw in him? Who else did they interview and who was involved? Did they talk to Carlo Ancelotti or Roberto Martinez? If not, why not? What was their assessment of Roberto Martinez? Can we see their attribute by attribute comparison of Moyes v Martinez? I'd be fascinated to hear the answers to these questions, but I've no right to know and I'm not holding my breath.
I could go on. This demand for an hour by hour, blow by blow account of the Club's strategy, decision making processes and actions is just absurd. We either trust them or we don't and that's up to each individual fan. I'll make my own mind up, as I'm sure will you, but I'll do so on the basis of what I see, on the actions taken and on the results delivered. That will take time and patience. In the meantime, I genuinely don't understand why so many fans have such a cynical predisposition.
There is an irony in all of this. Katrien Miere has clearly made a genuine attempt to appease the gathering hordes. If I were her I might not bother next time.
This is an absolute no win for KM and RD. No matter what she says - and by and large it will be her as we have already been told she is RDs eyes on the club - there are a percentage of people on here and other social media channels that have decided that RD and anyone associated with him is no good for CAFC.
There are a number of posters on here who are primed to jump on any snippet of gossip, rumour or fact and pour scorn on it as it suits their anti RD agenda.
This statement is by and large a thank you to Riga and is probably reactive. So what? People moaned that nothing was said when Riga left and now they are moaning because something was said.
I don't understand the dissenters, to be honest I don't really want to. Nothing I say or RD does is going to change their thinking.
I've nailed my colours to the mast and said I'll judge when the transfer window closes. If I don't like what I see then, I'll voice my concerns.
The sooner people accept that the club is no-longer being run in a "traditional English football club" way the sooner they'll be able to start sleeping at night.
RD has his own vision and plan, he has spent so far a minimum of 14m probably much more to give him the right to realise that vision. Just because it doesn't fit with the utopia which some on here "expect" doesn't mean it won't work.
People need to keep a watching brief and if there is any reason to speak out somewhere down the line fair enough. Said before and I'll say it again RD is well in credit at the moment and ultimately for a vociferous few he will never be in credit because he a) sacked Powell and b) had the cheek to question the manager of his 14m asset in relation to key decisions.
I don't believe RD is going anywhere in the short term, so will try and buy into his vision. I still believe he'll be good for us in the long term. Nothing he has done so far suggests otherwise.
Thanks Clem - saved me the time of banging my head against a brick wall for 30 minutes coming to the same conclusion.
Shocked by the number of people who seem to be assuming nothing but negativity about JR going and BP taking on the role of Head Coach. I know several people who have successfully filled a role on a stop gap basis and then didn't get the job.
I thought everyone was about to walk away from the training ground project until RD came in and backed it, and that the plans had stalled while the spivs ran out of money.
I think one issue is that the spivs forced the person who put the business plan together and had all the contacts out of the trust. Consequently, RD may have to fill the gap if it gets built, but I'm not aware he has committed to this. Just as likely it won't be built?
Are you saying that all this talk about academy players is his priority is a lie, and that he will not be completing the training ground project?
I'm saying that the business plan was constructed to have no capital contribution from the club and that as approved by the council it predates RD. If the money isn't there or RD wants to build something larger, as has been suggested, he'll have put some funding in, because the main grants are based on match funding. I'm sure he's keen on the academy, but I'm not aware he has committed any capital to it as yet.
There's a perception he is making a major investment, but I think at present it's based on a misunderstanding.
I thought the current application was significantly larger than the original plans?
You don't normally recommission a project of this scale unless you at least expect to go forward with it. I assume time will tell.
I don't see why the powers that be should have to elaborate on WHY they have chosen the candidate they thought was best, really. They've acknowledged JR, mentioned there were other candidates (and there is no reason to assume they are lying about that) and made a choice. That's employment in any field, football or any other.
In my opinion they should elaborate. They are surely aware of the fact that BP is,to the large majority of fans, a complete unknown. If they had hired someone with a higher profile, or who had managed in England before, then people would have more information to make a considered judgement,
However, BP is not known to us in a managerial sense. So why not spill the beans on what makes him the best option open to us? Do we not have a right to understand the reasons behind the appointment of a new manager?
I don't wish to appear rude, but this is simply unrealistic. Charlton Athletic is a Football Club not a Business School. Either you believe that Duchatelet believes Peeters is the best man for the job or, alternatively, you believe that there is a hidden agenda, some Machiavellian plot. If the latter, and that's entirely your prerogative, then its not going to matter what they say. If the former, what's the problem?
Why did Manchester United appoint David Moyes? What were the qualities they saw in him? Who else did they interview and who was involved? Did they talk to Carlo Ancelotti or Roberto Martinez? If not, why not? What was their assessment of Roberto Martinez? Can we see their attribute by attribute comparison of Moyes v Martinez? I'd be fascinated to hear the answers to these questions, but I've no right to know and I'm not holding my breath.
I could go on. This demand for an hour by hour, blow by blow account of the Club's strategy, decision making processes and actions is just absurd. We either trust them or we don't and that's up to each individual fan. I'll make my own mind up, as I'm sure will you, but I'll do so on the basis of what I see, on the actions taken and on the results delivered. That will take time and patience. In the meantime, I genuinely don't understand why so many fans have such a cynical predisposition.
There is an irony in all of this. Katrien Miere has clearly made a genuine attempt to appease the gathering hordes. If I were her I might not bother next time.
I don't believe one or the other. There are not only two camps that you can be in on this.
I have not said I want to know who else was considered. I make no demand for hour by hour updates.
All I want to know are the relative merits of Peeters. I, and many others know very little of him. What is the problem with sharing the board's reasons for hiring him?
The Moyes comparison is a poor one. He had managed in England for a number of years. He was well known to football fans across he country and beyond. His philosophies and beliefs were there for all to see. There was an in depth interview with Bobby Charlton, an employee of the club as well as Edward Woodward where they spoke at lengths about why they employed Moyes.
To make it clear all I want is to know more about our new manager. Who should be providing that information?
It is a well constructed statement, perhaps a day or two late but it will do me. I too wanted Riga to stay and would point out that appointing him would be relatively low risk seeing as he delivered the goodies last season. KM makes it extremely clear that they are looking to acquire additional players - we will obviously have to wait and see who they are and how they complement the existing squad of 20. What we don't know at this stage is how successful they will be at landing their targets. I think it would be helpful if RD and KM explained a little more about this process as the absence of clarity allows for a lot of speculation. I think Riga and Meire have been at the club long enough for fans to form their opinions. Perhaps some of the views on here are shared by the fanbase but I suspect that the most vehement anti Duchatelet element represent only a small minority of fans. This time last year the supporters Trust surveyed well over 2,000 fans about their attitudes and views. Perhaps they might do the same before they meet KM so that they can go out to bat with a form of mandate. I think it is tempting for the club to withdraw from communications if all they get is the reception we saw on facebook to Peeters (not that I've seen it) or some of the comments on here. But that would be a mistake. If the club wants to be in touch with the silent majority then it has to maintain regular sincere communications about all matters on and off the pitch. There will always be some in denial or very reluctant to trust the board but unfolding events will reveal what the future holds. We will know the full squad soon enough and we will know just how competitive it is by the end of September after 10 games. One thing we all know for sure is that if it is going horribly wrong then Duchatelet won't be shy to make changes.
I have no doubts that RD thinks Peeters is the best man for the job. The job of doing what he wants/ I have no doubt that RD believes that what he is doing will be successful and the model for football in the future. I won't say I have no doubt his idea is wrong, but I do have serious doubts! KM is his employee - what is she going to say! I trust him, I think he is doing what he said he would - maybe it was a little obscure but it wasn't too hard to put 2 and 2 together. Unfortunately, the more I see the more it confirms my fears.
Can't see why people are so fussed over this statement. It thanked Riga, explained that they deliberated on who to employ as a new manager and decided Big Bob was the best man for the job. Why should they expand on that? If they did and started saying Riga lacked this or lacked that then people would jump on that and slag them off for being disrespectful to Jose. Damned if they do and damned if they don't. Likewise if they just appointed Riga and didn't consider other candidates they would be slagged off. It's still May, come 30th June things will be much clearer. Time for some on here to chillax. Maybe it's an evening dip in the hot tub that helps :-)
What is the use of a bloody good manager if he has no team. Let's get that steam roller moving. Powell was a defender who could not pick a decent striker. Bob is a striker who I hope can pick and coach a decent striker. This is for me the issue.
Spot on in my view. Duchatelet is sincere and doing what be believes will be best for the Club, in the medium to long-term. That's not the issue. The issue, as you say, is how good his judgment is and how well he executes. The Jury is out on this and we should give him some time, but I share your caution.
Katrien's statement is perfectly acceptable and professional. She has been, rightly, very generous in her thanks to José including how he made the effort to come in when RD asked, despite other commitments.
Do I think he has been hard done by not to now get the job on a longer basis? Yes, I do. Because like all of us, I like the comfort of the "known knowns"!! ;-)
She has then given a brief outline of the process they went through in appointing Bob Peeters. Nothing earth-shattering, but no reason why it should be.
The same about the player situation. We know it's a serious problem and so does she. Some clubs have already started making signings, but not too many and most, if not all players will have several weeks left on their existing contracts. I am sure that we'll see movement pick up in the run-up to July 1st...hopefully we'll even get a few!
Other than that, nothing has really been added in the 7 pages of comments as no-one has any other knowledge.
I do though have a very unpleasant mental image of Katrien feeding Henry, in his best lion-coloured cardigan, with slabs of raw meat!!! *~*
I think the most we are gonna get on why Peeters got the job will be a brief description in RD's programme notes at the first home game. It's not gonna please a few on here but it's pretty much what I'd expect from any chairman about a managerial appointment.
"And I suggest you both go back and read it again I said I'm confident we will START the season in a strong position on and off the field".
Blimey mate, let me know what happy tablets you're taking as I sure as hell want some.
The geezer lives in cloud cuckoo land
We will see won't we and I'll accept an apology if your also happy with the team come the first game of the season and don't be rude just because I support my football club as much as possible !
What is the use of a bloody good manager if he has no team. Let's get that steam roller moving. Powell was a defender who could not pick a decent striker. Bob is a striker who I hope can pick and coach a decent striker. This is for me the issue.
Your right - apart from Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips and Fuller that is - why didn't bloody Powell pick Luis Suarez or Ricky Lambert - he just couldn't get over his Church infatuation...
I don't see why the powers that be should have to elaborate on WHY they have chosen the candidate they thought was best, really. They've acknowledged JR, mentioned there were other candidates (and there is no reason to assume they are lying about that) and made a choice. That's employment in any field, football or any other.
In my opinion they should elaborate. They are surely aware of the fact that BP is,to the large majority of fans, a complete unknown. If they had hired someone with a higher profile, or who had managed in England before, then people would have more information to make a considered judgement,
However, BP is not known to us in a managerial sense. So why not spill the beans on what makes him the best option open to us? Do we not have a right to understand the reasons behind the appointment of a new manager?
I don't wish to appear rude, but this is simply unrealistic. Charlton Athletic is a Football Club not a Business School. Either you believe that Duchatelet believes Peeters is the best man for the job or, alternatively, you believe that there is a hidden agenda, some Machiavellian plot. If the latter, and that's entirely your prerogative, then its not going to matter what they say. If the former, what's the problem?
Why did Manchester United appoint David Moyes? What were the qualities they saw in him? Who else did they interview and who was involved? Did they talk to Carlo Ancelotti or Roberto Martinez? If not, why not? What was their assessment of Roberto Martinez? Can we see their attribute by attribute comparison of Moyes v Martinez? I'd be fascinated to hear the answers to these questions, but I've no right to know and I'm not holding my breath.
I could go on. This demand for an hour by hour, blow by blow account of the Club's strategy, decision making processes and actions is just absurd. We either trust them or we don't and that's up to each individual fan. I'll make my own mind up, as I'm sure will you, but I'll do so on the basis of what I see, on the actions taken and on the results delivered. That will take time and patience. In the meantime, I genuinely don't understand why so many fans have such a cynical predisposition.
There is an irony in all of this. Katrien Miere has clearly made a genuine attempt to appease the gathering hordes. If I were her I might not bother next time.
I think a more appropriate comparison would be with Southampton appointing Pochettino. Many in England would have been unaware of his managerial abilities (as Charlton fans are with Peeters), and Adkins was popular among the fans (as Riga was). However, Cortese did explain the rationale behind the decision:
“Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager. I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level.
“He also shares my belief that the most successful clubs are built by nurturing young players through a development system that provides a clear path to the First Team, thereby creating a culture that keeps them at the Club for the long term. This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”
Therefore, it is not entirely unrealistic for the people in charge to explain unpopular decisions, and I expect that if the statement released by Charlton was similar to this there would be fewer 'moaners' today.
Presents himself well from an employable perspective full of enthusiasm etc, but when it comes to actually doing the job he is a joke and has no previous record of any sustainable success.
Also bald.
He won't be, as he won't have anywhere near the levels of control over player purchases that Dowie had.
Love how a few people know this . Wish I had the inside info .
Where do you get this blind faith from? I seriously can't get my head around it. Have you been living under a rock since January?
And it's not blind faith , Iv seen enough to think we're gonna start the season in a strong position on and off the field , why ? Well why not ?
Please tell me what you've seen to give you the impression that "we're gonna start the season in a strong position on the field"
Iv seen that Roland wants to build for the future RUMOUR , Iv seen that he's putting over 500k into a new pitch and he's had a part in the training ground development TRUE. The fact that we have bid over 500k for O Grady RUMOUR , we had 1.5m ready for gradel back in jan RUMOUR and km has just said they are working hard on deals and I trust they will do the right thing By learning from their mistakes of jan . Who knows what will happen but I'm not going to judge until beginning of august personally.
another bunch of facts......
1 manager sacked - would have kept us up IMO but can understand why he was let go 1 head coach not kept on - despite being a resounding success 2 important players sold in jan and not adequately replaced 2 integral players not retained at the end of the season 1 inexperienced head coach employed - still not heard a peep out of him 2 more integral players not committing as yet....not looking likely
yes it may all end in a garden of roses but for the love of god look objectionally at the situation and it does not look good at the moment. Yes there is time for it to change but that is ALOT of change to get right
"And I suggest you both go back and read it again I said I'm confident we will START the season in a strong position on and off the field".
Blimey mate, let me know what happy tablets you're taking as I sure as hell want some.
The geezer lives in cloud cuckoo land
We will see won't we and I'll accept an apology if your also happy with the team come the first game of the season and don't be rude just because I support my football club as much as possible !
It is very well(and proper) to be supportive of the club and team. However, I think you take it too far. If we were to finish the season losing every game you would still think things are okay
"And I suggest you both go back and read it again I said I'm confident we will START the season in a strong position on and off the field".
Blimey mate, let me know what happy tablets you're taking as I sure as hell want some.
The geezer lives in cloud cuckoo land
We will see won't we and I'll accept an apology if your also happy with the team come the first game of the season and don't be rude just because I support my football club as much as possible !
It is very well(and proper) to be supportive of the club and team. However, I think you take it too far. If we were to finish the season losing every game you would still think things are okay
No far from it but all the time were still 2 months away from the season I'm gonna back the club end of .
Presents himself well from an employable perspective full of enthusiasm etc, but when it comes to actually doing the job he is a joke and has no previous record of any sustainable success.
Also bald.
He won't be, as he won't have anywhere near the levels of control over player purchases that Dowie had.
Love how a few people know this . Wish I had the inside info .
Where do you get this blind faith from? I seriously can't get my head around it. Have you been living under a rock since January?
And it's not blind faith , Iv seen enough to think we're gonna start the season in a strong position on and off the field , why ? Well why not ?
Please tell me what you've seen to give you the impression that "we're gonna start the season in a strong position on the field"
Iv seen that Roland wants to build for the future RUMOUR , Iv seen that he's putting over 500k into a new pitch and he's had a part in the training ground development TRUE. The fact that we have bid over 500k for O Grady RUMOUR , we had 1.5m ready for gradel back in jan RUMOUR and km has just said they are working hard on deals and I trust they will do the right thing By learning from their mistakes of jan . Who knows what will happen but I'm not going to judge until beginning of august personally.
another bunch of facts......
1 manager sacked - would have kept us up IMO but can understand why he was let go 1 head coach not kept on - despite being a resounding success 2 important players sold in jan and not adequately replaced 2 integral players not retained at the end of the season 1 inexperienced head coach employed - still not heard a peep out of him 2 more integral players not committing as yet....not looking likely
another bunch of facts......
1 manager sacked - when we were bottom of The League and had just been knocked out of the FA Cup, live to the nation with a really poor performance.
1 head coach not kept on - because, follwoing on from a selection process, the owner felt he had a better applicant.
2 important players sold in jan who didn't want to stay at the Club, whose contracts expired in 6 months and who received decent fees for. As for their replacements, I suggest we wait and see.
2 integral players whose contracts had expired and were not retained at the end of the season because the owner felt they were replaceable. Whereas other players contracts have been renegotiated or are in the process of being renegotiated.
1 inexperienced head coach employed who RM has said the Board felt was the best fit out of the candidates they looked at - still not heard a peep out of him despite him being confrimed in the role less than 48 hours ago.
2 more integral players not committing as yet....not looking likely. That's a FACT is it? Are you their agent then?
This is an absolute no win for KM and RD. No matter what she says - and by and large it will be her as we have already been told she is RDs eyes on the club - there are a percentage of people on here and other social media channels that have decided that RD and anyone associated with him is no good for CAFC.
There are a number of posters on here who are primed to jump on any snippet of gossip, rumour or fact and pour scorn on it as it suits their anti RD agenda.
This statement is by and large a thank you to Riga and is probably reactive. So what? People moaned that nothing was said when Riga left and now they are moaning because something was said.
I don't understand the dissenters, to be honest I don't really want to. Nothing I say or RD does is going to change their thinking.
I've nailed my colours to the mast and said I'll judge when the transfer window closes. If I don't like what I see then, I'll voice my concerns.
The sooner people accept that the club is no-longer being run in a "traditional English football club" way the sooner they'll be able to start sleeping at night.
RD has his own vision and plan, he has spent so far a minimum of 14m probably much more to give him the right to realise that vision. Just because it doesn't fit with the utopia which some on here "expect" doesn't mean it won't work.
People need to keep a watching brief and if there is any reason to speak out somewhere down the line fair enough. Said before and I'll say it again RD is well in credit at the moment and ultimately for a vociferous few he will never be in credit because he a) sacked Powell and b) had the cheek to question the manager of his 14m asset in relation to key decisions.
I don't believe RD is going anywhere in the short term, so will try and buy into his vision. I still believe he'll be good for us in the long term. Nothing he has done so far suggests otherwise.
Make you right Clem.
The only thing I'd question is this: what is his vision that you're buying into? I ask because it's not clear to me.
He was a very serious candidate to get the job because he was so successful.......So said Roland's mouthpiece earlier. So the thank you for success is to not be given a contract, what an unbelievable time we are having at Charlton Athletic Football Club.
Now, I really have no inside track at all on the inner workings of the club, the Board or the mind of M Duchatelet himself. But let's look at a possible scenario for the selection of Bob Peeters as Head Coach. All of this is hypothesis and supposition, but it might have gone something like this:
1. Jose Riga was appointed on a short-term basis until the end of the season, with no commitments or expectations on either side that this would lead to a long-term appointment. It had been identified that we had an over-reliance on the long ball under Chris Powell, and it was felt that Riga would be able to improve the quality of play, enable to retain possession better and get the points needed to ensure survival, which was essential for the economic well-being of the club and the wider network. This he did, with the added benefit that his calm and measured style worked well with the players and also with the, initially, sceptical fans. He was also available at short notice, which was not the case with other potential candidates.
2. Jose Riga performed well, but in a relatively low pressure situation. He was a gamble. If CAFC went down, then it was Chris Powell's fault. If we stayed up, he was a hero. He was able to call the shots without fear. He did it very, very well, and exceeded expectations - but Riga does not have a track record of longevity in his roles. He chose to move on from Standard Liege fairly early in his tenure. What, on his cv, indicates that he was a coach who would sign up for "the whole journey:, a coach who would stick around if things got tough? Success in a short-term turnaround role does not necessarily indicate the skills and temperament needed to succeed in re-building a squad, a team, a club, in the longer term. The short-term task demands clear insight, good decision making, good team-building and motivational skills. The long-term role demands, additionally, strategic vision, resilience, ruthlessness and the ability to initiate, lead and manage change. There were question marks over Jose Riga's ability to excel in all of these competences.
3. Bob Peeters is a young, ambitious Head Coach who has impressed M Duchatelet and other observers in the Belgian game. He is regarded as talented and ambitious with the potential to go far in his career, and further than Jose Riga is seen as being capable of. He does have the full set of competencies that CAFC needs in the longer term role. Peeters has coached teams to superior performance and, whilst he has had his disappointments, these have largely been due to external factors such as key players being sold. He is bright and receptive and these setbacks will have been a valuable learning experience for him. There were other alternative candidates to Jose Riga, but Peeters was felt to have the best all-round skill set and the highest potential, to lead CAFC in this new era.
4. It is also true that Peeters understands the broader strategic vision of the network and, critically, is able to buy-into the vision of shared playing and non-playing resources adding value to all. This is critical for an effective working relationship with M Duchatelet. However, he is known not be anyone's pushover, will fight his corner and always have CAFCs best interests at the forefront of his thinking and his decisions. M Duchatelet has said that each of the clubs in the network is an autonomous entity and Peeters has made clear his intention to always pick the best available team to get results for for CAFC. After all, a successful CAFC will be of significant economic value to M Duchatelet and the network as a whole.
How much of this hypothetical scenario is true, who knows? But I suspect that some elements might be on or near the money. If it happens to be reasonably accurate, should we reasonably expect M Duchatelet or Katrien Meire to explain all this to us? No, of course not. Firstly, it could be quite damaging to Jose Riga and other coaches thought to be "in the frame". Would any of us want our perceived shortcomings to be communicated to several thousand people? Would that not leave CAFC open to potential legal action? Where I do agree with other posters, however, is that it WOULD have been appropriate for a positive communication to have been issued about Peeters' appointment outlining the reasons why he had been selected. The only half-valid reason I can see for this not being done is that it might have been used as a stick to beat them with sometime downstream. The real reason is probably more mundane, a combination of holidays, leadership vacuum and a weak communications team. Communication at the club is certainly better now than in the Jiminez/Slater era, but they still get it very wrong too often. This may be at least part of the reason for the appointment of the new communications supremo, at network level, and I hope he is watching closely and learning from the mistakes.
Comments
Why did it take them so long to come out with this rubbish anyway?
Why did Manchester United appoint David Moyes? What were the qualities they saw in him? Who else did they interview and who was involved? Did they talk to Carlo Ancelotti or Roberto Martinez? If not, why not? What was their assessment of Roberto Martinez? Can we see their attribute by attribute comparison of Moyes v Martinez? I'd be fascinated to hear the answers to these questions, but I've no right to know and I'm not holding my breath.
I could go on. This demand for an hour by hour, blow by blow account of the Club's strategy, decision making processes and actions is just absurd. We either trust them or we don't and that's up to each individual fan. I'll make my own mind up, as I'm sure will you, but I'll do so on the basis of what I see, on the actions taken and on the results delivered. That will take time and patience. In the meantime, I genuinely don't understand why so many fans have such a cynical predisposition.
There is an irony in all of this. Katrien Miere has clearly made a genuine attempt to appease the gathering hordes. If I were her I might not bother next time.
Shocked by the number of people who seem to be assuming nothing but negativity about JR going and BP taking on the role of Head Coach. I know several people who have successfully filled a role on a stop gap basis and then didn't get the job.
You don't normally recommission a project of this scale unless you at least expect to go forward with it. I assume time will tell.
I have not said I want to know who else was considered. I make no demand for hour by hour updates.
All I want to know are the relative merits of Peeters. I, and many others know very little of him. What is the problem with sharing the board's reasons for hiring him?
The Moyes comparison is a poor one. He had managed in England for a number of years. He was well known to football fans across he country and beyond. His philosophies and beliefs were there for all to see. There was an in depth interview with Bobby Charlton, an employee of the club as well as Edward Woodward where they spoke at lengths about why they employed Moyes.
To make it clear all I want is to know more about our new manager. Who should be providing that information?
I think Riga and Meire have been at the club long enough for fans to form their opinions. Perhaps some of the views on here are shared by the fanbase but I suspect that the most vehement anti Duchatelet element represent only a small minority of fans. This time last year the supporters Trust surveyed well over 2,000 fans about their attitudes and views. Perhaps they might do the same before they meet KM so that they can go out to bat with a form of mandate.
I think it is tempting for the club to withdraw from communications if all they get is the reception we saw on facebook to Peeters (not that I've seen it) or some of the comments on here. But that would be a mistake. If the club wants to be in touch with the silent majority then it has to maintain regular sincere communications about all matters on and off the pitch. There will always be some in denial or very reluctant to trust the board but unfolding events will reveal what the future holds. We will know the full squad soon enough and we will know just how competitive it is by the end of September after 10 games.
One thing we all know for sure is that if it is going horribly wrong then Duchatelet won't be shy to make changes.
Spot on in my view. Duchatelet is sincere and doing what be believes will be best for the Club, in the medium to long-term. That's not the issue. The issue, as you say, is how good his judgment is and how well he executes. The Jury is out on this and we should give him some time, but I share your caution.
Do I think he has been hard done by not to now get the job on a longer basis? Yes, I do. Because like all of us, I like the comfort of the "known knowns"!! ;-)
She has then given a brief outline of the process they went through in appointing Bob Peeters. Nothing earth-shattering, but no reason why it should be.
The same about the player situation. We know it's a serious problem and so does she. Some clubs have already started making signings, but not too many and most, if not all players will have several weeks left on their existing contracts. I am sure that we'll see movement pick up in the run-up to July 1st...hopefully we'll even get a few!
Other than that, nothing has really been added in the 7 pages of comments as no-one has any other knowledge.
I do though have a very unpleasant mental image of Katrien feeding Henry, in his best lion-coloured cardigan, with slabs of raw meat!!! *~*
“Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager. I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level.
“He also shares my belief that the most successful clubs are built by nurturing young players through a development system that provides a clear path to the First Team, thereby creating a culture that keeps them at the Club for the long term. This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/new-first-team-manager-appointed-606668.aspx
Therefore, it is not entirely unrealistic for the people in charge to explain unpopular decisions, and I expect that if the statement released by Charlton was similar to this there would be fewer 'moaners' today.
1 manager sacked - would have kept us up IMO but can understand why he was let go
1 head coach not kept on - despite being a resounding success
2 important players sold in jan and not adequately replaced
2 integral players not retained at the end of the season
1 inexperienced head coach employed - still not heard a peep out of him
2 more integral players not committing as yet....not looking likely
yes it may all end in a garden of roses but for the love of god look objectionally at the situation and it does not look good at the moment. Yes there is time for it to change but that is ALOT of change to get right
However, I think you take it too far. If we were to finish the season losing every game you would still think things are okay
1 manager sacked - when we were bottom of The League and had just been knocked out of the FA Cup, live to the nation with a really poor performance.
1 head coach not kept on - because, follwoing on from a selection process, the owner felt he had a better applicant.
2 important players sold in jan who didn't want to stay at the Club, whose contracts expired in 6 months and who received decent fees for. As for their replacements, I suggest we wait and see.
2 integral players whose contracts had expired and were not retained at the end of the season because the owner felt they were replaceable. Whereas other players contracts have been renegotiated or are in the process of being renegotiated.
1 inexperienced head coach employed who RM has said the Board felt was the best fit out of the candidates they looked at - still not heard a peep out of him despite him being confrimed in the role less than 48 hours ago.
2 more integral players not committing as yet....not looking likely. That's a FACT is it? Are you their agent then?
The only thing I'd question is this: what is his vision that you're buying into? I ask because it's not clear to me.
So the thank you for success is to not be given a contract, what an unbelievable time we are having at Charlton Athletic Football Club.
1. Jose Riga was appointed on a short-term basis until the end of the season, with no commitments or expectations on either side that this would lead to a long-term appointment. It had been identified that we had an over-reliance on the long ball under Chris Powell, and it was felt that Riga would be able to improve the quality of play, enable to retain possession better and get the points needed to ensure survival, which was essential for the economic well-being of the club and the wider network. This he did, with the added benefit that his calm and measured style worked well with the players and also with the, initially, sceptical fans. He was also available at short notice, which was not the case with other potential candidates.
2. Jose Riga performed well, but in a relatively low pressure situation. He was a gamble. If CAFC went down, then it was Chris Powell's fault. If we stayed up, he was a hero. He was able to call the shots without fear. He did it very, very well, and exceeded expectations - but Riga does not have a track record of longevity in his roles. He chose to move on from Standard Liege fairly early in his tenure. What, on his cv, indicates that he was a coach who would sign up for "the whole journey:, a coach who would stick around if things got tough? Success in a short-term turnaround role does not necessarily indicate the skills and temperament needed to succeed in re-building a squad, a team, a club, in the longer term. The short-term task demands clear insight, good decision making, good team-building and motivational skills. The long-term role demands, additionally, strategic vision, resilience, ruthlessness and the ability to initiate, lead and manage change. There were question marks over Jose Riga's ability to excel in all of these competences.
3. Bob Peeters is a young, ambitious Head Coach who has impressed M Duchatelet and other observers in the Belgian game. He is regarded as talented and ambitious with the potential to go far in his career, and further than Jose Riga is seen as being capable of. He does have the full set of competencies that CAFC needs in the longer term role. Peeters has coached teams to superior performance and, whilst he has had his disappointments, these have largely been due to external factors such as key players being sold. He is bright and receptive and these setbacks will have been a valuable learning experience for him. There were other alternative candidates to Jose Riga, but Peeters was felt to have the best all-round skill set and the highest potential, to lead CAFC in this new era.
4. It is also true that Peeters understands the broader strategic vision of the network and, critically, is able to buy-into the vision of shared playing and non-playing resources adding value to all. This is critical for an effective working relationship with M Duchatelet. However, he is known not be anyone's pushover, will fight his corner and always have CAFCs best interests at the forefront of his thinking and his decisions. M Duchatelet has said that each of the clubs in the network is an autonomous entity and Peeters has made clear his intention to always pick the best available team to get results for for CAFC. After all, a successful CAFC will be of significant economic value to M Duchatelet and the network as a whole.
How much of this hypothetical scenario is true, who knows? But I suspect that some elements might be on or near the money. If it happens to be reasonably accurate, should we reasonably expect M Duchatelet or Katrien Meire to explain all this to us? No, of course not. Firstly, it could be quite damaging to Jose Riga and other coaches thought to be "in the frame". Would any of us want our perceived shortcomings to be communicated to several thousand people? Would that not leave CAFC open to potential legal action? Where I do agree with other posters, however, is that it WOULD have been appropriate for a positive communication to have been issued about Peeters' appointment outlining the reasons why he had been selected. The only half-valid reason I can see for this not being done is that it might have been used as a stick to beat them with sometime downstream. The real reason is probably more mundane, a combination of holidays, leadership vacuum and a weak communications team. Communication at the club is certainly better now than in the Jiminez/Slater era, but they still get it very wrong too often. This may be at least part of the reason for the appointment of the new communications supremo, at network level, and I hope he is watching closely and learning from the mistakes.