Hi,
This is my first post and I was interested in gathering people's thoughts on a suggestion for the next manager at our club:
The board made a suggestion that nobody out of work is suitable to the job, but I seem to disagree.
There are a few managers that I think would be a success wearing the navy suit, brown brogues and club tie.
The popular choice being Frank De Boer. But I'd also like to make a case for Martin Jol. I have seen his name mentioned a few times already in this post.
He has been out of work for the last 18 months, where he left Egyptian side Al Ahly as league champions.
Possibly the fact his last post was in Egypt is the reason that he has been forgotten, and not discussed when managerial posts become vacant.
Jol is well known for his successful spells at Spurs and Fulham. Finishing his two full seasons with spurs in 5th place, and finishing his two seasons at Fulham in 9th and 12th place.
Jol has two Dutch Cup successes to his name but unfortunately not the Eredivise title. He finished one point behind FC Twente in his closest attempt. In that same season Ajax won 14 consecutive games at the end of the season, and posted a record goal difference in Dutch football, double the goal difference of the next best team's. This shows a manager with the tactical nous to open up teams to score goals, but be defensively tough to score against.
I also think he is a realistic appointment and affordable.
If we are looking for managers who have a proven success at winning trophies we have to define that success. Managers who have won recognisable leagues such as top European leagues are likely to be out of our budget. Caixinha had a proven record of delivering trophies but he was doing this at a level lesser than or club demands. And if he had been winning trophies and leagues in a decent European league (i.e. Portugal, Netherlands, even English championship) he may have demanded too high a salary.
Martin Jol has delivered a high level of success with regards to his managed club's expectations. This might not be trophies but success is success.
I'd like to think he should be contacted by our club as a potential candidate, so we can assess. And maybe one day he can proudly wear the navy suit, brown brogues and club tie.
I also think we should open talks with Frank De Boer, and maybe also Cristoph Daum (another not mentioned by the media). A conversation will at least determine if these three individuals are right for the job and if they are interested. In my opinion, all three of these managers have a better trophy success and CV than Derek McInnes.
What are your thoughts?