It is said that every avalanche starts with a small pebble. What happens when two huge boulders get dislodged at the same time? Well, in this case, they came in quick succession rather than simultaneously – the sacking of The Special One at Stamford Bridge followed by Pep Guardiola’s premature announcement in Bavaria that he would not be renewing his contract at Bayern.
Yes, you may have noticed that I concur with Arsene Wenger’s comment that such announcements should be made only at the end of the season. However, once Pandora opened her box, there was no way to put back the spirits that were released. Perhaps Blind Hope will somehow find a way to contain the mess.
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Old Trafford hot seat gets hotter for Van Gaal
Let us begin with the man in the hottest of the seats, one whose temperature went up several degrees recently – Louis van Gaal. For a manager with a long resume of success, he really seems to have lacked a plan. Having spent a fortune on acquisitions, Van Gaal’s Manchester United seem to still be mired in a post-Moyes recovery mode.
On paper, there is ample creative talent in the team. However, it is defensive prowess that kept them in Champions League positions till the recent run of defeats. Breach United once and they seem unable to respond. With Memphis Depay misfiring on all cylinders, Anthony Martial struggling with the physicality of the EPL and Wayne Rooney out of form and out of favour, it seems like the Red Devils have pushed in all the chips – and lost!
Are Pellegrini’s and Wenger’s days numbered – for different reasons?
Stroll a few blocks down, where Manchester City stormed out of the gates at the start of the season, only to be reeled in by the pack, leaving their fans worried if they will have to drop out of the race like a rabbit.
While one can’t help feel some satisfaction that Manchester City’s profligacy and scorn for Financial Fair Play has not allowed them to buy another title, it is sad to see one as noble as Manuel Pelligrini under assault.
This is where Guardiola’s premature declaration has inflicted unfair damage, with constant rumors that he has already signed to take over at the end of the season.
Last, but not least, let us look at our own “Specialist in Failure”, finally having a heady whiff of the title, even being tapped as the favourites by the pundits. Alas, these are the same pundits who were certain of only one thing in their post-transfer window predictions – Arsenal would not win the title.
Ironically, their latest chatter is that Arsenal will win the title and Wenger will then ride off into the sunset, handing over the reins to Guardiola. Not the worst notion, but there is the small matter of winning the title that might still get in the way and we saw four very good reasons at St Mary’s why Arsenal may not yet be ready to take the crown.
Where do Mourinho and Guardiola go from here?
Where would Mourinho and Pep fit in best? If one looks at Mourinho’s background, the Manchester City slot would be very similar to his two previous jobs at Chelsea and Real Madrid – star-studded teams backed by deep war chests and a willingness to spend whatever it takes to win.
United, where the rumors of his imminent appointment run strongest, have less of both – stars and a war chest. Still, it would not be unlike his challenge at Inter Milan. However, the real question is whether Mourinho would bring something new.
His problem at both Real and Chelsea has been that he has shackled his talent with his ultra-cautious, defensive approach. It is one that earns titles but soon wears on the players in his charge. If one looks at Van Gaal’s stint at United, he has done exactly the same thing. What about Mourinho at the Emirates? Thinking outside the box, a bit of defence and discipline may be exactly what the Gunners need.
Guardiola apparently is all but signed by Manchester City – keep your checkbook in your pocket, Mr Roman Abramovich. Moneywise, the only ones who could afford him would be City or Chelsea. Not so much his own contract, but the transfer chest that he would demand for each season.
Style-wise, I can’t see Guardiola working for the Russian oligarch, can you? City offer almost the same ingredients that Bayern Munich did and he would cherish the challenge of making them contenders in the Champions League. Indeed, I would demand that in return for Guardiola’s demands if I were the Man City Sheikh.
However, if you consider the playing style and system, the easiest fit for Guardiola would be Arsenal. The big challenge would be to get Silent Stan Kroenke to loosen the purse strings – no, to get rid of the purse strings altogether, for that is what Guardiola is used to. Be careful what you wish for.
Even if the stars aligned so Wenger gets his title and decides to ride off into the sunset and Pep got his terms, could Gooners suddenly come to terms with a 3-year coach and standing reservations on the managerial merry-go-round?
