@powmillnaemore - A job on TeessideLive awaits....
(Meanwhile for me after a day largely spent in front of the TV watching Rugby - and a quick fix for the log burner - the interval in a "gig" - "Alchemy:Live". Band coming on again now ...
@simonfallaha - Your post at 10.45pm yesterday ... you don't see stuff like this on many other football blogs, do you? This gives you exemption from having to tick (check, if you are from the USA) the box asking for confirmation you are not a robot (or AI).
@original-fat-bob I am not sure how impressive Mr Wicky’s Coaching CV is.
He has been out of work for sometime it appears. WBA thought he was going to join them, when Carlo Corberan left for Valencia last January.
However is was muted at the time by the BBC, that negotiations over his assistant Coaches could not be agreed.
Aiden Morris on in the 75th minute for USA against Paraguay and Alfie Jones not used in Canada's game against Ecuador. Have to wonder the benefit of taking players long distances and not giving them a game in a friendly.
Raphael Wicky's tactical approach is characterized by a possession-based, technically focused style that emphasizes intensity, positional discipline, and quick transitions. His teams are known for building from the back and fast counter-attacks. While he has used formations like the 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-3-1-2, his preferred formation is often cited as the 1-4-4-2 diamond. He also coaches with a strong focus on creating positive energy and maintaining a clear, but respectful, culture of high standards.
OFB
Raphael Wicky is an interesting one. The most colourful name by far and he looks like a younger Morrissey if his online pix are up-to-date. So, pretty cool.
His managerial record is nothing to shout about at all though and you wonder how (his agent presumably. Or Scott?) he bagged an interview. He was sacked from his last job 20 months ago and there is little out there to say what he has been doing since. You wonder how he might build any credibility with the players - needed - from such a start.
It would be good to know more about Raphael.
It made me wonder though about Regis LeBris who had an almost identical record of under achievement in the lower European leagues before joining the Mackems. And who wouldn't want him as their boss now?
I have no basis for suggesting Raphael might be of a similar calibre, but the domestic candidates for the job are uninspiring indeed and maybe we'll end up with a left-field option.
Regis and Raphael in the north-east, who'd have thought it?
Just as an aside... talking of artificial intelligence, I just read this exchange this morning on Airforce One as Trump talked to reporters about speculation over his health...
Trump: "I had an MRI. The doctor said it was the best result he has ever seen as a doctor… The result was outstanding."
However, when he was asked if the MRI scan was of his brain, the president replied he has "no idea" and added: "But whatever they analysed, they analysed it well and they said I had as good a result as they’ve ever seen."
Interestingly, Young Boys sacked Wicky in early March 2024 after three successive defeats saw their lead in the Swiss Super League drop to just one point - with just one win from his last 7 games. Sporting Director, Christopher Spycher, apparently cited as the reason was the club needed fresh energy. Young Boys then appointed U21 team coach, Joël Magnin, as caretaker until the end of the season and they won the title.
Incidentally, Magnin was replaced the following season by Patrick Rahmen, who only lasted until October and then once again he became caretaker but only until just before Christmas 2024 when they appointed Giorgio Contini - who himself was sacked two weeks ago and replaced by Gerardo Seoane, who had previously been Young Boys manager between 2018-21.
So Wicky has not had a job since March 2024 but it certainly sounds like if you lose a few games at Young Boys then you're out the door!
@werdermouth Unfortunately, this head hunting does not bode well for the final choice.
As I posted previously, it is looking very much like, it’s going to be a lucky dip and the best out of a bad bunch choice.
Safest bet, probably OGS. Then after reading his Wiki account, I am not sure. He has only managed six months in nearly the last four years, recently with Besiktas. ☹️
David Wagner anyone? Got Norwich into the top six and lost out in the play off semi finals to Leeds.
He offers experience of the Championship and is currently out of work following his dismissal from Norwich in May 2024; perhaps a better option than a manager who does not know the Championship? 😎
Yes that lack of recent managerial employment of Solskjaer does seem to be a problem after only lasting 6 months at Besiktas - The Championship is quite intense and you have to wonder if he's ready for that.
I've been of the view that Boro basically need someone who is good to go and knows what they are doing and can hit the ground running - So the likes of Solskaer, Wicky and Gerrard are not in that bracket for me.
Of course there also the risk of a recently sacked manager still being not fully fresh for the challenge. Hard to pick a favourite from those who have been listed so far and nobody really jumping out.
It may well be a gamble whoever gets chosen and I suspect Viveash will be a key man for the rest of the season - perhaps the club will be looking for a positive motivator and front man with the key work being done behind the scenes.
Yes, the common theme seems to be potential managers who have not done a lot of managing recently. And I did think of Sunderland's manager when I read the posts about Raphael Wicky (definitely a name made up for the Wikipedia Age). Sunderland certainly seems to have bagged a good 'un and I, for one, applaud the club for that and hope it turns out well. It's always good to see another team burst into the sunlight rather than just having the same clubs monopolising the upper reaches of the Premier League.
Not a bad shout given the options and another manager who was sacked by Young Boys for not winning the title - though he does have Jurgen Klopp as a contact! His style of football sounds close to Edwards as he favours a high-energy high-press with emphasis on quickly winning the ball back. I think you may be onto something there...
btw David Wagner only recently became head of youth development at RB Leipzig where Jurgen Klopp is head of global soccer at Red Bull - so maybe unlikely to be available.
@werdermouth. B…ger you had to go and spoil it Werder! 😉😎
Re Alfie Jones - apparently there was a delay in his Canadian citizenship
I have always thought that some of the leading candidates for the job, such as Rodgers, O' Neil, Gerrard etc would be unlikely to accept a situation which put them in a position of structured subordination to a Director of Football and his recruitment team.
The conflicts which arose between the Director of Football and such seasoned pros as Warnock and Wilder were resolved for the future by the simple expedient of abolishing the role of Manager. The new role of Head Coach was a demotion signifying that the new man would be the hired hand who carried out longer-term policies and an agenda decided elsewhere.
I was somewhat surprised that someone with Carrick's pedigree would be willing to accept such a diminished role, particularly as he did so after reportedly speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson. The old Stalinist's recipe for success he always attributed to "Control, control, control", but Carrick may have felt that coaching was his real strength and that he was happy to leave the more administrative roles of the traditional manager to someone else.
Edwards was happy to accept a more subordinate role for obvious reasons, though he did not accept it for very long.
But the Wicky situation is no surprise since it seemed likely that in order to preserve its current structure the club might have to look to Europe where the role of head coach, more easily employed and released (ie fired), is the norm.
Btw the last person described as giving a brilliant presentation interview, I seem to remember, was Jonathon Woodgate
I don't think it's big problem these days to be given the 'head coach' title instead of 'manager' as most clubs have restructured that way. For example, Arne Slot was given the head coach title when he joined Liverpool after they restructured - also head coaches are Maresca at Chelsea, Unai Emery at Villa and Ruben Amorin at Man Utd.
Interestingly, Arteta was originally given the head coach title but that changed to 'first team manager' a year later to reflect his influence - apparently Pep Guadiola is both head coach and manager.
I suppose ultimately whether you're a head coach or manager you report to somebody above you - but perhaps what would be litmus test is whether you can appoint and fire your fellow coaches or if that's down to the Director of Football.
Although, given how long head coaches/managers last at a club these days, it's probably better that they don't have complete power at a club to change everything to fit them rather than having to fit into a club
Yes, I think Brendan Rogers has always been a manager and wouldn't probably bow to having to not be in control - perhaps that makes him not a realistic option at Boro as I presume they wouldn't give him total authority given how Scott and the head of recruitment, Chris Jones, now operate.
But yes it's an added dimension to finding the right man to lead Boro!
I really do like the look of Wicky as a manager. What we would be missing, however, is the experience of a head coach who has already won promotion from the Championship. I'm convinced this is one reason why promotion in 2015-16 was such a struggle - Sean Dyche (then Burnley), Chris Hughton (then Brighton) and Steve Bruce (then Hull) all had one second tier promotion, at least, under their belts. On the other hand, we still did it, and we attained our best results of the century in any division, so there you go.
Speaking of Bruce, I've just found that he departed Crystal Palace after only around five months in the job to take charge of Birmingham, back in 2001. And Palace were well placed, having won over 60% of their games. So "incidents" like REGate are perhaps more common than we think. It just hurts more when your club is directly affected...
As far as I can see, every Premier League club has someone called Director of Football or Sporting Director or Technical Director. Also 18 of the 24 Championship clubs do.
@lenmasterman : I think, Len, the expression "did well in the interview" may carry similar weight to "he's been performing well in training".
Raphael Wicky now 2/5 favourite, that is the shortest odds of anybody since Edwards left.
Announcement next couple of days anybody ?
Got to hand it to OFB if it happens, he has been all over it for the past few days or so.
@presidentjump Maybe there were Wicky leaks…
Watched the ROI game today Azaz was outstanding, involved in everything, played a more deep 10 , but he was running around id never seen.
I have to say I've recently watched a lot of Euro club cup games as well as International games , and I've been very impressed with players from lets say unfashionable global teams, their technical abilities and speed of thought is top notch, even physically they can compete, now could they cope with 38 or 46 games in England,I don't know , what I do know ,I hope Boro are tracking these guys, we are way off the Asian market,
COB
I do not expect an appoinment of a head coach at Boro this week. The end of next week is more probable.
Hartlepool United have sacked manager Simon Grayson after four months in charge at the National League club on 12 October. So a month earlier than when Wolves appointed Edwards on 12 November.
Hartlepool are yet to appoint a successor to Simon Grayson. As they have had at least 12 managers since 2020, they should have a good and fast system to hire a manager.
Or perhaps the Pools opt quantity over quality. And quite frankly, their owner Raj SinghIs is not attracting people like Steve Gibson does. Perhaps even the opposite.
Hence I think there won't be any news from Rockcliffe this week. Perhaps not even the foĺowing week. Up the Boro!
@jarkko i am hoping this week, preferably next few days, however, content to wait to get the right person in.
Just a thought but if it was to be Wicky i am sure he would need to return home first to get his personal matters into place before taking up the role.
@presidentjump According to the Echo, Boro hierarcy is just talking generally with some applicants - so first round proper is still in the horizon. So more interviews and perhaps applicants are needed. So I won't expect anyone to be announced this week. UP the Boro!
Kim Hellburg verbally agreed to join the Boro according to Teesside Live.
An in work head coach.