Managing Director Football: Fabio Paratici

[s_purs]

Very early days but looking like we possibly dodged a bullet with the one many many of us wanted in Ten Haag.

I know you said early days, but I wouldn't write him off yet, as the whole club has been rotten for years. Still think there's a star manager in there

 

[dontcallme]

I know you said early days, but I wouldn't write him off yet, as the whole club has been rotten for years. Still think there's a star manager in there

I think it’s really important for managers to pick good jobs if they are to have a career.

Lambert did a cracking job at Colchester and Norwich. But going to Villa and Blackburn when they were an absolute mess really fucked up his career prospects.

You can do a very good job at Utd and get them top four and win a domestic trophy but then they’ll move the goalposts and decide Utd is bigger than that.

It’s a bad job for an ambitious manager to take.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I know you said early days, but I wouldn't write him off yet, as the whole club has been rotten for years. Still think there's a star manager in there

I’m with you. He’s had a rude awakening to the prem - the importance of physicality, no easy games, pragmatism at times, playing to your strengths etc…

But with time he’ll learn I’d guess. The truth is, like any job, you get better with time and experience. It’s why throwing yourself in at the deep end can be counter productive if this situation isn’t right

 

[McArchibald]

Leaving the Ten Hag evaluations for the United thread, I do think their mess underlines the value that a good DoF can bring to a club. We ourselves had been drifting aimlessly after Poch left and if you apply fix upon fix without a clear plan and an architect to see it through, that bad situation can quickly become much worse.
Luckily, and after years of quiet resistance by Daniel Levy, we have now gone that route as well and the results are already manifesting themselves. Because on-field success doesn't just happen - not in this day and age. It requires planning and a long-term vision.

 

[Roberts84]

I’m with you. He’s had a rude awakening to the prem - the importance of physicality, no easy games, pragmatism at times, playing to your strengths etc…

But with time he’ll learn I’d guess. The truth is, like any job, you get better with time and experience. It’s why throwing yourself in at the deep end can be counter productive if this situation isn’t right

He hasn’t had much time with the players or has the right players for his system. When he joined Ajax, he joined a club with a football philosophy and identity that ran through the club, which matched his own. Utd don’t know what they are at the moment. Under Fergie they brought through youngsters with the clubs DNA at the heart of it. The players they bought also fitted their system, I can’t recall them ever buying a player for the sake of it. They currently seem to spend big on players that they don’t need or give high wages for older players that just added nothing to the club. They are in a right mess. I can see more clubs leaning to the continental football director route like we have to try and get the entire footballing side of the club pulling in the same direction.

 

[he is you know!]

He hasn’t had much time with the players or has the right players for his system. When he joined Ajax, he joined a club with a football philosophy and identity that ran through the club, which matched his own. Utd don’t know what they are at the moment. Under Fergie they brought through youngsters with the clubs DNA at the heart of it. The players they bought also fitted their system, I can’t recall them ever buying a player for the sake of it. They currently seem to spend big on players that they don’t need or give high wages for older players that just added nothing to the club. They are in a right mess. I can see more clubs leaning to the continental football director route like we have to try and get the entire footballing side of the club pulling in the same direction.

Deja vu!

 

[$hoguN]

I think Paratici, Levy and Conte atm are a clear demonstration of the importance of everyone pulling in the same direction

 

[spursfan77]

I think Paratici, Levy and Conte atm are a clear demonstration of the importance of everyone pulling in the same direction

and knowing what they are doing.

Levy, Poch & Hitchen were pulling in the same direction it seemed yet their recruitment got us in a world of shit.

 

[Tucker]

I think Paratici, Levy and Conte atm are a clear demonstration of the importance of everyone pulling in the same direction

It really helps that there’s a clear vision of what we want to do, how we want to play, and what we need to achieve that.

In the past we might have been tempted to just sign Eriksen or Dybala and just fit them in somehow. It’s clear we have a profile of player that we want/need and if someone is available that doesn’t fit that mould we don’t push the button.

 

[dontcallme]

I think Paratici, Levy and Conte atm are a clear demonstration of the importance of everyone pulling in the same direction

Our Triumvirate.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I know you said early days, but I wouldn't write him off yet, as the whole club has been rotten for years. Still think there's a star manager in there

Oh yea not writing him off at all only 2 games and club and dressing room are rotten to the core ? I really really wanted him at spurs and do rate him but have to say as some said when we interviewed him, his personality does seem pretty dry.

 

[mil1lion]

It's a good job we're able to back Paratici and Conte though. Having them both has come at the right time with the stadium open. Otherwise you can be certain Utd would snap them both up. Just like Chelsea taking Arnesen from us. We're showing the signs of a top club now. We just need to keep backing them and give them the freedom to build their vision.

 

[JacoZA]

It's a good job we're able to back Paratici and Conte though. Having them both has come at the right time with the stadium open. Otherwise you can be certain Utd would snap them both up. Just like Chelsea taking Arnesen from us. We're showing the signs of a top club now. We just need to keep backing them and give them the freedom to build their vision.

According to The Athletic, they did look into him and passed as they were told he‘d be even more demanding than Jose. So I really doubt they would go for him, especially considering how he’s basically forced Levy and co. to adapt to his ways rather than the other way around. I don’t think Utd. would be willing to do that, and he’d just end up telling them to get bent post haste.

 

[greavesy461]

For me the most telling non-transfer this summer was Dybala. In the past we would have (and were) all over that. A top player in a position we were looking to add depth. This time we said “no, he’s not the right style of player” and moved on.

 

[Locotoro]

I know you said early days, but I wouldn't write him off yet, as the whole club has been rotten for years. Still think there's a star manager in there

I think he's a very good manager....but he's incredibly naive.
So many things just scream to me of an Arteta type mentality (ie the system is more important than the circumstances).

To bring in and play a 5"9" CB and to see the first two games that he's lack of physicality has been targeted is criminal as a manager at this level. What's worse is he was playing on the same side as Shaw (5"9) and just behind Fred who is (5"7).

They had 67% possession and created 1 big chance.

Everyone remembers our fightback against Ajax in the UCL Semi whilst Ten Haag was their manager. But what you may not remember is that 2 of our goals came from long balls which the back line didn't get a head to and the more we peppered the defence with longer passes the more they struggled, then in the 91st minute he brings on his 6"1 CB Magellan and puts him on....Lucas Moura (not Llorente who was being really poorly handed by De Ligt)

Ten Haag is not a manager that can read the balance of a game very well.

 

[Timberwolf]

A lot of Juve fans were critical of Paratici's squad building towards the end, with players like Rabiot, Ramsey and Artur all signed on mega wages then not coming remotely close to expectations.

So far it seems like he's learned his lessons and, even if he signs a few duds, Romero, Kulu and Bentancur alone are probably the best 3 signings we've made in about 7-8 years so we're well above par. Hard to see players like Bissouma and Perisic not doing well too.

I get the impression that Paratici and Conte work very well as a pairing as Conte keeps him in check by being so clear about what he wants. If Paratici was left to his own devices I wonder if we'd end up with some late-era Juve signings and/or dodgy managers like Nuno/Gattuso.

 

[mil1lion]

According to The Athletic, they did look into him and passed as they were told he‘d be even more demanding than Jose. So I really doubt they would go for him, especially considering how he’s basically forced Levy and co. to adapt to his ways rather than the other way around. I don’t think Utd. would be willing to do that, and he’d just end up telling them to get bent post haste.

When would it come a time where they would change their minds though? I could see Utd more willing for a manager like that if he was available given their needs. Still early for Ten Haag but if it doesn't work out I think they go looking for a big name manager as they get desperate to return to the top.

 

[JacoZA]

When would it come a time where they would change their minds though? I could see Utd more willing for a manager like that if he was available given their needs. Still early for Ten Haag but if it doesn't work out I think they go looking for a big name manager as they get desperate to return to the top.

I believe we will find out sooner rather than later. Fan unrest at that club will go supernova if they don’t do good business before the window shuts and results fail to improve.

 

[rossdapep]

and knowing what they are doing.

Levy, Poch & Hitchen were pulling in the same direction it seemed yet their recruitment got us in a world of shit.

Don't think they were pulling in the same direction as much as we think.

Poch seemed to be getting fed up with Levy and the situation at the club. His interviews were getting less and less optimistic when asked about transfers in his latter years

Hitchen just seemed to be a yes man. Like he put players forward but if Levy or Poch rejected his ideas, he just accepted it, which sometimes isn't great.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

A lot of Juve fans were critical of Paratici's squad building towards the end, with players like Rabiot, Ramsey and Artur all signed on mega wages then not coming remotely close to expectations.

So far it seems like he's learned his lessons and, even if he signs a few duds, Romero, Kulu and Bentancur alone are probably the best 3 signings we've made in about 7-8 years so we're well above par. Hard to see players like Bissouma and Perisic not doing well too.

I get the impression that Paratici and Conte work very well as a pairing as Conte keeps him in check by being so clear about what he wants. If Paratici was left to his own devices I wonder if we'd end up with some late-era Juve signings and/or dodgy managers like Nuno/Gattuso.

I think you’ve nailed it tbh. Paratici is good but it’s he and Conte together which is the dream ticket, we need to keep that together for as long as possible.

Swap conte for a different manager who isn’t as clear on the profile of player he wants and isn’t as astute and careful in the recruitment and the results could be a lot more hit and miss whereas right now it’s mostly hits