In some ways, this has been a very difficult decision to make, but in others it has been a simple one.
I will always be grateful to Crystal Palace and Steve Parish for giving me the opportunity to go out with my head held high having helped keep the club in the Premier League.
More than that, they gave me a chance of rebuilding my reputation after what happened with England. I felt I needed another shot at being a Premier League manager and showing that I still had the ability to achieve something significant. As I said last weekend, Palace gave me the chance of rehabilitation.
That’s why it’s hard walking away now. I think the club are heading in the right direction with a hugely supportive board of directors, a great squad of players and some of the most passionate fans I’ve ever met. It’s been a privilege to have worked here for the past five months.
But there comes a time when you have to take stock of what direction you want your life to take - and that’s been the simple part for me.
I want to be able to savour life while I’m still relatively young and when I’m still relatively healthy enough to do all the things I want to do, like travel, spend more time with my family and grandchildren without the huge pressure that comes with being a football manager.
This is the right time for me. I have no ambitions to take another job, I simply want to be able to enjoy all the things you cannot really enjoy with the 24/7 demands of managing any football club, let alone one in the Premier League.
Steve Parish has been superb during our conversations today. I know it came as a shock to him that I would walk away but our discussions have been incredibly civilised with no recriminations and no fall-out.
This is not about transfer targets, finances or anything along those lines. This is me taking the decision I believe is right for my family and myself.
I would like to thank everybody for their messages of support since the news broke. I’ve no doubt I will miss management, but I certainly have no regrets at this decision.
Looking forward to the game tomorrow. Not really seen much of this Ajax team other than a few highlights in the EL.
Hoping Pogba will be massive. Needs to run that midfield.
Hoping Pogba will be massive. Needs to run that midfield.
That Allardyce statement really does hammer home quite how horribly all consuming being a football manager can be. Does seem like managers should consider sabbaticals more often. But then without the constant exposure they may never get another decent job.
Also, Mbappe has all but confirmed he is staying at Monaco next season. He says his family are now moving to Monaco.
By Laboured Go To PostAlso, Mbappe has all but confirmed he is staying at Monaco next season. He says his family are now moving to Monaco.He's bottled it.
By Hitch Go To PostHe's bottled it.I dunno man living in an munciplality sounds fun. Those PSG lads wouldn't have to evade taxes if they lived there
Big Sam had preventative surgery on his heart 10 years back and was hooked up to a heart rate monitor for a docu that showed he was reaching like 200bpm during games.
I think Allardyce will miss it too much personally, I think he is rightly burned out, but its what he does, he is a manager and he loves football, I can see him taking a break and then swirling in a year or twos time.
By Laboured Go To PostAlso, Mbappe has all but confirmed he is staying at Monaco next season. He says his family are now moving to Monaco.He'll probably just fly to the John Lennon Airport and back. No big deal.
I totally understand his decision. If I were in his shoes, I'd do the same thing.
When the news first broke I thought it was due to disagreements when it came to transfers or something along those lines but that statement makes it abundantly clear what's it all really about.
Pretty sure he originally intended the England NT to be his swan song.
When the news first broke I thought it was due to disagreements when it came to transfers or something along those lines but that statement makes it abundantly clear what's it all really about.
Pretty sure he originally intended the England NT to be his swan song.
I don't think Arsenal will have much trouble bringing in big names. They're still a major club and the money from the league itself is absolutely massive. If they get £50m for Alexis, that can go a decent ways as well.
Getting top 4 going forward though is going to remain a very difficult proposition every year so I think they'll feel it more next year if there's a repeat and it seems like they'll be on the outside looking in going forward. They can probably sell the concept of help us get back in next season for now.
Getting top 4 going forward though is going to remain a very difficult proposition every year so I think they'll feel it more next year if there's a repeat and it seems like they'll be on the outside looking in going forward. They can probably sell the concept of help us get back in next season for now.
Need some transfers, this is going to be a hell of a window, everyone below 2nd needs a huge swathe of improvement and signings.
By Meier Go To PostI don't think Arsenal will have much trouble bringing in big names. They're still a major club and the money from the league itself is absolutely massive. If they get £50m for Alexis, that can go a decent ways as well.
Getting top 4 going forward though is going to remain a very difficult proposition every year so I think they'll feel it more next year if there's a repeat and it seems like they'll be on the outside looking in going forward. They can probably sell the concept of help us get back in next season for now.
The idea that 2 of Spurs, Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, United are going to be outside of the top 4 in the current climate is really weird, all the clubs are pretty loaded, have huge ambitions and good managers.
What a time to be in an EL final.
By il Diavolo Go To PostThat said, I fully expect him to suddenly become world class once he wears black and white. Cunt.I very much doubt it. At best he'll get back to form from a couple of years ago, which still isn't enough for him to have a shot at the starting XI. Provided Dani Alves stays for another season. Should be a solid replacement for Lichtsteiner at least.
By Slizz Go To PostI dunno man living in an munciplality sounds fun. Those PSG lads wouldn't have to evade taxes if they lived there
By Grizzled Cola Go To Post----------Mbappe---Griezmann----------
Does this count as a saga yet? Can we post formations?
------------------Lallana----------------------
------Coutinho---------Wijnaldum-------
--------------------Can------------------------
--Milner---Lovren---Matip-----Clyne--
------------------Mignolet-------------------
By Grizzled Cola Go To Post
Does this count as a saga yet? Can we post formations?
i got one
------------Griezmann
----Me--------Slizz---------Cola
-------Pogba------Laboured
Killer7------Yurt--------Zabo----Fridge (dat Junited base lol)
--------------Romero
Treble winners easy
Laboured, Griezmann is ours whether we win or lose. But we will win.
By OneTwoTee Go To Post———-Mbappe—Griezmann———-If Klopp doesnt address your defence or gk this window with the CL to come id legit die laughing
——————Lallana———————-
——Coutinho———Wijnaldum——-
——————–Can————————
–Milner—Lovren—Matip—–Clyne–
——————Mignolet——————-
Prob would still get 4th tho
By Grizzled Cola Go To PostIf Klopp doesnt address your defence or gk this window with the CL to come id legit die laughingHe'll stick with Migs. Been pretty good this season to be fair to him. Defo getting a CB and a LB though.
Prob would still get 4th tho
By inky Go To PostSiggy to Neverton to replace Barkley. Upgrade.Gonna be incredible when he joins for half the price they sell Barkley for, despite Barkley only having a year left and being half the player.
By OneTwoTee Go To PostHe'll stick with Migs. Been pretty good this season to be fair to him. Defo getting a CB and a LB though.
Recency bias, lad. He's had a tonne of shockers this season. To assume he won't next season because he finished this season well is very silly indeed.
By Vivalapizza Go To PostWe will win and then announce Griezmann, Bernardo and Keane before the trophy is lifted.I am very curious how quickly shit goes down after the EL, would be nice to have most of our business done before pre season so we can bed them in, Imagine that is hugely important for Mou.
By OneTwoTee Go To PostHe'll stick with Migs. Been pretty good this season to be fair to him. Defo getting a CB and a LB though.Didnt you guys hate Can early season too?
By Laboured Go To PostReckon people put Griezmann up front just to fuck me off these days.well it was either Griezmann or myself and i figured you all were tired of seeing us fuck off chances so I'd let Griezmann play there lol.
By Laboured Go To PostRecency bias, lad. He's had a tonne of shockers this season. To assume he won't next season because he finished this season well is very silly indeed.Has he? Can only recall the Luiz FK and that was down to an unorganised team more than anything.
By Francis Go To PostGriezmann would play as #10, right? False nines aren't exactly José's thing.
Yeah, could play wide forward as well, either side.
By Grizzled Cola Go To PostDidnt you guys hate Can early season too?He was shit at the start of the year, but apparently he was playing with an injury, and the rest of the team wasn't doing so well either. Been much better recently and Klopp seems to like him so I think we'll stick with him.
By Grizzled Cola Go To PostI am very curious how quickly shit goes down after the EL, would be nice to have most of our business done before pre season so we can bed them in, Imagine that is hugely important for Mou.Hopefully - we were pretty efficient last summer, so with some luck.
I hope that none of the moves are dependent on players leaving. I can imagine some of the sales will take a while to figure themselves out.
Assume we will announce Ibrahimovic is not staying on soon after the final also.
By Hitch Go To PostHe's bottled it.Ever been to Monaco, it gorgeous.
By Laboured Go To PostYeah, could play wide forward as well, either side.Right.
I could see him as a 9, if needs must, but it certainly wouldn't be my preferred position. I'd rather have a full-fledged striker up top.
Belotti has me salivating at the mouth though I imagine he'll stay put in the Serie A.
Gotta wonder about the cup final in these conditions, imagine the security will be unprecedented for a football game.
By Zabojnik Go To PostI very much doubt it. At best he'll get back to form from a couple of years ago, which still isn't enough for him to have a shot at the starting XI. Provided Dani Alves stays for another season. Should be a solid replacement for Lichtsteiner at least.Hyperbole aside, I wouldn't be surprised by a mini renaissance at juve. He played his best football under Allegri, and that rapport is exactly why he's pushing for this move.
On our side this changes nothing. We need two new fullbacks regardless of whether De Sciglio stays or goes.
By Scum Go To PostUK threat level raised to highest levelBe safe, UK-SLAENT.
By Xpike Go To Posti trust in killer being a hard working fullbackHe is one of my favourite posters here. Just a swell and cheerful dude all around.
By Vivalapizza Go To PostHopefully - we were pretty efficient last summer, so with some luck.Griezmann is the only player I'm 100% sure we'll go for no matter who we already have in the squad. Have to sell Rooney before going after Bernardo.
I hope that none of the moves are dependent on players leaving. I can imagine some of the sales will take a while to figure themselves out.
Assume we will announce Ibrahimovic is not staying on soon after the final also.