I hear a lot of people say 'we need a proven prem manager' as if there's plenty of these 'proven' types around. Who can we realistically attract who is proven? Any manager who has not already failed or is 'proven' will probably be snapped up by Everton who are a bigger club and bigger payers than us. And if not them, then someone in the top 6.
We are going to have to have a manager who has either a) failed at some point in the prem or b) Is not yet experienced in the prem....
Alladyce - Probably the most obvious (as proven), but he's just quit Palace and stated he wants an international job next so I think he's out. He also got the chop at Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham..whether he failed or not is subjective
Koeman - Played nice football at Southampton, integrated youth players. Failed at Everton.
Pardew - God help us. Plucked out of nowhere to be Newcastle manager, had a rocky few years with them. Failed at Palace. Somehow he is odds on.
Michael O'Neil - Never managed anywhere near prem club level. Style of football may be similar to Pulis
Nigel Pearson - Might be a good manager, awful with the media. Sacked by Leicester
McInnes - Failed at Bristol City. Never managed in the prem
Craig Shakespeare - Managed only a short time in the prem. Sacked by Leicester
So these seem to be the favourites for the job. Almost all have failed at some point. The 'proven' prem manager isn't out there. So why not pick someone who hasn't failed yet whatever level he has managed at? But has had success as a manager, who has a good football philosophy and who will integrate our impressive younger players. Every managerial pick is a risk, lets be bold.
Graham Potter is doing well in Sweden, according to Swedishbaggie, his team plays good football. He knows the club having played for us.
If not him then why not go all out for Chris Wilder? He has been promoted from every level from conference up and is 2nd with Sheff Utd in the Championship now. Those leagues are bloody tough to get out of and he has obviously got a winning mentality.
So there you are, if it was me I'd go for Wilder or Potter.
No doubt Pardew will get appointed tomorrow.....