Next Manager - Ivic Confirmed

Didn't he even take a pay cut or something similar just so he could play?

 

Yes, I believe that we loaned him out to Derby as he was close to activating some kind of appearance bonus which we couldn’t afford. He then renegotiated his contract so he could play.

 

Memorably scored for Derby against us while still a Watford player!

 

Wasn’t that the last game of the season, I’m sure we won. I think I remember the Derby fans had lots of inflatables with them.

 

Getting a woman in Derby is nigh on impossible.

 

Wouldn’t have thought so - Struber picked Senft when he was at Vienna off a shortlist; he’d likely do the same should he get the job

 

Some other people on this forum have suggested that Adam Leventhal may no longer have access to information from inside Watford. I do not know, but I must admit that I wondered - when reading "Why Watford have not yet hired a head coach" plus other recent articles in the Athletic - whether he is still ITK. A great deal of the information in that article was either already known or could have been surmised. However, he is probably the best source that we have had since the retirement of Oliver Phillips and the recruitment of Kevin Affleck by the club.

 

And Burnsy now of course

 

I think he’s got sources - but he gets fed what the club are prepared to let him know.

 

You've forgotten ITK Tim,Tom,Ming,Ping and of course Pong!

 

“Last season, Gerhard was writing his diploma for the UEFA Pro Licence and his topic was something I have given lectures about. We were put in touch, we met for a coffee and we had a very good chat. We kept in touch and, when the season finished and my contract was running out at Austria Vienna, he took over at Wolfsberger and brought me in as coach. Then we both came to Barnsley.” (Max Senft quoted in the Barnsley Chronicle)

"Having previously worked with Austria Vienna prior to his move to Wolfsberger AC, Max built up a strong relationship with Struber in their homeland and his tactical knowledge and use of football analytics is considered a huge part of their success at Wolfsberger." (Barnsley FC website) It is difficult to judge how important was the role played by Senft in their success at Barnsley last season.

 

Clearly AL is not Gino's righthand man. He doesn't have anymore knowledge within Watford than any other journalist I suspect. However, he's not some chancer who just posts things without reason. He works for SkySports or did...not sure if he's still with them, but he's obviously got good contacts within the game.

Watford are quite a closed unit. The team is small and very guarded. It makes it very difficult for anyone to know what's going on, but he must know people that are on the fringes who he trusts. This is where I think he gets a lot of information from. Today's announcement about Giraldi leaving his post seemed pretty certain. When he's guessing he uses words like "it's believed" or "it's expected" before a sentence.

Where he can get good scoops is from player agents. There are usually two sides to a transfer. The selling club and buying club. Now Watford are secretive, but it doesn't mean the other club is. This is how stories leak out and I think this is how he gets a lot of his information. Of course the club throws him a bone every now and then, like the kit release date being tomorrow. I've not seen that posted anywhere else, so the club must have told him this.

 

So is it saying its edging more towards Struber or not?

 

It does seem like he'll have been a loss for sure. That would definitely put an extra doubt in my mind about Struber.

 

The article? Not as such.

The crux of the article:

• Some members of the clubs hierarchy are on holiday.
  
• The clubs outlook is ‘rest, reflect and don’t rush’ and as such an appointment isn’t expected until next week some time.
• Informal discussions with candidates are ongoing and the owner, chairman and Giaretta will settle unanimously on a final candidate and the settle final contractual matters.
• A series of interviews is unlikely.
  
• Struber and Ivic first names mentioned as ‘leading candidates’ and suggests both will be waiting to hear news of our plans.
  
• Both are at home in Salzburg and Greece. Ivic has other offers whilst Struber could be offered a new deal at Barnsley.
• Giaretta on ‘cusp’ of replacing Giraldi as Technical Director - Giraldi will move into a new position possible focussed on scouting.

 

Keep trying.

 

I was also thinking that most of what Leventhal was saying was just basically summarising what has already been said on this forum, does he really know any more than the rest of us?

I'm not so sure he does

 

Thank you for that.

 

There has been a lot of talk on here about Struber becoming our new manager, but I would be a little concerned if we do appoint him. The main reason being that his right hand man has quit and gone back to Austria, apparently for family reasons.

I'm talking about Senft who a lot of people have been saying might well have been the power behind the throne? Therefore would it be safe to appoint Struber without his right hand man, you have to wonder

 

Excellent point. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned this before.

 

It's not that there are no women. It's that they are all bearded like the men, so it's hard to tell them apart.

 

This is very interesting, where did you get this information from?

 

I read it either on line or in a paper, but before you ask I can't remember exactly where

 

I can help him you with this one. It was online. On this thread. About 10 comments before you made it.

 

Nice Tolkien reference.

 

So it is, but that is not here I saw it, I saw it last week sometime, but as I said I'm not sure where

 

"Not more ****ing elves!"

 

Can't wait for Andre Gray to be defeated by the Balrog and become Andre White.

 

This is my favourite ever LOTR / WFC crossover post.

 

Was this just after he yells at Mariappa "You cannot pass!"?

 

I see the latest link is to some Dutch
douchebag who got chucked by Brentford after 10 games

Exciting times

 

I think that started from another fake account, @Jacquel24715113.
She's a 'Former EFL football agent. Mother of 3 beautiful kids. Brentford local team but Arsenal are my one true love. Views are my own'

My favourite tweet of hers was this one -

New frontrunner in Bournemouth's manager race as the Cherries have offered Watfor captain Troy Deeney the managers position. He is keen to continue playing, more to follow. #wfc #afcb
(https://twitter.com/Jacquel24715113/status/1291486867414818817?s=20)

I'm gutted she hasn't followed up with more news yet!

 

The Pozzos must have been impressed by his longevity

 

I've noticed that Struber is drifting on the odds front.