So, I finally found the article containing KFA's approaching of Gross by Okaz news, and it certainly does look reputable and not bogus. Using the google translation, it seems that the KFA is only looking to use Gross for the WCQs only. In that case, the KFA better look elsewhere or let Stielike ride out his contract.
Well, this is what some of you monsters wanted: to fire "Shitlike" or "Shitler" at all costs over two bad games that we didn't even lose
As I've said before, they definitely seem to be cooking up something. Interestingly enough though, I am only seeing rehash of the same news in the Saudi media and tweets whilst the headlines of the KFA denying the rumors on our end have stopped, and no mentions of it on any other media outlets around the world.
There's a rumor stating that it was from Gross' side spreading the groundless rumor. The KFA better be right about not having approached Gross because that's going another step backwards. On the other hand though, the Ciro Ferrara rumors turned out to be true.
Well, look at it this way. The KFA is aware of the inevitable so they know they have to sack him on Oct 12 - - so they're looking for a replacement now since the process takes time.
We've already been discussing it roughly 3-4 pages ago. Despite the KFA denying the Gross rumor, it is certain that they are on the move for alternative plans in any case all else fails with Stielike, and as well as Stielike is well aware right now that he has no time and room for fcuk ups next month. However, in terms of management replacements, there are other available options to choose from, but the KFA will always use "money" as an excuse for failure to bringing in better options when in reality they have enough money to reel in a decent name. Again, if the KFA are looking to replace Stielike with another manager in hopes of qualifying for a 9th World Cup appearance, then they must bring in a decent name at all cost, otherwise we're better off with letting Stielike ride out his contract rather than going for a manager who's of the same caliber of Stielike or worse.
I don't think firing Stielike would necessarily be a mistake. But hiring Christian Gross would almost certainly be one.
Even if the opponents were often low class Asian teams, I think this is a good record. Too good to sack him for another average manager like Gross. But this chart shows that we must invest more in friendlies against bigger opponents. That's the real problem imo. How can you improve the team if you only face easy sides?
That's the oddest thing about the whole thing with your federation. You guys have no problem with TV rights, have great sponsors, manage to play against some of the best teams in the world via friendlies which costs quite a bit. But when it comes to managers the issue of "money" always pops up when infact your federation should be loaded and easily even afford a 10 million salary for the top job.
Tbh, I don't even think we 'need' a super expensive manager. I mean someone like Gunes probably wouldn't have broken the bank, but he would have been a smart choice.
Totally agree. KFA was willing to spend more than $ 2 million just for a friendly match against Spain. This is something we cannot handle it now. Also no problem with TV rights, Sponsors, etc unlike us but when it comes to choosing a foreign manager, KFA is very stingy. Money was the main reason that Bert Van Marwijk turned down Korea offer. When Van Marwijk coached Netherlands his annual salary was $ 2700000. KFA probably did not offer him more than $ 1 million per year and he also had to pay the tax. So that is why he rejected Korea offer. On the other hand, no need to get a very expensive coach and most of that money can be spend on youth development and teams. Gunes coached in K league and he is currently coaching in UEFA champions league. He coached his country too. He does not break the bank. So he is an ideal choice for Korea NT. I think For KFA, the nationality played a key role in hiring Stielike and not even considering Gunes for the job. Except the bolded sentence, the same can be said about Zlatko Kranjcar. He is currently coaching Dinamo Zagreb in UEFA champions league. He coached his country Croatia and also Montenegro. He coach in Iran league (IPL). He does not break the bank either. So I thought he was a smart choice for us after the last WC/AC. I think he is a smart choice after the end of CQ era.
Well, the yearly budget of the KFA was around $90 million in 2010 and is probably around $100 million today. The KFA supposedly invests a huge portion of its budget - roughly a quarter of the total at around $20-30 million - on youth programs every year. They also spend a lot of money on developing and maintaining the footballing infrastructure of the country from top to bottom. Add in payroll for the execs/employees, cost of training and educating new personnel/managers, etc. and you can understand why they can't pay $10 million a year. The KFA also only receives about $100k annually in funding from the government. The KFA has fcked many things up but they've been fairly good with their funds. It's almost entirely self-sufficient and they've never really had any major problems related to money.