We've talked in the other threads about the lack of quality club football managers, national team managers are even worse. Who is the best manager at the World Cup, or is that like the tallest dwarf or the most honest lawyer/politician or the most intelligent sp*rs fan? US fans want Berhalter out. Southgate is consistently questioned. van Gaal seems to be holding Netherlands back. Deschamps won it all and I think he's terrible, France wins despite him because Mpabbe is just that good.
This is painfully obvious. It also makes me wonder whether Balogun will factor USMNT’s weak attacking options when choosing which NT to play for. England are 6 strong in attack right now, and Toney is next in line. So Balogun would seem likely to think he has better chances for more playing time and bigger impact with USMNT. A lot will depend on how both teams progress in the knockout stages. If the USMNT somehow manages to make it to the quarterfinals, then that will seem to add more impetus to select them. And if England somehow wins this WC, then Balogun could likely conclude that expectations are too high to duplicate in 2026.
His 1st half strategy has been good for every game. 2nd half adjustments & subs have generally been poor and his general refusal to play Gio Reyna. There is also a good bit of questions about the roster he selected (1 LB & 4 RBs foe example). Similar to Berhalter, his roster selection, scheme, lineups & subs are just weird at times, especially during qualification. Think they are (like France) winning despite him. 100% agree. Their opening game lineup was weird as hell and the team looks incredible boring. Think the US has a reasonable chance of knocking them out on Sat.
I like that thinking! It's just not really clear to me the Flo is gonna be the superior striker the USA so badly needs.
Don't really follow them, so REALLY hope you're right. And I also hope there isn't a win-one-for-the-Gipper thing going on with LVG during this cup. p.s. Good luck today mate (Edit: oops my bad, thought I was replying to @And_ROOS!)
Enrique and the Saudi manager are probably the two best managers at the WC. Saudi guy won the Afcon with Zambia ten years ago, among other minor miracles. You’re right, it is still shocking how almost all the NT managers are mid-level club retreads like Southgate and Martinez
Enrique is that guy, he has a nice style I think deschamps deserves a shout out due to how mental that squad is and he has them playing well and he’s won a wc
Ben White leaving the World Cup citing personal reasons. "We ask that his privacy be respected at this time," reads like a family matter. Anybody have the inside scoop? https://www.espn.com/soccer/england...-white-leaves-2022-world-cup-personal-reasons
Holy shit possibly one of the worst Australian teams on paper with one of the worst coaches has somehow managed to make it out of the group stages. And equal points with France. What the hell even is this WC?
No idea. But very curious. Maybe friend or family nember sick/dying?? I guess his departure was eased by the fact that he wasn’t seeing any minutes and probably not likely to?
Deschamps won the WC convcingly in a half. I support France and he shut up everyone when he won without Benzema. Mbappe lol. WC was won without him scoring in the QF and semis. He got to Euro final without Mbappe. DD trusted Griezmann and Pogba who are ballers, integrated a New team well with Balance. France were the one team I knew would take it from the start like Germany 2014. Note I would prefer Zizou next. It's the next logical step. But don't try and tain what he's done.
Toney will never play for England. The betting stuff will end him. I don't know if Balogun even makes it at Arsenal, tbh. Just looking at this tournament and seeing the US dominate the middle is shocking. I never thought that would happen.
Its a job that doesn't pay as much and isn't as hands on. They are never going to get the best pool of coaches.
It makes more sense to take up jobs for weak teams with money than these top jobs which pay less and are thankless. That what I would do anyway. Like Gus Hiddink.
Watching France to me is like watching a 90 year old grandma drive a Lamborghini 25 mph to the store and back. They have insane attacking talent and Deschamps has them sitting deep conceding the ball to lesser teams. I too picked them to win WC2018 before the tournament started, but I still think they won despite him more than because of him.