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Tuesday, 11 February 2014

A Need for Patience at Fulham

For those who used to play Football Manager Rene Meulensteen should be well known, he was by the far the best coach on the game a few years back and for this blog would be the first signing made. He really was an excellent assistant manager. For many though Rene Meulensteen was simply ‘the man who sits next to Ferguson’. He was an unknown to most people as he didn’t have a prolific professional career and who’s ascension at Manchester United had been from the bottom up. Therefore he was something of an enigma. Yet his name is now well known as he decided to step out of the shadows of United and Ferguson and embrace first team management. He is learning how difficult living in the light can be.


This past weekend Meulensteen would return to Old Trafford with his new side Fulham. In what was perhaps the most surreal game of the season United would tally 81 crosses. The ball would spend just 2% of the game in United’s defensive third, and yet the score would end 2-2. It was quite incredible. 

Meulensteen had clearly worked on the defensive shape of the side, playing a flexible back five to allow a congested penalty area as well as dealing 1v1 with overlapping full backs. It was as defensive performance as you’ll see and in fairness they did an admirable job. A couple of incisive counter attacks brought great chances for Fulham yet when they were finally broken down it seemed a United win was inevitable. However Fulham would score in the 94th minute to salvage a point and make the game look a masterpiece of tactical work. 

However questions could have been pointed at Meulensteen’s tactics had they lost. There are some who believe that it is better to have the opposition have the ball rather than control possession yourself. This tactic is becoming more prevalent and teams are working on deep, strong and compact defensive blocks to make them harder to score against. It is risky to allow the opposition such possession however to get a point from the game made the decision vindicated. 

Yet you cannot blame Meulensteen for this decision, with the attacking talents United possess (now all back from injury) there was a concern that Fulham would ship a lot of goals. Especially as their record under Meulensteen had not been good.

A difficult job, a terrible start

It has been a strange situation at Fulham this season. The long term and rather stable ownership of Mohammend Al Fayed was sold to Shahid Khan, the multi-billionaire who like other American businessmen has seen the appeal of the English Premier League. However the ambitions or perhaps delusions of these owners has been questioned in recent seasons with at naivety about the league and European football. 

That being said for Fulham fans he sounded ambitious. Yet so did Tony Fernandes and the Venky’s and look where that got their sides. The problem was that Khan had taken over a club which had been assembled very badly by Martin Jol. The Dutchman is regarded highly in England, with some perhaps feeling sorry for how was treated at Spurs. However in his time at Fulham he had assembled a team lacking any balance or defensive solidity. A long way from Roy Hodgson’s time at the club.

Khan made the decision to bring in Meulensteen as first team coach which appeared a direct assault at Jol. They worked together for some weeks yet it was inevitable that Jol would go and Meulensteen take his place. The problem for the ex-United coach was that he had inherited what could only be described as a ‘sinking ship’ and he, along with his reputation was now at the helm. It was a long way off United winning the league just six months previous. Yet this was what he wanted, a chance to manage in the Premier League and prove he had the credentials to do it. 

He had of course applied for the Wigan job in the summer yet lost out to Owen Coyle (incredible really), yet it would have made sense to take that job, a young team playing in a style which suited his philosophy could have allowed him to build his reputation like Martinez did. One could argue that he took the Fulham job because it was the only one available and that a wiser man would have seen the danger of taking such a job. It has not been easy.

New face to instil change
Eight defeats in the league, three wins and one draw does not look good. In those games Fulham have conceded 31 goals and scored 13. The 6-0 defeat to Hull was particularly a damning loss for Meulensteen. This past week Fulham would be bottom of the league for the first time in their history. A loss to Sheff United in the FA Cup brought out the phrase ‘rock bottom’, not a good sign or admission from a manager. Things were not looking good for the new coach. 

With Ray Wilkins and Alan Curbishly added to the backroom staff also in recent weeks it did appear to be a sign that the owner did not trust his head coach. It all looks rather worrying for Fulham. January would allow Meulenesteen to bring in some new faces; with the impressive signings of Lewis Holtby arriving on loan and the Olympiakos forward Kostas Mitroglou coming in for £11m. Importantly out went Taraabt, Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov, a clear indication from Meulensteen about the direction he wants to take the club, very much away from Jol’s vision. 

The United game showed a new approach which has been lacking in Fulham this season and may be the turn which the club needs. The problem has been that Meulensteen has taken over a club which was a shambles at senior level. He has learnt that life away from United is not easy.

Life away from United

Meulensteen was a vital part of United’s first team these past several years as well as being a massive influence in the youth academy. His departure from the club this summer has been seen as one of the reasons for the side dip in form. He took the majority of the training sessions and sought to implement his own brand of attacking football. 

Now Ferguson was a master of this style of management, with Kidd, McLaren, Quieroz and Meulensteen he allowed them to bring their own methods and styles to the team, he delegated excellently yet would always keep his watchful gaze and influence over the situation. It was a form of management we do not see regularly now, in a world of head coaches and director of footballs, the game of football has changed from the classic manager. Ferguson’s ability to change and evolve his coaching staff has been a key reason for his longevity and United’s consistent success. He knew that you must always adapt.

Now for these coaches, arguably the best in the world at what they do, they were treated to a culture of stability and discipline. High standards and expectation allied with a world class environment meant that there was very little upheaval at United, very few issues. It was a coaches dream; a group of talented players with no disruption. It is no surprise that at United they thrived and excelled yet when they moved on they struggled. Ferguson gave them the environment and platform to work effectively. 

Fulham was the opposite; a club lacking direction, a poorly assembled playing staff and on a terrible run of form. A complete contrast to what Meulensteen had at United. Management he would learn is not as easy away from United.  

A vision built on youth

The rumours are that Meulensteen is in risk of losing his job at Fulham, this blog finds this utter madness. If any lesson can come from United it is longevity and trust. How can Khan expect his new coach to change the fortunes of a team who have been demoralised by the mediocre management of Jol? It will take longer than three months to rebuild this squad. 

Now owners and fans expect quick fixes from new coaches, that bump of positivity and improved results. Yet this is not always the case and often that period runs out and the club goes backwards again. What Fulham have is an opportunity to build something; a new owner with a new coach can lay down a new path for the club. 

If done right Fulham could do what Southampton have done. In the case of both clubs they possess excellent youth academies and have first team coaches who believe in youth. It is a perfect combination, yet it needs time. Yet the academy are proving they ave the talent. Fulham’s Under 21 side currently sit top of the league, ahead of Chelsea and Man City. Their U18 side have won the U18 Premier League for the past three seasons and the national final the past two. It is one of the most progressive academies in the country which is no surprise considering it is led by Huw Jennings who took over in 2009 after his time at Southampton’s academy. Jennings has brought his experience from there and instilled that at Fulham. 

It is clear that with the right coach at the top (Meulensteen) the club can start to use the talented youth players they possess and build something of real class and value. Yet it will take time. Shahid Khan must understand the importance of patience, even if Fulham are relegated he must trust Meulensteen to create something for the club. If not it will be struggle to make their youth pathway a reality.


Sometimes making the right decision at the right time is the most important aspect of successful management. Meulensteen has put his reputation on the line by taking this job, if sacked or relegated he may tarnish his reputation and struggle to get a job in England again. However if he can keep Fulham up or remain in the job for 12-18 months more, Fulham may be able to build something very special. Khan needs to trust his new coach to instil this change and lay down a new vision. 

Remember it took Southampton several years and relegation to League One to make their vision a reality, if Fulham wish the same then they need to realise the importance of patience and trust. This blog hopes that Meulensteen can succeed, the game needs more world class coaches getting opportunities. 

The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address

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