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.
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Related articles
- Why Meulensteen is the Man to Succeed Ferguson
- The Moyes Conundrum - Stick or Twist
- The Way Forward - Southampton's Model
- The Way Forward - The Importance of Opportunity
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