Match Thread Supporter's Meeting with Doug King Match Thread (2 Viewers)

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

I'm going to leave it otherwise I'll just be repeating myself. Not really sure how people are so confused at the suggestion that when King first announced it we should have done what pretty much every other club does to avoid a shitstorm.

Think some people just prefer the drama and soap opera of it all.

Just to caveat this point.

This wasn't just your typical managerial sacking. It's hardly getting rid of your Pressley's or Mowbray's.

Both Robins and Viveash have played an instrumental role in pretty much bringing the club back from a brink of complete nothingness. Some of the greatest times of a huge chunk of the existing fanbase has been under their tenure.

Regardless of what you think of DK or his comments last night / this morning, I think hosting a press conference where he could publicly explain his comments wasn't actually an awful call. It was at least transparent, even if it was biased and only highlighted his perspective.

I said to my Dad yesterday morning it would do nothing to dissuade the views of those that are irrevocably angry at Robins dismissal. So really I'm not entirely sure what value it delivered but at least it gave some insight and dispelled a few conspiracy theories.

 

---

[fernandopartridge]

Because I’ve been around a while i remember a Huddersfield fan coming on here when we hired Robins for a second time saying that Robins needed a good number 2 to be at his best and that he wasn’t convinced that Taylor was that man.

Someone with better search skills than me could probably find it but they may have been more right than we have ever known.

McSheffrey said it on TV as well didn't he?

 

[Sick Boy]

The owner said that MR was responsible for getting in an assistant and one never materialized.

Chris Ramsey spoke to MR at Ryton on October 9th. The appointment got vetoed on, or before October 14th. The reason given was that the owner thought the timing wasn’t right.

So MR must have known somewhere in between October 9th - 14th that he has a dead man walking.

To me, it seems that whole truth isn’t being told.

I think it’s just that by that point he had lost confidence in him.

 

[Deity]

McSheffrey said it on TV as well didn't he?

No idea

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

McSheffrey said it on TV as well didn't he?

Not sure he's the best reference point. If memory serves he had a giant chip on his shoulder about Robins after his offer to come back while we were in L2 was rebuffed.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Lets face it the questions have to be submitted in advance it is done on his terms.

Yep they managed it well by getting people to move on with new info but did allow some people to take things back to stuff that had been answered

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Just to caveat this point.

This wasn't just your typical managerial sacking. It's hardly getting rid of your Pressley's or Mowbray's.

Both Robins and Viveash have played an instrumental role in pretty much bringing the club back from a brink of complete nothingness. Some of the greatest times of a huge chunk of the existing fanbase has been under their tenure.

Regardless of what you think of DK or his comments last night / this morning, I think hosting a press conference where he could publicly explain his comments wasn't actually an awful call. It was at least transparent, even if it was biased and only highlighted his perspective.

I said to my Dad yesterday morning it would do nothing to dissuade the views of those that are irrevocably angry at Robins dismissal. So really I'm not entirely sure what value it delivered but at least it gave some insight and dispelled a few conspiracy theories.

It’s allowed some people to blow off steam and move on. I still find it pretty wild that he chose not to use the safe explanation of ‘results and performances’ but went full throttle and that even if true has now caused some divisions.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

It’s allowed some people to blow off steam and move on. I still find it pretty wild that he chose not to use the safe explanation of ‘results and performances’ but went full throttle and that even if true has now caused some divisions.

Problem is the 'form and results' justification quite obviously wasn't a good enough explanation (as shown by the Talk Sport interview) when people would just turn around and say 'well the results were starting to turn'.

When they weren't. An awful 1-1 draw with QPR which frankly we were very fortunate to draw. Shipping 2 goals against a Luton Town in absolute free fall. Then an albeit convincing 3-0 win that was also quite obviously helped by Middlesbrough playing with 10 men for 3/4's of the game.

In reality the Derby performance was probably more the true reflection of the current situation. Players not having a clue what roles they were playing, absolutely no style or patterns of play, defensively once again all over the place and just zero intent when on the ball by anyone.

I don't condone the doubling down on Robins. It's disrespectful and scapegoating at its finest, and doesn't really place DK in a strong light but it is what it is.

Quite clearly neither party were blameless and there's clearly been a lot of turbulence behind the scenes but I think we can leave it at that. Robins was always going to go at some point, it's a shame this is how it's ended for him but that's football.

 

[David O'Day]

I think it’s just that by that point he had lost confidence in him.

yeah, i think he just thought i may have to sack him and then the new am would likely end up losing his job as well so they wanted to wait until either yes they did sack him or things turned around

 

[TomRad85]

Problem is the 'form and results' justification quite obviously wasn't a good enough explanation

Exactly this. It should have been and was fully justified but people weren't having it so what you gonna do?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I don't think you are contradicting me, other than to put it all on Robins as per King's narrative (whereas I have no idea who to blame for the failure to bring in another quality coach).
Didn't King say a couple of times that no proposed new appointment 'came across his desk' for approval, so basically the owner is saying he was just sitting there waiting as a helpless spectator while the issue dragged on?

Doug King wasn’t being a helpless spectator. He let MR run the show because he’s earned the right to do so. King specifically said he didn’t want to force anything on the manager or tell MR how to his job. Which is fair enough because that would be the kind of interference King and Dr Roberts have been accused of, is it not?

However, it’s also clear that King had suspicions that MR without a strong coaching setup around him couldn’t deliver the results we wanted. You look at the league table and it’s easy to see why he came to the decision he did.

The underlying numbers weren’t as bad as our league table showed, but still, King articulated that we couldn’t get to December on 20ish points and highlighted the disaster that would be relegation. This all weighed on his mind from what I could sense from the forum.

 

[Flying Fokker]

King on Talksport earlier.

Coventry owner reveals behind-the-scenes fallout that led to Mark Robins sacking

Coventry City owner Doug King has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes fallout that led to the sacking of Mark Robins. Fans were left stunned when Robins was axed as Coventry manager last week a…

talksport.com

 

[skybluegod]

What’s not said is just as important to determine what actually happened. King said that no names for Robins Assistant came to his desk (or words to that effect).

Chris Ramsey was interviewed by MR. CR thought it went so well that the next step was a wage negotiation but subsequently got a call, on behalf of the owner, stopping the process, siting poor timing as the reason.

Perhaps the omission in the story tonight was that King had decided in early October that he’d given MR long enough to find an assistant and was considering sacking him back then. Either way.. unless MR’s able to give his side of the story, we’ll never get to weigh up both sides.

Agree with this and it's a shame this question wasn't able to be put to him, considering it was a well known rumour at the time.

However, King did say he had been considering the matter for a few weeks or a while so does just about line up.

 

[oldfiver]

Most of the questions last night were awful. People just liking the sound of their own voice.

The one that sticks in my mind was the guy who asked about stadium ownership. A complete waste of a question.

He initially insulted King, then very briefly mentioned the lease running out in 2028, then asked if he thinks we should own the stadium.

Obviously he was going to answer yes to should we own it.
And insulting him just made it look like Doug was under attack.

The only sensible part of the question was about the lease, which we never got an answer to because Doug was defending himself from the insult.

You didn't get an answer about the licence (not lease) because he can't give you one

When asked about rescheduling his 5 year plan he again could not reply. He is constrained by the licence term.

 

[chiefdave]

His brother is back on twitter, don't read the replies unless you want to be nauseous

 

[Offhegoes]

again

we’ve spent 40mill and you can’t name one player who could make it in the prem

speaks volumes

Don't agree. Haji Wright, MVE and Sakamoto could definately step up. In terms of players already established here too, Ben Sheaf

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

best fucking match thread in years

And highest listening figures on CWR ever.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

1st of January would match with my way of thinking, which is Thomas Tuchel takes over England and frees up Lee Carsley.

Lee Carsley will be a free agent after England play the Republic of Ireland next week!

 

[Old Warwickshire lad]

Having had time to think about it. King was very clever and planned every move.
He opened with the bombshell of Robins being responsible for Adi going,and spent time going into detail about the situation and how he had tried to act as the peacemaker.
This completely transformed the whole situation immediately, and got everyone thinking about Mark forcing Adi out.
Whilst of course good old Doug was trying his best to keep the team together.
So good old Marky wasn’t our hero,Doug was. Robins is the ruthless one who splits up the partnership that works, replaces it with something that doesn’t and hence fails and has to go.
Nobody was there to say anything different,so bingo the whole room is gobsmacked.
Nice one Dougie, you played a blinder

 

[Paxman II]

Having considered what was said by King at the meeting of minds, I thought he managed to put a pretty good spin on things. It was not clear just how Robin's had a major 'fall out' with Vivash which is on the face of it a big pill to swallow given they had succeeded together for nearly 8 years! Not sure the spin from King about Robin's saying Vivash had to go is quite how it went down.
I've highlighted plenty of times on here that the issues were around the new structure put in place, namely the coaching staff and other backroom staff. I believe still that this undermined not only Robin's role but also largely Vivash's. It was indeed a case of Kings demand to put in place what he believes with a whole team of coaches, performance directors etc for everyone to work with.
My take is still that Vivash's role was untenable as he refused to accept a lessor role on the coaching side. Robin's decided he had to accept in order to move forward and see where it goes. Looking back at comments of Robin's after games he is clear his role had been diminished. Robin's failed to persuade Vivash to stand against it together, and they had a fall out and Robin's explained Vivash would not work under these terms, it would be difficult unless something changed. That meant King dismissal of Vivash, not as he said that Robin's said he had to go. So Robin's loses his right hand man and progressively the set up was getting more awkward by the day there on in. But being such a pro he soldiered on and a poor start just wasn't what was wanted. However he was slowly getting to grips with it and most likely he knew he had bags of credit in the bank to push on and see what transpired. But King obviously decided it was not going to work out, having listened to the snitchers from the 'team' and his desire to appoint a single head coach among coaches system. Not fair on Robin's one bit. Hence the shock by everyone. Robin's would have adjusted over time, and got it right but King has an idea and planned the way forward half knowing Robin's was more old school, and would not be a perfect fit. So he pulled the plug rather than adjust his terms and approach. So yes it's all on King.
Appoint the wrong guy now and he is in for a very rough ride. As someone pointed out football clubs are not normal corporate spaces, they require a large dose of humility from a coach/manager at the head of the line that every player looks up to and wants to play for. Pep has a team but he is very much in charge. That's a lesson King needs to heed.
I am absolutely certain that Robin's will turn up at a club with Vivash at his side in the near future. King simply has to get this appointment right. The sort of person he is looking for is an Ian Dowie type. Those old enough to know will remember he was a stats man with laptop in hand and would have worked under the type of set up King is putting in place today.
Finding that kind of coach won't be easy. With a performance director and recruitment guy brathing down your neck every day qustioning your decisions it won't suit many. Football is played on the grass not on a computer screen. Time will tell but finding someonbe with better credentials than Robin's is a very tough ask. Perhaps it is the Graham Potter types, young, coach orientated wanting to have just team responsabilities.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Having had time to think about it. King was very clever and planned every move.
He opened with the bombshell of Robins being responsible for Adi going,and spent time going into detail about the situation and how he had tried to act as the peacemaker.
This completely transformed the whole situation immediately, and got everyone thinking about Mark forcing Adi out.
Whilst of course good old Doug was trying his best to keep the team together.
So good old Marky wasn’t our hero,Doug was. Robins is the ruthless one who splits up the partnership that works, replaces it with something that doesn’t and hence fails and has to go.
Nobody was there to say anything different,so bingo the whole room is gobsmacked.
Nice one Dougie, you played a blinder

No doubt that is the truth as Doug remembers it. There will be the truth Robins has as well and the objective truth somewhere in between, which tells me King did at least have a point and MR may have made some errors of his own.

 

[Joy Division]

King on Talksport earlier.

Coventry owner reveals behind-the-scenes fallout that led to Mark Robins sacking

Coventry City owner Doug King has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes fallout that led to the sacking of Mark Robins. Fans were left stunned when Robins was axed as Coventry manager last week a…

talksport.com

Interesting hearing Doug there talking about Dennis Lawrence leaving the club, said the opportunity to move closer to home was an opportunity he really wanted to take despite the club wanting to retain him. Seems a different narrative to what some ITK's seem to be suggesting about the siutation.

 

[The watchmaker]

Shipping 2 goals against a Luton Town in absolute free fall. Then an albeit convincing 3-0 win that was also quite obviously helped by Middlesbrough playing with 10 men for 3/4's of the game.

This is a very odd take on those two games to me. We absolutely dominated parachute payment Luton for 90 minutes and then stomped on a Boro side that has scored 9 goals in 2 games since. Derby was poor I will grant you but I reckon he would have done Sunderland and I didn't see the sense in going into that without a manager.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Having listened to the fans forum, the talksport interview etc i'm starting to think that this could be the correct decision. The coaching structure appears as though it was down to Mark Robins, the lack of new appointment to replace Adi appears to fall more at the feet of Robins for not providing a name for King to go further with. I find it hard to believe King has rejected someone when he was pushing for something to happen and has sacked Robins because of the lack of it happening. Since the start of this season, we have often looked tactically behind the other team. We have some good players and so will always pick up some good results, but some of the performances have been bad and left many wondering what happened. I am often wondering what style of play we are trying to play this season. I can only take the view that maybe the success we have had previously was more to do with Vivash and Lawrence rather than Robins and now it is being exposed. I may be totally wrong and Robins will always be a legend, but maybe this is the change we needed given the circumstances.

Nick and others on this forum regularly called out Mark Robins inability to change tactics, ie like for like substitutions, that was Mark Robins biggest downfall.

All the best Mark thanks for the memories.

 

[Calista]

Doug King wasn’t being a helpless spectator. He let MR run the show because he’s earned the right to do so. King specifically said he didn’t want to force anything on the manager or tell MR how to his job. Which is fair enough because that would be the kind of interference King and Dr Roberts have been accused of, is it not?

However, it’s also clear that King had suspicions that MR without a strong coaching setup around him couldn’t deliver the results we wanted. You look at the league table and it’s easy to see why he came to the decision he did.

The underlying numbers weren’t as bad as our league table showed, but still, King articulated that we couldn’t get to December on 20ish points and highlighted the disaster that would be relegation. This all weighed on his mind from what I could sense from the forum.

A very fair perspective, not saying it's far wrong.

Still think the owner's claim that Robins might endanger the club by taking us down is gross overreaction though. Seems more like a way of justifying what he wanted to do anyway. Are we at less risk now than before, with a new face pitching up in the next few weeks and getting to know the 'deck'?

 

[Grendel]

No words needed

 

[hill83]

No words needed

 

[skybluecam]

No words needed

#DeckKing

 

[Grendel]

Having considered what was said by King at the meeting of minds, I thought he managed to put a pretty good spin on things. It was not clear just how Robin's had a major 'fall out' with Vivash which is on the face of it a big pill to swallow given they had succeeded together for nearly 8 years! Not sure the spin from King about Robin's saying Vivash had to go is quite how it went down.
I've highlighted plenty of times on here that the issues were around the new structure put in place, namely the coaching staff and other backroom staff. I believe still that this undermined not only Robin's role but also largely Vivash's. It was indeed a case of Kings demand to put in place what he believes with a whole team of coaches, performance directors etc for everyone to work with.
My take is still that Vivash's role was untenable as he refused to accept a lessor role on the coaching side. Robin's decided he had to accept in order to move forward and see where it goes. Looking back at comments of Robin's after games he is clear his role had been diminished. Robin's failed to persuade Vivash to stand against it together, and they had a fall out and Robin's explained Vivash would not work under these terms, it would be difficult unless something changed. That meant King dismissal of Vivash, not as he said that Robin's said he had to go. So Robin's loses his right hand man and progressively the set up was getting more awkward by the day there on in. But being such a pro he soldiered on and a poor start just wasn't what was wanted. However he was slowly getting to grips with it and most likely he knew he had bags of credit in the bank to push on and see what transpired. But King obviously decided it was not going to work out, having listened to the snitchers from the 'team' and his desire to appoint a single head coach among coaches system. Not fair on Robin's one bit. Hence the shock by everyone. Robin's would have adjusted over time, and got it right but King has an idea and planned the way forward half knowing Robin's was more old school, and would not be a perfect fit. So he pulled the plug rather than adjust his terms and approach. So yes it's all on King.
Appoint the wrong guy now and he is in for a very rough ride. As someone pointed out football clubs are not normal corporate spaces, they require a large dose of humility from a coach/manager at the head of the line that every player looks up to and wants to play for. Pep has a team but he is very much in charge. That's a lesson King needs to heed.
I am absolutely certain that Robin's will turn up at a club with Vivash at his side in the near future. King simply has to get this appointment right. The sort of person he is looking for is an Ian Dowie type. Those old enough to know will remember he was a stats man with laptop in hand and would have worked under the type of set up King is putting in place today.
Finding that kind of coach won't be easy. With a performance director and recruitment guy brathing down your neck every day qustioning your decisions it won't suit many. Football is played on the grass not on a computer screen. Time will tell but finding someonbe with better credentials than Robin's is a very tough ask. Perhaps it is the Graham Potter types, young, coach orientated wanting to have just team responsabilities.

This is just made up nonsense and what is really worrying is the forum rep liked it!

 

[skybluecam]

Having considered what was said by King at the meeting of minds, I thought he managed to put a pretty good spin on things. It was not clear just how Robin's had a major 'fall out' with Vivash which is on the face of it a big pill to swallow given they had succeeded together for nearly 8 years! Not sure the spin from King about Robin's saying Vivash had to go is quite how it went down.
I've highlighted plenty of times on here that the issues were around the new structure put in place, namely the coaching staff and other backroom staff. I believe still that this undermined not only Robin's role but also largely Vivash's. It was indeed a case of Kings demand to put in place what he believes with a whole team of coaches, performance directors etc for everyone to work with.
My take is still that Vivash's role was untenable as he refused to accept a lessor role on the coaching side. Robin's decided he had to accept in order to move forward and see where it goes. Looking back at comments of Robin's after games he is clear his role had been diminished. Robin's failed to persuade Vivash to stand against it together, and they had a fall out and Robin's explained Vivash would not work under these terms, it would be difficult unless something changed. That meant King dismissal of Vivash, not as he said that Robin's said he had to go. So Robin's loses his right hand man and progressively the set up was getting more awkward by the day there on in. But being such a pro he soldiered on and a poor start just wasn't what was wanted. However he was slowly getting to grips with it and most likely he knew he had bags of credit in the bank to push on and see what transpired. But King obviously decided it was not going to work out, having listened to the snitchers from the 'team' and his desire to appoint a single head coach among coaches system. Not fair on Robin's one bit. Hence the shock by everyone. Robin's would have adjusted over time, and got it right but King has an idea and planned the way forward half knowing Robin's was more old school, and would not be a perfect fit. So he pulled the plug rather than adjust his terms and approach. So yes it's all on King.
Appoint the wrong guy now and he is in for a very rough ride. As someone pointed out football clubs are not normal corporate spaces, they require a large dose of humility from a coach/manager at the head of the line that every player looks up to and wants to play for. Pep has a team but he is very much in charge. That's a lesson King needs to heed.
I am absolutely certain that Robin's will turn up at a club with Vivash at his side in the near future. King simply has to get this appointment right. The sort of person he is looking for is an Ian Dowie type. Those old enough to know will remember he was a stats man with laptop in hand and would have worked under the type of set up King is putting in place today.
Finding that kind of coach won't be easy. With a performance director and recruitment guy brathing down your neck every day qustioning your decisions it won't suit many. Football is played on the grass not on a computer screen. Time will tell but finding someonbe with better credentials than Robin's is a very tough ask. Perhaps it is the Graham Potter types, young, coach orientated wanting to have just team responsabilities.

I'm sure there are more suitable fan fiction websites you could've posted this on

 

[Deity]

Having considered what was said by King at the meeting of minds, I thought he managed to put a pretty good spin on things. It was not clear just how Robin's had a major 'fall out' with Vivash which is on the face of it a big pill to swallow given they had succeeded together for nearly 8 years! Not sure the spin from King about Robin's saying Vivash had to go is quite how it went down.
I've highlighted plenty of times on here that the issues were around the new structure put in place, namely the coaching staff and other backroom staff. I believe still that this undermined not only Robin's role but also largely Vivash's. It was indeed a case of Kings demand to put in place what he believes with a whole team of coaches, performance directors etc for everyone to work with.
My take is still that Vivash's role was untenable as he refused to accept a lessor role on the coaching side. Robin's decided he had to accept in order to move forward and see where it goes. Looking back at comments of Robin's after games he is clear his role had been diminished. Robin's failed to persuade Vivash to stand against it together, and they had a fall out and Robin's explained Vivash would not work under these terms, it would be difficult unless something changed. That meant King dismissal of Vivash, not as he said that Robin's said he had to go. So Robin's loses his right hand man and progressively the set up was getting more awkward by the day there on in. But being such a pro he soldiered on and a poor start just wasn't what was wanted. However he was slowly getting to grips with it and most likely he knew he had bags of credit in the bank to push on and see what transpired. But King obviously decided it was not going to work out, having listened to the snitchers from the 'team' and his desire to appoint a single head coach among coaches system. Not fair on Robin's one bit. Hence the shock by everyone. Robin's would have adjusted over time, and got it right but King has an idea and planned the way forward half knowing Robin's was more old school, and would not be a perfect fit. So he pulled the plug rather than adjust his terms and approach. So yes it's all on King.
Appoint the wrong guy now and he is in for a very rough ride. As someone pointed out football clubs are not normal corporate spaces, they require a large dose of humility from a coach/manager at the head of the line that every player looks up to and wants to play for. Pep has a team but he is very much in charge. That's a lesson King needs to heed.
I am absolutely certain that Robin's will turn up at a club with Vivash at his side in the near future. King simply has to get this appointment right. The sort of person he is looking for is an Ian Dowie type. Those old enough to know will remember he was a stats man with laptop in hand and would have worked under the type of set up King is putting in place today.
Finding that kind of coach won't be easy. With a performance director and recruitment guy brathing down your neck every day qustioning your decisions it won't suit many. Football is played on the grass not on a computer screen. Time will tell but finding someonbe with better credentials than Robin's is a very tough ask. Perhaps it is the Graham Potter types, young, coach orientated wanting to have just team responsabilities.

Nope. I’m not buying that.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

A very fair perspective, not saying it's far wrong.

Still think the owner's claim that Robins might endanger the club by taking us down is gross overreaction though. Seems more like a way of justifying what he wanted to do anyway. Are we at less risk now than before, with a new face pitching up in the next few weeks and getting to know the 'deck'?

I fundamentally disagree with the premise that Doug King always wanted to sack Robins.

A lot of the arguments in favour of this premise was the supposed undermining of Robins position i.e. signing players without MR’s input, sacking AV, the Performance Director and ofc, the coaching structure. Robins signed off on all signings, decided he could no longer work with AV and decided on the flat structure. King’s first act was to give AV and MR contract extensions so this idea it was King’s plan all along is just nonsense.

King strikes me more of a ruthless pragmatist. Results were stagnant for a prolonged period, he believed (rightly or wrongly) that MR was exposed without an elite coach with him and he acted to get rid of MR when the results turned.

I don’t like the decision to sack MR, at all. I will acknowledge that there’s a perfectly logical thought process behind the decision. The onus is on King and the hiring panel to is to not fuck it up.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Richard Keys takes X-rated swipe at Doug King amid brutal Frank Lampard to Coventry City verdict

Read this article and more on NewsNow, the independent news discovery platform.

c.newsnow.co.uk

Well if Keys has had a go at DK, then I know whose side I'm on

 

[Nick]

Having considered what was said by King at the meeting of minds, I thought he managed to put a pretty good spin on things. It was not clear just how Robin's had a major 'fall out' with Vivash which is on the face of it a big pill to swallow given they had succeeded together for nearly 8 years! Not sure the spin from King about Robin's saying Vivash had to go is quite how it went down.
I've highlighted plenty of times on here that the issues were around the new structure put in place, namely the coaching staff and other backroom staff. I believe still that this undermined not only Robin's role but also largely Vivash's. It was indeed a case of Kings demand to put in place what he believes with a whole team of coaches, performance directors etc for everyone to work with.
My take is still that Vivash's role was untenable as he refused to accept a lessor role on the coaching side. Robin's decided he had to accept in order to move forward and see where it goes. Looking back at comments of Robin's after games he is clear his role had been diminished. Robin's failed to persuade Vivash to stand against it together, and they had a fall out and Robin's explained Vivash would not work under these terms, it would be difficult unless something changed. That meant King dismissal of Vivash, not as he said that Robin's said he had to go. So Robin's loses his right hand man and progressively the set up was getting more awkward by the day there on in. But being such a pro he soldiered on and a poor start just wasn't what was wanted. However he was slowly getting to grips with it and most likely he knew he had bags of credit in the bank to push on and see what transpired. But King obviously decided it was not going to work out, having listened to the snitchers from the 'team' and his desire to appoint a single head coach among coaches system. Not fair on Robin's one bit. Hence the shock by everyone. Robin's would have adjusted over time, and got it right but King has an idea and planned the way forward half knowing Robin's was more old school, and would not be a perfect fit. So he pulled the plug rather than adjust his terms and approach. So yes it's all on King.
Appoint the wrong guy now and he is in for a very rough ride. As someone pointed out football clubs are not normal corporate spaces, they require a large dose of humility from a coach/manager at the head of the line that every player looks up to and wants to play for. Pep has a team but he is very much in charge. That's a lesson King needs to heed.
I am absolutely certain that Robin's will turn up at a club with Vivash at his side in the near future. King simply has to get this appointment right. The sort of person he is looking for is an Ian Dowie type. Those old enough to know will remember he was a stats man with laptop in hand and would have worked under the type of set up King is putting in place today.
Finding that kind of coach won't be easy. With a performance director and recruitment guy brathing down your neck every day qustioning your decisions it won't suit many. Football is played on the grass not on a computer screen. Time will tell but finding someonbe with better credentials than Robin's is a very tough ask. Perhaps it is the Graham Potter types, young, coach orientated wanting to have just team responsabilities.

You have literally made up a scenario.

 

[Theonlywayisskyblue]

I fundamentally disagree with the premise that Doug King always wanted to sack Robins.

A lot of the arguments in favour of this premise was the supposed undermining of Robins position i.e. signing players without MR’s input, sacking AV, the Performance Director and ofc, the coaching structure. Robins signed off on all signings, decided he could no longer work with AV and decided on the flat structure. King’s first act was to give AV and MR contract extensions so this idea it was King’s plan all along is just nonsense.

King strikes me more of a ruthless pragmatist. Results were stagnant for a prolonged period, he believed (rightly or wrongly) that MR was exposed without an elite coach with him and he acted to get rid of MR when the results turned.

I don’t like the decision to sack MR, at all. I will acknowledge that there’s a perfectly logical thought process behind the decision. The onus is on King and the hiring panel to is to not fuck it up.

If DK did always want to sack him then giving him an expensive 4 year contract not long before firing him is an expensive way to do it, isn't it ?