Valérien Ismaël: Former Head Coach

[davulsukur]

1 minute ago, islander200 said:

Gestede should be next hope to god the decision on the next manager won't be his

I think this is key but saying that, I have no idea who I would trust to appoint the next manager.

Gestede - Should be walking out the door with Ismael

Pasha - Don't make me laugh

Owen - Nope

As bad as it is, we don't even have a Waggott at the club to appoint a middle of the road, pair of reasonably safe hands.

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

7 minutes ago, alexanders said:

JDT 5th favourite are they fucking bonkers!? 

[booth]

Just now, Rover down South said:

Sky Sports News announcing Mowbray or Bilic in the frame

Bilic would end up clotheslining Gestede, there's no way he would get the job.

I worry for Mowbray's health if they bring him back.

[JHRover]

As per the Coyle season leaving it too late, into February and wasting the January window to make a difference.

They aren't looking for a manager, they want a coach, hence signing someone yesterday and sacking Ismael today. 

So forget traditional managers unless they are desperate to get back to work. I suspect best case we are looking at a Wagner or Bilic, more likely some other random coach maybe Cifuentes

Personally I'd be giving it to Rowett now and sacking Gestede for his role in this sorry mess, but they'll be keeping that one up their sleeve for when relegation happens. 

[TimmyJimmy]

9 minutes ago, Bennisfromheaven said:

Keith Andrews - Club legend

Misspelling I think ... leg end.

[NeilInBristol]

On 25/02/2025 at 18:16, DE. said:

Officially announced.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/25/welcome-valerien-ismael/

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/25/-to-be-the-head-coach-of-the-club-is-something-special-for-me-/

 

This and the title now needs updating 😆

[booth]

1 minute ago, davulsukur said:

I think this is key but saying that, I have no idea who I would trust to appoint the next manager.

Gestede - Should be walking out the door with Ismael

Pasha - Don't make me laugh

Owen - Nope

As bad as it is, we don't even have a Waggott at the club to appoint a middle of the road, pair of reasonably safe hands.

Sacking Ismael is pointless if Gestede doesn't go as well.

Pasha should be sent back to overseeing chicken factories.

[jim mk2]

Mowbray for the rest of the season with bonus to save us from relegation

Then start again in the summer

[Kjell]

1 minute ago, alexanders said:

This will be the exciting part though. To see if it actually is dross we have signed. 

Sidnei Tavares is not the new Nzonzi. De Neve is not the amalgamation of Le Saux and Wilcox. 

We are in a relegation battle due to Rudy Gestede et al. and their dealings, including their choice of managers.

[Rover down South]

2 minutes ago, booth said:

Bilic would end up clotheslining Gestede, there's no way he would get the job.

I worry for Mowbray's health if they bring him back.

Bilic clotheslining Gestede! Would be a sell out at Ewood 😂

[unclejack28]

Ole?

[NeilInBristol]

11 minutes ago, alexanders said:

It’s from “fans banter”

so take from that list as you will

[Kjell]

Make that podcast appearance worth anything, Mr. Gestede!

[jim mk2]

Horrible appointment from day one - why they thought a serial failure would come good is beyond any common sense

 

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

1 minute ago, jim mk2 said:

Mowbray for the rest of the season with bonus to save us from relegation

Then start again in the summer

I really wouldn't back Tony to keep us in the league 

[roverandout]

Gesture and Pasha have done this to a. Take the pressure off themselves because they know the club won't spend any money, they could have done this a week ago. And b. To throw Ismael under the bus. They're sneaky bastards and anything they do is self preservation not for the benefit of the club

[Hasta]

4 minutes ago, JHRover said:

So forget traditional managers unless they are desperate to get back to work. I suspect best case we are looking at a Wagner or Bilic, more likely some other random coach maybe Cifuentes

I'd snap your hand off for Wagner at the moment

[Old Codger]

If you could have anybody, who would it be?

Who were those lads who worked miracles at Lincoln City?

John Eustace anyone (has form for taking on basket cases)

Give it to the U21s manager or Damien Johnson for me..

[alexanders]

2 minutes ago, Trinidad Rover said:

Our current league position is a fairly strong indicator.....

I might be stupid, but I believe the system has failed us massively. 

I am looking forward to seeing the potential from our new crop of players: 

Key Departures (2025–26 Season) 

• Dominic Hyam: Transferred to Wrexham in Sept 2025.
• Lewis Travis: Transferred to Derby County in Aug 2025.
• Tyrhys Dolan: Left on a free transfer in July 2025.
• John Buckley: Transferred to Al-Kholood in Aug 2025. 

Honestly:
Morishita is an upgrade on Buckley, 

Jørgensen could be a better player than Dolan,

Baradji has a very good engine and could give us more than Trav (I absolutely loved Trav) 

McLoughlin has looked decent. 

 

[Comfortably numb]

6 minutes ago, CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber said:

JDT 5th favourite are they fucking bonkers!? 

If it wasn't for the fact that they won't pay compo for someone in work, Michael Skubala at Lincoln has done a great job there

[alexanders]

4 minutes ago, Kjell said:

Sidnei Tavares is not the new Nzonzi. De Neve is not the amalgamation of Le Saux and Wilcox. 

We are in a relegation battle due to Rudy Gestede et al. and their dealings, including their choice of managers.

Thats some years ago Kjell. 

[davulsukur]

Wasn't it between Wagner and Ismael when he was appointed in the first place?

[Polky]

Anyone but Karanka!

[StHelensRover]

1 minute ago, Comfortably numb said:

If it wasn't for the fact that they won't pay compo for someone in work, Michael Skubala at Lincoln has done a great job there

15 years of misery and embarrassment at this club has led us to a point where we probably couldn't poach a manager from Lincoln City

[JHRover]

1 minute ago, davulsukur said:

Wasn't it between Wagner and Ismael when he was appointed in the first place?

Reportedly those two and Aitor Karanka were the front runners.