Sorry, agree to disagree. People are analysing the stats to death to try and comfort and convince themselves, but the facts are that he was sacked within a year of his two most recent jobs in the Championship. He's not been on anyone's radar in the Championship, (until our muppets needed a new manager), because of the above. The feedback I'm reading from WBA and Watford fans is almost universally negative. The most positive I've seen is, "Not a complete disaster". I'm also only really concerned with results, rather than style of play, and the dramatic collapses he endured at those two clubs are par for the course here, so he should fit in just fine. JDT and Eustace did as well as it is possible to do under this ownership / muppet boardroom. One wrong turn with choice of manager could be disastrous.

Not in the Championship, (or above), he wouldn’t.

When you’ve effectively been left on the scrap heap, you are not really in a position to be calling the shots.

I’m not getting worked up. It was hardly a rant. Just calling it as I see it. We’re at a crossroads and I fear we are about to take the wrong turn.

I'm sure we could if we paid the going rate. We're not talking about established Premier League managers, just someone with a proven track record at this level or a bigger name seeking to re-establish themselves. We certainly could've attracted a senior, high calibre manager until the end of the season to give us the best possible chance of promotion. Giving someone with a mixed reputation and a history of short stays such a long deal is madness, and illustrates what numpties we have running the place.

All fair points. It's still very frustrating that we could've done better, and are choosing not to pay for someone of higher calibre,, rather than not being able to afford them. If Mr Nixon is right about it being a three year deal, that is surely madness. Ismael simply can't lose, even if he's a disaster, and we will be stuck with him.

There are some appointments that would be universally welcomed, some that would bring a mixed reaction, and some widespread derision. I would put this potential appointment somewhere between the second and third categories. What I’m currently seeing is a lot of people trying to convince themselves this could work out ok. It could. You just get a feeling whether something feels right or it doesn’t, and to me, this doesn’t. If nothing else, let’s hope for some new manager bounce.

Wonder which manager will have replaced Ismael this time next season?

Ok Chaddy, settle down. It’s not all just about stats, it’s a whole picture, including feedback from supporters of the teams he’s managed. I also acknowledged his stats at WBA and Watford aren’t too bad. If you are happy with this potential appointment (rather than just trying to convince yourself), fair enough. Others , like myself, clearly have reservations, and you have to accept that. Trying to bulldoze people into changing their view is a waste of your time and energy. Here’s hoping he’s a great success.

Skewed by two spells with Wolfsburg’s second team. I’m more interested in his stats at WBA and Watford. Even then , they are admittedly not too bad. Lets see what happens. The chances are , one way or another, that he won’t be here long, anyway.

I don’t see it as essential that we get someone who has either got a club promoted or into the Play Offs. If it was in the very recent past, I do think it adds weight to the argument for appointing them. I see Ismael and Wagner as Coylesque type appointments, who have been there and done it, but their star is fading. If we are going for a long term appointment, looking beyond the end of this season, let’s have someone on their way up.

I think it’s clear that a significant amount of people do not want Ismael. I’m reading evidence of this on social media, so it’s not just on here. If it’s an appointment that is universally welcomed, that creates a buzz and an energy. If someone like Ismael gets it, the atmosphere is going to be flatter, and it will need the players to perform well to create the atmosphere.

Yes. Also, as much as I’m usually wary of brining back former players, I think Duff fits into the “up and coming” category, and even those who don’t favour his appointment would whole heartedly welcome him back. It would bring a very positive vibe into the stadium.

Two of those three have managed in the Premier League, so were probably being more choosy before stepping back in. Neil, I’ll grant you, but he’s another trading on fading glories. I wouldn’t have wanted him here. I just find it depressing that after such a convoluted process, the best we can come up with is a couple of fading stars. I would rather we go for a left field appointment, or someone up and coming. My overall preference was a wise, senior figure, who has been there and done it, to take us through the rest of the season. There will be two very different scenarios at that stage, so a permanent appointment could be made accordingly.

In football terms, yes it is. I’ve not seen their names linked with many other positions. We all want the same thing, for Rovers to do well, but the whole point of a message board is to express opinions. If either of those two get the job, I will give them a fair chance. We all know the real problems are further up the food chain.

For me, it’s the fact that both Ismael and Wagner’s managerial careers are on a downward spiral, (which was the same with Coyle). Both have been out of work for some time, and I think that says it all.

I’m wondering if Ismael is the recommendation of the member of the hierarchy who is feeding Mr Nixon with information, (which someone clearly is). Maybe (🤞) he has not yet been accepted by the other power brokers in our bonkers committee.

I think the grief Eustace initially got was more to do with the fact he was seen as a Waggott appointment. I can only speak for myself, but that news pleasantly surprised me, and it felt like a good fit. All I can say is , you have to go with what your heart and head tell you. I felt like this when Ince and Coyle were appointed, and when Lancashire Cricket appointed Dale Benkenstein, (maybe google it), and my worst fears were realised on all three occasions. I will definitely give him every chance to prove me wrong, and sincerely hope that he does.

Welcome to the forum, Mrs Ismael. Hope you enjoy some lovely meals with Mr and Mrs Gestede 😉

Absolutely not. There was talk of him at the beginning of the process to replace Mowbray, and the reaction was almost universally positive. Farke had one previous job in England in which he'd done very well.

Before Coyle became a similarly busted flush, he actually managed to win the Play Offs. Did that make him a good appointment? No. Unemployed for almost a year having failed miserably at WBA and Watford. A rigorous selection process for this !

A decent jolly to London, perhaps?

Okay, I understand that point of view, but this a particular set of circumstances, and there is no need to look beyond the end of this season. Warnock has lots of experience of promotion run - ins, and of English football clubs, and would be well suited to the situation, in my view. On the short - term basis we are looking at, I believe he would fit in and adapt far more quickly than the likes of Ismael and Wagner. I can see either of those two attempting to reinvent our playing style immediately, and that could prove highly problematic. Get a suitable, oven ready manager for the here and now, and then reassess in the Summer, depending on the circumstances.

I reckon he’ll end up back at Rangers.