Swagger

I guess we will know soon enough. If there no announcement in the next few days, then he is staying.

I think Virgil made the CB next to him look a lot better than he really was. FWIW I don't see why Virgil cannot stay beyond his current deal. He may not be at his peak, but in the right set up, especially with a ball winner in front of him, he is still better than most CB.

Not a big fan of Konate, but I was still very much in favour of signing him up to a new deal as we already have too much work to do on the squad. His demands must have been unreasonable.

Agreed. Don't think Mamardashvili is good enough.

Is this Royce guy reliable? Anyway, I just started following him, he best not let me get my hopes up for nothing.

I cannot remember whether it was at the end of last season or the beginning of this one, but I listened to a Brighton podcaster who was absolutely raving about him, saying he has higher potential than Caicedo. This season, however, he has been pretty crap, and the few times I saw him play I wasn't impressed (but hey what do I know). Manchester United were heavily linked with him last summer, but they are about to sign Ederson so I doubt they still currently interested.

I'd have liked to say that I've made my peace with him staying, but I haven't. It is going to be a long, depressing summer with him still in charge.

My thoughts exactly when I saw the Ornstein tweet. Slot is staying this is Edwards attempting to placate us fans who clearly want him gone.

Resigned to Slot staying now. I have zero faith in his ability to turn things around, so fully expecting next season to be no different to this one. Read someplace that Nagelsmann is the one they really want. If that is the case, their thinking must be either Slot comes good and is given an extension, or his contract runs down in 2027 at the same time as Nagelsmann's with the German FA.

Yes, that explains why Elliot Anderson to City is pretty much done. Re Bowen, he would be a great squad option, but West Ham would demand a very large fee for him despite going down.

I like Iraola but Liverpool is a substantial step up from Bournemouth.

Nah, still need a Sporting Director, not Hughes though, he can follow Slot straight out the door. Need to appoint one Enrique is happy working with.

Re Enrique, FSG know how to get their man when they really want. Desperately wanted Edwards back, made up a completely new position for him, promised to buy another club, gave him a massive salary. If Enrique feels it is time for a change, no reason why they cannot throw everything at him.

Reporters left, right and centre falling over themselves in their praise of Guardiola. Yes, he is a very good coach, but the high praise should come with several significant asterisks: 1. Corruption on a grand scale and 115 charges 2. Won only 1 CL with City with unlimited resources 3. Won no CL with Bayern

Agree that there is a massive chasm between Klopp, Guardiola, Enrique and Ancelotti and the rest. That said, Slot has been abysmal this season, and there is a long list of managers/head coaches who would have done a better job. Hughes and especially Edwards earn the big bucks, it is their job to go out there and find the next great thing.

Yeah, it's rotten top to bottom. For the record, I was really happy that Edwards came back, that an experienced football executive would run the club. I was also happy with the Hughes appointment as he was highly spoken of. All three, however, have taken us back years.

This is a good point. Alonso talking to Chelsea clearly means that even if they decide to replace Slot, Alonso is not the one they want.

If they are keeping him it is because they believe he will turn things around, and if he turns things around then the supporters will be content.

Agreed that there is no standout candidate, as there was with Klopp then, except Enrique who will most likely remain in Paris. There is a risk with any of the likely candidates, but Edwards and Hughes earn the big bucks because FSG decided that they are the people best qualified to make these decisions.

I would expect a serious journalist (which I think Ornstein is) to go back to his sources and see if the club's stance has not changed rather than rely on old info.

Agreed.

Read on twitter (massive pinch of salt obviously) that Edwards and Hughes are waiting on Cesc Fabregas.

Isn't Edwards CEO of Football at FSG? If so, it is his remit. If Henry and Werner decide for or over him, his position is virtually insignificant.

I like TAW and have been a paying subscriber for a while now, but they do seem to tow the party line a bit too much, most probably due to receiving access to the club and the players. Re Slot, despite winning the league last year he is obviously not good enough, he is clearly incapable of turning things around, and they'll be writing off next season unless he is replaced as soon as the season is over.

Lallana? Underwhelmed IMO but Klopp liked him, so what do I know.