No Kewell thanks, its just all about himself and no one else.
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Manager Ange Postecoglou
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I've got some old VHS tapes of Wimbledon from the mid-90's if you're really that desperate to see something similar to our performances last year?
Chris Davies exclusive interview: New Tottenham assistant on Leicester exit, Swansea success and Pep Guardiola
Chris Davies on the initial scorn at Swansea’s passing game, highs and lows at Leicester, and the Premier League trends impressing Brendan Rodgers’ long-time assistant manager as he embarks on a new adventure with Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham...
Adam Bate
Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal
Tuesday 27 June 2023 11:04, UK
Image:Chris Davies, Tottenham's new senior assistant coach, during his time as assistant manager at Leicester City
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- https://thefightingcock.co.uk/forum...cester-exit-swansea-success-and-pep-guardiola
"I went to Atalanta and Monaco, then came home and did Villarreal and Benfica before going to Wolfsburg," Davies tells Sky Sports. "It was about culture and mentality, right down to how they play, train and recover. It was really invaluable."
There were new ideas. But, thankfully, it was not all alien. "It was reassuring because I have not come back thinking that I was doing everything wrong," he laughs. Villarreal was where he felt most at home, he reveals. "Possession-based football is my core idea."
Image:Chris Davies during his time as assistant manager at Leicester City
This was an idea that formed long before his involvement in Leicester's FA Cup win, before the trophies with Celtic, that title tilt with Liverpool and the promotion with Swansea. The key to his union with Brendan Rodgers was that these ideas chimed with him.
"I remember sitting in the stands at Watford as a kid and counting the number of times we made five passes in a row. It was not very often but I began to understand at a very young age that every time we had some continuity, something good would happen."
He found a like-minded soul in Rodgers, who became his coach when he was captain of Reading's youth team. At the time, there was resistance even within the club. "I remember a bit of scorn from the older coaches towards Brendan and his ideas," says Davies.
"He was in his twenties and had to withstand that criticism of his ideas about football because it was not the norm. When he went to Swansea, it was still in its infancy in English football. In the Championship, we were the only team doing it in a clear way.
Also See:
"There were a lot of coaches who were telling their players to get on the ball and express themselves. But there is a big difference between that and a structured organisation. They are two very different things. One is off-the-cuff and the other is intentional."I still saw comments from opposition managers in matchday programmes almost belittling that style of play. There was one particular manager who called it academy football in his programme notes. That was the season that Swansea got promoted."
Image:Swansea City players celebrate during their 2011 play-off final win at Wembley
After their play-off success at Wembley in 2011, Swansea became the Premier League's pass-masters, achieving a mid-table finish thanks to an unusually patient build-up play that foreshadowed the shift in style that was to occur over the coming decade.
Manchester City completed 10,581 passes inside their own half this past season, with four other teams within 2,000 passes of that total. But when Swansea made 10,303 such passes in the 2011/12 Premier League season, that was 2265 more than the next team.
"Swansea was the right club for those ideas about football," Davies explains. "Roberto Martinez had created this new way. Paolo Sousa added to that. Then Brendan came. It was the perfect fit. Swansea are still doing great things in terms of style of play."
In the years since leaving Swansea, Rodgers, with Davies alongside him, showed that there were other ways to win. At Liverpool, he built an effective counter-attacking side. At Leicester, Jamie Vardy won the Premier League golden boot under him.
But possession remains the key for Davies. "The core idea of controlling the ball to control the game is still, overall, the better way to get results. There are other ways and for different sets of players, there is specificity. But for me, it is still the best way.
"Ultimately, it is about believing it is effective. I worry when I hear people talking about its aesthetic appeal. If you do it because of an image, whenever there is difficulty you will revert to something else. You have to believe it is an effective style of football.
"I think Pep Guardiola is a pragmatist. People say he is a purist. I fundamentally disagree. If he truly thought that he could adapt to be more effective he would do it. He is convinced this is the best way to play football effectively. He has proven that he is right.
"Ederson drilling the ball 70 yards behind the defensive line and creating a new dynamic in the build-up? That was Pep being pragmatic. The use of Erling Haaland as a reference against Woolwich when they pressed man-to-man? That was Pep being pragmatic."
Image:Chris Davies alongside Brendan Rodgers during their time together at Leicester
Tactics remain a fascination. Davies, 38, is intrigued by the different formations being used in and out of possession. "Teams are pressing in a 4-4-2. Arrigo Sacchi's shape is back in fashion. But with the ball, it is completely different as they rotate to a 2-3-5."
Another key change has been to the build-up play. "What has come into the Premier League just recently is the idea of the pause. Brighton are very good at it. They pause on the ball. Previously, everyone was trained to play fast, flowing football. But they wait.
"In certain moments, the game becomes completely static because they have their foot on the ball. And then, they will accelerate to break the press or they will pick the right moment. That is because they are very intentional in trying to attract pressure.
"They know what they are doing. Rather than just passing the ball across the back line quickly because it feels quick, they are waiting. They know that is not the way to gain an advantage because it is not necessarily helping to break past an opponent."
Image:Kolo Toure (left) and Chris Davies flank Brendan Rodgers on the Leicester bench
The frustration, of course, is that while every coach wants to test themselves at the highest level, after back-to-back fifth-place finishes and two trophy lifts at Wembley, Leicester's dramatic decline saw the club drop out of the Premier League this season.
Rodgers and Davies had already departed in April. After years of success for the coaches and the club, Davies could only watch on television as Leicester's relegation was confirmed. "You never want the people you have worked with to suffer," he says.
"But I can only say good things about Leicester. That reflects the people there, coming from the owner, who was outstanding, I must say, from start to finish. I am personally confident that Leicester will be one of the teams to bounce back next year."
Play Video - Leicester latest: Maddison won't be sold on cheap | 'Barnes has even more suitors'
Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett looks at who could leave Leicester City this summer
He acknowledges it was "a lesson for every club in how quickly you can slip", but insists there was no animosity. "When Brendan spoke to the players as we left, it was an environment where there was still a lot of togetherness, actually," he adds.
"Sometimes it can be quite cynical when you leave a football club. I still felt warmth and togetherness there. Unfortunately, for a multitude of reasons, we had this negative momentum that we could not stop. The results were just not there.
"There is no destination in football, it is such a journey that is about creating memories, like winning the league in 2016 or winning the FA Cup in 2021. That is what football is about and Leicester will be back creating more memories for the fans in the future."
A setback, then, but a learning experience in a career full of them. From working with Sky Sports' own Jamie Carragher at Liverpool. "He had that winning mindset and still had a lot to offer so we could have kept using him. But he is doing a great job on telly!"
To three seasons of domestic domination at Celtic.
"There is no city like Glasgow for its footballing intensity. You have two massive football clubs and all the historical, cultural, political, religious rivalry that exists, adding layer upon layer to it. You have to experience it to believe it. It is pure passion."
Play Video - 'Honoured' Rodgers on Celtic return, messaging Ange & CL challenge
Brendan Rodgers discusses his return to Celtic and the job done by Ange Postecoglou
He recalls taking on some media responsibilities, becoming accustomed to this "scrutiny of the highest level" during his time in Scotland. These experiences have all been good reference points, understanding how the top clubs operate.
Now confirmed as the new assistant manager to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham and refreshed by his recent club visits around Europe, Davies is continuing his development as an elite coach. Expect Spurs to enjoy the benefit of that growing experience.
He can forget about that shit with Postecoglou...
When was the last time we had a no nonsense down to earth manager? Instead, we have been hiring these overpriced prima donna over achievers who are not flexible/communicate with everyone properly.
Looking at the bright side, hiring someone like Postecoglou may put Spurs on the cutting edge of new ideas and tactics as opposed to recycling systems that worked in the past (Mourinho and Conte). The question I have is whether Postecoglou can (or will) adapt his system when Premier League managers counter his tactics. Based on his Champions League record I do have concerns about his willingness to adapt when faced with squads that have more talent and depth. The oft quoted comment that "there is no Plan B, just do Plan A better" that people have made regarding his Celtic teams is worrisome.
Most likely given what we've read. But there is also the view that he's flexible with how he plays according to the personnel available to him. That doesn't speak to doing what Broghton do in their build-up but the game gets influenced by certain managers and certain styles they play. I don't know if that includes Ange (he openly has said his template has been Guardiola, but Guardiola doesn't play like Guardiola anymore, since signing Haaland they are more direct (many principles remain). It will be interesting to see how many if any, Clubs follow what De Zerbi's Brighton did. For me, I thought they were one of the most amazing teams to watch last season, how they built up from the back I'd never seen before, loved how they progressed through the middle of the park too, you knew what was coming yet few teams stopped them playing.
He went to watch Wolfsburg?.....I wonder if a certain Micky VdV impressedChris Davies exclusive interview: New Tottenham assistant on Leicester exit, Swansea success and Pep Guardiola
Chris Davies on the initial scorn at Swansea’s passing game, highs and lows at Leicester, and the Premier League trends impressing Brendan Rodgers’ long-time assistant manager as he embarks on a new adventure with Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham...
Adam Bate
Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal
Tuesday 27 June 2023 11:04, UK
Image:Chris Davies, Tottenham's new senior assistant coach, during his time as assistant manager at Leicester City
It has not been a total break from football for Chris Davies since leaving his role as assistant manager at Leicester City. In fact, it has been a time to learn and improve. He has just returned from visiting major clubs in five different countries.
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"I went to Atalanta and Monaco, then came home and did Villarreal and Benfica before going to Wolfsburg," Davies tells Sky Sports. "It was about culture and mentality, right down to how they play, train and recover. It was really invaluable."
There were new ideas. But, thankfully, it was not all alien. "It was reassuring because I have not come back thinking that I was doing everything wrong," he laughs. Villarreal was where he felt most at home, he reveals. "Possession-based football is my core idea."
Image:Chris Davies during his time as assistant manager at Leicester City
This was an idea that formed long before his involvement in Leicester's FA Cup win, before the trophies with Celtic, that title tilt with Liverpool and the promotion with Swansea. The key to his union with Brendan Rodgers was that these ideas chimed with him.
"I remember sitting in the stands at Watford as a kid and counting the number of times we made five passes in a row. It was not very often but I began to understand at a very young age that every time we had some continuity, something good would happen."
He found a like-minded soul in Rodgers, who became his coach when he was captain of Reading's youth team. At the time, there was resistance even within the club. "I remember a bit of scorn from the older coaches towards Brendan and his ideas," says Davies.
"He was in his twenties and had to withstand that criticism of his ideas about football because it was not the norm. When he went to Swansea, it was still in its infancy in English football. In the Championship, we were the only team doing it in a clear way.
Also See:
"There were a lot of coaches who were telling their players to get on the ball and express themselves. But there is a big difference between that and a structured organisation. They are two very different things. One is off-the-cuff and the other is intentional.
"I still saw comments from opposition managers in matchday programmes almost belittling that style of play. There was one particular manager who called it academy football in his programme notes. That was the season that Swansea got promoted."
Image:Swansea City players celebrate during their 2011 play-off final win at Wembley
After their play-off success at Wembley in 2011, Swansea became the Premier League's pass-masters, achieving a mid-table finish thanks to an unusually patient build-up play that foreshadowed the shift in style that was to occur over the coming decade.
Manchester City completed 10,581 passes inside their own half this past season, with four other teams within 2,000 passes of that total. But when Swansea made 10,303 such passes in the 2011/12 Premier League season, that was 2265 more than the next team.
"Swansea was the right club for those ideas about football," Davies explains. "Roberto Martinez had created this new way. Paolo Sousa added to that. Then Brendan came. It was the perfect fit. Swansea are still doing great things in terms of style of play."
In the years since leaving Swansea, Rodgers, with Davies alongside him, showed that there were other ways to win. At Liverpool, he built an effective counter-attacking side. At Leicester, Jamie Vardy won the Premier League golden boot under him.
But possession remains the key for Davies. "The core idea of controlling the ball to control the game is still, overall, the better way to get results. There are other ways and for different sets of players, there is specificity. But for me, it is still the best way.
"Ultimately, it is about believing it is effective. I worry when I hear people talking about its aesthetic appeal. If you do it because of an image, whenever there is difficulty you will revert to something else. You have to believe it is an effective style of football.
"I think Pep Guardiola is a pragmatist. People say he is a purist. I fundamentally disagree. If he truly thought that he could adapt to be more effective he would do it. He is convinced this is the best way to play football effectively. He has proven that he is right.
"Ederson drilling the ball 70 yards behind the defensive line and creating a new dynamic in the build-up? That was Pep being pragmatic. The use of Erling Haaland as a reference against Woolwich when they pressed man-to-man? That was Pep being pragmatic."
Image:Chris Davies alongside Brendan Rodgers during their time together at Leicester
Tactics remain a fascination. Davies, 38, is intrigued by the different formations being used in and out of possession. "Teams are pressing in a 4-4-2. Arrigo Sacchi's shape is back in fashion. But with the ball, it is completely different as they rotate to a 2-3-5."
Another key change has been to the build-up play. "What has come into the Premier League just recently is the idea of the pause. Brighton are very good at it. They pause on the ball. Previously, everyone was trained to play fast, flowing football. But they wait.
"In certain moments, the game becomes completely static because they have their foot on the ball. And then, they will accelerate to break the press or they will pick the right moment. That is because they are very intentional in trying to attract pressure.
"They know what they are doing. Rather than just passing the ball across the back line quickly because it feels quick, they are waiting. They know that is not the way to gain an advantage because it is not necessarily helping to break past an opponent."
Image:Kolo Toure (left) and Chris Davies flank Brendan Rodgers on the Leicester bench
The frustration, of course, is that while every coach wants to test themselves at the highest level, after back-to-back fifth-place finishes and two trophy lifts at Wembley, Leicester's dramatic decline saw the club drop out of the Premier League this season.
Rodgers and Davies had already departed in April. After years of success for the coaches and the club, Davies could only watch on television as Leicester's relegation was confirmed. "You never want the people you have worked with to suffer," he says.
"But I can only say good things about Leicester. That reflects the people there, coming from the owner, who was outstanding, I must say, from start to finish. I am personally confident that Leicester will be one of the teams to bounce back next year."
Play Video - Leicester latest: Maddison won't be sold on cheap | 'Barnes has even more suitors'
Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett looks at who could leave Leicester City this summer
He acknowledges it was "a lesson for every club in how quickly you can slip", but insists there was no animosity. "When Brendan spoke to the players as we left, it was an environment where there was still a lot of togetherness, actually," he adds.
"Sometimes it can be quite cynical when you leave a football club. I still felt warmth and togetherness there. Unfortunately, for a multitude of reasons, we had this negative momentum that we could not stop. The results were just not there.
"There is no destination in football, it is such a journey that is about creating memories, like winning the league in 2016 or winning the FA Cup in 2021. That is what football is about and Leicester will be back creating more memories for the fans in the future."
A setback, then, but a learning experience in a career full of them. From working with Sky Sports' own Jamie Carragher at Liverpool. "He had that winning mindset and still had a lot to offer so we could have kept using him. But he is doing a great job on telly!"
To three seasons of domestic domination at Celtic.
"There is no city like Glasgow for its footballing intensity. You have two massive football clubs and all the historical, cultural, political, religious rivalry that exists, adding layer upon layer to it. You have to experience it to believe it. It is pure passion."
Play Video - 'Honoured' Rodgers on Celtic return, messaging Ange & CL challenge
Brendan Rodgers discusses his return to Celtic and the job done by Ange Postecoglou
He recalls taking on some media responsibilities, becoming accustomed to this "scrutiny of the highest level" during his time in Scotland. These experiences have all been good reference points, understanding how the top clubs operate.
Now confirmed as the new assistant manager to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham and refreshed by his recent club visits around Europe, Davies is continuing his development as an elite coach. Expect Spurs to enjoy the benefit of that growing experience.
I’ve generally been very positive on us getting Ange after the turgid football of Mou and Wiggy.
However, all these links with Celtic players have me a little worried. I’m hoping that it’s no more than lazy journalism.
The difference between the SPL (on a par with the Championship) and the Prem is massive and standout players in the SPL might not make the leap. CCV would be a notable example. Unless he has improved massively, there’s no way I would want him back. I guess one or two of the Celtic players might prove themselves at the higher level but I wonder if Ange appreciates the yawning gap if these links are true?
However, all these links with Celtic players have me a little worried. I’m hoping that it’s no more than lazy journalism.
The difference between the SPL (on a par with the Championship) and the Prem is massive and standout players in the SPL might not make the leap. CCV would be a notable example. Unless he has improved massively, there’s no way I would want him back. I guess one or two of the Celtic players might prove themselves at the higher level but I wonder if Ange appreciates the yawning gap if these links are true?
We could’ve hired a better no nonsense down to earth manager than this guy who’s won the Scottish league and people pretend it’s some incredible achievement.
Ten Hag didn’t have many incredible achievements before going to Man Utd either.
It’s almost like there’s more to what makes a good manager than looking at their CV on Wikipedia.
I’d say he did.
We’ve been linked to some of them.
Winning the Dutch league with Ajax is incredible?
Reaching the Champions League semifinals is.
The Milan’s reached the semis this season, Villarreal did the season before.
I’m not particularly interested in any of those managers because of it.
Ajax knocked big names along the way and were a few seconds away from reaching their first UCL/ECC final in decades.
Also, Emery (Villarreal manager) has clearly proven he’s a competent manager and he’s higher in the food chain than Postecoglou. Whether you’re interested or not, that’s a different, pointless story.
The same Ajax team that got knocked out by the mighty spurs and whose manager wasn't deemed good enough for our club....
Soz I don't particularly disagree just thought it was a good opportunity to use this gif.