I was thinking last night on this, and I am more certain than ever that Ange was a brilliant appointment - through the lens of being a transitional manager.
He broke us away from the terminal decline of Mourinho/Nuno/Conte type football, helped reshape the squad, started building something and (possibly most of all) got that trophy monkey off our back.
I 100% agree he had to go, that he didnt have whats needed to push on - am not justifying him staying.
However, look at his two years.
Frank likes to play an aggressive high press. Ange had this team working harder than any other, with top numbers in high turnovers (when working well)
Frank believes in a hard working team-demanding a lot of running to get from defence to attack and vice-versa. Ange spent two years making players so committed to this they injure themselves doing so.
Frank fosters a family, team environment - Ange has already established that.
Frank works well with developing young players - Ange has brough on some real talent for us here.
It goes on...
Looking at everything Ive seen on Frank I can see him taking what Ange has created and refining and evolving it. The building blocks are already there for him to work from.
Really coaching players, being more tactically adept, organised - strategic - I think there could be some real progress in this team building from the foundation of the last couple of years.
I was/am Ange out, his race was run - and I think things were getting worse not better - however, as "Ange the interim"? I think he did a great job.
And I think Frank will be grateful for what he is inheriting, he takes on a team of good lads, very together, who work hard, are attack minded and talented...
(Im also really excited to see what Frank can do with this team!)