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Tony Mowbray - Boro Supporter View

Why sack Durban said:
What does that even mean ? Settle for mediocrity and a pretence at sustainability? They haven’t got a 21’s manager , academy lead or the ability to sell shirts or tickets and have lost potentially the best manager because of salary . Then within 24 hours we are appointing a manager who in four seasons at Blackburn was more likely to finish bottom half than top and failed to keep them up in his first season . We were told KS had a succession plan and we were looking really wide and we end up with someone who wouldn’t get another championship job . That’s not like being a mag mate
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You never mentioned anything about the running of the club, your comment was "We are Sunderland though . He’s bang average . Sustainability at Blackburn and Middlesbrough isn’t what we aspire to."

That's Blackburn and Middlesbrough that have both achieved more than SAFC I'm the last 30 years. That's what was mag-esque about your comment.

I really did think we were going places under Neil, but what we need to ensure is we establish ourselves in the Championship, and if Mowbray can achieve that "bang average" goal, I'll be satisfied (for now).

Who would you realistically want?
 

ERIMUS1876 said:
Firstly, I feel a sense of recognition when "Hank Williams" asks me as a Boro supporter to pass on some views on this messageboard on Tony Mowbray. Such a request from the No.1 closet Boro supporter is the ultimate accolade! ;)

Down to business.

I saw Tony Mowbray make his Boro debut in 1982 (aged 18) at Sid James Park, go on to be our most inspirational captain (appointed aged 22) through arguably the most momentous period in the clubs history and in total saw around 80% of his 400+ home and away appearances for Boro. When he left Boro I followed his playing and later Managerial career which included a term at Boro.

He took over as Boro manager after the dual poor appointments of Southgate and Strachan. We were in a complete mess and heading for League One. He saved us from that fate and made genuine progress. The club didn't even have dossiers on individual players ... Mowbray brought his own with him to the club. I could mention numerous stories about his dedication and commitment to his managerial roles but won't bore you. He was left with a team of journeymen, young lads, has beens and never have beens. Several of these were Scottish players he had previously binned as Celtic manager who Strachan then brought to Boro! He made some quality signings on a shoestring budget and gave the supporters belief back. Most of the loyal Boro fans I know would have him back at the drop of a hat.

He has had a lifetime immersed in football and managed and played at the highest level in England and Scotland. As with all Managers hasn't always had it his own way but has steadied the ship with most clubs and also has gained promotions.

He has a positive track record of developing young players, playing a passing game and has a great eye for a player. Mowbray has a career record of 41% wins (Roy Keane achieved 42% at Sunderland as a comparison).

A North East lad who is astute, proud, genuine, honest and loyal. Mowbray also has very strong personal values and high levels of integrity. Don't underestimate any of these qualities.

He is well respected by many in the game.

What has surprised me is some of the vitriol I have read on this messageboard about him. Clearly not good enough for the vast majority of posters on here who have completely dismissed him as an option whilst some others have resorted to personal insults. Having known and worked with Sunderland supporters for many years, I'll be honest, I thought you were better than that.

Having had the likes of Simon Grayson, Chris Coleman, Phil Parkinson et al managing your club in recent times, someone like Mowbray should be given more consideration instead of being ridiculed.

Come to think of it the question should really be not does Sunderland need Tony Mowbray but does Tony Mowbray need Sunderland? He completed his full 5-years contract at his last club - Blackburn (not many managers do that these days - indeed Sunderland had 7 permanent managers during that time). He achieved promotion from League One in the process and in his last season had a young team challenging for promotion to the Premier League.

I suspect his reservations will be thinking that Sunderland is a club that in the last twenty years have had nearly as many permanent managers and in addition several owners including the current ones who are small-time, inexperienced, inflexible, don't value their manager and haven't invested much money. At least that is as it appears to an outsider.

Believe me Tony Mowbray would be a quality appointment for Sunderland (although it pains me to say that). It would be steady progress to achieve the clubs goals ... probably not quick enough for the twitterati and most posters on here but surely solid foundations, continuity and sustainability are key ingredients Sunderland have been lacking for years.

Tony Mowbray is your man.
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Thanks. Are you related to him then?
 
WHD said:
You never mentioned anything about the running of the club, your comment was "We are Sunderland though . He’s bang average . Sustainability at Blackburn and Middlesbrough isn’t what we aspire to."

That's Blackburn and Middlesbrough that have both achieved more than SAFC I'm the last 30 years. That's what was mag-esque about your comment.

I really did think we were going places under Neil, but what we need to ensure is we establish ourselves in the Championship, and if Mowbray can achieve that "bang average" goal, I'll be satisfied (for now).

Who would you realistically want?
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Well said. I think many fans are easily star struck by managers who can spin straw into gold. Turn water into wine. Look at Dyche. He took a smallish Lancashire club and worked miracles with them. David became Goliath. The wins went up. Performances went up. The way he set up the team up revolutionised them. We think we can get such a name. We don’t need such a name right now. We just need one who can do the bare minimum to keep a club in the Championship after 3 years in League One.

Ok I was dead against him but the OP turned my head. We don’t need a winner. Just a manager who is capable of keeping us up.
Brian Griffin said:
He was a disaster at Celtic.
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Given the size of Celtic little wonder. They are probably the biggest club he’s been at. Expectations were high.
 
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The_Witch said:
I had a look on Boro's forum (Boro Online?) after we beat Middlesbrough 4-1 at home when Mogga was managing them and we had Mick Mac. And to a man they were all saying how shit Mogga was, that he'd never been a tactician and that his team (which back then included the likes of Adomah, Downing, that midfielder they got from the Scum called Jonny summink, that right back Friend they all thought would play for England, so we're not talking cheap here) was poorly coached and looked frightened of their own shadow. And that day they were comprehensively out-thought, out-performed and outmanoeuvred by a bluff Yorkshireman, his mate Terry and a team thrown together pretty much from the bargain bucket.

I too like Mogga. He's an old Ipswich favourite, a decent man with good principles, been through a lot in his life with his wife tragically passing away too young. But to pretend he's Brian Clough is stretching a point.

If you just want unspectacular, risk-free plod that'll take you to 17th by the end of the season, by all means. This is an opportunity, however.
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Your memory isn't as sharp as it was mate

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Cockney Mackem said:
Conversely going straight up this season and having to add to this squad to make it Premiership standard would be a humiliating disaster
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It would be far from a humiliating disaster for what the club want to achieve. The golden word of ‘sustainability’.

A £100m windfall into the coffers with parachute payments would be very warmly welcomed. The club and its owners would much rather have that next season even if it resulted in immediate relegation rather than in five seasons which still might result in immediate relegation.
 
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