I'm compelled to start a thread, recognising that this sentiment may have been discussed before, but the respect is too powerful to ignore. I need to express the incredible impact of having this individual steering the red wheel. Where do I even begin? Let me highlight a few key points, specifically focusing on this season.
- Tactical Acumen: Seriously, what is this wizardry? The way he orchestrates mid-match changes is like witnessing a master play chess. Being a bit of a player myself, I can appreciate his strategic brilliance. It's as if he's saying, "I think I'll try this..." If it works, it's checkmate. If not, he adapts flawlessly. Almost every time, he's spot on. Even when he's wrong, he somehow turns it around.
- Humble Yet Resilient: Genuinely humble, he can laugh at the absurdities of dealing with challenges like VAR, scheduling, and officiating incompetence. His reactions to the most outrageous situations lead me to my next point.
- One of Us: He's more than just a coach; he's one of us. A true red who loves every aspect of it. His passion for the team is palpable, and he shares our anger, frustration, and verbal venting. Sometimes misguided, but we appreciate his unwavering passion—it's what we'd do ourselves.
- Developing Young Talent: Consider how he nurtures the young talents. Arms around shoulders, instilling trust and confidence in them all. How many kids have started under him? Look at how he handles outgoing players, anoints leaders on the field, all while encouraging the crowd with his fist pumps and the honestly refreshing 'Don't sing my name until it's over' vibe.
