Nigel Pearson: Here and Now

[Superjack]

6 hours ago, WinslowFox said:

It's time to come home

He IS home.

[Superjack]

4 hours ago, STUHILL said:

Pearson has his first handful of wins as a manager in 8 years, and people want him back. Finished 17th last season with Bristol.

Lets be honest, he has been pretty awful everywhere he's gone for the last 8 years. He was also pretty awful with us for most of the 14/15 season. 

Did a great job for us prior to that, but I just don't see him being a success here again. Hope he does well at Bristol, but I don't see him taking them back up. 

He has an average win percentage of 29% over 4 clubs since leaving us... 

He took us on because he wanted a project at this stage in his career, and God did we give him one. After years of throwing money at Lee Johnson and a self-promoting CEO we didn't and don't have a pot to piss in. 

 

He said when he came in that it would take three years to challenge for the Prem. I thought it would be longer and I don't think we will sustain it to the end of this season, but he hasn't been here two years yet and he looks well on course already. Got rid of the bad apples, trimmed the squad, trimmed the wage bill, brought good, hungry players in for **** all, and promoted youth.

 

I hope (and think) he wouldn't leave now having done the tough bit. He has a board that give managers time, Premier facilities and a squad that appear to love him. I think that I am right in saying that he has already intimated that this will be his last job in football.

[inckley fox]

4 hours ago, STUHILL said:

Pearson has his first handful of wins as a manager in 8 years, and people want him back. Finished 17th last season with Bristol.

Lets be honest, he has been pretty awful everywhere he's gone for the last 8 years. He was also pretty awful with us for most of the 14/15 season. 

Did a great job for us prior to that, but I just don't see him being a success here again. Hope he does well at Bristol, but I don't see him taking them back up. 

He has an average win percentage of 29% over 4 clubs since leaving us... 

 

There are many reasons for Pearson being worthy of his estimation, and the sentiment of your message (in spite of the 'did a great job for us' which you wedge into it) doesn't seem fully appreciative. The obvious one is that he took us up two divisions, kept us up, and created the most unexpected title-winning side of all time on a shoestring budget. That doesn't just make him a 'relatively good Leicester manager, in an era of abject godawfulness', it makes him perhaps our most important manager ever, and a key player in one of sporting history's most exceptional moments. Someone deserving of more credit than many give him, possibly because superficial analysis of our success didn't tend to throw light on his contribution.

 

But just because people in the media don't like him (or insist that Puel's or Brendan's brand of football is more sophisticated and gripping than his, or prefer to tell us that once Don Claudio waved his magic wand and turned a bunch of losers into champions) doesn't mean that our fans have to buy into it too.

 

One other reason for all of this praise is that people seem desperate to re-imagine his reign as having been turbulent and unpleasant, or reflect on him as an unsuccessful manager. In 14/15 we, as a newly promoted side, finished 14th. Pearson ended up on a three man shortlist for manager of the year. No, he wasn't successful in the briefest of stints under the wonderful Mel Morris, had a mixed time at Leuven, and was removed (like everyone else) from the Watford job when they had a good chance of staying up (despite being cut adrift when he took over). But Carlisle, Southampton, Hull and Bristol City fans will testify to his credentials. And apparently his Bristol side, built on a shoestring even by second tier standards, are quite exciting right now too, up there in third place.

 

If people were to diminish the contribution of others who are so ingrained in Leicester City's culture - be it Arthur Chandler, Sep Smith or Jimmy Bloomfield (who, by the way, only had a 29% win rate when he was our manager) - then I'd hope people would put them right, because these people made the club what it is.

 

And you only need the faintest appreciation of our past, and what we as a club could realistically expect to achieve back in 2008, or 2011, and then see what we actually did achieve, to understand why Pearson is obviously at the heart of what we became. We were absolutely nothing until he picked us up by the scruff of the neck and turned us into not just a PL-worthy side, but - for the first time in our history - a title-worthy side.

 

Do I think Pearson could be a success in the PL again? Without a doubt. In his one full season he kept a newly promoted side up and forged a squad that would win the league. Is he the right man now? Probably not. We're in a state, and he'd probably need too long to sort the wheat from the chaff. Would we have won the league with him? I doubt it.

 

But, regardless of this, it really doesn't make sense for Leicester fans to understate what he did for us.

[ealingfox]

Listen, Bristol City might not thank me but get the contract out, put it on the table. Let him sign it. Let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he's done since he's come in. Big Nige's at the wheel, man. He's doing it. He's doing his thing. Leicester City will be BACK.

[Fox 4 Life]

Pearson

[Lionator]

He also wouldn’t leave Bristol City for Leicester I don’t think, what he’s doing there must be incredibly satisfying. He’s doesn’t need the money or the ‘big move’, he loves a project and that’s what he’s got. Also Bristol is a bloody brilliant city. 

[Sharpe's Fox]

10 hours ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

I love @Sharpe's Fox the number 1 Pearson fan in a long list of contenders. 

Thanks brother. My Pearson takes are box office tbf

[eblair]

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

He also wouldn’t leave Bristol City for Leicester I don’t think, what he’s doing there must be incredibly satisfying. He’s doesn’t need the money or the ‘big move’, he loves a project and that’s what he’s got. Also Bristol is a bloody brilliant city. 

this is his club though, he needs to come home

[whetstonefox]

His time at Leicester is done, be grateful for what he did , sounds as though he has found the ideal club in Bristol City and they are going to be my 2nd team this season. I think they may fall just short this season (bit like us 12/13) then I guess is how much do the owners back him next summer. I can also imagine him having a few ciders in the decent Bristol pubs  recounting stories of fighting off wolves in Romania. 

[STUHILL]

Calm down people. I said I didn't want him back here now and also he has had an awful record since leaving us (which he has) 

He is still my favourite manager since O'Neil, despite all our trophies (ooof that feels good to say!)

As I have seen and the Bristol City fan mentioned, he also seems ready to check out of Football soon, and who can blame him? 

Did a great job for us prior OR should I say OMFG, best ever!!! BUT, that was then and this is now. Bristol City is a perfect job for him. 

No more rants about my utter disrespect for Big Nige needed..

[STUHILL]

11 hours ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Although I can see your point to some degree, it's embarrassing that any Leicester fan doesn't rate Pearson. Especially now we have a total clown in charge. 

 

 

The irony of this post. I think Rodgers should go now, but to call x2 5th place finishes, x1 8th and an FA Cup and Charity Shield the result of having 'a total clown in charge'... Come on now. Embarrassing. 

[Lionator]

50 minutes ago, STUHILL said:

The irony of this post. I think Rodgers should go now, but to call x2 5th place finishes, x1 8th and an FA Cup and Charity Shield the result of having 'a total clown in charge'... Come on now. Embarrassing. 

What’s happening with Rodgers is just an example of everything having its sell by date. Both parties need to recognise it, it doesn’t mean it has to be nasty. We can still appreciate the achievements under his leadership. 

Edited 4 September 2022 by Lionator

[Dahnsouff]

Just now, Lionator said:

What’s happening with Rodgers is just an example of everything having its sell by date. Both parties need to recognise it, it doesn’t mean it has to be nasty. 

This. Best Before June 2021.

[RumbleFox]

12 hours ago, inckley fox said:

 

There are many reasons for Pearson being worthy of his estimation, and the sentiment of your message (in spite of the 'did a great job for us' which you wedge into it) doesn't seem fully appreciative. The obvious one is that he took us up two divisions, kept us up, and created the most unexpected title-winning side of all time on a shoestring budget. That doesn't just make him a 'relatively good Leicester manager, in an era of abject godawfulness', it makes him perhaps our most important manager ever, and a key player in one of sporting history's most exceptional moments. Someone deserving of more credit than many give him, possibly because superficial analysis of our success didn't tend to throw light on his contribution.

 

But just because people in the media don't like him (or insist that Puel's or Brendan's brand of football is more sophisticated and gripping than his, or prefer to tell us that once Don Claudio waved his magic wand and turned a bunch of losers into champions) doesn't mean that our fans have to buy into it too.

 

One other reason for all of this praise is that people seem desperate to re-imagine his reign as having been turbulent and unpleasant, or reflect on him as an unsuccessful manager. In 14/15 we, as a newly promoted side, finished 14th. Pearson ended up on a three man shortlist for manager of the year. No, he wasn't successful in the briefest of stints under the wonderful Mel Morris, had a mixed time at Leuven, and was removed (like everyone else) from the Watford job when they had a good chance of staying up (despite being cut adrift when he took over). But Carlisle, Southampton, Hull and Bristol City fans will testify to his credentials. And apparently his Bristol side, built on a shoestring even by second tier standards, are quite exciting right now too, up there in third place.

 

If people were to diminish the contribution of others who are so ingrained in Leicester City's culture - be it Arthur Chandler, Sep Smith or Jimmy Bloomfield (who, by the way, only had a 29% win rate when he was our manager) - then I'd hope people would put them right, because these people made the club what it is.

 

And you only need the faintest appreciation of our past, and what we as a club could realistically expect to achieve back in 2008, or 2011, and then see what we actually did achieve, to understand why Pearson is obviously at the heart of what we became. We were absolutely nothing until he picked us up by the scruff of the neck and turned us into not just a PL-worthy side, but - for the first time in our history - a title-worthy side.

 

Do I think Pearson could be a success in the PL again? Without a doubt. In his one full season he kept a newly promoted side up and forged a squad that would win the league. Is he the right man now? Probably not. We're in a state, and he'd probably need too long to sort the wheat from the chaff. Would we have won the league with him? I doubt it.

 

But, regardless of this, it really doesn't make sense for Leicester fans to understate what he did for us.

Brilliant post, nails my thoughts.
 

I know folk like a wee debate but the following (sometimes contradictory) things can all be true at the same time  without people unnecessarily having a go at each other…..

 

Pearson was amazing. He was one most important managers in our history. Maybe THE most important. 

 

He built the title winning side.

 

Without his work we would not have won the league.

 

We would not have won the league had he stayed.

 

I still love him and would definitely smile if he came back to us.

 

He probably isn’t the right man for us right now.

Edited 4 September 2022 by RumbleFox

[STUHILL]

33 minutes ago, Lionator said:

What’s happening with Rodgers is just an example of everything having its sell by date. Both parties need to recognise it, it doesn’t mean it has to be nasty. We can still appreciate the achievements under his leadership. 

Absolutely. To win our first ever FA Cup is legendary stuff. I will always appreciate him for that. Hate how it has turned out, as I thought he would comfortable have us as a top 7/8 club for however long he wanted to stay, but football is never that kind, and unfortunately, all his bad qualities are on full display now that it isn't going his way. Time for a divorce, but hopefully not a nasty one. 

[Finnaldo]

I wouldn’t have him back at manager capacity, and he wouldn’t anyway as I imagine he’s got a good project going on at Bristol, but there’s a lot of myths around Pearson since he left, seemingly mostly propagated by the weird section of our support who have refused for years to give the bloke any credit for what he did here over two spells, that he has been crap since he left Leicester. The reality is his managerial record since leaving has been: 

 

Derby - was given no room to breathe by Mel Morris, who we now know in retrospect completely fvcked the club with his constant overspending on shite and attempts to intervene with the managerial functions of the club. Pearson is a manager who is known to require the trust from board level to really get his stamp on things. As we’ve seen, all names of managers came and went and couldn’t achieve anything. You could send Guardiola there and he’s pissing off after finishing midtable because Morris would try and interfere. 
 

Leuven - seemed to be a move to get him away from English football, I think it was said he’d been a bit burned out and jaded after the way his last two jobs ended (understandable) so whether you want to read in to what was basically a two year managerial retreat to the Belgian Second Division then fair play, but it’s neither here or there ultimately. 
 

Watford - he was hired on 6 December 2019 with Watford bottom, sacked on 19 July 2020 with Watford three points clear of relegation, and beat Liverpool 3-0 which was their first loss in 45 PL games. This was objectively another excellent relegation escape job undone by a board known for their cycle of managers. They’d get relegated after losing the next two games. 
 

Bristol City - a club in terminal decline, having overspent with little money in the bank, looking destined to go down ala Derby sans the administration. Cleared out all the deadwood, stabilised last season, now using a mix of youth and bargain bin signings who he can trust to play for the shirt (sound familiar?). 
 

Bloke has managed two poisoned chalices and a holiday job since us, one of the chalices he managed to succeed in and the other are currently in League One having been absolutely crushed by diabolical ownership. Far too early to say Bristol are promotion candidates, but they’re showing massive leaps in terms of progression having spent no cash during the summer. The idea he’s been crap since he left and this is his first half decent run since us is pure fantasy.

Edited 4 September 2022 by Finnaldo

[STUHILL]

9 minutes ago, Finnaldo said:

I wouldn’t have him back at manager capacity, and he wouldn’t anyway as I imagine he’s got a good project going on at Bristol, but there’s a lot of myths around Pearson since he left, seemingly mostly propagated by the weird section of our support who have refused for years to give the bloke any credit for what he did here over two spells, that he has been crap since he left Leicester. The reality is his managerial record since leaving has been: 

 

Derby - was given no room to breathe by Mel Morris, who we now know in retrospect completely fvcked the club with his constant overspending on shite and attempts to intervene with the managerial functions of the club. Pearson is a manager who is known to require the trust from board level to really get his stamp on things. As we’ve seen, all names of managers came and went and couldn’t achieve anything. You could send Guardiola there and he’s pissing off after finishing midtable because Morris would try and interfere. 
 

Leuven - seemed to be a move to get him away from English football, I think it was said he’d been a bit burned out and jaded after the way his last two jobs ended (understandable) so whether you want to read in to what was basically a two year managerial retreat to the Belgian Second Division then fair play, but it’s neither here or there ultimately. 
 

Watford - he was hired on 6 December 2019 with Watford bottom, sacked on 19 July 2020 with Watford three points clear of relegation, and beat Liverpool 3-0 which was their first loss in 45 PL games. This was objectively another excellent relegation escape job undone by a board known for their cycle of managers. They’d get relegated after losing the next two games. 
 

Bristol City - a club in terminal decline, having overspent with little money in the bank, looking destined to go down ala Derby sans the administration. Cleared out all the deadwood, stabilised last season, now using a mix of youth and bargain bin signings who he can trust to play for the shirt (sound familiar?). 
 

Bloke has managed two poisoned chalices and a holiday job since us, one of the chalices he managed to succeed in and the other are currently in League One having been absolutely crushed by diabolical ownership. Far too early to say Bristol are promotion candidates, but they’re showing massive leaps in terms of progression having spent no cash during the summer. The idea he’s been crap since he left and this is his first half decent run since us is pure fantasy.

Sounding like Brendan with all those excuses  but for what it's worth, I hope he has found his perfect club in Bristol City and he is a big success there. Feels like he lost his mojo when he got sacked from us, and who can blame him. If he can rediscover that, then he will do a decent job for Bristol. Enough for promotion? I am not so sure, because there are some big clubs down there and 3 more with huge parachute payments each year drop in (not us!). Good luck to him! 

[Finnaldo]

Just now, STUHILL said:

Sounding like Brendan with all those excuses  but for what it's worth, I hope he has found his perfect club in Bristol City and he is a big success there. Feels like he lost his mojo when he got sacked from us, and who can blame him. If he can rediscover that, then he will do a decent job for Bristol. Enough for promotion? I am not so sure, because there are some big clubs down there and 3 more with huge parachute payments each year drop in (not us!). Good luck to him! 

I mean his current record post-Leicester for English clubs are Derby: no chance, Watford: did exactly what he was hired to do and was sacked for it, and Bristol: currently trending upwards, so I’d say he’s been mostly successful in English Leagues since he left. Bristol & Watford fans would likely support that view. 

[Clever Fox]

2 hours ago, STUHILL said:

Calm down people. I said I didn't want him back here now and also he has had an awful record since leaving us (which he has) 

He is still my favourite manager since O'Neil, despite all our trophies (ooof that feels good to say!)

As I have seen and the Bristol City fan mentioned, he also seems ready to check out of Football soon, and who can blame him? 

Did a great job for us prior OR should I say OMFG, best ever!!! BUT, that was then and this is now. Bristol City is a perfect job for him. 

No more rants about my utter disrespect for Big Nige needed..

He's been a success everywhere he went, He just didn't last long enough because of stupid Owners interfering.

Give him the time and he'll build a team to get Bristol back to the Premiership and keep them there.

 

Unfortunately it's all about the money by Owners, Just look at Utd.. That's symptomatic of the Premiership.

To design and build a Club from the bottom up there's nobody better in the Country than our Nigel. 

[STUHILL]

I think people forget how important Steve Walsh and Craig Shakespeare were during Pearson's time here too. I always wonder if he had been able to keep the trio together, would he have been much more successful post Leicester. Maybe it was just the perfect time and club for all three of them. 

[lfu]

14 minutes ago, Finnaldo said:

I mean his current record post-Leicester for English clubs are Derby: no chance, Watford: did exactly what he was hired to do and was sacked for it, and Bristol: currently trending upwards, so I’d say he’s been mostly successful in English Leagues since he left. Bristol & Watford fans would likely support that view. 

Pozzos were definitely very short-sighted to sack Pearson. 

[STUHILL]

1 minute ago, Clever Fox said:

He's been a success everywhere he went, He just didn't last long enough because of stupid Owners interfering.

Give him the time and he'll build a team to get Bristol back to the Premiership and keep them there.

 

Unfortunately it's all about the money by Owners, Just look at Utd.. That's symptomatic of the Premiership.

To design and build a Club from the bottom up there's nobody better in the Country than our Nigel. 

Won 3 out of 14 games for Derby

Won 18 out of 56 for Leuven

Won 7 out of 22 for Watford

 

I love Big Nige as much as next bloke, but they are not successes. Finnaldo did a good job of explaining maybe why he didn't have success and likely has good points, however, it is rare that any manager ever has a perfect club and situation to manage, whether it be owners, transfer budgets, unhappy players, injuries etc etc. 

I thought he would do much better post Leicester, he hasn't. That does not mean I think less of his time as a Leicester manager, but also does not mean I think he would be a good fit for us right now. Great manager for us, not been that great since, and I don't see the benefits of going back there. Bristol City seems a good fit for him. 

[Clever Fox]

I know what your saying and I kind of agree with you. But I wouldn't be blinded by results in the short term.

Derby were a basket case when he went there and even Rooney said he had a decent squad to work with when he took over.

Lueven he went to sort the Club out more than the Team and they are also doing better now.

Watford I felt he would have kept up if the gave him the chance bit the Owners bottled it.

 

I doubt we will see him back here because he and Rudkin didn't really get along and he's said Bristol will be his last job.

He'd be a good man to head up recruitment and be an adviser to the Board. 

 

We need to be really careful with the next appointment. Rogers has overseen 100+ million of signings and only JJ and Timmy have been decent.

Tilemans and Fofana where in the pipeline before he arrived so lets not count them.

[Oxo]

I am reading this thread with interest. Let me say from the beginning I am a Bristol City supporter with 60 years under my belt, so like your elder statesman I have seen a lot.

 

Without a chapter and verse about us that no one will care about it, has been 42 years since we were last in the top division. The club has specialized in failure and rubbish appointments, with may be one exception, for all of that period. FFP is an issue in the Championship. It is not really true to think BCFC dont have money as the owner Steve Lansdown has pot loads of it, however Lee Johnson over spent so badly (on utter rubbish) that there is no wiggle room, unless we take a points deduction.

 

So…Nigel Pearson! The bloke took over not just a basket case club, but in my opinion THE basket case club. A massively bloated squad all on huge wages, no money to spend with a back room staff that were garbage and a treatment room with 17 (seventeen) players all unable to play…

 

In summary he has a three year contract with two to run.

What he has done

First he let 13 senior pros go. One of whom, (will remain nameless) who he told to call his agent and eff off out of the club

Second, he had to teach fully grown pros how to defend, while easing the garbage back room, training and medical staff out, gradually replacing them

Third, he brought in new coaching staff all of whom had a good track record and were hungry to push their careers

Fourth, he kept us up. Derby gave us a little help their bless them, but we made it with a bit to spare

Fifth, his one big break is BCFC academy is second to none and has a conveyor belt of talent (probably why he took the job) and he started giving youth a chance. (Notably England u19 World Cup winner Alex Scott and now 6 in 6 Tommy Conway)

Sixth He turned Andi Weimann into a goal and assist machine (22 goals last season and currently leading the championship assists chart and has four goals) resurrected Nahki Wells career and turned Antoine semenyo into a player that we have rejected 10 million for

Seventh He turned Zac Vyner into a footballer again despite him being the target of the boo boys  for a couple of seasons

Eighth We are currently the English games second leading scorers (behind Manchester city) have gone on an eight game unbeaten run and are in the third round of the League cup with a home game against Lincoln to come

 

The reason I tell you this, is this man has turned around a club with no money to spend, with playboys on the books into a massively competitive football club with players coming through that will cost any Premier club a hell a lot of money….

 

I would suggest some of this sounds familiar to Leicester fans.

 

The bloke will not be coming to Leicester is the first thing I would add, He lives in the West Country and has to much going for him there. But I would say this, a very vocal BCFC supporter was only four weeks ago calling for the bloke to be sacked. Pearsons crime that we lost two games that we had long spells on top, so I guess I understand that some dont rate him for whatever reason….However if you have a basket case club and he is allowed the time to turn it, he will. I note the one or two who say, he has done nothing since, well if you dont give the bloke what is needed and sack him for not getting instant success (in one notable case, nut job chairman was spying on him with a drone) then its going to make his track record a bit iffy. Pearson is probably the best manager in the English game not to have managed at the highest level, but that is probably not his skill set. Changing a culture is!

 

 

[eblair]

2 hours ago, Oxo said:

I am reading this thread with interest. Let me say from the beginning I am a Bristol City supporter with 60 years under my belt, so like your elder statesman I have seen a lot.

 

Without a chapter and verse about us that no one will care about it, has been 42 years since we were last in the top division. The club has specialized in failure and rubbish appointments, with may be one exception, for all of that period. FFP is an issue in the Championship. It is not really true to think BCFC dont have money as the owner Steve Lansdown has pot loads of it, however Lee Johnson over spent so badly (on utter rubbish) that there is no wiggle room, unless we take a points deduction.

 

So…Nigel Pearson! The bloke took over not just a basket case club, but in my opinion THE basket case club. A massively bloated squad all on huge wages, no money to spend with a back room staff that were garbage and a treatment room with 17 (seventeen) players all unable to play…

 

In summary he has a three year contract with two to run.

What he has done

First he let 13 senior pros go. One of whom, (will remain nameless) who he told to call his agent and eff off out of the club

Second, he had to teach fully grown pros how to defend, while easing the garbage back room, training and medical staff out, gradually replacing them

Third, he brought in new coaching staff all of whom had a good track record and were hungry to push their careers

Fourth, he kept us up. Derby gave us a little help their bless them, but we made it with a bit to spare

Fifth, his one big break is BCFC academy is second to none and has a conveyor belt of talent (probably why he took the job) and he started giving youth a chance. (Notably England u19 World Cup winner Alex Scott and now 6 in 6 Tommy Conway)

Sixth He turned Andi Weimann into a goal and assist machine (22 goals last season and currently leading the championship assists chart and has four goals) resurrected Nahki Wells career and turned Antoine semenyo into a player that we have rejected 10 million for

Seventh He turned Zac Vyner into a footballer again despite him being the target of the boo boys  for a couple of seasons

Eighth We are currently the English games second leading scorers (behind Manchester city) have gone on an eight game unbeaten run and are in the third round of the League cup with a home game against Lincoln to come

 

The reason I tell you this, is this man has turned around a club with no money to spend, with playboys on the books into a massively competitive football club with players coming through that will cost any Premier club a hell a lot of money….

 

I would suggest some of this sounds familiar to Leicester fans.

 

The bloke will not be coming to Leicester is the first thing I would add, He lives in the West Country and has to much going for him there. But I would say this, a very vocal BCFC supporter was only four weeks ago calling for the bloke to be sacked. Pearsons crime that we lost two games that we had long spells on top, so I guess I understand that some dont rate him for whatever reason….However if you have a basket case club and he is allowed the time to turn it, he will. I note the one or two who say, he has done nothing since, well if you dont give the bloke what is needed and sack him for not getting instant success (in one notable case, nut job chairman was spying on him with a drone) then its going to make his track record a bit iffy. Pearson is probably the best manager in the English game not to have managed at the highest level, but that is probably not his skill set. Changing a culture is!

 

 

So glad he has turned it around at your club. Always had a soft spot.

 

But time for Nige to return to the house that he built. Can’t forge those memories and connections. Sorry bud. Best of luck for life post Nige, we won the PL so there is hope 

 

(5% serious post)