Logistics - the next few months

[AKCJ]

I would say that the agenda is as follows;

 

1. Get rid of Rudkin and replace him with an "out and out" Director of Football. Someone with experience of resuscitating a dead side.

 

2. Appoint a new manager. Preferably someone with experience of English football.

 

3. Sort out quickly who is going to stay and who is going to go. I would say look to keep Daka, KDH, Souttar, Thomas, Iversen and Albrighton. Look to raise money from Ndidi, Maddison, Barnes, Iheanacho, Faes, Castagne, Praet, Justin and Ward.

 

4. Quickly move for 3/4 key targets - players that will play 40+ games. Midfield general, two attacking midfielders for goals/assists, centre half and right back. Look to fill the rest with loans and academy lads.

 

5. Begin a genuinely tough pre-season. Get the lads properly fit and in shape - something they haven't been for ages. 

 

6. Give Dewsbury-Hall the armband.

 

7. Implement a straight forward and recognisable way of playing. At the risk of using a thoroughly sickening football phrase... start playing the "Leicester way" again. Tough to play against, individual quality, attacking fast football on the break etc.

 

8. Release a genuine 10/10 kit - very important.

 

9. Accept the humbling that relegation will provide us (both as a club and as fans).

[wardyfox86]

Rebuild a competent backroom setup, and revamp the youth coaching and youth recruitment. We have the facilities for the best to thrive, but we've just chucked all our old tools into our shiny new toolbox, expecting better results.

 

Get shot of players early. It's clear who doesn't want to be here, all but about 6 players should be on the market, but maybe not all sold.

 

Have a manager lined up for June 1st with some fresh ideas and some contacts from other leagues.

 

Will this happen? No, we'll sign stop gap players from within the English leagues hoping to bounce straight back with the least imaginative manager we can think of (likely Smith)

[Dan]

It all sounds very dramatic but it's not unlikely at all when you think about the last few windows. We are bad at getting anything done at a decent pace. The fact Rudkin is likely to oversee this is just absolutely remarkable to me. It's complete insanity.

 

With this preseason tour added in for good measure I'm quite confident of a bad start.

[Alf Bentley]

There will certainly be a lot to do within a short timescale. Some of that always happens, but will just be on a larger scale - notably players in and out. Some of it, like business decisions & back-office/commercial redundancies need not have a meaningful impact on the playing side that mainly concerns us as fans.

 

Also, a lot of the ins and outs on the playing side will happen regardless of which division we're in. Even if a miracle happens and we stay up, there'll be more players leaving and arriving than usual. Admittedly, if relegation is confirmed, a few will leave who might otherwise stay (some of Barnes, Castagne, Iheanacho, Ndidi & Soumare?). But presumably most of those whose contracts are expiring will go regardless, along with Maddison. There'll be a big player influx whichever division we're in, just a bit larger if relegation is confirmed - and players of a different calibre.....so let's just hope we've been scouting targets viable for the Championship in recent weeks, hopefully including some who could also play at PL level if we bounce back in 23-24.....

 

I think @fazzyfox is right to say that our squad by the end of August (or even September with incoming loanees?) will look quite different to the squad that starts the season. Just look at midfield alone. Tielemans and Mendy will presumably be gone, but we could start the season with a midfield including most of Maddison (), Ndidi, KDH, Soumare, Barnes & Praet.....and most of them, apart from KDH, could be gone by the end of August.

 

Unless we reappoint Deano, Shakey & JT, one thing that needs to happen as early as possible is the appointment of a new 1st XI management team. You'd hope that will be sorted well before pre-season training starts, so that the new appointees can have input into player signings, sales and contract renewals - and into ensuring that physical preparation and wider coaching suits the style(s) of play, formation(s) and tactics that will be implemented during the season. I'm unsure what I'd think of us reappointing Deano & co. It would have clear benefits of continuity and familiarity - and I really don't like the sound of this Rodgers 2.0 bloke from Swansea. But it's so hard to judge an interim manager based on a handful of games in a crisis situation, when the squad is set to change massively in the coming weeks....

 

This will be our first summer managerial appointment since Claudio replaced NP, I think? Shakey, Puel & Rodgers all arrived mid-season, didn't they? Indeed, we've had very few summer managerial appointments in recent memory (Sousa, Pearson's first stint, Martin Allen ).... 

[davieG]

1 hour ago, Daggers said:

Board’s to-do list:

 

1. Carry on as normal

2. Procrastinate

3. Pretend nothing happened

4. Reorganise a desk drawer somewhere

5. Pop the kettle on

6. Ask comms to do something about hard work and training

7. Speak to The Torygraph about our plans to get in to Europe this season

8. Appoint interim caretaker manager team to see us through to November

9. Go horse racing

10. Play a bit of the old polo

Rearrange the Deck Chairs in the recreation hall.

[orangecity23]

Given the way we've gone about business (or not done any business) in several recent transfer windows, plus the dithering over sacking Rodgers and leaving that way too late, it feels nailed on that the club will be slow on the ball this summer and there's every chance we start the season with a manager recruited at the last possible second and barely any players in the squad because we leave the transfer business until the end of the window. Then fail to get in enough players in the positions we need. Plus - whats the betting even if they do sign 8+ players, they somehow neglect to pick up any wingers AGAIN.

[fazzyfox]

Another worry, with the ostrich heads in the sand at the club, how much player scouting has been done in the context of being a championship club rather than PL? It’s ok saying you keep your standards and want players who will be good enough for a (possible) return to the Premier League but realistically our appeal, wage offer and perhaps budget despite a fair bit coming in for Maddison, will be significantly lower and there’s an argument that you need players who “know the league”. I doubt we’ve even looked and we’ll be at the mercy of agents seeking homes for their misfits. 

[Pete from the USA]

Get the club finances straight. First step is to offload high-wage players who don't seem to want to be at the club.

 

[Monk]

The key time for decisions is clearly 14 minutes after the transfer window ends. 

[Milky]

1 minute ago, Monk said:

The key time for decisions is clearly 14 minutes after the transfer window ends. 

Minutes or seconds?

[Monk]

Just now, Milky said:

Minutes or seconds?

Ask Rudders he knows best 🫣

[CosbehFox]

First half of the season will be crisis management as much about performances on the pitch. Attempt to claw as many points as possible and then realistically asses chances in January 

[Vestan Pance]

I wouldn't change anything, Frank McLintock, League One etc etc etc.

[Stadt]

Our transfer window was abysmal last summer, seemingly didn’t have any funds and our HoR was on gardening leave at another club whilst we completed 0% of our fated rebuild.

 

Given the summer ones out so badly January should have been a flurry of activity; our first singing was Kristiansen on the 19th or the 20th. Even then we paid £17m for a teenage left back, Copenhagen’s record departure. How did it take so long? 
 

I can’t remember the numbers off the top of my head but Forest have signed as many players this season as we have in something like 5 years. We’re bad at getting players in, let alone decent ones.

The honourable thing for Rudkin to do would be resign. It’s a nice sinecure for him though.

[smudgerfox]

On 18/05/2023 at 12:09, Chelmofox said:

Something i can't get my head around is how the next few months will pan out once the inevitable has been confirmed. In fact, i would rather we were relegated weeks ago so the club were mentally prepared for the next steps.  The first Championship game is Friday 4th August (which i bet we will likely get), meaning that there is little over 2 months to get our world in order. 

 

There really is no time for anyone to be spending 3 weeks relaxing in the Algarve.  I don't know about you all, but I am exhausted just witnessing this. God knows how those within in feel right now. I imagine there are lots of people who really don't have the energy or mental capacity to get this all done right and need a break.

 

As i see it, we have to (although not exhaustive list!):

 

• Find new manager, coach, defensive / fitness coach. Identify the next team captain.
• Club to decide what roles throughout the whole business need to be retained, and start redundancies processes where needed
• Deal with contracted player outgoings, ensuring we don't just get fleeced by the big clubs, and that we are not retaining horrible dead wood. Potentially deal with Vardy's situation as i think retaining is ridiculous considering salary requirements
• Deal with a huge number of player incomings (do we need 10-15 new players in the squad?), ensuring we are negotiating well and not getting fleeced by everyone around us
• Deal with the inevitable sh1t storm of having to reduce existing players wages as per their contracts. I am sure there could be legal challenges around this
• Deal with existing loans and work out if these are players who should be retained or shipped out because they are likely dead wood (Hamza, Albrighton etc)
• Deal with everything needed for the U21's, as some players will certainly be promoted to the main team 
• Have a PROPER preseason
• Have this stupid preseason tour (assuming we can't wriggle out of it. I wouldn't put it past our board to have not added a clause in there in the event we were relegated)
• Cry lots
• Start process of rebuilding the club culture and mentality from the ground up

 

All in 2 months!!! Rudkin has about 5 jobs because Director of Football of LCFC is only part time, so out of these 2 months he probably only gets to work 15 days of that 2 months anyway (and i presume he will want a holiday as well). 

 

At this rate i can see us not being able to register a full squad when the season starts, and we begin the year with Sadler in charge.

I think you’re right. There’s a huge amount to do and not a lot of time to do it. And while we might be in a hurry to get things sorted , potential sales and signings (including new manager) might prefer to wait in case better options arise. We ve struggled to get deals over the line in good time in the past and we’re not in a strong bargaining position now. Ideally you’d want a manager installed immediately the season outcome is determined and a couple of  early “statement”  signings to say we mean business next season which will persuade others to join. But can we do that if players are not sold first? Clubs chasing Maddison don’t need to hurry - they know we’re selling him and they know we need the money. The more urgent our preparations for next season become, the more we’ll have to accept low offers for players to get them out and replacements in. 

Edited 24 May 2023 by smudgerfox

[SkidsFox]

On 18/05/2023 at 12:09, Chelmofox said:

Something i can't get my head around is how the next few months will pan out once the inevitable has been confirmed. In fact, i would rather we were relegated weeks ago so the club were mentally prepared for the next steps.  The first Championship game is Friday 4th August (which i bet we will likely get), meaning that there is little over 2 months to get our world in order. 

 

There really is no time for anyone to be spending 3 weeks relaxing in the Algarve.  I don't know about you all, but I am exhausted just witnessing this. God knows how those within in feel right now. I imagine there are lots of people who really don't have the energy or mental capacity to get this all done right and need a break.

 

As i see it, we have to (although not exhaustive list!):

 

• Find new manager, coach, defensive / fitness coach. Identify the next team captain.
• Club to decide what roles throughout the whole business need to be retained, and start redundancies processes where needed
• Deal with contracted player outgoings, ensuring we don't just get fleeced by the big clubs, and that we are not retaining horrible dead wood. Potentially deal with Vardy's situation as i think retaining is ridiculous considering salary requirements
• Deal with a huge number of player incomings (do we need 10-15 new players in the squad?), ensuring we are negotiating well and not getting fleeced by everyone around us
• Deal with the inevitable sh1t storm of having to reduce existing players wages as per their contracts. I am sure there could be legal challenges around this
• Deal with existing loans and work out if these are players who should be retained or shipped out because they are likely dead wood (Hamza, Albrighton etc)
• Deal with everything needed for the U21's, as some players will certainly be promoted to the main team 
• Have a PROPER preseason
• Have this stupid preseason tour (assuming we can't wriggle out of it. I wouldn't put it past our board to have not added a clause in there in the event we were relegated)
• Cry lots
• Start process of rebuilding the club culture and mentality from the ground up

 

All in 2 months!!! Rudkin has about 5 jobs because Director of Football of LCFC is only part time, so out of these 2 months he probably only gets to work 15 days of that 2 months anyway (and i presume he will want a holiday as well). 

 

At this rate i can see us not being able to register a full squad when the season starts, and we begin the year with Sadler in charge.

Going to be heavy going - takes time for players to settle, particularly if there is a large number of new squad members. Could be November or December before we start to look like a team again.

[KFS]

20 players in and out is going to be fun

[egg_fried_rice]

3 minutes ago, KFS said:

20 players in and out is going to be fun

It actually could be. Just can’t let that sit with Rudkin.

[Chelmofox]

Well, its nearly the end of the first working week following relegation and the club communications have hit a new record high. Its pretty much 9 weeks until the Championship season kicks off, and i would be astonished if we didn't feature in the game shown on the 4th.  You can only hope that they are working their socks off behind the scenes, but it sounds like the most amount of effort has gone into plugging leaks.  I genuinely thought we would have heard at least about Dean Smith's position relatively quickly, like Leeds have done with big Sam. The fact that's left dangling just feels weird. And i think (maybe) that we have only heard from 2 players this week on the socials. Its been an odd week even by LCFC standards. 

 

Another week and a half until the transfer window opens and it will be really interesting to see if we start moving quickly or wait until the big money outgoings have been sorted.

[Winstonthedog]

On 18/05/2023 at 13:20, Stadt said:

Rudkin is so insidious. Everything he touches is shit, you'd think the academy would at least flourish given his links with it - nope. Villa blokes in on trial for the academy, successive relegations, and a lack of first minutes for our best prospects.

 

Huth has done a sports directorship course, he's already at the club, he'd have a strong contacts book, he's a winner and he has high standards. **** Rudkin off and promote him.

Very very true ... if you have ever watched the u21s ... its the same football as the 1st team .... hence the same result ... not coincidence 

[Finn Claw II]

Sales can happen regardless of the new manager.  
 

as much as we all want Rudkin gone, I just can’t see it in the next few weeks as there is a lot of outgoings to sort - he should stay and focus on that.

 

new manager is important to set out the type of signings he wants.

 

[Chelmofox]

10 minutes ago, Finn Claw II said:

Sales can happen regardless of the new manager.  
 

as much as we all want Rudkin gone, I just can’t see it in the next few weeks as there is a lot of outgoings to sort - he should stay and focus on that.

 

new manager is important to set out the type of signings he wants.

 

Rudkin won't be going anywhere, and even if he was it would be dressed up as a transition to cover the fact he has several roles in the King Power group.

 

I agree sales can happen regardless of manager, but i think its really important a new manager has input on this especially with the players we might want to make a case for keeping. If the likes of Kels and Daka think they are totally left in the cold right now their heads will be completely turned. We need to be keeping some of the team, and if a manager wants to build the team around Kels I want that manager with his arm around Kels explaining that he could be the next Mitrović. 

Edited 2 June 2023 by Chelmofox

[Stadt]

Bit of a pipe dream but a scenario in which most people (aside from some of the dossers at he club) would be happy with. If Top was open to outside investment, 777 Partners would be ideal as that's where Sormaz moved to as their director of analytics. They'd have an insider's view with the external clout to enact the changes we need, so they'd **** Rudkin off and provide the moderate cash injection we need. Plus it's rumoured they're interested in an English club.

[coolhandfox]

18 minutes ago, Stadt said:

Bit of a pipe dream but a scenario in which most people (aside from some of the dossers at he club) would be happy with. If Top was open to outside investment, 777 Partners would be ideal as that's where Sormaz moved to as their director of analytics. They'd have an insider's view with the external clout to enact the changes we need, so they'd **** Rudkin off and provide the moderate cash injection we need. Plus it's rumoured they're interested in an English club.

Decent shout, unless they are forced to by financial pressure I don't see KP looking for that sort of investment. 

[FosseSpark]

Henderson, Navas and Lodi just released by Forest. 

Would take either of the goalkeepers and the left back for sure.