A Storm Is Coming: The Godfather v - Don Conte.

Antonio Conte arrives at the Bridge on the back of a very impressive Euro 2016 tournament with one of the least talented Azurri sides in history. His exploits with that team will surely have many blues fans foaming at the mouth. I doubt they needed any convincing though. Conte was the brain behind the Juventus resurgence and the continued dominance they enjoyed after. Chelsea is in a relatively better state than Juventus were when he took over, so reviving their fortunes could prove a less daunting task. But as the cliché goes, this is the premier league and it could tear anyone apart.

Tactical discipline and supreme levels of concentration are needed to be able to thrive in any Conte side as a player. Strong and compact defensive structures make his teams a very difficult nut to crack, with very little inch given for chance creation by an opponent. This could be frustrating to any team in the world. Frustrations could be further compounded if you’re caught out by any of the brutal and vicious counter attacks his teams employ. Quick, effective and direct. These on their own aren’t out of the ordinary in terms of tactics, but combine it with Conte’s supreme man management skills and you have yourself a real threat. He’s been famed for being able to make his players want to run through brick walls for him. Can he make his Chelsea players run through 38 walls this season? Some brick and others not so much.

His ultimate failure has always been his inability to get Juventus to the pinnacle of European football. European dominance was always out of his grasp, often suffering early group stage exits in the Champions League, something his successor has come close to achieving. He never really did. It could be said that he faced tougher teams to the ones his successor had to tackle, but in the Champions league, everybody wants a fairy tale. It’s been murmured in certain circles about the apparent lack of a plan B. Let’s wait to see how that peters out in this cut throat league.

Chelsea had a disastrous season last year, putting up the worst title defence in recent memory. They are eager to retake their place amongst the premier league’s elite and by extension, Europe’s elite. Well blues fans, don’t fret. The Godfather, Don Conte is here and he promises to make the premier league an offer we can’t refuse. 38 walls coming up.

Kaizer.

A Storm Is Coming:The Fourth Chapter (Pun Intended)

Arsene Wenger is the most experienced manager in the premier league, but he hasn’t always made it count. All that could change this season.  He is entering the last year of his current contact and would love to sign off with aplomb. This would make him a fierce competitor and other managers should not count him out. He is the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history after all. He has done it before and you can bet against him doing it now, though it’s a long shot. This season, he has it all to do to convince frustrated gunners fans that he is the man for the job.

Arsenal have always played fantastic football-possibly the best in the league. The possession-based style has always been eye catching and entertaining to say the least. The slick passing, the scintillating one-twos and the all-round exuberant play have excited many fans-gunners and rival fans alike. If there is a goal that summarises the Wenger philosophy, its Jack Wilshere’s goal against Norwich two seasons ago. It shows you the movement and ingenuity that Wenger’s team embodies. They do have the proclivity to over-elaborate at times, but that’s just part of the fun the beautiful game guarantees. Wenger is a professor of the beautiful game. This will be put to test this season as he will seek to balance tradition with adaptation. Culture is dynamic.

Mental toughness is something his team has often been accused of lacking. They may be smooth and silky when the whole show starts, but often when it gets to the business end of things, they crumble under the pressure. This could be as much the fault of his players who fail to stand up and be counted. Injuries often expose the lack of squad depth in Wenger’s team, often leaving him with a bare-boned squad at important junctures in the season. It could be that Wenger’s miserly nature in the transfer market has prevented him from adding to the squad and fleshing it out. All these played their parts in causing the 9 year trophy drought that plagued Arsenal. He managed to break it and win successive FA titles. But Gunners fans would undoubtedly want the League title-or if he could manage it, the Champions League. Old big ears has eluded Wenger throughout his career. His team does manage to qualify for the Champions league every season, so I guess he must be doing something right.

The name Arsene Wenger shall forever be synonymous with Arsenal and though some fans think its way past time he left-Hi Piers Morgan, he is still at the helm. Some Wenger faithful still remain and he will be out with a vengeance to make them proud. The greatest manager of Arsenal FC is under scrutiny for the umpteenth time in his Arsenal life. He has shown he can deliver, but football fans have very short memories and all counts for not when failure comes. He is Mr Arsenal for the foreseeable future and fans should get behind and back him to the hilt. He has to give them something to work with though. Hopefully he will play his part in this managerial melee and come out with his Gunners firing on all cylinders like the pissed off pistols they are.

Kaizer

A Storm Is Coming:Mr Gegenpressing:Klopp's Chapter at The KOP

Jürgen Norbert Klopp is at the Kop and they are mightily glad about it. The German tinker man was captured with the hope that he could awake the sleeping giant that is Liverpool FC. He has gone about doing this with his usual charismatic nature and wide grin, assuring hearts both on and off the field. He has certainly established a superb bond with the fans and is adored by most of his players, if not all. He did it with Mainz, the Dortmund; will Liverpool follow the same trajectory? The Anfield faithful think so. His efforts last season with an inherited squad and not much time for training due to an unreal fixture list has turned Liverpool fans from doubters to believers.

An enigma by nature, he likes his teams to be every bit as enigmatic as their iconic manager. Building strong team camaraderie provides the basis for him to instil an ‘all for one and one for all’ mentality into his charges.  His most famous tactic, ‘Gegenpressing’ or counter-pressing tasks his charges to hound any ball playing opponent and snap at their heels till they eventually cough up possession. Once in possession, fast, purposeful and incisive passing combined with frightening speed enables his players to overwhelm his opponents. At a glance this might look like a simple matter of keeping all players fit enough to do the hounding. Not quite. Tactical discipline and intelligence are indispensible in applying this style of play. His players have to know when to overwhelm, when to ease up and take it cool, when to suck in and opponent and when to flat out pummel their opposition into submission. The speed of this method often leaves teams not knowing what has hit them and before they know it, they have ripped to shreds by this mean German-made-and-driven machine- R. I. P Manchester City. A wild style of play, but as you can see, there is a method to the madness.

Not many flaws can be found in Klopp’s vicious style of play. But one is enough to make the cookie crumble. The apparent lack of a ‘plan B’ has haunted Herr Klopp on many occasions. His last season at Dortmund and the Europa League final decimation of Liverpool by Sevilla threw up a question Klopp has undoubtedly faced before - What next when Gegenpressing fails? Liverpool fans will hope he has found an answer to that. If not, Liverpool will be easy pickings for other elite managers in the premier league this season. It did take Dortmund all of seven seasons to finally go off the rails. Not bad.

All in all, if there is a modern day manager who will embody the heart and soul of the Liverpool Country as Bill Shankly did, it’s this explosive German. His press conferences should keep us entertained for years to come. He has breathed new life into the club in all aspects with his loveable nature. Will Klopp Flop? Kopites would disagree. He is crazy and the fans love him for it. After all, a very wise Kopite once said; ‘You need a little bit of insanity to achieve great things’. Well Said. Klopp is at the Kop and Kopites sure are ‘Klopptimistic’. The Klopp is ticking.

Kaizer

A Storm Is Coming:Chapter Mourinho

Jose Mourinho, the premier league’s most controversial manager, makes his return this coming season. His allegiance will lie with Manchester United this time. As to whether it’s a triumphant return for the premier league’s favourite villain, remains to be seen. Mourinho has always been a manager of results before anything else. His successes have showed he is the man when it comes to delivering consistent silverware. His methods haven’t always been the best though, with his teams often employing very defensive approaches. In his quest of returning Manchester United to their spectacular heights of glory, he is sure to follow the same path. Does this jar with the exciting brand of football United fans have become accustomed to? Yes. Do they care?  Apparently not.

His teams set out to frustrate their opposition with defensive discipline and then catch them on the break with menacing counter attacks. This is very much his approach in the big games. Using his excellent man management skills, he creates a siege mentality amongst his charges and riles them up to throw everything on the line to ensure the victory. When playing against lesser opposition, he is ruthless in his approach. He likes open displays of strength and dominance in such encounters. This brings to bare his ability to tailor his approach to fit each game and still end up the top dog, more often than not. He engrains an aura of invincibility into the minds of his players, making them perform exceptionally well. Mind games are a specialty of his, and the fact that he has more than a simple flirtation with the dark side, makes him the ultimate pantomime villain of the premier league. He is a master at the dark arts.

His methods have always proved successful. Just ask Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan how much he has helped their trophy cabinets. His career is littered with silverware that many managers would only dream of.

There are arguments that his methods only work in the short term. It’s argued that his approach often leaves his players mentally drained and his teams tend to implode after a couple of seasons under his stewardship. This particular flaw has led to spectacular falls from grace and falling outs with players who worshipped him previously. Will this rear its ugly head in Manchester United? His much maligned ‘anti-football’ tactics don’t get him any admirers either. He is widely considered the devil to Guardiola’s angelic nature. It has been said that he lacks respect for his colleagues. Shout out to Arsene Wenger.

All in all, if you’re in dire need of results-as United are at the moment, then Jose is your man. He may be a quick fix, but he is the best quick fix money can buy. He will make them a force again and make them compete. He has already signalled his intent with some early signings making the headlines. Will he leave Manchester United broken and worse for wear after some seasons? Maybe. Do they care over at the theatre of dreams? Not if he gets them some meaningful silverware first. So for now, Mourinho’s red army sings; Glory Glory Man United.

Kaizer

A Storm Is Coming : The Guardiola Chapter.

Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola is arguably the best manager of his generation, and he has the trophy cabinet to prove it. The Catalan has won trophies everywhere he has coached and his Barcelona team will be remembered as one of the greatest teams of all time. He is also credited with triggering the emergence of quite a number of stars including arguably the G.O.A.T, Lionel Messi. Now he comes to Manchester City FC, looking to apply his Midas touch and make the team a force to reckon with. He has been described as a very intense coach by many of his former charges-a perfectionist actually.

His brand of football delivers a delicate mix of great aesthetic value and results-and by extension, silverware. He is a ruthless competitor-after all he wants to win. The possession-based style (‘tiki-taka’) he has employed over the years has served him well. He has had to develop and evolve it to keep himself a step ahead of his peers. It's about patience and letting the ball do the work while looking for an opening. It features incisive and inventive one-touch passing, with fast thinking and constant ball movement in little triangles that leave the opponent isolated and chasing shadows. The one-twos to carve out openings or create space are a thing of beauty. He also ensures his players counter press to win the ball back as soon as possible. This formula often leaves his opponents bewildered and spectators mesmerised.
His Barcelona and Bayern teams were utterly dominant domestically and continentally (with Barca-not Bayern).

Admittedly, his style of play tends to suffer when it comes up against deep lying and tactically disciplined defences. Teams are quite happy to cede possession and look to catch him on the break. This has proved his undoing and probably his weakness on many occasions – being battered by Real Madrid in the 13/14 Champions League semi-final proved a low point in his career. Athletico Madrid made it clear last season that Pep hasn’t entirely dealt with this apparent Achilles heel. Some will see his Bayern tenure as a failure-he failed to win the Champions league. But that’s only when compared to his and Jupp Heynckes’ lofty standards.

At City, he will be tasked with imprinting his philosophy on the team. In his first interview, he stated that the style of play will take precedence initially; stressing that the way team plays should excite its fans and the world at large. Silverware should follow. He definitely has to adapt his style to the more robust English Premier League, but years spent in the Bundesliga-the league most similar to the EPL-will give him an idea as to how to go about it. He has the tools needed to succeed City in terms of personnel with more than enough funds available for him to secure additional personnel to fit his tactical jigsaw and make it work. As to whether his style will work or not in the PL remains to be seen, but if his previous exploits are anything to go by, Manchester City has the right man. Even if the weaknesses in his style are exploited, you wouldn’t bet against Pep to have a few tricks up his sleeve to further his ‘tiki-taka’ into a new phase of development and dominance. Surely, the opportunity to stick it to Mourinho in his own playground is motivation enough-but it would be foolish to take his eye off his other rivals.

It’s the dawn of a new Era for Manchester City, and with Pep in the driving seat, the future looks brighter than ever. Let the Guardiola Era begin.

Kaizer

A Storm Is Coming! The Preface.

Simeone and Carlo ‘Carlito’ Ancelotti will be hoping to topple managers of a lower quality to themselves in their respective leagues, the premier league will play host to some of the most astute tactical minds in the game today. Seven top class managers will cross swords in a battle of epic proportions, for one throne (Four, if your only objective is Champions League Qualification). It’s sure to alter the footballing landscape, not only in England, but the whole of Europe. A great war is coming, and with it a storm, best be ready when it hits.

 Jose Mourinho, arguably the Premier league’s most controversial (loved and loathed in somewhat equal measure) manager EVER, is back! And he will be in the unfamiliar red of Manchester United, as he looks to plot a path to return them to winning ways. Also checking into the blue half of Manchester is the silky and stylish Spaniard, Pep Guardiola now of Manchester City FC. He will be tasked with establishing a dynasty to rival that of the great scot Sir Alex Ferguson. Will the arch rivals be next door neighbours perhaps? That would make for some neighbourhood drama as they look set to continue a fierce rivalry they put on hold in Spain. Who will win this time?

They will however have some esteemed company. Already waiting is Herr Jürgen Klopp. Mr Gegenpressing will be breathing down their necks as he will no doubt train his Liverpool team to do to their opposition. In what will be his first full season as Boss of the Anfield outfit, he will look to bring back their glory days- which will be that much harder with all the managerial talent in the league now. Can he do it? His touchline antics are surely unrivalled. Or are they? Step forward Antonio Conte! The intense Italian is now the top dog at Stamford Bridge and has the task of reviving the fortunes of Chelsea (and Eden Hazard) after a freak season last year. Will his 3-5-2 work in a league that has trounced that very formation in recent times? Rodgers and Van Gaal are watching.

Arsene Wenger, or is he calling himself Arsenal Wenger these days? Ha! Monsieur Wenger is the most experienced manager in the premier league and as he heads into the last year of his current contract, he will look to end on a high. He would love to remind Gunners fans of what he is capable. His teams have always played well, but haven’t always got the crowning glory – Silverware. Could this be their year?

Now, don’t get me wrong, but even Claudio Ranieri knows last season was an anomaly. Leicester City FC quite literally had a fairy tale season. He will be out to show, against the seemingly insurmountable odds, that this could come to be Leicester’s reality for years to come. Mauricio Pochettino will look to make amends for Tottenham FC’s failed title charge (and for finishing below London rivals Arsenal-Again!). He will be as motivated as any one, to prove that they can do better.

This fantastic gathering of mangers will make for a brilliant season with match talking points, tactical warfare, great interviews and outright drama every step of the way. This season promises to be of great entertainment value. Lord! I can barely hold back my excitement.

This is my first post on this blog and I will be attempting to profile each manager in subsequent posts. A storm is coming, so after liking this post and subscribing to this blog [please ;-)], ask yourself, are you ready?

Kaizer