Don't get the Bellingham reference as with the greatest of respect Bellingham would always have developed the way he has. He's arguably world class. He would have achieved that regardless.
Having said that, let's get behind him and get the job done!
I think it’s more that both Bellingham’s have supposedly credited Mike for playing an important role in their careers. Apparently Jobe moved from Birmingham to Sunderland because of him?
Does anybody have any insight as to how the head coach structure works elsewhere? Does he have an assistant for example, or is it just a HC and a group of specialist coaches eg goalkeeping coach etc
I can’t imagine he will bring anybody with him but I do wonder if it means a change in role for anybody currently at the club? Sam Vokes Player / Assistant Coach? Or I wonder if he will join Sam in the academy coaching team.
Don't get the Bellingham reference as with the greatest of respect Bellingham would always have developed the way he has. He's arguably world class. He would have achieved that regardless.
Having said that, let's get behind him and get the job done!
Jobe Bellingham said that Dodds is the best coach he's ever had, a sentiment which seems shared by Jude. They may well still have developed to their current levels, but that says something.
I don't have a problem with people being excited or a little underwhelmed or anything in between. Never going to please everyone.
For me I'm in the a little underwhelmed category if I'm being honest. Happy to give him a chance and certainly wouldn't gloat or be like I told you so if it goes wrong.
Aa for developing Bellingham, I'm sure there's plenty of people who will take credit for that. From coaches, to his family and teachers etc. Plus from what I've heard and seen I'm pretty sure he'd of made it at any club.
Same thing happened with Rooney, people popping up on podcasts in America and everything taking credit for him.
"His track record in improving individual players developing young talent was a key factor in our decision, as we believe this will be crucial to our long-term success.
In addition, Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. He also strongly aligns with our commitment to the academy being an integral part of our future strategy, and we are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football."
Sounds like a very well-considered appointment to me
Initial feeling is one of being very underwhelmed.
However am not surprised as fits the personality and style that the club are wanting to move forward with. Dodds will have almost zero control of transfers and matters outside of coaching the actual playing squad and selecting the team.
I will judge based on what I see on the pitch (style of play, tactics, spirit) and results.
This is the first time in 16 years we've had a new manager come in externally, as opposed to promoting internally (yes I include MB in that category). For that reason alone it's an exciting moment to see what new ideas MD can bring to the club. I wish him all the best - there is quite a high level of pressure on him to finish the job that has been started this year. Equally, very few new Managers/Head Coaches get to walk into a club in such a strong position.
We've brought in a few big name "exciting" managers (alright head coach now) in the past like Smith and Adams and we still try and fight the bad memories off now.
So let's hope this is one of those ones that doesn't get anyone pumped but turns out to be pure genius.
Just watched a few press conferences he has done while holding the reins at Sunderland. Comes across well.
We've all got to get behind him and the whole regime for the rest of the season and beyond.
Less of the data driven bashing, please. I'm not a fan of it's influence on "the beautiful game", but it appears to be where it's going, and i'm glad to see wycombe giving it a go. Whatever they're doing has got us to second in the league and it's February, so it's working. For the first time ever, we have serious cash backing the club. There is no way we could really compete before against Birmingham and Wrexham - but this transfer window we've spent more money than in nearly a decade on transfer fees. We stand a great chance.
Fingers crossed on Kone staying to get us up this season. We need you. COYB!!
"His track record in improving individual players developing young talent was a key factor in our decision, as we believe this will be crucial to our long-term success.
In addition, Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. He also strongly aligns with our commitment to the academy being an integral part of our future strategy, and we are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football."
Sounds like a very well-considered appointment to me
Quite, you have to have everyone at the club on the same page.
We've come to get an idea of how the Lomtadze regime will operate, the appointment of a relatively young coach with vast experience in the academies of bigger clubs always seemed like a distinct possibility. In that sense getting hot under the collar over established names at this level seemed a bit pointless. Personally I think we need the right sort of coach for the management structure in place, bringing Schumacher in might have got some fans' juices going but he might not be right for the setup Dan Rice is overseeing.
Welcome to Wycombe Wanderers Mike, time to write yourself into WWFC history!
If we’re going to be an academy with a football club attached, then this type of appointment was absolutely inevitable. You need all the teams in the set up playing the same style of football. You can’t have a manager putting his own stamp on the style if that’s not the style that’s been played through all the age groups.
The money they have spent on transfer fees and presumably wages does not suggest that the intention is to be an academy with a football club attached. It feels like their intention is to invest very significant resources in both. TBH I still don't fully understand their motivations for this level of investment on a club of our size but it will certainly be an interesting road. I can't quite decide in truth whether it is a welcome one.
Dodds fits the profile of a head coach (not manager) that will be judged on their ability to implement tactics defined by a Director of Football, and get the most out of players signed on criteria by the DoF as being suited to those tactics. My old man used the phrase "nodding dog", which may or may not be fair.
It's hard to imagine any established managers with a strong personality wanting to take a job like that, and Bloomfield's departure seemed inevitable if this is indeed the profile of head coach Dan Rice has in mind.
Considering this model of running a football club is far from unique and a growing trend , there will be a few traditional managers dissapointed then . It also does not it is a bad way of doing things .
This is also my worry from viewing a few clips of him. He seems extremely uncomfortable on camera and not someone who'll instil much confidence in fans.
Hopefully the players will warm to him quickly and we can make a strong start to life under him.
Well I am not sure which clips you have been watching but this one suggests the polar opposite .
The money they have spent on transfer fees and presumably wages does not suggest that the intention is to be an academy with a football club attached. It feels like their intention is to invest very significant resources in both. TBH I still don't fully understand their motivations for this level of investment on a club of our size but it will certainly be an interesting road. I can't quite decide in truth whether it is a welcome one.
Sometimes you are excessively literal. It was meant to be a moderately amusing way of putting it. A successful first team is obviously part of the model
We've come to get an idea of how the Lomtadze regime will operate, the appointment of a relatively young coach with vast experience in the academies of bigger clubs always seemed like a distinct possibility. In that sense getting hot under the collar over established names at this level seemed a bit pointless. Personally I think we need the right sort of coach for the management structure in place, bringing Schumacher in might have got some fans' juices going but he might not be right for the setup Dan Rice is overseeing.
Welcome to Wycombe Wanderers Mike, time to write yourself into WWFC history!
And Schumacher was just a coach when he went to Plymouth of course .
I'm not really sure what's wrong with this? If it's the fact he's trotting out a lot of platitudes then you can use that criticism for the vast majority of managers (including Bloomfield to he honest).
I'm not really sure what's wrong with this? If it's the fact he's trotting out a lot of platitudes then you can use that criticism for the vast majority of managers (including Bloomfield to he honest).
I'd rather a head coach who was authentic than someone media-trained to within an inch of their lives. I get the sense most managers don't receive that much media training anyway - compared to players.
I'm not really sure what's wrong with this? If it's the fact he's trotting out a lot of platitudes then you can use that criticism for the vast majority of managers (including Bloomfield to he honest).
Nothing at all wrong with it . I was responding to the suggestion that he came across as uncomfortable and would not instill confidence in the players. This clearly shows otherwise .
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I think it’s more that both Bellingham’s have supposedly credited Mike for playing an important role in their careers. Apparently Jobe moved from Birmingham to Sunderland because of him?
Anyway, the club announcement was a bit underwhelming.
The catwalk in the Vere Suite would have been perfect for the occasion.
https://www.euronews.com/2024/01/18/coaches-or-managers-in-football-whats-the-difference
There is a brilliant article explaining the difference between a HC and a Manager
Worth a read
BBC News - 'Wonderful human' Jude wants to be best - ex coach
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-63856119
Jobe Bellingham said that Dodds is the best coach he's ever had, a sentiment which seems shared by Jude. They may well still have developed to their current levels, but that says something.
I don't have a problem with people being excited or a little underwhelmed or anything in between. Never going to please everyone.
For me I'm in the a little underwhelmed category if I'm being honest. Happy to give him a chance and certainly wouldn't gloat or be like I told you so if it goes wrong.
Aa for developing Bellingham, I'm sure there's plenty of people who will take credit for that. From coaches, to his family and teachers etc. Plus from what I've heard and seen I'm pretty sure he'd of made it at any club.
Same thing happened with Rooney, people popping up on podcasts in America and everything taking credit for him.
I’m really looking forward to this appointment. 3 year contract. Mmmm.
"His track record in improving individual players developing young talent was a key factor in our decision, as we believe this will be crucial to our long-term success.
In addition, Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. He also strongly aligns with our commitment to the academy being an integral part of our future strategy, and we are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football."
Sounds like a very well-considered appointment to me
Pep wasn’t available unfortunately.
This is the first time in 16 years we've had a new manager come in externally, as opposed to promoting internally (yes I include MB in that category). For that reason alone it's an exciting moment to see what new ideas MD can bring to the club. I wish him all the best - there is quite a high level of pressure on him to finish the job that has been started this year. Equally, very few new Managers/Head Coaches get to walk into a club in such a strong position.
Looking forward to a Dodds dynasty and Bellingham finishing his career with us
We've brought in a few big name "exciting" managers (alright head coach now) in the past like Smith and Adams and we still try and fight the bad memories off now.
So let's hope this is one of those ones that doesn't get anyone pumped but turns out to be pure genius.
Just watched a few press conferences he has done while holding the reins at Sunderland. Comes across well.
We've all got to get behind him and the whole regime for the rest of the season and beyond.
Less of the data driven bashing, please. I'm not a fan of it's influence on "the beautiful game", but it appears to be where it's going, and i'm glad to see wycombe giving it a go. Whatever they're doing has got us to second in the league and it's February, so it's working. For the first time ever, we have serious cash backing the club. There is no way we could really compete before against Birmingham and Wrexham - but this transfer window we've spent more money than in nearly a decade on transfer fees. We stand a great chance.
Fingers crossed on Kone staying to get us up this season. We need you. COYB!!
Quite, you have to have everyone at the club on the same page.
We've come to get an idea of how the Lomtadze regime will operate, the appointment of a relatively young coach with vast experience in the academies of bigger clubs always seemed like a distinct possibility. In that sense getting hot under the collar over established names at this level seemed a bit pointless. Personally I think we need the right sort of coach for the management structure in place, bringing Schumacher in might have got some fans' juices going but he might not be right for the setup Dan Rice is overseeing.
Welcome to Wycombe Wanderers Mike, time to write yourself into WWFC history!
If we’re going to be an academy with a football club attached, then this type of appointment was absolutely inevitable. You need all the teams in the set up playing the same style of football. You can’t have a manager putting his own stamp on the style if that’s not the style that’s been played through all the age groups.
The money they have spent on transfer fees and presumably wages does not suggest that the intention is to be an academy with a football club attached. It feels like their intention is to invest very significant resources in both. TBH I still don't fully understand their motivations for this level of investment on a club of our size but it will certainly be an interesting road. I can't quite decide in truth whether it is a welcome one.
Considering this model of running a football club is far from unique and a growing trend , there will be a few traditional managers dissapointed then . It also does not it is a bad way of doing things .
The wife says he’s good looking so a thumbs up from her 😊
Well I am not sure which clips you have been watching but this one suggests the polar opposite .
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1143959783624749
Sometimes you are excessively literal. It was meant to be a moderately amusing way of putting it. A successful first team is obviously part of the model
Here is a fun Fact for you:
This is the first time that Wycombe has a "Head Coach" in its history in the Football League. All the others have been Managers.
I think that in of itself is significant
I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised how positive the reaction has been on the whole, especially after some of the names we were linked with
And Schumacher was just a coach when he went to Plymouth of course .
I'm not really sure what's wrong with this? If it's the fact he's trotting out a lot of platitudes then you can use that criticism for the vast majority of managers (including Bloomfield to he honest).
At least it’s not Kevin Nolan.
I'd rather a head coach who was authentic than someone media-trained to within an inch of their lives. I get the sense most managers don't receive that much media training anyway - compared to players.
Nothing at all wrong with it . I was responding to the suggestion that he came across as uncomfortable and would not instill confidence in the players. This clearly shows otherwise .
@James - gotcha, my apologies! My fault for not properly reading the post you were responding too!