Dutch honesty and Xavi as the third choice

[LuckyStrike77]

honestly i dont even think its that deep, clubs line up options all the time and xavi will know that, but saying it at the unveiling just makes it sound like a punchline and now everyone is acting like the sky is falling when its really just a clumsy bit of communication

 

[OffsideTrap99]

I think the actual point is that people are confusing bluntness with disrespect. It was clumsy to say it publicly, but it does not automatically mean Xavi is being undermined imo

 

[BetOnIt23]

I think you are overstating the insult. It was awkward, not outrageous.

 

[thedreamer]

No I dont buy the idea that this is just harmless honesty because if you are the guy being introduced you probably want the focus on you not the two names who said no before you and that is why it comes off a bit tinpot to me

 

[SoccerWizard]

get in

 

[KloppLiverpool]

The funniest part is how quickly this became about tone rather than the appointment itself.

 

[MessiMagic10]

Nigel de Jong always sounds like he is about to two foot someone

 

[PretzelGod]

third place manager

 

[FootballFrenzy]

hes not exactly been sold a dream here mate

 

[TopScorer88]

Xavi was the backup

 

[LuckyStrike77]

Tactically, the main thing for any new manager is getting the room to buy into the project quickly, and this sort of public framing can make that harder if it hangs around in the background. The football side matters more than the jokes, but the club would have been better off keeping the shortlist talk behind closed doors.