The Ruben Reboot. Amorim finally swapping stubbornness for adaptability.
Identity matters.
When new managers go into a club they inevitably want to impose their own style. But they also have to be mindful of their surroundings, of a club’s identity and expectations of results and levels of entertainment. Basically, read the room.
When Ange Postecoglu went into Nottingham Forest, he spoke excessively about his previous club, Tottenham Hotspur. Move on, Ange. Don’t bang on about your ex. Forest have a strong identity. Work with it and enhance it as Shaun Dyche now does. When Thomas Frank went into Spurs, even such an intelligent, aware individual didn’t fully absorb the ethos and identity of the club. Spurs need to show a commitment to entertain. Frank is beginning to grow into the size of his new club.
When Russell Martin arrived at Ibrox, he didn’t look like a Rangers manager. Rangers fans expect their manager to dress smartly and sound authoritative. Early impressions matter. A suit and commanding presence might not win games but it sets a tone with fans, who show more belief, back the players more, generally generating more of a buzz about the new era. I posted on X about Martin lacking the gravitas expected of a Rangers manager and the response from their supporters and, privately, from former players was very instructive. Such things matter.