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Legendary manager to return as Director of Football
Comments
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It's not the manager's job to be an agony uncle for the fans in a very difficult time .. it's his job to keep positive, to keep the players motivated and as insulated as possible from any dreadful financial circumstances that prevail at any given time ..TellyTubby said:
Lennie did a great job for us after a dodgy start. I still recall him getting abuse over substitutions with fans singing regularly 'lennie Lawrence has f***ed it up again'.AFKABartram said:Heard this a little while ago.
Lennie is a 'football man' and never really gave a stuff about supporters imo.
Can't see it happening though
Then came the announcement over the tannoy that we had bought John Pearson that marked a brilliant foray into the transfer market got us promotion.
I recall that Lawrence showed no empathy with the fans angst at moving away from The Valley.
As for having him back, I have no issue with this and would be a positive move for sure. However, I would prefer Roland sells asap and the new owner sorts the new staff out.
players can be touchy enough as it is without the psychological baggage of the fans woes hanging on their collective backs .. note how us fans were so positive during the exile from the Valley, far removed I would suggest from recent goings on which have surely undermined the confidence of many of our players6 -
Lennie Lawrence was at the game yesterday, watching in the West Stand so maybe there is some truth in this ???1
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Lennie wont be a solution to the problem and if this happens, it is probably been done as a measure to appease fans. I have the upmost respect and regard for him but the first step to see the owner changing his ways would be to sack the CEO.4
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He has been at both the last 2 home games sitting in the "Directors Box" with his wife (?)0
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It was a completely different era when Lennie performed his miracles. Players then were loyal and very dedicated. There wasn't the money in the game that there is now, or the players agents, this meant that they were happy to stay and fight for the cause.3
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If it were to be true, it changes nothing. Lawrence must be pushing 70 now and past his sell buy date. This is an attempt to hive a sop to the fans without doing anything meaningful. The only worthwhile change would be to get rid of Roland.7
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Palace, Bolton and Forest, eh. Now that's an impressive cv.
It can't be Two Shat's idea though. If he was looking for someone with English experience, he'd go for someone associated with Doncaster, Colchester or Crewe (we've already got Blackpool). Next stop, League Two!1 -
He did a fantastic job for us best part of 30 years ago. After that ended I don't think he ever reached the same level of success anywhere else. Likable man but I don't see him as any part of a solution to the problems we have with our club. At 68 is he serious about the the job or would he be looking for one last payday at a club where fans hold him in high regard, (despite the fact he took a job that required him to wear a red and blue tie)?
IMHO, only a fool or a greedy fool would take on that sort of job under this current regime. And if this current incomplete mob think this is a step in the right direction they are delusional.7 -
Stig said:
Palace, Bolton and Forest, eh. Now that's an impressive cv.
Exactly.
Another idea that doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.
You'll always be a legend to me Lennie, but please don't.3 -
If he worked for Duchatalet he would join the list of ex heroes I am sure.0
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It has nothing to do with being an agony uncle. When the fans and the squad all pull together in a common cause then it raises the whole club. The first match back at The Valley against Portsmouth was amazing as was the Ipswich play off match.
Roland and KM do not understand this and the apathy at most matches must be soul destroying hence the better on pitch performances when the fans are up for a protest.
Lawrence did brilliantly with the squad when he was given the resources. He chose well and got them working hard as a team in very difficult circumstances. If he had shown some empathy with the fans then he would have been remembered with more fondness than he does now and just might have helped generate a better atmosphere. Of course the circumstances of his departure might not have helped in some people's eyes. Personally I don't blame him for that.3 -
The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the next day holding a Boro shirt.6
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Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
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Agree - can't blame him for taking the Boro job. Did a fantastic job for us, and let's not forget managers and players will never have the same affiliation with a club as fans.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
Gutted when he left, but It didn't turn out too badly did it? And always alright until Murray decided he was going to have Jordan's pants down.
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If only he'd been interested in the other Jordan's pants....ricky_otto said:
Agree - can't blame him for taking the Boro job. Did a fantastic job for us, and let's not forget managers and players will never have the same affiliation with a club as fans.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
Gutted when he left, but It didn't turn out too badly did it? And always alright until Murray decided he was going to have Jordan's pants down.
Not that I'm saying that that would have been a good decision, either.1 -
Didn't he say that he had no real affection for Charlton, it was just a job ?AFKABartram said:Heard this a little while ago.
Lennie is a 'football man' and never really gave a stuff about supporters imo.
Can't see it happening though0 -
Picture the scene, maybe 27 years ago.
A hotel somewhere up north on the morning of match day.
Charlton's young, highly-rated striker, Gordon Watson, having had an early breakfast, is sitting in the lounge reading a newspaper.
A late arrival plonks himself down in the restaurant at the table where the Charlton coaching staff are having breakfast.
"Hey Boss" he says, "You won't believe it, Gordon's only reading the Financial Times!"
Lennie looks bewildered, turns to him and asks " Gordon? Gordon who?"
Now, Lennie has been in charge at over 1000 games but fast forward to the 2016/7 season and ask yourself what this old man, who couldn't remember his player's name nigh on 30 years ago can bring to the running of a football team.
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I dunno, she's probably had worse!NornIrishAddick said:
If only he'd been interested in the other Jordan's pants....ricky_otto said:
Agree - can't blame him for taking the Boro job. Did a fantastic job for us, and let's not forget managers and players will never have the same affiliation with a club as fans.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
Gutted when he left, but It didn't turn out too badly did it? And always alright until Murray decided he was going to have Jordan's pants down.
Not that I'm saying that that would have been a good decision, either.
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What a very strange postcafcfan said:Picture the scene, maybe 27 years ago.
A hotel somewhere up north on the morning of match day.
Charlton's young, highly-rated striker, Gordon Watson, having had an early breakfast, is sitting in the lounge reading a newspaper.
A late arrival plonks himself down in the restaurant at the table where the Charlton coaching staff are having breakfast.
"Hey Boss" he says, "You won't believe it, Gordon's only reading the Financial Times!"
Lennie looks bewildered, turns to him and asks " Gordon? Gordon who?"
Now, Lennie has been in charge at over 1000 games but fast forward to the 2016/7 season and ask yourself what this old man, who couldn't remember his player's name nigh on 30 years ago can bring to the running of a football team.
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I'd eat Lennie's poo for what he did for this club.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
I even forgave him for joining 'them'.4 -
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Rethink that, he had a vindaloo with Mark Huyler last night. Overheard them talking about a boat load of rubber being docked by the Thames barrier as well. Could mean we sign Lionel Messi (no vindaloo pun intended) if the deal comes off.ElfsborgAddick said:
I'd eat Lennie's poo for what he did for this club.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
I even forgave him for joining 'them'.1 -
Rule 34...ElfsborgAddick said:
I'd eat Lennie's poo for what he did for this club.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
I even forgave him for joining 'them'.1 -
You potty mouth !ElfsborgAddick said:
I'd eat Lennie's poo for what he did for this club.ShootersHillGuru said:
Charlton were a club held together with chewing gum and string back then. It had been Lennie's first real job in the game. When Boro came along it must have seemed like a lifeboat to a proper, secure job in football. I don't blame him one bit.guinnessaddick said:The way that Lennie left us, soured my memories of him. One day standing with his face in a cardboard cutout asking us to buy him a player, by buying season tickets, the net day holding a Boro shirt.
Hindsight of course but without Lennie leaving we might never have had those Curbishley dream years.
I even forgave him for joining 'them'.0 -
Forget the ownership for 5 minutes and these emotional "anecdotes". I sometimes wonder if people think football clubs are run like a kindergarten.
For players and coaches the bottom line has to be "it is a business - it is a job". That has to be their focus. We need it to be their focus. On the few occasions I was around him he always seemed courteous and professional.
Neither Jack Charlton or Brian Clough could remember half of their players names when they were on the training pitch. They simply called the players by the numbers on the back of the shirt. Woe betide the player if they forget their shirt number!!
This club is crying out for a smidgen of the industry knowledge Lawrence has after 35 active years in the game.
Can we in gods name not give someone a bit of respect? His CV as a Director of Football/ Chief Scout is tailor made for our current situation.
Lawrence was appointed our manager in 1982.
We came close to going out of business in 1984, leaving the Valley in 1985.
He kept us in 2nd division and gained promotion in 1986. He kept us in the 1st division for 4yrs.
After 8 seasons in 91/92 he moved to Middlesboro, a club with significantly greater resources, just as any other professional would. Promoted to the Premier League they were relegated in 92/93.
He joined Bradford C (Div. 2) for 94/95. They finished mid-table.
He left to manage Luton (Div. 1) who were relegated 95/96. He stayed at Luton until 2000.
Luton later fell into non-league as a result of points docked points due the actions of club directors.
He joined Div. 1 side Grimsby 2000/01. They avoided relegation. Made a decent start to 2001/2 but was sacked later in the season after Grimsby dropped to the bottom of the table.
He joined Div. 2 Cardiff C as a consultant taking over as manager 2002. In his first full season Cardiff won promotion beating QPR in 2003 2nd division play offs. He stayed for a further 2yrs.
He was Director of Football at Bristol Rovers in a two-tier managerial structure 2005. In the first full season they won promotion into League 1 after winning the play-offs. He left the club (still in League 1) in 2010.
In 2010 he joined non-league Carshalton in a consultancy role then was appointed technical director at Hereford in League 2.
In Jan 2011, he was appointed assistant manager at Palace to support Freedman. Was appointed joint-caretaker manager but within a week joined Freedman at Bolton. At the end of the season 2012/3 season Bolton missed out on a Play Off place to Leicester C.
He left Bolton in October 2014 and later joined Freedman as assistant manager at Forest in early 2015.
The guy is steeped in industry knowledge across all levels of the game, after 40yrs actively involved in the game he will have the many contacts and inside knowledge of the market we are crying out for.
Whether a) this is more smoke and mirrors by this regime or b) they will empower him to do the job we need done are very different questions.
However in preference to the likes of possible sundry Belgian, Israeli, Serbian appointees the possible recruitment of someone with the profile of Lawrence is the nearest thing approaching sanity seen in almost 2yrs.
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This just smacks of a (potential) cynical appointment to placate the fans, nothing more nothing less.
If it was Les Reed, I would say excellent move as the job he did for us (not as manager) and the job he has done at Southampton it would be a great move. - no way would he come back and drop 2 divisions I know.
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Lennie and Dougie Freedman are pretty much a package now aren't they?
Suspect Riga will be out the door as soon as the whistle is blown on the Burnley game. 80% of the squad will follow.
Freedman and Lawrence will be put in charge, undermined by Roland throughout pre-season and will start the season with 15 under 21s and 5 stalwarts.
5 games and 5 defeats in they'll both walk and the Riga will be back to oversee another relegation.
This ownership don't do sanity and will try and pull the wool over the dissenters eyes and fail.6 -
in modern days he would've been replaced after a few dodgy results and you'll be saying his replacement's assistant was the "mastermind" behind the escape. I mean how ludicrous would that scenario be i me- oh.colin1961 said:Best manager Charlton have had great to have him back
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Given Jose's comment yesterday don't we already know the outcome. Riga will meet with Katrien and Lawrence and see what model the club have in mind and see whether he can work within that model. I suspect he will but who really knows. Jose has never stayed put anywhere very long. Should he walk or fail badly then I think we might see Dougie pitch up.
The real unknown is whether Lennie is capable of working with the madness and for how long.0 -
i honestly just see this as RD making some one "the face" of recruitment to act as an extra buffer between the fans' anger and those sitting on laptops in belgium using football manager to find players.3
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Another human shield for the regime to hide behind? Huge respect for all he did with the club, but not sure about this for a number of reasons.1
