Lobey_Dosser Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 15 minutes ago, star sail said: Thanks for heads up on this. I listened to it on playback and there was a couple of interesting points: 1. Andy Holliday saying that Johansson was recommended to the club by JBA. 2. He had a couple of challenges with a few of the senior players at Rosenborg. It was highlighted how important it is that he makes a good first impression and establishes good relationships with the senior players particularly given that he does not have a playing background himself. 3. Andy Holliday commented on the lack of big egos in the Motherwell squad which will help the manager get the squad onside. 4. As STV mentioned Rosenborg lost some key players which impacted the team significantly. 5. Discussion on just how important the first impression is. Personal opinion this but I did not feel that his first meeting with the players was particularly impressive. I think one of JBA's strengths was how assured he always was. Very definite in his decision making. Johansson almost seemed to be convincing himself that he was happy to be here. On the one hand you can admire the openness and honesty of admitting that a move to Scotland required some serious thought between him and his wife but I am not sure that it benefits him to say it. Strangely I got the very same sense from Wimmer when we saw that picture of him and Koc looking miserable in the pouring rain at Dalziel Park and we know what happened there subsequently. JBA never gave off that vibe even if he himself knew that Motherwell was a temporary stop off to other things. I try not to be swayed by the club social media content but I’ve had the exact same first impressions with AJ and Wimmer. Jens meanwhile had me under his spell instantly with his clarity and authority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted June 21 Author Report Share Posted June 21 A well balanced summary Star Sail. On the plus side, his sides play the right kind of football for us and that will aid continuity going forward. So, no great swings in style. AJ has got a good record of involvement with youth football and again that aligns with our ethos and business model. Also seems to have had a more stable career record than JBA. On the debit side, he hasn't played professional football but will that be a problem if we have no big egos at FP? His record at Rosenborg, a well respected European club, and Norways 2nd biggest wasn't great in that they didn't punch their weight; probably akin to Hearts or Aberdeen finishing mid table (again there may be good reasons for that as you outline). The big questionmark for me is his man management ability and like you I wasn't sure about his first meeting with the players. The other unknown element, to the fans at least, is Max Rogers. How will the two interact? He seemed to work well with JBA, who in fairness was a big personality. Certainly Max seems to be well respected but seems a bit unsure of himself in media interviews. Exciting times ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellfan Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 JBA has an aura about him that all successful managers seem to possess. It’s something intangible that’s hard to define or explain, but you know it when you see it I didn’t see much of it in Wimmer, and I don’t see it in Johansson either. Does that mean he’s going to fail? No. We just have to wait and see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratos Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 58 minutes ago, wellfan said: JBA has an aura about him that all successful managers seem to possess. It’s something intangible that’s hard to define or explain, but you know it when you see it I didn’t see much of it in Wimmer, and I don’t see it in Johansson either. Does that mean he’s going to fail? No. We just have to wait and see. Hope he goes well , wasn’t really an awe inspiring first impression but maybe it’s a language thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Dosser Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 His English seemed pretty good to me. Askou played for Norwich and Millwall, so you would expect his English to be as fluent as it was, although I expect his swearing in English to have been pretty effective too. I get the impression Unai Emery's English is quite limited but it doesn't seem to affect his ability as a manager. Every manager is different and we'll just have to see how the dynamics work out. Does anyone know if the AJ has children? That can be a factor in a manager "settling down" successfully, although JBA's wife and children stayed at home and he did fine. 🤞🤞🤞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJC Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthefringes Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 13 minutes ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. Not in a forward thinking footballing world. Age is nothing, the ideal is seen as a career path in nations who are way in front of our own. Ian Cathro at Hearts? Football has evolved, maybe the psyche of some fans should too. Suppose first impressions count, not sure how you conclude he hasn’t that aura about him from the clubs’ social media output. He was fairly open on not making wholesale changes so for me seemlessly transitioning hopefully building incrementally as is club board ethos which is very different to JBA arriving and having to put his stamp on things from the get go. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stv Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 27 minutes ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. He's been involved in management for the last 10 years missed out the playing career bit, . He's an experienced guy. Probly more experiance managing than JBA had. He plays an attacking style. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 33 minutes ago, Onthefringes said: Not in a forward thinking footballing world. Age is nothing, the ideal is seen as a career path in nations who are way in front of our own. Very true. Brighton, who have a decent amount of success recently, just appointed a 31 year old manager, Andre Villas-Boas manged the Porto team that won the Europa League when he was 33. Kieran McKenna was 35 when he took over at Ipswich in League One and and won promotion to the EPL with them last season. I'm sure if you spend 10 minutes googling the ages of some of the other managers in Europe you'd find similar success stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherwell Daft Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 1 hour ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. Bloody hell, the poor guys just in the door, never managed a Super Well game yet, and in a few days before the ‘aura’ is supposed to appear, he can’t have been that bad managing Rosenberg for almost 2 years at 33 so give him a chance, actions speak louder than words as they say, the board took nearly 4 weeks to appoint a manager and we have to trust that their homework got an “A” and AJ can be successful for our wee club. He’s not Jens, so at least give the poor guy even 2 games until we make any assumption! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0Neils40yarder Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 Not concerned by the guys age in the slightest and the fact he has a couple of years at the sharp end with Norways biggest club would take away any concern on that front. He looked nervous in that meeting with the players right enough but im prepared to cut him some slack given he probably knows absolutely no one in the room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spit_It_Out Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 Aye i mind once this guy called Alex Ferguson got East Stirling job 32 years old,then went to St Mirren at 35 and I am pretty sure took over at Aberdeen at 36.Turned out to have a decent career from what I heard. Pssst wait till he hears about Julian Nagelsman. Age means nothing he has experience what counts of domestic league and European football. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunderwell Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 At that age he will get on well with our 35 year old chairman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Balls of Shire Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 10 hours ago, Stratos said: Hope he goes well , wasn’t really an awe inspiring first impression but maybe it’s a language thing. Must be the close season , finding things to judge people on that you can't " define" I agree re jba but this guy has a good reputation, that'll do for me just now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Balls of Shire Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 9 hours ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. He's managed at Rosenborg , he's not a novice...like I say it's the close season for folks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Balls of Shire Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 9 hours ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. Jim Jeffries and Jock Wallace had an aura. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star sail Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 18 minutes ago, Great Balls of Shire said: Must be the close season , finding things to judge people on that you can't " define" I agree re jba but this guy has a good reputation, that'll do for me just now. I think these comments come off the back of the BBC Sportsound article where there was discussion about the importance to players of a good first impression. I suppose a first impression is by definition something you can't define. It's a feeling rather than something more objective. Unfortunately he is going to be compared to Askou and unfortunately for Johansson that is going to be a very difficult act to follow. We all hope he can match Askou's success but the slight nervousness is understandable because Askou has set such an impressive precedent. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlyg Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 On 6/20/2026 at 5:40 PM, SteelmaninOZ said: Bigus Dickus more like That made me titter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlyg Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 9 hours ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. You are basing that on one video!. Jeez gie him a chance, probably nervous as he has big boots to follow. In Alfred we trust 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlyg Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 1 hour ago, wunderwell said: At that age he will get on well with our 35 year old chairman! Brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelmaninOZ Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 11 hours ago, MJC said: The fact that he is only 35 concerns me. That is extremely young in managerial terms and something that has failed in the past at other clubs, Ian Cather at Hearts being the obvious example. The ‘aura’ thing is on point too. Good managers have that air of authority about them, that bit that just makes players sit up and listen to them. It can’t be learned, you either have it or you don’t. JBA had it, just that “I am in charge, I am your leader” about him. AJ? I’m not seeing it yet. Keep taking your meds mate 💊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelmaninOZ Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 2 hours ago, Great Balls of Shire said: Jim Jeffries and Jock Wallace had an aura. Jock Wallace liked to play at the beach his favourite movie was The Hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuwell2 Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 2 hours ago, grizzlyg said: That made me titter Ooh er missus - titter ye not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellfan Posted June 22 Report Share Posted June 22 The age point is a red herring. The issue isn’t how old a manager is, it’s whether they have the aura and presence to lead and command the respect of 20-plus other men. In our case, we’ll soon find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stv Posted June 22 Report Share Posted June 22 JBA fist advice to new manager Don't expect decent officiating at matches and Don't read the forums . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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