The way he's going is a mixed blessing; he's been so brilliant he'll be the next Ivan Gazidis in short order, chairman of a prem or la liga club.
You know the larger clubs will take notice of a turnaround from "worst team in the world" to "one of the best on the continent."
I could easily see a lower table EPL team taking him on for his "moneyball" abilities.
Bez already knew a lot about identifying decent North American players from his work at the league office.
What he learned from Tim L was how to identify and sign top level foreign talent, the "Beckhams" of the soccer world. Somehow, now that he's learned this, combining his capology expertise with his international signings, it's looking like we're going to be having the equivalent of a 5-6 DP team. That's good enough to potentially win the CCL.
Without Bez (and Tim L) the triple would not have happened.
Last edited by Oldtimer; 02-15-2018 at 01:39 PM.
Bez has a lot of work to do still. We are a good team. We are not yet a dynasty. Heck, I don't expect this team to repeat last year's results. That's not due to the players or management - I just think its really hard in a parity league to repeat that sort of dominance.
HOWEVER, if we were to be as dominant as last year (maybe minus the MLS Cup & Supporter's Shield) each year for the next 5 years, then Bez has done something unheard of.
In most European leagues, you can count on 2-4 teams that will always be near the top. We have the chance to be the first MLS team to do that since the league expanded beyond the initial small group. The real test will be in 2021 when we turn over from the current DP's & 30+ guys to somebody else.
To me, that is the next test for Bez & Vanney. Consistent winning as an expected outcome.
Pretty hard to be a five-year dynasty in a salary cap league. I'd settle for three years like LA or DC.
The difference here is that Bez is helped by the Marketplace he is living in. If and when he leaves it will only be to a similar market that can attract players. I do not see him going to a middle of the back EPL team as I don't think they'd have the ability/ownership group to compete with the big dogs. The situation here at TFC was extremely unique. A fantastic/attractive/growing market, a team with a horrendous track record, an ownership group willing to spend to be the best there is in the league.
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/JogaBonito_USA/status/964195287957983232
I think the way TAM & GAM has been implemented by teams shows some with more ambition can gather more resources & depth. In a league with 20+ teams, those resources go a long way to build success.
Kind of like how the Loons are going to have a state of the art 19K $200 million arena that can expand up to 25K built before they actually have 1 DP.
It's just unbevaialble what they have acomplished.
I love that Axetke and Auro both come in and can make a difference right away but they fit into the long term projection as well.
I hope we don't lose anyone to make room i.e.: Irwin, Delgado or Osorio. I could live with it for Axetke though that's for sure
Last edited by Defoe; 02-15-2018 at 08:58 PM.
Still no signing so I'm holding my breat though it seems very likely. Checking his instagram he hasn't made any posts that would allow us to speculate like we did with vanderwiel
Check out this tweet at [COLOR=#14171A][FONT="]https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/964470171216723968[/FONT][/COLOR]
Bez is on the fan at 8:30 btw
Last edited by Areathrasher; 02-16-2018 at 07:56 AM.
Pro tip - x is pronounced like sh in basque. Just in case you need to know...
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.
Jason Foster @JogaBonito_USA 7m7 minutes agoMore
Now #TFC have reportedly reached an agreement with #AthleticBilbao for the immediate transfer of Ager Aketxe. The 24 year old will sign a 2 year contract (+1 option year), and Athletic have a buyback option as long as they match other offers. #TFCLive #MLS
Anyone know about this Aketxe? Is he any good?
Last edited by Areathrasher; 02-16-2018 at 09:00 AM.
This is quite the coup for management if they pull this off. Maybe with the repurchase option the price will be low.
I have to admit I've never heard of him before, but this is seeming more and more a big time signing. If the FO has pulled off another "Giovinco" (ie talented Euro top league player looking for more opportunity to be the big star), that would be extraordinary.
edit:
On second thought, I have to pull back on the stick a bit here. Aketxe doesn't have the resume that Giovinco came in with, but still seems a significant signing.
Last edited by Detroit_TFC; 02-16-2018 at 09:21 AM.
"the 24 year old was convinced by the good contract, immediate playing time,"
I hope he doesn't expect to just walk into the line up. He's going to have to earn his spot on the field. I wonder what has been promised to him that he believes he gets immediate playing time.
Ah-KET-che according to this reddit post
Wait...MLSE sent Friisdahl?
I don't get that. This is a TAM signing.
The breakfast is being live streamed.