That would jibe with the word that was going around that he had no interest in returning. That was offered to me as "he has a lot of people whispering in his ear about Europe," but it's easier to see him just saying 'nah, too toxic.'
Our dressing room is toxic right now. Central to all of this -- all of it -- has been the Michael/Bob dynamic and the fact that neither of them seems to have any real people skills whatsoever. Wiebe made the point on XtraTime that Michael consulted a lot with Vanney, aswell -- but what he didn't consider was that players generally don't like Michael. They may like his play -- or did at his peak, and sometimes now -- and they may like the warrior spirit. But he's so direct and blunt, like his old man, that I just can't see him being liked much.
Listening to Conrad and Pierce's U.S. podcast yesterday -- they both famously couldn't stand the Bradleys when working with them and Conrad feuded with Michael and Jeff online -- they were both coloring between the lines a little, being nice about his accomplishments but making it clear they're very hard to work with.
He said Bob "demands absolute buy in and absolute dedication." And when he can maintain that, his club wins. But it can't last, because it burns people out. Pierce suggested that had occurred in LA, and on the national team. Both seemed of the opinion this roster just wasn't built for "buying into" a singular tactical approach for total football, basically.
Clearly, one of the issues with Manning is that he's too affable, too naïve about people's sunnier qualities. As I've mentioned to you several times, I think he's a likable PERSON. But that doesn't often make a great executive, not unless it's paired with a ton of hands-on involvement.
Even now, it sounds like he wants Jason to take over football so he can go back to business. Hernandez is going to manage all trades, all scouts, salary cap management, personnel under him.... I mean, fuck, that's basically everything except making money.
But I don't think he's interested in that side of it. He thinks he's good at generating revenue. Long-term, it seems suicidal.