I think he's the world's greatest PR manager, but his football, looking at both home and away legs against Atletico could be assembled on a much smaller budget - with long throws, free kicks and fielding a larger, less skilful side - turning the team into a posher version of Stoke, except with the Hazard thrown in and quicker on the break. His real talent is more man management, that ability to instil belief, to create a mentality of rigidity - and knowing which players are good under pressure and they repay him for that trust. Indeed, reportedly at Real he asked for a dossier to be created on all of his players detailing when they go to bed at night, what they eat, how often they socialise.. it's this sense of 'domain'.
Hazard responded after the loss last night than he was frustrated with being the player expected to always open the door for the team, showing how he's frustrated with the team's tactics. This guy is a 32m winger, one of the most talented creative players, being asked to play auxillary fullback for most of the game. This kind of extreme defensive play is what cost Mou his job at Real. Now, whilst Abramovich wants to win trophies, he's already invested 105-odd million this season with seemingly little to show for it, assuming City don't bottle it. I'd expect him to get more time, but it's increasingly clear why he didn't get the Old Trafford job from his actions on and off the pitch this season.
