Chris Hargreaves so what's your thoughts?

Quoted from LH

Surely we did our due diligence and checked out a relative unknown’s references? I mean we were told repeatedly about due diligence around the time he was appointed weren’t we?

You'd like to think so but I've heard more than one credible rumour that some of the players didn't rate him as a manager. Doesn't mean his CV was "massaged" of course but you never know..

This would also mean that Burnley and Eskimo that Swedish club didn't realise his spell at Lincoln under 18s was just doing photocopying too. Unless he never worked for them either and that fancy piece with draughts pieces on beating Malmo and Seb Ring are all some elaborate scam 😱

Quoted from pen penfras

Oh dear, we do love a good conspiracy on here. It's funny how all of these stories always come out about a manager after it's gone mammaries up. A bit like everybody knew Bignot was a loose cannon, everybody knew about Newell etc. Now Jolley isn't a real coach and is making it up...

No-one's suggesting he isn't a real coach though are they.

Just that two of the Academies he worked at were predominantly doing some background work for that Academy, and that a significant figure at another hadn't heard of him despite being there at the time MJ was. What you make of that is up to you.

To get the UEFA Pro Licence is no easy feat. In fact it's an unbelievable achievement for someone who never played the game professionally. And you wouldn't get anywhere near that level of qualification without being able to coach.

I was in favour of him being appointed at the time he was, based on what little information we knew of him. Would I have expected the Club to have done due diligence and asked about at previous Clubs? Yes. They probably did, I don't know. In reality, whether he coached Palace/Crewe/Barnsley/Forest u9s or not would hardly have been a deal breaker anyway would it. I just find it interesting because he certainly didn't live up to my expectations as a "modern-day" coach, and looking at his career he doesn't seem to have hung around very long anywhere he's been at.

Quoted from Tommy

No-one's suggesting he isn't a real coach though are they.

Just that two of the Academies he worked at were predominantly doing some background work for that Academy, and that a significant figure at another hadn't heard of him despite being there at the time MJ was. What you make of that is up to you.

To get the UEFA Pro Licence is no easy feat. In fact it's an unbelievable achievement for someone who never played the game professionally. And you wouldn't get anywhere near that level of qualification without being able to coach.

I was in favour of him being appointed at the time he was, based on what little information we knew of him. Would I have expected the Club to have done due diligence and asked about at previous Clubs? Yes. They probably did, I don't know. In reality, whether he coached Palace/Crewe/Barnsley/Forest u9s or not would hardly have been a deal breaker anyway would it. I just find it interesting because he certainly didn't live up to my expectations as a "modern-day" coach, and looking at his career he doesn't seem to have hung around very long anywhere he's been at.

In any case, coaches are easier to employ than miracle-workers, and saving us from relegation was just about a miracle in my eyes.

I believe MJ was the most significant factor in that - whether coaching-wise or otherwise.

In the end it was best for both parties - Jolley was clearly overly stressed by the job.

Anyone on the Fishy sure they could handle the pressure of being Town manager? I'm damn sure I couldn't...

MJ saved us once when it seemed near-impossible. I think we should let him go quietly.

Quoted from 137

In any case, coaches are easier to employ than miracle-workers, and saving us from relegation was just about a miracle in my eyes.

I believe MJ was the most significant factor in that - whether coaching-wise or otherwise.

In the end it was best for both parties - Jolley was clearly overly stressed by the job.

Anyone on the Fishy sure they could handle the pressure of being Town manager? I'm damn sure I couldn't...

MJ saved us once when it seemed near-impossible. I think we should let him go quietly.

I'm not sure he fulfilled his side of that bargain.

Quoted from pen penfras

It's funny how all of these stories always come out about a manager after it's gone mammaries up.

I suppose because no one dared to suggest it while Jolley was in charge as most people thought he was the dogs balderdash and the sun shone out of him and anyone brave enough to say otherwise got crucified

MJ did at least keep us in the League.

Not sure of the validity of saying “he never stayed at one club for very long”.  Neither did the special one (or the modest one as he has re-invented himself).  All he ever did was keep winning trophies.

I can believe the other interesting comments made above.  Just looking at his management decisions this season raises doubts about his abilities. In hindsight, he seems to talk a good fight.  

I'll forever be grateful for his miracle work of saving a doomed side and club from the drop, but although the idea of Jolley seemed all grand and positive I'm thinking he was beginning to be found out and his departure could turn out to be for greater good. And that it came at the right time, we just need to make sure a competent hand is brought in who continues some of the ethos (blooding youth etc) but can back up what is said.

I suspect that history will judge him as having done more good than bad. I try to remember the positivity he brought on n off the field for the first half of his term rather than the last 2 months when he was more worried about what winless stevenage might fo to us, rather than making them worry about what we could do

He's left us in a better position than we he arrived.