It might sound strange, but starting to see the relegation as a positive.
Even though there has been the predictable (and to an extent understandable) panic from us all at the Brentford situation as soon it was clear Frank might be going, I think most of us, in our heart of hearts, expect KM to stay.
I think the way that he spoke a month or so ago, with such clarity about his intentions was notable. He didn't need to be as effusive then as he was or as deliberate.
He's driven and ambitious. We know that and I think he was doing the right thing listening to various approaches from Palace last Feb through to Brighton, Chelsea etc last season and last summer. You'd be disappointed if he wasn't in a way. We have wanted a manager in demand for a long time.
But he's also got real integrity and for all his modern, scientific approach I think hes got a little bit of a footballing romantic in him too and is not averse to sentiment (just look at the number of players he gave minutes to against clubs that meant something to them). I wonder if he sees the backing and support he's had here, especially this season which was tough, and feels that he wants to repay it. He's a winner and whilst I think he still did a very good job this season in extremely difficult circumstances, he won't have liked not achieving the objective. Perhaps he sees it as his turn to repay our loyalty now and stick with the project and get us back up.
The relegation and him staying as I now feel he will binds us together even more and it's part of the story and the growth of him as a manager and us as a club again. It's very rare for people to stay anywhere for long now but KM will make it to 5 years next year here. It just feels like the Robson dynasty sort of thing is possible with KM in a way that seemed out of reach in most of modern football in recent times.
This season has allowed the club and KM to get a feel of the PL and the challenges and we are stronger now for it in so many ways. We've done well financially, the infrastructure continues to improve and we've got a strong squad. But perhaps the best thing is it may have solidified the (already strong) relationship between KM and the club. We've needed him and now he maybe needs us too a bit. Had we stayed up there's no doubt he'd have been in the frame for the biggest jobs.
I don't buy any of the scepticism about this season from some. I think he's a world class coach and the relegation and the build back from it could actually be a really striking part of his journey with us.
[Post edited 11 Jun 18:54]
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