I noticed at the end of last season when Pep was talking about other good managers in the PL he mentioned Gary O’Neil. Pep doesn’t say things like that lightly (ok, he over-praises opponents, but this wasn’t in a gameweek against them or anything).

I guess they just really, really, really wanted Iraola. Other thing I’ve seen is that the owner didn’t want to give O’Neil a transfer window this summer, thinking if they were going to get Iraola long term, they should start getting the players he wanted right away.

I guess Kluivert was the marquee signing? Doesn’t appear to be lighting up the league.