Can’t quite answer that. I’m guessing Frank thought it would have been a physical game (which is really was) and figured not to throw in Xavi at the start as he’s great, but not the most physical player at this time.

I mean Frank did set up the team and did pick Romero for captain, so I don’t know if I’d go that far. It’s always a team effort for me. Still, crazy game.

Looking at the schedule, I’d have rotated him too. Probably VDV will come in sometime during the half would be my guess.

Glad you did. Great film.
Sidenote: reminds me that I need to setup a Letterboxd account sometime.

Love the slight Prodigy reference. Also it is a banger.

For the random spurs fans that see this post and wonder about the songs mentioned, here is the Endwalker single

youtu.be/FXYUjJrGMjA?...
Here is With Hearts Aligned:

youtu.be/uzqsCbJOGfE?...

Fun bonus fact: Before the final, I had With Hearts Aligned on loop. For that whole campaign, a lot of Endwalker’s music seemed to fit mood and I still associate the main theme with that season.

For me, the part that sort of sticks with me is seeing the post party video and seeing him celebrate. Again, all of this is weird speculation, but I feel Ange was Levy’s last guy and Frank is the new board’s guy.

I guess I come from the idea that at a certain point being in a C level position, you sort of know when the end is coming and I’m betting he sort of knew at about the time he talked about the financial statement. Maybe ego kicked in so he stuck with Ange till the final.

That’s sort of where I am. I do lean more towards the current board, but that’s purely speculation and I don’t have proof either way.

I should stress I do mean the current board. I have a different take on Levy vs the rest of the board, but that’s a different topic.

That’s fine. Any action or inaction is a risk, so I can agree there. I do also agree more investment in the squad was needed. Maybe for the board the perception was the level of investment for an Ange team was a greater initial commitment vs say a Frank team. Not saying I agree with the take.

For sure. I don’t think it was a great idea, but I can also see why they made that call. There are plenty of decisions a business makes (even ones I support) that I can see a reason why they made it even if it’s doesn’t work or I think is dumb in the end.

I should write the main reason I liked Ange is that he made me forget a lot about the back thread in my mind that views these the clubs as financial things. Frank for better or worse sort of reminds me of all of it and that’s where I am emotionally. I probably should have written things better.

And yes, writing the above made me feel a little dirty, but all business talk tends to make me feel a little dirty.

Granted, I should write I’m not a fan or support the action the board did in the end, but if I put my purely business hat on that views this club as a financial asset I will probably want to sell down the line, I’d want to maintain a value until I figure out what I need to do to increase value.

Sorry. I miswrote. When I say “totally fine,” I mean he was okay concentrating on one aspect when maybe the board wanted a more balanced approach. Like for them, maybe they factor in merit payments into the summer budgets and getting 17th and Europe broke even vs making more money.

I do think even if it didn’t happen, 17th was too close for them and they just weren’t happy with that perspective even if I do agree with your reasons on the why, but I can also see why they hired Frank. For me at this point, all states are true.

That’s fair. Ultimately it has now happened and from a board perspective, Ange showed he was totally fine using his thing squad at the time to not balance things, but tip towards one thing. It was right for glory, but business isn’t about glory and relegation is always possible.