Episode 15! Ronald Koeman Edition. The boys take the second leg of this podcast double header and discuss how the Barca managerial situation bears resemblance to United's recent perils. These challenges have been painfully ongoing--is there any way out?

The show starts with some discussion regarding the Riqui Puig saga--and whether picking fights with anyone in the dressing room is an advisable thing to do. It goes without saying that Koeman's prickly feud with the wide-eyed, handsome, young Ricard hasn't improved his approval ratings. We ask: once you've singled a player out like that, is there ever really a way back?

That being said, Koeman also did some fantastic things. He was the atomic bomb, the necessary punching bag when Barca needed a more villainous character to distract from the real evil elsewhere. He shook up the lockerroom. He spoke his mind. And most importantly--he fielded a ton of teenage talents.

The convo continues to chat about modern fanbases' inability to accept short term pain, under any circumstances. Why might the manager job description be the most nebulous the world has to offer? What is the role of the coach anymore? To win? To play "well"? To promote youth? To promote nostalgia? To beat rivals? To appease the board? To operate sustainably? What's *actually* the requirement for staying in charge?

Furthermore: Will Klopp's legacy be tainted if he wins more trophies? Did people unfairly condemn Lampard? Is Graham Potter the next big thing? There's plenty of konundra to discuss.

This discourse leads to a few additional questions. Are top managers at a shortage right now? Are worse clubs feeling more emboldened than ever? Can mentality coaches survive anymore? IS the tactical baseline steadily rising? Is there any incentive to a coach who paves the way for their successor?

The knot is eventually tied with some optimism regarding Xavi's impending appointment. Will & Martin cover their respective ideas as to how a club can actually escape this vicious spin cycle of being "good enough", but not "good enough". It's nice to finally have an ounce of closure on the issue.

Join us to hear our thoughts on all these items, and more--including a phantom thumb injury, some meaningless tale about changing oil and the New England Revs, a dose of Sakho-Klopp YouTube friction, the debut of the "Ole Say" Gameshow, the tall poppy syndrome, some high-level Conte-nt, Will's well-illuminated bone structure, and another word from our newest sponsors: Hooligang.

Find us on Twitter @touchlinetheory.

Find Martin on Twitter @MG_theory2, and Will @WA_theory! Don't forget to subscribe and earn three free Hooligang tokens! Whatever that means!

Subscribe, rate, and send us your feedback!