BlueSuedeSambas 56,278 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Every time Sir Alex Ferguson decides who should be his successor, it turns out to be him. He ponders the joys of retirement and then signs a new contract, the most famous instance being early in 2002 when Manchester United directors, having agreed terms with Sven-Göran Eriksson to take over once he had seen England through the World Cup finals in the Far East, were preparing to travel to London to seek the FA’s permission to approach the Swede when Ferguson announced his change of mind. Eriksson, we are left to imagine, shrugged. After all, he himself had once promised to manage Blackburn Rovers when a better offer came along from Lazio in 1997. At any rate, Ferguson stayed in his post and won the Premier League title in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But on the last day of 2009 he celebrated his 68th birthday. He has made a promise to quit before his 70th — and eventually he is going to keep one of those promises. The question of the succession is starting to become acute. A few months ago, it was suggested here that David Moyes, the Everton manager, whose style and character are admired in the United boardroom as well as by Ferguson himself, might be invited to move next season and work alongside the veteran manager. But it appears that the new favourite — and Ferguson’s own front-runner — is from outside the Premier League. There was a sense of the cat being let out of the bag when Harry Redknapp, a fellow manager with whom Ferguson gets on especially well, tipped “an ex-player who is already making his mark in management”. Or perhaps that should be the chat being let out of the sac, for one former United player making quite a mark in management is Laurent Blanc, who not only won the French League with Bordeaux last season but has guided the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Ferguson first encountered Blanc in 1991, when he was the tall and elegant star turn of a Montpellier side knocked out of the Cup Winners’ Cup by United, who went on to take the trophy. There were several attempts to sign him and finally, in 2001, after Blanc had become a world and European champion with France, he came to Old Trafford from Inter Milan at the age of 35. Why Ferguson would want to replace Jaap Stam, whom he had let go to Lazio in the erroneous belief that injury had slowed him, with someone a good deal slower was an issue much debated around Old Trafford. But Blanc did help United to win the championship in 2003 and, after his retirement, his calibre was recognised by the readers of France Football, who voted him the fourth best French player of all time, after only Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane and Raymond Kopa. As a manager, he immediately shone, guiding Bordeaux to second place in his first season and then breaking the stranglehold of Lyons to take the title. Ferguson, after Aberdeen, will always have a special empathy with stranglehold-breakers and you can be sure that, if his team overcome AC Milan and Blanc’s contrive to oust Olympiacos in the first knockout round of the Champions League in February and March, the name of Bordeaux will be one he looks out for in the draw, in which case Blanc’s visit to Old Trafford might not prove his last. There are, of course, former players of Ferguson’s who have made their mark in management closer to home: Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane and, above all this season, Alex McLeish. But Blanc would be my man to watch. And the concept of a transitional season or two, with the new manager being able to take advice from Ferguson — just as Ferguson leant on Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton when he came from Scotland — remains persuasive. Good article. This isn't the first time that Blanc's name has been mentioned for the job. However, James Richardson recently said that there has been some talk that he has a gentlemans agreement to join Inter Milan should Mourinho leave at the end of the season. And I think that with Van Gaal at Bayern Munich & Ferrera at Juventus jobs also hanging by a somehwat shoogly peg, I think Man Utd will have to act soon if they want Blanc. Whoever gets the task of replacing SAF has some job on their hands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Blanc would be a logical choice- him spending time at the club as a player works in his advantage. Remember when Roy Keane was odds on favorite for this job? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff 245 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Certainly wont be someone like Martin O'Neill or David Moyes! Don't know when Sir Alex will step down? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 762 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Big Eck being mentioned It's well known Blanc is one of the favourites. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz52 11,837 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Blanc would be the ideal choice for Utd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GersLoyalist99 0 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I tend to think it will be a British manager who will take over. SAF is showing no signs of stopping yet though?!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERRZO 5 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Depending when this happens I have a wierd feeling if it is say, 5 years down the line, it could be his son Darren who gets the job!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dado 334 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Big Eck! What a turn up for the books that would be! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iserdo 1 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Big Eck! What a turn up for the books that would be!I think Big Eck would be a good shout as he use to be one of SAF players at aberdeen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan_1 1,136 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Laurent Blanc or Jose Mourinho would be my ideal choice of replacements for SAF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugal 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Every time Sir Alex Ferguson decides who should be his successor, it turns out to be him. He ponders the joys of retirement and then signs a new contract, the most famous instance being early in 2002 when Manchester United directors, having agreed terms with Sven-Göran Eriksson to take over once he had seen England through the World Cup finals in the Far East, were preparing to travel to London to seek the FA’s permission to approach the Swede when Ferguson announced his change of mind. Eriksson, we are left to imagine, shrugged. After all, he himself had once promised to manage Blackburn Rovers when a better offer came along from Lazio in 1997. At any rate, Ferguson stayed in his post and won the Premier League title in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But on the last day of 2009 he celebrated his 68th birthday. He has made a promise to quit before his 70th — and eventually he is going to keep one of those promises. The question of the succession is starting to become acute. A few months ago, it was suggested here that David Moyes, the Everton manager, whose style and character are admired in the United boardroom as well as by Ferguson himself, might be invited to move next season and work alongside the veteran manager. But it appears that the new favourite — and Ferguson’s own front-runner — is from outside the Premier League. There was a sense of the cat being let out of the bag when Harry Redknapp, a fellow manager with whom Ferguson gets on especially well, tipped “an ex-player who is already making his mark in management”. Or perhaps that should be the chat being let out of the sac, for one former United player making quite a mark in management is Laurent Blanc, who not only won the French League with Bordeaux last season but has guided the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Ferguson first encountered Blanc in 1991, when he was the tall and elegant star turn of a Montpellier side knocked out of the Cup Winners’ Cup by United, who went on to take the trophy. There were several attempts to sign him and finally, in 2001, after Blanc had become a world and European champion with France, he came to Old Trafford from Inter Milan at the age of 35. Why Ferguson would want to replace Jaap Stam, whom he had let go to Lazio in the erroneous belief that injury had slowed him, with someone a good deal slower was an issue much debated around Old Trafford. But Blanc did help United to win the championship in 2003 and, after his retirement, his calibre was recognised by the readers of France Football, who voted him the fourth best French player of all time, after only Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane and Raymond Kopa. As a manager, he immediately shone, guiding Bordeaux to second place in his first season and then breaking the stranglehold of Lyons to take the title. Ferguson, after Aberdeen, will always have a special empathy with stranglehold-breakers and you can be sure that, if his team overcome AC Milan and Blanc’s contrive to oust Olympiacos in the first knockout round of the Champions League in February and March, the name of Bordeaux will be one he looks out for in the draw, in which case Blanc’s visit to Old Trafford might not prove his last. There are, of course, former players of Ferguson’s who have made their mark in management closer to home: Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane and, above all this season, Alex McLeish. But Blanc would be my man to watch. And the concept of a transitional season or two, with the new manager being able to take advice from Ferguson — just as Ferguson leant on Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton when he came from Scotland — remains persuasive. Good article. This isn't the first time that Blanc's name has been mentioned for the job. However, James Richardson recently said that there has been some talk that he has a gentlemans agreement to join Inter Milan should Mourinho leave at the end of the season. And I think that with Van Gaal at Bayern Munich & Ferrera at Juventus jobs also hanging by a somehwat shoogly peg, I think Man Utd will have to act soon if they want Blanc. Whoever gets the task of replacing SAF has some job on their hands. Fergusons problem, apart from being a total cunt, is that his ego wont allow him to havae assistant in the limelight or his ex players by his side. Mark Hughes issa great manager and with the squad and facilities and transfer money ferguson leaves behind Hughes would do a great job, but obviously after city its no gonnae happen. Brian Kidd has been discarded along the way by Ferguson and fergie just isnt a character like walter smith who enjoys working with his ex players and moulding them.Or having a boot room live liverpool where sammy lee and dogsheetlish still play a part What makes these muppets think Blanc will do well at United? Would steve bruce, hughes or bryan robson do a worse job with the start they would have in the post ferguson era. Cantona and keane are joke suggestions. Keane is a gutless coward who would make utd more unpopular than Mourinho when it comes to the far east and merchandising etc. Davy moysey is a totally overrated cunt. Hes spent 50 million in the last 2 years and earns 17 million over 5 years yet he still plays the dour scot with nae any resources. Personally i think loads of guys could do a great job but Bryan Robson should have been part of the management set up years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrfc 32 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Every time Sir Alex Ferguson decides who should be his successor, it turns out to be him. He ponders the joys of retirement and then signs a new contract, the most famous instance being early in 2002 when Manchester United directors, having agreed terms with Sven-Göran Eriksson to take over once he had seen England through the World Cup finals in the Far East, were preparing to travel to London to seek the FA’s permission to approach the Swede when Ferguson announced his change of mind. Eriksson, we are left to imagine, shrugged. After all, he himself had once promised to manage Blackburn Rovers when a better offer came along from Lazio in 1997. At any rate, Ferguson stayed in his post and won the Premier League title in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But on the last day of 2009 he celebrated his 68th birthday. He has made a promise to quit before his 70th — and eventually he is going to keep one of those promises. The question of the succession is starting to become acute. A few months ago, it was suggested here that David Moyes, the Everton manager, whose style and character are admired in the United boardroom as well as by Ferguson himself, might be invited to move next season and work alongside the veteran manager. But it appears that the new favourite — and Ferguson’s own front-runner — is from outside the Premier League. There was a sense of the cat being let out of the bag when Harry Redknapp, a fellow manager with whom Ferguson gets on especially well, tipped “an ex-player who is already making his mark in management”. Or perhaps that should be the chat being let out of the sac, for one former United player making quite a mark in management is Laurent Blanc, who not only won the French League with Bordeaux last season but has guided the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Ferguson first encountered Blanc in 1991, when he was the tall and elegant star turn of a Montpellier side knocked out of the Cup Winners’ Cup by United, who went on to take the trophy. There were several attempts to sign him and finally, in 2001, after Blanc had become a world and European champion with France, he came to Old Trafford from Inter Milan at the age of 35. Why Ferguson would want to replace Jaap Stam, whom he had let go to Lazio in the erroneous belief that injury had slowed him, with someone a good deal slower was an issue much debated around Old Trafford. But Blanc did help United to win the championship in 2003 and, after his retirement, his calibre was recognised by the readers of France Football, who voted him the fourth best French player of all time, after only Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane and Raymond Kopa. As a manager, he immediately shone, guiding Bordeaux to second place in his first season and then breaking the stranglehold of Lyons to take the title. Ferguson, after Aberdeen, will always have a special empathy with stranglehold-breakers and you can be sure that, if his team overcome AC Milan and Blanc’s contrive to oust Olympiacos in the first knockout round of the Champions League in February and March, the name of Bordeaux will be one he looks out for in the draw, in which case Blanc’s visit to Old Trafford might not prove his last. There are, of course, former players of Ferguson’s who have made their mark in management closer to home: Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane and, above all this season, Alex McLeish. But Blanc would be my man to watch. And the concept of a transitional season or two, with the new manager being able to take advice from Ferguson — just as Ferguson leant on Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton when he came from Scotland — remains persuasive. Good article. This isn't the first time that Blanc's name has been mentioned for the job. However, James Richardson recently said that there has been some talk that he has a gentlemans agreement to join Inter Milan should Mourinho leave at the end of the season. And I think that with Van Gaal at Bayern Munich & Ferrera at Juventus jobs also hanging by a somehwat shoogly peg, I think Man Utd will have to act soon if they want Blanc. Whoever gets the task of replacing SAF has some job on their hands. Fergusons problem, apart from being a total cunt, is that his ego wont allow him to havae assistant in the limelight or his ex players by his side. Mark Hughes issa great manager and with the squad and facilities and transfer money ferguson leaves behind Hughes would do a great job, but obviously after city its no gonnae happen. Brian Kidd has been discarded along the way by Ferguson and fergie just isnt a character like walter smith who enjoys working with his ex players and moulding them.Or having a boot room live liverpool where sammy lee and dogsheetlish still play a part What makes these muppets think Blanc will do well at United? Would steve bruce, hughes or bryan robson do a worse job with the start they would have in the post ferguson era. Cantona and keane are joke suggestions. Keane is a gutless coward who would make utd more unpopular than Mourinho when it comes to the far east and merchandising etc. Davy moysey is a totally overrated cunt. Hes spent 50 million in the last 2 years and earns 17 million over 5 years yet he still plays the dour scot with nae any resources. Personally i think loads of guys could do a great job but Bryan Robson should have been part of the management set up years ago. Probably because Blanc has done a fantastic job at Bordeaux, turned them into a Championship contending/winning side... And the point about the far east i just don't understand at all, how would Keane make them more unpopular? In any case, whoever takes the job after SAF is going to have a very tough time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GersLoyalist99 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I have a feeling that when SAF does leave.The Man Utd job will become a bit of a poison chalice Managers going there constantly being compared to Sir Alex and his ways,titles and records etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Laurent Blance a muppet. What a clown. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lando 249 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Just a curious question... What are the Man Utd fans' feelings about this talk on the possibility of when Sir Alex would be leaving Old Trafford? I assume that this is really old hat for them because this talk has been that way for some years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 762 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Big Eck! What a turn up for the books that would be!I think Big Eck would be a good shout as he use to be one of SAF players at aberdeen. So was Mark McGhee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iserdo 1 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Big Eck! What a turn up for the books that would be!I think Big Eck would be a good shout as he use to be one of SAF players at aberdeen. So was Mark McGhee what has Mark McGhee done?Big Eck won the league with us twice and hes doing no bad with Birmingham,so i would give him another couple of years in the EPL and he could be the one to replace SAF! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon 1,768 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Cant think of anyone other than Sir Alex as manager, people say Mourinho but I dont think he is the man for the job TBH I dont know who is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaguy51 941 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 It won't be a current Premiership manager, that much I'm certain of. It has to be Mourinho. I can see Blanc taking the France job when Domenech leaves/gets thrown out/is assassinated, so he might not be available at the time. It's definitely between those two though. If not, add my cheeky vote in for the man in Muff's avatar, Ralf Rangnick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimfanciesthedude 25,512 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 te new manager may well depend on uniteds financial situation while they wont ever have to sell their stars to pay the debts, what you will find, as evidenced last summer, is that united wont spend as much as they take in, selling players like ronaldo, while bringing in players like valencia, who may then move on again for a profit, and then the cycle continues what you defo will not see is man united going out one summer and spending 60million net fees on players, not with the glazers in charge imo thats why guys like mourinho etc might not be the favourites, as they will want loads of cash to build THEIR team and not use fergies team so while it may sound daft, if eck can keep birmingham in top half table position or even fight like fuck for a euro slot, he will be linked, same with moyes and to an extent oneill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugal 0 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Every time Sir Alex Ferguson decides who should be his successor, it turns out to be him. He ponders the joys of retirement and then signs a new contract, the most famous instance being early in 2002 when Manchester United directors, having agreed terms with Sven-Göran Eriksson to take over once he had seen England through the World Cup finals in the Far East, were preparing to travel to London to seek the FA’s permission to approach the Swede when Ferguson announced his change of mind. Eriksson, we are left to imagine, shrugged. After all, he himself had once promised to manage Blackburn Rovers when a better offer came along from Lazio in 1997. At any rate, Ferguson stayed in his post and won the Premier League title in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But on the last day of 2009 he celebrated his 68th birthday. He has made a promise to quit before his 70th — and eventually he is going to keep one of those promises. The question of the succession is starting to become acute. A few months ago, it was suggested here that David Moyes, the Everton manager, whose style and character are admired in the United boardroom as well as by Ferguson himself, might be invited to move next season and work alongside the veteran manager. But it appears that the new favourite — and Ferguson’s own front-runner — is from outside the Premier League. There was a sense of the cat being let out of the bag when Harry Redknapp, a fellow manager with whom Ferguson gets on especially well, tipped “an ex-player who is already making his mark in management”. Or perhaps that should be the chat being let out of the sac, for one former United player making quite a mark in management is Laurent Blanc, who not only won the French League with Bordeaux last season but has guided the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Ferguson first encountered Blanc in 1991, when he was the tall and elegant star turn of a Montpellier side knocked out of the Cup Winners’ Cup by United, who went on to take the trophy. There were several attempts to sign him and finally, in 2001, after Blanc had become a world and European champion with France, he came to Old Trafford from Inter Milan at the age of 35. Why Ferguson would want to replace Jaap Stam, whom he had let go to Lazio in the erroneous belief that injury had slowed him, with someone a good deal slower was an issue much debated around Old Trafford. But Blanc did help United to win the championship in 2003 and, after his retirement, his calibre was recognised by the readers of France Football, who voted him the fourth best French player of all time, after only Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane and Raymond Kopa. As a manager, he immediately shone, guiding Bordeaux to second place in his first season and then breaking the stranglehold of Lyons to take the title. Ferguson, after Aberdeen, will always have a special empathy with stranglehold-breakers and you can be sure that, if his team overcome AC Milan and Blanc’s contrive to oust Olympiacos in the first knockout round of the Champions League in February and March, the name of Bordeaux will be one he looks out for in the draw, in which case Blanc’s visit to Old Trafford might not prove his last. There are, of course, former players of Ferguson’s who have made their mark in management closer to home: Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane and, above all this season, Alex McLeish. But Blanc would be my man to watch. And the concept of a transitional season or two, with the new manager being able to take advice from Ferguson — just as Ferguson leant on Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton when he came from Scotland — remains persuasive. Good article. This isn't the first time that Blanc's name has been mentioned for the job. However, James Richardson recently said that there has been some talk that he has a gentlemans agreement to join Inter Milan should Mourinho leave at the end of the season. And I think that with Van Gaal at Bayern Munich & Ferrera at Juventus jobs also hanging by a somehwat shoogly peg, I think Man Utd will have to act soon if they want Blanc. Whoever gets the task of replacing SAF has some job on their hands. Fergusons problem, apart from being a total cunt, is that his ego wont allow him to havae assistant in the limelight or his ex players by his side. Mark Hughes issa great manager and with the squad and facilities and transfer money ferguson leaves behind Hughes would do a great job, but obviously after city its no gonnae happen. Brian Kidd has been discarded along the way by Ferguson and fergie just isnt a character like walter smith who enjoys working with his ex players and moulding them.Or having a boot room live liverpool where sammy lee and dogsheetlish still play a part What makes these muppets think Blanc will do well at United? Would steve bruce, hughes or bryan robson do a worse job with the start they would have in the post ferguson era. Cantona and keane are joke suggestions. Keane is a gutless coward who would make utd more unpopular than Mourinho when it comes to the far east and merchandising etc. Davy moysey is a totally overrated cunt. Hes spent 50 million in the last 2 years and earns 17 million over 5 years yet he still plays the dour scot with nae any resources. Personally i think loads of guys could do a great job but Bryan Robson should have been part of the management set up years ago. Probably because Blanc has done a fantastic job at Bordeaux, turned them into a Championship contending/winning side... And the point about the far east i just don't understand at all, how would Keane make them more unpopular? In any case, whoever takes the job after SAF is going to have a very tough time. Blanc hasnt done anything special at bordeaux. Has he really done more than mcleish who is my favoured option. Bordeuax have always been a top 5 team in France , they have a huge tv company behind them, and before he started they were contending for the championship, they won it loads of times in the 80's, so theyre a big club. What big eck is doing at bham, although like blanc its early days looks more solid to me when paired with his takinae us to the knockout stages of tae champions league. I'll explain the "Far East bit" to yer. Me best mate at school has been working for a bank in Hong Kong and Singapore for 2 years now. He tells me the teams most loved are the man u's , the milans,arsenals, liverpools, the barcelonas and madrids. He tells me chelsea and morinho are still disliked due to mourinho's argumentative character and cheating at chelsea. Also your probably not aware but in his early days at Inter he went on a pre season tour to china, specifically designed to increase their marketability in the far east and at a press conference mourinho got into an argument with chinese journalist who asked him a starightforward question, next thing u know mourinho is havnae it out with the whole room of journos and walks out. Morrati was furious, the whole marketing exercise had been pointless. I went to malaysia in the summer and you see huge billboards of giggs advertising a swiss watch, or ronaldo advertising something , and man u and liverpool and madrid and barcelonas colours everywhere. Mourinho would be poison in terms of man u's style of football which dates back to the busby babes and is based on free flowing stylish and exciting football. In terms of marketability in the increasingly key far eastern markets, mourinho is seen as a cheat and charmless anti football figure. Keane similarly is not known for being able to deal well with the press and pressure, he kicked off in korea over training facilities at the world cup held in the far east. He got massively bad publicity and in a society where respect to elders is reverential he is disliked and sponsors hate him too. Like mourinho he would be poision to pr and marketing. Also he has shown himself to have very poor man management and he spent £60 million at sunderrland in 18 months and they were still shite.Shite manager. Whoever goes wont have that tough a time. They will inherit a great club with everything in place, squad, funds, back up team, etc etc. Similar to when dogsheetleish took over liverpool. It will take someone with keanes ability to fuck up to screw things up. Hope that gave you the help you needed pwrfc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryankyleakin 31 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 i think mourinho would split the fans if appointed, yes he's proven in england but united fans would demand attacking football and he's hardly renowned for his freeflowing teams.. maybe walter smith will get the job and make berbatov the best right back in europe? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Manticore* 1,893 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 It depends whether big Tony can bear to leave his beloved hoops..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo. 952 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Always imagined it would be Mourinho. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddsyRFC 1 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Mourinho or Hiddink I think would be good replacements. But I would like to see old players who played under Sir Alex such as Big Eck or Cantona. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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