It's weird that they talk about football is changing, how the structure is changing and that these days there must be a sound structure with Director of Football etc to take care of different aspects of the game...and that now we are playing catch up with Man City even in terms of that. DM was slated for saying we aspire to to be like Man City back then. Now it seems ok to say we aspire to be like everyone else.
But JM is still sticking to his old methods. Kinda like LVG right? Only this time without possession and without having shots on target.
As to why Ed gave a contract extension in Janurary, I guess there are expecting him to deliver especially with a new signing in Sanchez. The club was willing to write off the transfer fee paid for Miki in exchange for Sanchez. They would expect him to turn it around and at least win a cup as we are still in the running for UCL and FA Cup. Instead they are seeing the same old defensives plays.
That confidence in him must have dried out by summer when we got knocked out by Sevilla and didn't win the FA Cup or any titles that matter. JM just made mattered worst with his negativity during pre season in USA. I guess like most of us, the board must have still been wishing that JM can turn things around when the actual season starts when all the players return.