In my opinion there'll be a player or players already lined up on the say so of whoever has been "advising" FSG. The new manager will be told this at interview (without names being named perhaps) when FSG let them know how things will work. When the new manager is named so will the new signings.
Remember it's all about a "structure" and a "plan" now; the manager Head Coach is only a cog within that all important "structure". Failure by the Head Coach to produce Champions League football will see him moved on but the "structure" will remain intact. It's the only way that FSG can achieve continuity.
They might suggest that Head Coach will have a final say but the truth is I doubt he will. Transfers will be decided by the "structure"... muahahaha... muahahaha. 
Think you're on to something here Bad Boy Bubby. FSG are big into the whole idea of moneyball aren't they? Well from what I can gather about moneyball the manager is fairly down the list of priorities. And from what we're hearing that is the route we're heading down, the Director of Football role is apparently being broken up into new more specific roles isn't it? They're looking at AVB and Martinez, two men who seem to be tailor made for this structure. I am praying to God for a Rafa return but if there is a reason for him not to return then this structure seems like a pretty good one in my opinion, he's a man who thrives off control, hell he fought Parry the H&G long enough for some.
If we are heading down the moneyball route then managers are going to be more "disposable" for want of a better word. So to answer the question asked in the topic, then players come first. Thats not my opinion, just where I see us heading.
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