please log in to view this image Southampton executive chairman Nicola Cortese has been taking part in the 'Leaders in Football' conference today. He took part in a presentation and discussion on balancing financial success and success on the pitch. It involved Bruce Buck (Chelsea chairman), Peter Siemsen (Chairman of Fluminense), and Nicola Cortese. I've drawn together a few points he made... - When he came to SFC in 2009, he found no ambition, no plans, no vision, no desire - The 'five year plan' was 1 season in League One, 3 in the Championship before reaching the Premier League in Year 5 - On his and the Liebherr's ambition... "Using the word ambition was a problem for some people because we were living down on the south coast" - He says himself and the owners are planning to grow the club commercially by 70%-100% by 2016/17 - Doesn't see it as "unfair" that United/Arsenal/Chelsea have greater commercial power - Sees this as a challenge, he wants Southampton to compete on all levels - Referred to Financial Fair Play as "unfair financial regulation" - Said that clubs should not be propped up by the fair play system - "It's not fair play, it's a regulation" - explains why he voted against it Cortese was then asked about his sacking of Nigel Adkins... and replied: "You don't just change a manager for the sake of it. You do it because you have facts within the club that influence your decision. For us it was coming through different leagues and you need someone who fulfils a role at each level. The worst thing for any company is to have a standstill. You have to take a decision even if it is unpopular. You have to sack a manager when progress has stopped. I would do it the same way again." Mark Palios, the host, then said to Cortese: "You were criticised when you changed the manager without having someone lined up and also criticised when you had a successor..." Cortese: "I know, you can't win (or words to that effect). We had planned the exact day Nigel would be replaced and that's what we did - stuck to the plan, even though he had a run of good results up to that day." ...and that's pretty much it. DTLW
The plan was 1 year in League 1 (so that counted as a fail against Pardew) then three in the Championship (Adkins got out in 1 year). As I always thought, Nigel was too successful for his own good...he would probably have kept his job if he hadn't got us promotion in the first season. It was never planned for him to be the PL manager, though he was given a chance. I do understand Nicola's objection to the Fair Play Rules. He thinks that properly run businesses shouldn't be constrained by regulations because some football clubs are badly run. Sadly, Nicola, not enough people run football clubs properly. Good to hear a hint of his ongoing plans for our future success.
Adkins was also present, and chatted to one of the many in attendance. He just so happens to be a Saints fan! Key points from Nigel Adkins... - He misses being Saints manager - Loved every second of his time at the club - Said he understood the decision to change the management and is really pleased to see us doing so well under MP - Really pleased to have Billy Sharp at Reading as a top bloke and goal scorer, but he's picked up an injury straight away - When I said 'Reading are a similar sized club to Saints', he said "I thought so too, but they are a lot smaller in every way"
- When I said 'Reading are a similar sized club to Saints', he said "I thought so too, but they are a lot smaller in every way" Cant imagine him saying this, even if true
So Cortese, a banker, is opposed to regulation of markets? Hmmnn. Still, wtf, he may be a sonofabitch but at least he's our sonofabitch.
Joey Barton speaking now. Says he dislikes culture of celebrating good managers but ignoring good coaches. Says some managers could not be successful without their coaching teams. Says Ferguson couldn't put on sessions to save his life, but he knew the right people and could always keep his coaching team providing good sessions.
It's always been the case that some managers are good managers, some are good coaches, and some are good managers and coaches.
"One of the many in attendance" I didn't know his capacity or why he was there at the time of posting. However, it was posted online behind the username "St. Louis". I'd no idea who he was or why he was there. It turns out he works in marketing and managed to have a chat with Adkins.
There's some write ups by assorted media hacks http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8966577/? http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...irmen-of-chelsea-and-southampton-8872161.html
Cortese must've pissed someone at the Daily Mirror off. First the Lambert stuff, then the Osvaldo story and now this: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/football-managers-importance-played-down-2359093?
You're being sarcastic, surely ? Referring to Cortese as a mere SUIT is taking the piss. And they are so way off with their barb it's slanderous.
