Ralph Krueger talks on Canadian radio about Saints

Was interviewed on Vancouver Soccer Talk.

http://www.am650radio.com/Episodes.aspx?PID=3891

Hour 2 - with 14:00 left of the episode.


Summary:

- It's a long story how I got to Southampton
- I've been living in Europe for over 30 years
- More than anything, this is a leadership role
- I was hired due to working with large corporations and taking up leadership roles
- I don't need to know much about football
- We have great footballing people here, they are excellent
- I'm just trying to find out the roles in the club and just let them work
- Katharina Liebherr put me in this situation
- More than anything, we have the best academy in England
- Just yesterday we had six players from our academy under 25 at Swansea
- We have a great foundation here
- We are going to do everything in our power to keep this team together
- At the moment it looks good
- But you are competing with the entire world
- Our U19 players, we have 4 going with the English national side this summer
- We have so much youth here, we are much more English than any other top flight club
- This is what makes us unique
- I hope some Canadians will follow us
- What surprised me the most is that there's actually not that many surprises
- We can learn a little bit here about how to build up entertainment at the game
- You don't want to touch the game or the pureness, the class of football in England
- All the things that are happening off the pitch here are happening rapidly
- We have a fantastic sports science department, we have tonnes of resources
- I am able to witness things here that I could only dream of in the NHL
- It's a learning and growing opportunity for me too
- Who knows, one day it may come back to hockey with me, or I could stay here for a very long time
- At the start there were some questions asked about me in the UK media
- Initially in October/November we threw it out into the press that I'd be a consultant
- Then we said I'd be on the board
- Then we told the whole story and announced that I was going to be the new chairman
- Everybody in the media around Southampton was keeping half an eye on Team Canada at Sochi, the players here were watching
- Any type of questions about my capability were answered through the gold medal at Sochi, I think that was helpful
- I try to let my actions speak, not my words, I've only had one press conference since I came here
- I've been actively doing a lot of things
- We've already been hiring excellent commercial people
- We've been doing a lot for our relationships with the players and the manager
- It's calmed down quickly
- I get only positive questions right now about my background
- People are almost a little bit afraid at times because I mentioned that I got 52 stitches in my face!
- That may help me in some of the tougher decisions I will have to make and the actions I will have to take in the future at the club
- Thanks for having me
- If people in Vancouver ever want to watch some Premier League, come to us
- We have exactly the same weather and great nature, you will feel very much at home here in Southampton!
- All the best to you all and all the listers, and thanks for your time
- I look forward to speaking in the future on your station


DTLW

 

This is somewhat interesting.

 

But everyone's leaving. It says so in the Star.

 

The thing I lifted from that (and I heard it in another report) is that he was on his way in long before we suspected anything. So much for all that talk about trying to keep NC. This doesn't particularly upset me as it suggests that Katharina had a plan rather than being surprised by Nicola leaving and having to improvise. Sounds like Nicola was outmanoeuvred into leaving (wow...now that would be impressive).

 

Association football is growing rapidly in popularity in Canada. Hopefully we'll have a growing fanbase there.

 

Krueger could raise our profile....people may start looking for our results and, before they know it, the poor bastards are trapped. That's how it happens, folks.

 

Who cares, as long as they buy Saints stuff.

 

That should be our logo. Ever thought about going into advertising?

 

Keep winning and they will.

 

I actually think it would be quite cool to have a big following in Canada. Pre season tour of north America?

 

"We can learn a little bit here about how to build up entertainment at the game"

Oooh, bring back the half time police band.

Vin

 

I remember the brass bands during the branfoot years at the dell.

 

I saw a policeman sing opera at Highbury in the late '60s. Got a terrific reception from the fans. Years ago, we had singing and bands at the Dell...does it happen at any PL grounds now?

 

Well, I can see some things appealing to the Canadian market...note the crowd at the Raptors playoff game today:

please log in to view this image

 

Hopefully the new entertainment can replace the pointless half time relays.

 

Who are these commercial people? And are they responsible for cheap tickets, free quality scarfs and a meal? I thought that was a great touch.

 

We need cheerleaders. So they can entertain us by ummm dancing etc.

 

Thin of the calendar sales!

 

No...topless players is what we want!

Or perhaps that is just me

 

Yup. It's just you, Fran. Sorry to hear your health has stopped you from getting to games this year. Season ticket next year?