Whilst I can accept there may be criticisms of some subsequent decisions, a request that Nicola should become a Chairman of a board responsible to the owner of the club would appear to be entirely reasonable. He could have stayed; he didn't. That might be predictable, but at least he was given the opportunity...she could have just sacked him (as he did to Nigel).
But the promise (if made) was under different circumstances...this isn't a kindergarten...he can't just lie on the floor kicking out, saying it's not fair.
Well it isn't fair. It's completely understandable that we can't sell everyone, but he's earned it far more than Shaw and Chambers have and they've been fast-tracked to the Champions League. Sure, the circumstances have changed, but I don't buy for a second that it wasn't common knowledge the entire time that he was expecting a move away this summer.
Me too. I'm going to merge these 2 threads. This one was first, so this will be the thread . Edit: OK I've merged them the wrong way but let's live with it eh?
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11374654.Chairman_hails__Ronald_Revolution_/?ref=mac The Daily Echo trying to make up for lost time?
She has PR advisors. That said, any PR advisor who was managing the sale of a club would probably tell her not to go to the games (and she has gone to both home and away), and I'd certainly imagine they'd advise her against wearing a club scarf in the front row of the director's box. As did Ralph. I don't think she's in any great rush to sell us, personally. However, as with several clubs, if someone comes along with a good offer - she'll think. However, she does want a restructure. A more democratic board, a more open club with better engagement with its supporters (both sponsors and fans). There's the continual upgrades to St. Mary's and Staplewood, and yes there is more still happening with Staplewood and more planned for the general upkeep of St. Mary's.
Which ultimately gives us... - a Premier League club - a solid squad (once all is done) - a manager with a big reputation - Best academy in the UK - Top class training facilities that are fresh and new - a 32,000 seater with the latest bits and bobs (the LED lights and other upgrades to come) - a debt-free club That last bit is probably the most important. From that position, a sale of a key player or two every season or two will keep the club sustainable and ticking over. Especially so with the crazy trend of prices for our English lads. £34m for Shaw for e.g. But over the years we've seen that we buy a player and develop them to become better, and then sell them too - as with Lovren and most likely Schneiderlin when his time comes. She'll still need to contribute, as she has in the past, but not to anywhere near the same level. Especially if we do improve our commercial relationships. Then, it's also far more likely that someone with an interest in buying a Premier League club will approach her. However, it is my belief that she's not just turned up to oversee a quick sale of Saints and it's certainly not the reason for Ralph's presence.
Yep I was told the same,not actively looking to sell but if a big offer comes in like most owners she would accept it.
What DTLW said, more or less. Though we haven't had a game yet this season, now have we? Imagine if she's not there for the first home game...
What I'd say is, from the PR perspective and also from her perspective, if I was looking to flog the club on quickly, potentially harming it in the process due to a mass exodus of playing staff and coaching staff etc, I wouldn't have done that photoshoot on the pitch with new board, written the letter to the fans, or had my name quite so, in the limelight - or been quite so present all the time. Turning up to the staff charity match, attending the games to date (most notably the home games) and wearing club scarves and coats would be odd behaviour for a woman looking for a quick buck. As I've said, I don't believe she is - but I feel she felt she needed to right some wrongs at SFC, for whatever reason that may be. She was around when we got promoted from L1, and from the Championship. She was at Wembley. She's had previous engagements with the club and hasn't just suddenly appeared from nowhere. Quite a few photos from back when Markus was around will show her to be present, a couple of rows behind, with a child who used to then run down to Markus now and then. If I was overseeing a quick sale, I'd move someone like... say, Purslow onto my board, keep my head down and let him crack on from Day #1.
"Flog" is a dirty word. If she's going to sell I suspect she'll do it nicely. "Pass the torch" would be a more suitable term. No one would begrudge her for that.
Nope, not at all. But some suggested the day she strolled in that it was a matter of weeks until the club was passed on to the first person who would take it. I don't think that'll be the case. She's very aware of what SFC means to her Dad and vice-versa, she'll want to 'pass the torch' to the right person. 'Pass the torch' is a good way to put it, actually.
Those people were pretty dim not to recognise the obvious fact that the club would probably be worth ten times as much in a couple of years time. We are there now, though. There is now logic in it.
Provided they put together a solid squad for Koeman to work with, there is, yeah. I mean, a debt-free club with the best academy in the UK, top-class facilities, Ronald Koeman as boss and a competitive squad. If I was an investor, looking to buy into a club, Saints would interest me for sure.
http://www.hat-trick.fr/la-strategie-de-southampton/ Molina back at it. Largely a rehash, but he's stating that we'll lean heavily on loans while bringing in three permanent transfers -- a keeper, defender and striker -- only one of whom will command a large fee. Also a pretty serious accusation that it was Saints lied to the media about Schneiderlin submitting a transfer request. Going to be interesting to see how the end product squares with this stuff; if Guan's statements about signings and the money to be committed are accurate, it becomes pretty easy to write off most or all of what Molina has stated once the transfers roll in. If not, well...
