Some of you may recall a recent suggestion that with the departure of Gary Cook from Manchester City's management, the wealth of the sheik may come to us in search of a new CEO. The target would of course be Ivan Gazidis. In a Radio 5 Live interview last spring, Ivan Gazidis unequivocally placed his rubber stamp on Arsenal's famed policy of business sustainability which he reinforced by saying that Arsenal would grow as opposed to buy success. He also seemed unmoved when asked if this policy which was contributed to six trophy-less seasons could result in the exit of key players come the summer just past or the next. Latterly of course we have discovered through the AST and by discussions elsewhere that following the departure of David Dein and the demise of Danny Fiszman, Arsene Wenger has become the main power broker at The Emirates and Ivan Gazidis who would have been the one to temper Arsene's excesses, has not been able to influence the club's manager nor any of the policies he has instituted such as the often-questioned wages policy that rewards young players almost as much as seasoned, key campaigners. This as many of us are only too aware has resulted in players being tempted to go elsewhere because our wages policy does not accommodate them and which has also made for the likes of players which we would like to shift being unattractive to other clubs nor are they likely to go because of the high salaries they already command here. Now that I think of it, with Arsene being all -powerful, Ivan Gazidis's remarks during that interview may well have been made in an effort to toe the company ( read Arsene Wenger's ) policy so to speak. For all the initial disadvantages of the sustainable model adopted by the club, I feel it is a prudent policy and one which could be helpful to us when the FFP rules come into force. One hopes of course that the rules are applied as their makers had intended otherwise it would just be a load of nothing and it would be business as usual with Heaven forbid, the big money clubs ruling the roost in football. Ivan Gazidis seems the man for the job at The Emirates. He has maintained at all times a professional approach. Can you imagine a Cook or an Ashley taking up residence at our beloved club? No way is what I'm sure we would all say. However if Ivan Gazidis who has already been the focus of the ire of fans, I myself sadly included and if he should also feel that he is unable to influence Arsene, might he be tempted by the sheik's possible proposals? Is he a man we should be prepared to lose? My view is that I believe this team and our management with a few changes of tactics and strategy is the best one we have. Had we been successful on the pitch as we would have liked, I imagine none of us would have questioned their credentials. However things being as they are, we could possibly lose a valued member of our board to one of the big money clubs. Having witnessed the transfer of a number of our players, those past, near or out of contract, should we make a stand and say Hands Off Ivan Gazidis? What say you pals?
Good article. I don't buy into the whole 'Arsene is too powerful' argument, he is a man that transformed the club and cares passionately about its' future, we may not all always agree with AWs decisions but we only know what people want us to know and Arsenal have always acted in a classy manner and distanced themselves from rumour and only reporting/quoting facts (amidst extreme provocation in some circumstances - step forward Barca and M City). I believe that everything AW has ever done has been in the best interests of the club so I'm not sure the Chief Exec needs to be someone to 'temper Arsene', he needs to be someone the manager reports in to and provide support, but I see AW as custodian of the clubs future and has until now done that job better than anyone could have hoped for 10 years ago. The perceived lack of success has to be measured against the competition now, the bottomless pit of funds that exists amongst 2/3 teams makes it impossible for us to compete, no sensible fan should expect us to be able to compete, because if we were to try and compete the financial security of the club would be threatened and I for one would rather see an Arsenal team running out in the prem/champs league in 10 years time rather than being halfway up div 1 having been bankrupt following a spending spree. All we can do is hope the new rules are policed properly and no loopholes exist, forcing the likes of City and Chelsea into treating their football club like a business instead of the unsustainable toy that it currently is.
So what has Ivan (the terrible) done for us? It all seems to be backroom stuff. It would be helpful to have a glimpse of what his contribution is?
Not always easy to see a Chief Execs contribution, his role is mainly relationship building or laying the foundation for future business. Maybe he dug up some dirt on Mancini which forced them to pay £25m for Nasri ? The fact he convinced AW to tour China and Malaysia was huge, opens up a massive marketing area for us.
I could not have put it better myself! They are welcome to him, a man that has presided over the worst Arsenal team in recent times...... I will drive him to Manchester myself.... Hopefully Dein can come back!
Well, there's a point made there too which is supported by the fact that as I understand, he has opposed the return of David Dein. And given that he hasn't been able to work in partnership AFAIK with Arsene in the way DD has, then the return of DD would be a far better option. I'll let you drive him Mr Omo. Darn petrol prices these days is killing me
