If you missed the interview on sky sports with Cortese, and prefer an article as opposed to video, there is a piece here with certain quotes taken from the interview: http://www.tibsnews.com/news/cortese-happy-to-sacrifice-popularity/
He just said what needed to be said, this anodyne interview, as in blandly soothing, neither answers or confirms issues. Come April if we are 10 points clear of the dreaded zone he can say 'I told you so'. Let's hope he's right..
I thought he came across as genuine. Admits he's a perfectionist but clearly has a desire to take this club to the top! Lets enjoy the ride!
I thought it was a good interview, and well-needed after the events of last week. He didn't address the Adkins thing as directly as we might have liked perhaps, but what can he really say? If he talks up Adkins, then it just makes people wonder why he sacked him. If he directly says he thinks Adkins wan't good enough, it would be a cheap shot and so unnecessary after he already fired the guy. He was right to focus on the future. I'm still not sold on his whole "I love the club, and I will be the sacrificial lamb if that is what is necessary" schtick. I mean, what is Southampton to him? He's not from the area or a lifelong fan or anything. He wanted to run a football club and thought Southampton was an interesting/attractive project. It could just as easily been any other club. But at least I believe he isn't running the club for pure profit. I believe him when he states his goals, and those goals suit me as a fan even if he is more motivated by ego than love of club. And I don't really blame him for saying some of the half-truths. It's what you have to do for PR. Probably 99% of club owners are there for ego/money reasons so it's not like it really hinders our prospects.
Think what he said was that he would sacrifice popularity for the club's success. I believe him because, contrary to what some journalists write, he has shown no sign of wanting to be in the spotlight. People accuse him of having an ego...doesn't every successful person have a certain arrogance (or confidence in their own abilities as it is known).
Fair play to him for coming out and having an interview, but it hasn't particularly won me over. Sacking Adkins was the perfect time? No. And he didn't seem particularly comfortable when talking about Le Tiss either. Personally, I think he has met him, ableit briefly possibly. Personally, they both need to sit down and discuss their differences like grown men. Le Tiss has offered, it's up to Nicola to take it further. Still could have mentioned what a great job Nigel did, but felt that to move forward he had to change. Best of both worlds And as Matty said, if everyone is welcome, why is Benali banned?
MLT said he met him with Markus after the takeover. My guess is that Nicola doesn't remember as he probably had no idea who he was at the time. If MLT can only remember that once, Nicola has a point.
Yeah, but "sacrifice" is the wrong term I think. That is probably what rubbed me the wrong way a bit. What I think is closer to the truth is that he really doesn't much care about what the fans think, and "success" for the club is what HE wants, not what anyone else wants. I think it was a nicer way of saying "It's my club, I'll run it how I want and I don't care about the fans." Of course, he could harldy say that. And like I said before, what the fans want and what he wants are not in conflict so that's fine.
Nothing in that interview suggested that he didn't care about the fans. He just thinks that he knows what is best for SFC...essential for a CEO I would imagine.
I have to agree. I feel I understand what he thinks better now I have seen and heard him saying it. And I understand why he is a good businessman. Does he feel no emotion???But as was previously said why oh why was Nigel not thanked for his contribution to the plan. Is that so hard?
I'm sure he thanked Nigel to his face. He said it was hard to sack him...people always say nice things when they feel bad or uncomfortable. He knew Nigel for a couple of years and shared good times...you don't forget things like that. Remember though he has probably had to sack people before...part of the job to him, though not his favourite part I'm sure when he knows that person has done well.
