We are all aware of the five year plan that was put in place when Markus and Nicola got involved. We are also aware that we are some way ahead of schedule in that plan and that this is not a surprise to Nicola who, in his own words is "used to delivering ahead of schedule". It is also apparent that the principles of preparation and hard work are running right through the club from top to bottom and that is clearly not something that is going to change. In short, our achievements can be attributed to a vision brought to reality by a whole group of dedicated individuals working toward a common goal. Now that kind of focus and determination is a heady mix and one which (in a non sporting capacity I should add) I have experienced a few times in a professional capacity. Momentum builds, success after success follows and, as hurdles fall, sights are continually set higher. So, after the five year plan to get back to the Premier League, there was always another plan for when we got there. Again, we are familiar with Cortese's repeated assertions that he wants to take this club to the very top and, as he has so far delivered on everything he has promised, who are we to question him? So, what was in that next plan? He has publicly stated that no club would be relegated whilst he was in charge and I suspect that those words were not just bravado. One has to assume that significant funds were available for our second five year plan and, arriving back in the Premier League two years ahead of schedule can only serve to swell those coffers. I'm not suggesting that we simply add £90M (two years' PL money) to the £XM that was already set aside as no doubt funding will now be reassessed, but I cannot wait to see what our beloved Don has up his sleeve in the next few months. I have a suspicion that Nigel will get whoever he wants and I am more than a little convinced that we won't be looking over our shoulders at this time next year. Nothing will be left to chance as Cortese is simply too organised. He's a man on a mission and I don't see too many things getting in his way; certainly not our existing transfer fee record which I expect to see smashed in the coming months. At the very least, expect to have your expectations exceeded again next year, it's simply the new Saints way.
Think we are in for an interesting summer to say the least. Bear in mind when the yearly accounts were released a couple of months ago it was stated that the club have spent "nowhere near" what they expected to spend to get to where they are/were. The interview was on the Saints BBC webpage, dont know if its still there. Given that I would imagine that when you add to that the Chamberlain money and the money the club will get for being in The Premiership (I'm beginning to love the sound of that btw ) then the funds for adding to the squad are likely to be very promising. I wouldnt be at all surprised to see a couple of really big fees paid out for players in the coming months.
Big Fees will be paid out, however only wages within the Cortese structure will be paid. This I hope he sticks to. If Wigan go down, I'd go and get Moses
Great OP. Been saying the same all along, this season and before that. Like lots of others, it took me a short while to realise Cortese was the real deal. But when the plans for the infrastructure started to get the go ahead, and promises that were made were quite obviously not hot-air, there was only one conclusion to be made. This bloke is one in a million. Yep, he has bags of money behind him, but you don't get that unless you can be trusted with it, and boy, can he be trusted, considering that he was personally responsible for the account of Markus Liebherr. So much so that he became a best personal friend. If Markus took what Nicola advised him to do seriously, then when he suggests he's planning something, I think we ought to take him seriously too. It's why I try not to forget any single thing Cortese publicly says, because up to this point, all that can have come true, has done. And he has said one or two remarkable things about what is coming for the Premier League. Pie in the Sky..? Hot-air..? Given this guy's record..? I doubt it.
It's all been too much for him, Fran. EDIT: Ah, I see you've changed your mind, Red and White BA. Returning to the land of the living..?
I know I harp on about it, but meeting him was incredible. Everything you said above, Second stain, is so true and if you ever get the chance to meet him, cancel everything else. My Dad reminded me of something that I had said that Nicola siad to our group during that dinner: "Saints will not get relegated from any division, while I am at the helm". Believe me that was a remark that hit home. I wouldn't be surprised if there are deals for players already done in principal that we went up, and probably have been for awhile. He was very open, but he wouldn't tell me where he lived: I did ask!
You keep harping away mate, because I still think one or two fans can't quite believe what Cortese has in store for Saints. You certainly won't bore me. I know the pundits don't have a clue and I think they may be in for a bigger shock. Plucky little Southampton on the South Coast are about to get serious.
I just hope we can compete with Reading's war chest for the players that are suitable and available this Summer. If they weren't flush with their new owner's cash, I think we'd have had an easier time attracting players.
Great post! I'm really looking forward to hearing from Mr. Cortese. I think i'm right in remembering him re-writing the 5 year plan after last years promotion to being Europa league football in 5 years. Everyone performs better with a clear vision and i'm looking forward to the new Cortese vision this summer
I would think the plan is still in place as it was to ensure we were in the premier league in 5 years. Pretty pointless being here after 3 then dropping out again. So I believe he won't take too many risks. I expect to see some calculated movement in the transfer market. It is very important we stay up, our squad could be ripped apart, leaving us to rebuild. Not a terrible position due to the cash, but far from ideal. I would like to see us consolidate our position during the first two seasons, then look to push on. A similar sort of path that Stoke took, although without the long ball.
Oh absolutely; very, very serious. My heart keeps saying that we are Saints, next year will be a terrible struggle. My head keeps saying (in an Italian accent) "we ave biggio plans for thees company"
Great post, but I would also like to point out in a big interview he did for the BBC, he did mention what would happen when we hit the big time. Something along the lines of not relying on TV money or parachute payments, and anything like that would be set aside for a rainy day so to speak. Much like what happened with the AOC money. We respent some of it, but we've kept a large amount of that to go into other areas. Basically, let's not expect HUGE spending, as that's what got us into trouble in the first place (in a weird perverse sort of way as we didn't actually spend much on transfers at all...)
Wasn't there a 12-year plan, running concurrently with the 5-year plan, to get to the top 4? So that could be our new 7-year plan from this point.
Found a piece of scrap paper whilst at SMS. Not sure what it means though. Year 4. Invade Austria Year 5. March on Moscow (but remember to go in summer).
