Let's assume this is not bullshit, but true, just for a change. Is there nothing Spurs will not do to try to get an instant fix..? Surely they must know by now that you do not build anything from mere individuals. There must be a vision. Saints have had plenty of recruitment heads, but the result has been the same. We produce players on a conveyor belt scale. My advice to Spurs would be to put the hard work of research in, and stop trying to short cut their way to success. It doesn't necessarily work anyway. Plenty of ex-Saints leading personnel have gone on to make illustrious careers at fading away. In any case, just to put this bull into perspective, who would leave their dream job..?
I worry about this one. I assume he's on a relatively low wage compared to the players, so a better salary might be all it takes to persuade him.
I keep forgetting that, although I'm amongst several who admire the Le Tissier view of money, I actually follow it as well. Some other people do.
I think we'll be OK, they are only after someone to find small mouse-like mammals.... "Mitchell - pictured playing for Wigan in 2003 - has been widely-credited for Southampton's shrew signings"
If he's that good what's to stop Saints offering him more money? I've no idea what he earns but it's probably not like the ridiculous money a player would want. We're not broke.
This would lead to a fascinating conundrum. Paul Mitchell's department at Southampton will have data on suitable replacements for every post at the club somewhere in the black box, including a replacement for Paul Mitchell himself. So... will we have to brainwash Paul Mitchell before he leaves so he doesn't take any memories of that data with him, or will he find himself at Tottenham knowing there is already a better person in place? Or should Saints just give a Tottenham a hint on who they could go for and keep Paul ourselves? Seriously though, the difference between ourselves and Tottenham is the concept of recruiting to fit within a long-established system, not just going for whoever appears to be the best in a particular area. Paul Mitchell fits at Southampton, but like Pochettino, he might not fit at Spurs, because the amazing set up for recruitment that we have doesn't exist there.
As we have already found out this summer, no one is irreplaceable. Hopefully Paul is wise enough to decide what's best for him. After all, which story would you rather be part of, Southampton's or Tottenham's?
I didn't know that was significant, Beef. Not like the bloke from the Mirror [I forget who, and nobody has to feel the need to remind me].
Don't really know...Mitchell may be tempted by the money and challenge of setting up a new system. He may enjoy what is happening here or regard it as done. Who knows?
If he leaves us I suspect there are things he'll be contractually be unable to tell any new employer - he'd probably also not be able to join without a long period of "gardening leave" beforehand. Lot's of companies have similar clauses for senior or sensitive positions - I certainly hope Saints do for a position with that level of access to sensitive data.
It's worth noting that money as a motivator doesn't necessarily mean people work better or harder, some would argue that performances can tail off. This video from Dan Pink (sometimes referred to as a 'Career Analyst') encapsulates what has been observed about motivation: [video=youtube_share;u6XAPnuFjJc]http://youtu.be/u6XAPnuFjJc[/video] As TSS points out Spurs (Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and Ars*nal) should stop trying to short cut success and take a look at why Saints is an attractive workplace for both non-playing and playing staff. I would also add that anyone who decides to leave the club now based purely on monetary reasons would not be the right person we want at the club. I'm sure the club wants people who are motivated by the success of the club and the reward will be proportional to the effort and success they bring in.
I think the major draw will be the chance to set up a recruitment scheme at a famous club and really make a difference.
That's a fascinating video Jerome, and it certainly seems to fit the ethos that has arisen at Southampton. As an example, remember how the players told Ronald they wanted to train following their win at Arsenal, when they had been given the day off? They were motivated by the success they had already achieved to want more success at the weekend game.
