Yesterday, Southampton’s chairman Nicola Cortese resigned. Depending on how long you have been trailing this story, he is either being tempted to take up the chef exec job at struggling Milan, or has found working under owner Katharine Liebharr too much. It’s also possible that Ms Liebharr has insisted on a return on her family’s two rounds of investment in the club and forced his hand.
Five years ago Cortese was a working in Switzerland as a banker and acted on behalf of the now-deceased and father of Katharine, Markus Liebharr. They successfully put a deal together to buy Southampton FC and rescue the club from administration (liquidation is not inevitable, some clubs survive). Cortese had no previous experience in the football industry.
Southampton are a small club who seem cursed to produce incredibly talented youth players, only to see extraordinarily bad executives spurn their bounty. I remember writing about their ‘blood on the boardroom carpet’ six years ago.
A year ago this Saturday, Cortese sacked Nigel Atkins, the manager who won them two successive promotions and put them in a comfortable position on the FA Premier League. Cortese was to 2013 what Vincent Tan is to 2014, the butt of a thousand jokes, but none of us were reading the script.
Cortese’ next move was to appoint Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, the 40-year-old recently sacked manager of Espanyol. Southampton haven’t looked back, despite the words “Hooiveld” and “Fox” regularly featuring on team sheets.
Pochettino is now one of the hottest properties in football but he’s not the story, his former boss is. In appointing a young, low-profile, manager, Cortese tackled square-on the biggest problem in football – the vast risk invested on the shoulders of one man, the manager. A football manager is expected to be a master of tactics, a motivational dressing room speaker, a media communications expert, a scout and pretty much guru of everything.
None of them are good at all of this. As a consequence, clubs invest vast proportions of turnover on player wages and transfers, with haphazard diligence being carried out. The man ultimately responsible for approving this spend is more likely to be a shouty media darling, spending an average of 2.5 years at the club, than someone who has experience of long-term strategic planning.
Cortese figured that what he really needed in a manager was a tactical head, someone who could run a technical team, consulting with scouts, coaches, nutritionists and fitness trainers, and come up with what American football teams call a playbook. You want to play at Old Trafford? This is what worked when small teams visited the Bernabeu last season. Playing teams’ taller/faster/luckier with referees than you? You’ve got to see how these guys are leveling the playing field in Uruguay.
Football clubs need their manager to be Master of Tactics, and if they can concentrate him on this, they’re doing better than 90% of clubs in the game. They don’t need someone ‘connected’ to agents in value markets, this attribute can be recruited easily. They don’t need a good media talker. Despite being able to speak English, Pochettino gives press conferences through an interpreter. Yet the fans love him!
Clubs don’t need someone to play to the galleries, or someone with the ability to induce affinity from his public, most of the time results will keep (most) fans onside.
With his technically-proficient and happy-to-be-working-anywhere manager installed, Cortese had all operations working as he wanted, including the inordinately expensive recruitment process. Sacking a good and successful manager in Atkins was the most ballsy and innovative thing to happen in English football in decades, but he was operating in an industry which is the biggest financial basket case in sport. So, despite his clarity of vision, the Southampton gig was never going to last.
Today’s newspapers predict a mass exodus as Pochettino and Southampton’s gifted players head for the exit, good news for Joos and Danny, perhaps, but you feel for the beleaguered fans, who were shown a glimpse of how things should be done, but for years will wonder, what could have been?
The rest of us can ponder the opportunity available due to entrenched inefficiencies in football.
“You should always have pressure on you”, Stefan Johansen, 15 January 2014. I like this guy already.
Last shout for North America based Celtic fans for the Feile, which starts in Philidelphia tomorrow. Full details of the events can be found here. it’s bound to be a great weekend so get along if you can.
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THE BOY JINKY
I’ll leave it on a timer. By the time the cops arrive,no noise from an empty house,what have you been on,sir?
He knows I work nights too. Mind,he also knows that I have been known to be in the pub early doors,haha!
One for the Celtic historians.
I was staying at my friends hotel on Saturday night and at breakfast on Sunday he brought this book over for me to peruse. An absolutely fantastic and compelling read.
Celtic – A history from 1925. The book is made up completely from newspaper cuttings from 1925 onwards.
ISBN-13-978-1-90566-27-1.
Cowiebhoy, if you’re lurking, this would be a great addition to the “Cowiebhoy Bar” :-)
The sevco equivalent would be a piece of A4 paper with the words “2012/13 fourth tier diddy cup”.
Bmcuw
Love the music on a timer idea… classic.
I mind lying in bed and hearing the lecky man at her door to read the metre. Then he asks her if her upstairs neighbours home…
Yeah hes on nights so if you keep ringing his bell he will wake up.
Anyone knocking neil patey can take it up with him tomorrow you’ll find him wi his bhoy in the south stand he is there nearly every game!, just a few rows back fi me.
But there I would bet most of his detractors on here could nae find the park without the aid of a satnav!.
Hail hail.
Big sean.
Just in to say….
Awe this hun-stuff…been hearing it for what ? 3 /4 years noo ?
And yet, whose crowds have slumped in ‘that’ period ?
Backtrack to when Fergus was the govenor. Fergus took awe the fans
money by, duping the good, innocent, well-meaning Celtic support into
thinking that – they(Celtic fans) would own their club ?
Fergus also pointed out that – any Celtic fan who wished to attend the O##
F### games, would only be allowed to do so – if they buy a SB.
And so, the era of ‘entrapment by SB’ was ushered in. Just like Murray was doing
with the huns support as well.
20 years doon the road and, the Celtic fans are, still on the outside of ‘their’ club
looking in. Whose the mugs , eh ?
If, the huns die again(only in Scotland) – I would envisage that, once awe the
jelly n ice-cream parties have slackened aff a wee bit – next season at CP….it’ll
buy one SB – get five free !!!
Me ?
I’ll just continue to fill my brothers heid wi tales about the Jungle when it was
the ‘real’ Cellic.
Hail Hail – Take Care Tims – Off oot.
Just to let everyone know that there is a few things in the pipeline regarding tackling the SFA and as soon as I here more info I will let you know.
If you are interested in tackling this then register for twitter & follow me, morrissey23rd & TheScottishFaDo every honest fan who pays their way shouldn’t be treated like mugs.
Biggest scandal in Scottish Football is happening in front of our eyes again it’s time this lot were taken to task & the MSM are playing along with it.
Every fan in Scottish football needs to waken up & unite to remove this lot for the good of our game.
ACGR
Got that one!
My Dad got Willie Wallace to sign it too.
Cracking book,awkward bloody size though.
Lower league players asked to take a wage cut.
Is that normal… might they need to conform and take a second job.
Mibbees big Jon Daly could sell pies at celtic park to supplement his earnings
THE BOY JINKY
Ouch! I trust retribution was swift.
Prestonpans Bhoys
I have just started it, it’s for my own amusement, but what I will tell you is, there are some dodgy characters in here going by my poll, and if they keep up they’re dodgieness, rest assured they will be outed, I feel as a dyed in the wool Tim it is my duty, my work is not done yet, in my fathers house there are many rooms, but no room at the inn for thems, go in peace my son and spread the word, lurking huns GIRUYs, HH
tonydonnelly67
10:40 on 17 January, 2014
Thank you my good fellow, at least you know I’m not one of them…………………..
From MTHForum
BDO are jut as corrupt as OldCo, Sevco, The SFA and the f****** rest. Dont expect anything else.
How do you make football players redundant ? Is it like the real world where your only entitled to a weeks pay for every year you’ve been there after 2 years and your over 21.
OR is it more complicated ,do you have to pay the remainder of the contract and if you do how does that save money ??
PRESTONPANS BHOY
Ah,but he only has your word for that!
sean thornton
10:36 on
17 January, 2014
Let me get this right. You’re saying that because he’s a Celtic supporter hecouldn’t possibly be wrong. Despite the precedents where he was before?
I too am a ST holder. I’m wrong all the time.
Gloriously sunny in South Staffordshire,which presents a dilemma for this afternoon.
Tae the pub wi Henrik the Dug…..first swally of the demon drink since before Xmas….fall asleep on the couch cuddling the dug around 8ish
Or
Tae the golf course for a wee fly solo 9 hole practice to kick the Villa boys erses in the Monthly Medal tomorrow.
Or
Stay on here most of the day moaning about our board and laughing at Sevco.
TheFridayDilemmaCSC
Top of the morning to you all from a dripping wet, dreich Fife.
Good word that dreich, another good one is liquidation……..kinda just rolls of the tongue.
Anyway there seems to be much debate about whether the Daily Mail is right in saying Sevco to get half of Jelly transfer cash.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2540763/Rangers-squad-rejects-15-pay-troubled-Scottish-giants-look-cut-costs.html
Most say they get nowt.
Gourock @ 10.17
Family always come first, no matter what.
Send the wean to pick his mammy up from hospital and you go to the match. Simples.
Interesting that Sevco get some money from the Jelavic transfer, as stated this must mean BDO came to an agreement to allow this – which means they must ave been part of the five way agreement.
As part of the quid pro quo for Sevco getting Rangers’ SFA membership Sevco had to pay all outstanding Football debts.
According to STV on the 21-02-2013 they have.
“The Ibrox club owed a number of European clubs money as part of an agreement with the Scottish FA to have their membership transferred between the old company, now in liquidation, and Charles Green’s newco.
GAIS, Orebro, Palermo and Rapid Vienna have all confirmed to STV they have been paid settlements by Rangers.
Green has told STV a similar debt with St Etienne for the purchase of Carlos Bocanegra has also been settled, but did not confirm the amount paid. The French side have been unavailable for comment.
Rapid Vienna confirmed on Wednesday: “We received the money from the new Rangers company yesterday (Tuesday) to our bank and the matter with them is closed.
“We have assured them we will not raise any dispute with FIFA which could have potentially blocked their participation in future European competitions.”
I see Lenny quoted as saying he wants another striker and attacking midfielder to add to Fridjonsson & Johansen in this window. I assume that Johansen is LEdley’s replacement, whether he leaves this window or the summer.
Expect Johansen to join Fridjonsson in pre season training as he hasn’t played since November so wouldn’t expect to see either feature in first team until next month at the earliest.
GourockEmeraldBhoy “Supporting Wee Oscar the Warrior”
Its a trick don’t fall for it – and she’ll have her ma waiting for you when you return from match !!
Make a big deal of making your mind up – big decision with new signings debuts etc then pick her up, clean house & flowers from tesco
You should be sorted for remainder of the season
It will stand you in good stead for the future and gives you an example for years to come !!!
bigngreen – If they could make player redundant without paying off their contracts then they wouldn’t have a problem. I think SFA rules prohibit redundancy, unless in cases of misconduct where a contract can be terminated.
neganon2
09:54 on 17 January, 2014
Pray tell us what you spent your time doing on CQN…..?
Ha, cheers for the advice bhoys…. Looks like the game it is (hopefully)
Neil Patey a season book holder at Paradise, would never have thought that, still think he talks nonsense (in a funny kind o way)
HH
Apparently Shane Long going to Hull, scuppers Fletcher’s move there… He may then be available to us for less than thought. The previously quoted £6m looked to rich to me, but maybe at £3m a lot more attractive?
Re Jellyvic, wasn’t he sold by first rangers, and so any money goes to the liquidators for eventual return to creditors?
BIGNAN…
Also love that word Dreich
You should see their faces down here whenever I use it.
Anyway,anything but dreich in mid Englandshire today woop woop.
Get yerself up to the Ainster Fish Bar…..that truly wonderful establishment will chase away any weather blues.
Tony (any lurking huns giruy)donnelly67
Your fast becoming the Maury Povich of mid morning cqn. You finally got your own chat show oldyin.
Anyway will there be room for me and my grandson on the bus tomorrow.
Btw very sad news this week. He was much loved by many people. Great guy.
GourockEmeraldBhoy “Supporting Wee Oscar the Warrior”
Its a trick don’t fall for it – and she’ll have her ma waiting for you when you return from match !!
Make a big deal of making your mind up – big decision with new signings debuts etc then pick her up, clean house & flowers from tesco
You should be sorted for remainder of the season
It will stand you in good stead for the future and gives you an example for years to come !!!
She’ll think I’m having an affair wie that, she can let me know tonight if she’ll be able to cope without me tomorrow lol…
HH
chairbhoy
10:52 on 17 January, 2014
Think the jellyfish money is still at the ‘rumour’ stage…..?
TBJ
I demand that you name the witnessessssss.
greenmaestro
10:57 on 17 January, 2014
Ah sayd that earliur, so ah did…..
monaghan 1900 10.30am
Absolutly brilliant!
I have an image in my mind of a distressed berr in disshevelled Fat Buddha (orange?) clothing coming out of the next creditors’ meeting crying, “It was a MASSAKER”
Marakesh express
No problem, there will be room made for you and your grandson on “The Franks” bus ;))
Bmcuw
Karma came knocking… actually a housebreaker smashed their front door in one Friday night
The cops came to my door next day.. I said ” yeah I heard glass smashing and banging about 9pm last night”
Plod asked why I did not investigate or call them
” They are a shower of noisy inconsiderate bassas and I just assumed it was their usual behaviour” ;)
EmeraldBee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot
10:25 on 17 January, 2014
NatKnow @ 10.09
I’m not sure I agree with your scorning of Ally McCoist. I mean this is the Rangers-mad, true-blue guy who, since taking over the full-time managers job at the beginning of season 2012-2013 has entered/completed 10 competitionms and won the grand total of ONE of them (last year’s fourth tier League competition). The 10th. and latest one lost was of course his exiting of this season’s League Cup to the mighty East Stirling, but he will, perhaps, double his total; this season if he manages to get the club to the end of the campaign and wins the third tier league with his full-time squad gubbing the rest of the part-timers.
Such a man is not to be mocked, in my opinion.
Yup – I’m happy for him to be there forever – he’s useless!
Apologies if this has been covered… but wasn’t Jelavic sold BEFORE admin which means Old club so that cash would be BDO’s to pay creditors of old club, no ?
He was sold in Jan 2012… they entered admin on 14 Feb 2012…..
TD…. I hope I ain’t on that list of yours….
VP
As god is my witness.. im sworn to an oaf of secrecy ;).