Cortese

[peacey]

Is there something we dont know about this guy in regards to what is ACTULLY going on at st marys?

 

Why is he so disliked by everyone outside the club and even former players?

 

 

Please dicuss....

 

Id be happy to not have a wealth of money but we run by a great postive chairman who does not get involved in everything, and does not stay silent and address the fans when they need to be addressed.

 

I just dont think the team and adkins is the problem, just what i think. Could be completley wrong?

 

Bet im slated for this thread, but questions need to be asked now, and when its backed by sclience, this can not be a good thing

 

Cortese is ruthless but why?

[Smirking_Saint]

Maybe he is a complete ****

 

I think thats becoming obvious, that said I have had 3 fantastic seasons and we are back in the prem.

 

Do I care that he has upset Olly Lancadire ? No

[the stain]

This is an original topic.

[peacey]

All i want to say is would he have your backing if he wasnt backed by billionaires? Simple really. As far to my knowledge no one dares to critise him, why? Answer: he is backed by major wealth.

 

If i remember we didnt do to badly in the prem in the 90s with hardly anymoney? And before anyone says it im not pro or anti cortese, just dont know why everyone is so negative about him? Is there something we really dont know, as lets be honest none of us know what goes on behind the scenes at st marys.

 

A statement would be nice Mr Cortese every so often!

[Crab Lungs]

Basically, he's a g1t. He's a g1t that has got results though up until now.

[peacey]

Do you think there is a problem with team morale now? And more to the point what could be causing it?

 

Anyway In adkins we trust!

 

Didnt want to submit this thread, but just couldnt ignore doing so either, so my appolgies to fans that dont like this thread in advance.

 

I just want whats best for the club as i bleed soton fc and dont like seeing us loosing like this.

Edited 5 November, 2012 by peacey
spelling

[the stain]

As far to my knowledge no one dares to critise him, why?

 

Maybe you should read the forum more or listen to MLT a bit.

[peacey]

I am ever thankfull for what he has done to this club, dont get we wrong. Where would we be with out him and the late markus? In league 2 or worse not in existance!! But having said this things need to be addressed by a chairman with some vocal input for the fans. As far as im aware he hides behind the scenes and says nothing. This is what i dont like.

 

the stain i know this, but not le tiss or anyone else has stated what the actull problem is? They say there is problems with the chairman, but dont say what the problems are. WOW Nicola must be a powerfull person i say! All to scared to mention what the problems are, and this my friend tells me all i need to know- that cortese is ruthless and has so much power, which people are scared off. How would a nice lovely human being be like this? So i can see where le tiss is coming from! But for what he has done for the club i am very gratfull for and he is a great bussiness man, no doubt about it, just as others have said not the nicest of people perhaps outside football, or for that matter in it!

[paris]

Yawn .........

[peacey]

ps maybe ive answered my own question aftall all: Cortese is a great bussines man and very very good at it to. Bussines men arnt liked much so this is probably the answer. Bussiness comes before friendship etc.

 

So then back to where we were before i started this thread!

[The Kraken]

ps maybe ive answered my own question aftall all: Cortese is a great bussines man and very very good at it to. Bussines men arnt liked much so this is probably the answer. Bussiness comes before friendship etc.

 

So then back to where we were before i started this thread!

 

Peacey; there really isn't a lot of evidence to back this up.

 

This season aside he has been a successful football chairman. His business skills within the commercial sides of our operations are, however, very much in doubt (in some quarters at least).

[Dig Dig]

Peacey; there really isn't a lot of evidence to back this up.

 

This season aside he has been a successful football chairman. His business skills within the commercial sides of our operations are, however, very much in doubt (in some quarters at least).

 

He seems to be very particular in the way he wants things done and this extends to most aspect of the club. This can be a quality in some circumstances and probably well suited to towards running an investment desk succesfully.

 

In terms of running something with the scale of a football club, you need to hire the right people and then let them get on with it.

[peacey]

Member Mathew le tissier says the follows on the olly lanchshire thread:

 

I'm sure he has been told by his friend who are currently at the club that cortese is picking the team and is a complete arse hole

 

That's nothing that some of us have been saying for a long time is it.

 

 

 

Adkins play for words in his last two interviews make you wonder.

 

Last week it was " we are trying to field a winning side" if it was just him picking the team I think he would be man enough to take full responsibility.

 

And tonight when he made it quite clear how quality (HE) thinks lambert is. (Even if some people don't )

 

Cortese and his side kick are calling all the shots with the team. If they weren't Nigel would have been shown the door weeks ago.

 

The worry is when they shaft Adkins they won't be able to get a decent manager who will work under Cortese.

 

It's common knowledge in the footballing world he's a nastly piece of work and there's many people who have been shafted by him who will be quick to advise any potential managers to steer well clear.

 

Adkins bless him was employed as a yes man and it was to bigger job for him to turn down.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if you see Adkins resign before he is sacked.

 

The reason why larder left was cortese doing.

 

Not the fabricated story he slept with a players wife lol.

 

Like I have said for a very long time. The truth will come out in the end and it won't be long as Cortese is digging him self deeper and deeper and slowlY losing his supporters by the day.

[Colinjb]

Member Mathew le tissier says the follows on the olly lanchshire thread:

 

I'm sure he has been told by his friend who are currently at the club that cortese is picking the team and is a complete arse hole

 

That's nothing that some of us have been saying for a long time is it.

 

 

 

Adkins play for words in his last two interviews make you wonder.

 

Last week it was " we are trying to field a winning side" if it was just him picking the team I think he would be man enough to take full responsibility.

 

And tonight when he made it quite clear how quality (HE) thinks lambert is. (Even if some people don't )

 

Cortese and his side kick are calling all the shots with the team. If they weren't Nigel would have been shown the door weeks ago.

 

The worry is when they shaft Adkins they won't be able to get a decent manager who will work under Cortese.

 

It's common knowledge in the footballing world he's a nastly piece of work and there's many people who have been shafted by him who will be quick to advise any potential managers to steer well clear.

 

Adkins bless him was employed as a yes man and it was to bigger job for him to turn down.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if you see Adkins resign before he is sacked.

 

The reason why larder left was cortese doing.

 

Not the fabricated story he slept with a players wife lol.

 

Like I have said for a very long time. The truth will come out in the end and it won't be long as Cortese is digging him self deeper and deeper and slowlY losing his supporters by the day.

 

Then stop being a pussy and spit the truth out. What the hell else do you lot want? Stop skirting around the point and be explicit.

Edited 6 November, 2012 by Colinjb

[peacey]

The problem is if he speaks he could be sued perhaps? I just dont know, wish i did though.

[Horley CTFC Saint]

I'm told he's very good at spelling.....

[hamster]

It is cAlled the.Napoleon Syndrome.

[LostBoys]

He has been very quiet lately

[manji]

It looks like the rabble that have been waiting for the opportunity to dig at Cortese are finally happy.

Firstly the story that Cortese picks the team is complete schitt-stirring ******** thats been doing the round for ages. Cortese completely backed Adkins in the close season and dont do on about lack of defenders it is obvious we had our eye on quite a few defenders but the deals fell through.

I hate to say it but Adkins appears completely out of his depth. Was it Corteses fault we brought the subs on too late in last night game for example ?

[dubai_phil]

It looks like the rabble that have been waiting for the opportunity to dig at Cortese are finally happy.

Firstly the story that Cortese picks the team is complete schitt-stirring ******** thats been doing the round for ages. Cortese completely backed Adkins in the close season and dont do on about lack of defenders it is obvious we had our eye on quite a few defenders but the deals fell through.

I hate to say it but Adkins appears completely out of his depth. Was it Corteses fault we brought the subs on too late in last night game for example ?

 

Of course it was..

 

Nige wasn't allowed to make a change until NC phoned him to give his approval.

 

Unfortunately, NC had found Masterchef to be more entertaining and had forgotten the time

[RogerRamjet]

He is a businessman. His job is not to keep everyone happy. I am sure his success is being measured within the set constraints as much as anyone else at the club. As far as I can see the trajectory of the club since he became involved is very positive. I for one am keeping the faith.

[Suhari]

So many comments about what a git and nasty piece of work Cortese is.

 

But what FACTS do we have to back this up? I would love to see them.

 

Fans are jumping on a guy that has brought stability, a trophy, a massive winning percentage and two promotions. And doesn't mouth off in the press, comment on managers, buddy up to the footballing old school or self publicise.

 

Either list the facts on what, specifically, Cortese has done which is so bad, or stop posting ********.

[Turkish]

ps maybe ive answered my own question aftall all: Cortese is a great bussines man and very very good at it to. Bussines men arnt liked much so this is probably the answer. Bussiness comes before friendship etc.

 

So then back to where we were before i started this thread!

 

can you provide some evidence of this to back this up please.

[Greenridge]

can you provide some evidence of this to back this up please.

 

can you provide some evidence to the contrary please. Evidence that is, not supposition. Just interested.

[Turkish]

can you provide some evidence to the contrary please. Evidence that is, not supposition. Just interested.

 

Corporate areas. Expensive, crap and empty. Huge revenue stream for the club not being taken advantage of. Now lets hear how he is a great business man.

[eurosaint]

can you provide some evidence of this to back this up please.

 

He bought a football club for £13 million which is now worth probably 6 times that !

Not a bad deal IMO !

[Turkish]

He bought a football club for £13 million which is now worth probably 6 times that !

Not a bad deal IMO !

 

He didn't buy it did he. He advised his mate too. And in all honesty most of us could see we were a good investment if you wanted to buy a club, premier league ground and infratructure, premier league sized fan base available at league one prices. Dont have to be a Swiss Banker to see that's a good deal!

[PhilippineSaint]

can you provide some evidence to the contrary please. Evidence that is, not supposition. Just interested.

 

I can provide no evidence but in his previous jobs was Cortese the employer or the employee that would give us some insight as to whether he is a great business man or just doing the job he is paid for.

[Halo Stickman]

Of course it’s hard to criticise Cortese: he has played a huge part in resurrecting our club, but that shouldn’t mean he’s beyond reproach.

 

Riddle me this: three years after saving your life the same surgeon messes up your d i c k enhancement surgery. Do you sit on your hands, bite your lip and say nothing, or do you point out that on this particularly occasion he’s dropped an almighty b o l l o c k?

[Greenridge]

I can provide no evidence but in his previous jobs was Cortese the employer or the employee that would give us some insight as to whether he is a great business man or just doing the job he is paid for.

 

The jury is out. There is little or no 'evidence' available to us mere mortals to make an informed decision yet a few take the approach that if they say it enough it must be fact. I am completely ambivalent towards Cortese. I know a few people connected with the club in very recent times and it's fair to say there is a mixed bag of opinion towards him both positive and negative. Maybe we got too far ahead of the 5 year plan, maybe he's not the man to take us forward but maybe he is. The reality is, despite the insistance of a few, none of us actually know.

[Norm]

The jury is out. There is little or no 'evidence' available to us mere mortals to make an informed decision yet a few take the approach that if they say it enough it must be fact. I am completely ambivalent towards Cortese. I know a few people connected with the club in very recent times and it's fair to say there is a mixed bag of opinion towards him both positive and negative. Maybe we got too far ahead of the 5 year plan, maybe he's not the man to take us forward but maybe he is. The reality is, despite the insistance of a few, none of us actually know.

 

Very good post imo. None of us know the inner workings at SFC. Lots on here have an idea that they do but is it all in their heads?

[The Kraken]

Corporate areas. Expensive, crap and empty. Huge revenue stream for the club not being taken advantage of. Now lets hear how he is a great business man.

 

The way he handled external press photographers was a great example of how arrogant and naive he is to the nuances of English football. An absolutely terrible business decision, and one which he was at pains to back down from very quickly.

 

Trumpetting to all and sundry that we would be signing up a sponsorship deal with a global marque (after missing out on onw whole season of any shirt sponsorship revenue at all). Ending up with a local IT firm who specialise in b2b operations.

 

Corporate areas and hospitality; well that speaks for itself.

 

Spat with the local media, thereby missing out on free marketing to a huge daily audience.

 

Overseeing an absolute shambles in the ticket office since takeover, a number ofnew staff in and subsequently out, its either a managerial problem or a recruitment problem.

 

Do we need to go on much more? Cortese has been a successful chairman; he's not shown he has the nous to be a hugely successful businessman.

[Turkish]

Very good post imo. None of us know the inner workings at SFC. Lots on here have an idea that they do but is it all in their heads?

 

No but we can look at a few FACTs.

 

The club has been run at a loss every year since he's been here

The corporate areas are virtually empty and the product is crap -we all know this is a significant revenue generator for clubs

We are going back office staff, particularly corporate and ticket office managers quicker than Waynr Rooney goes through 60 year old hoares. Faliure to retain staff is sign that people aren't happy.

Sponsorship - Saying global brands want to be attached to SFC and ending up with a local IT Firm

Relationships with the media. - Particualrly the echo and the infamous banning of press, which was soon back tracked on.

The amount of ex players that think he's a total c*nt - not nessasarily a business issue but an idication as to how he treats people.

Taking out loans despite saying we dont do debt and slagging off other clubs for spending money they dont have.

Poor treatment of fans. What successful business treats their customers with the distain that SFC seem to be?

The mysterious stoppage of work at the training ground. - i'll call them rumours but strong suggestions the building company are yet to be paid for works done

 

You can piece all of these things together and it doesn't paint a very good picture. As MLT said a few weeks back, he'll get away with it whilst we are winning and the fans will sing his name, but look a little deeper and things aren't all rosy behind the scenes.

Edited 6 November, 2012 by Turkish

[yorkiesaint]

He bought a football club for £13 million which is now worth probably 6 times that !

Not a bad deal IMO !

 

I don't think so. It cost 33 million all in, plus there is the outstanding loan to pay back. If/when we are relegated who's going to pay 40-50 million for a championship club? I would say the investment is looking decidedly shaky.

[Bearsy]

Considering what a cvvnt he supposedly is I'm surpised he ain't sacked Adkins already. It's a point in his favour IMO. Maybe he's a big, loyal softy after all! Bless.

[The Kraken]

Considering what a cvvnt he supposedly is I'm surpised he ain't sacked Adkins already. It's a point in his favour IMO. Maybe he's a big, loyal softy after all! Bless.

One of the good things you can say about Cortese is that he seems (so far) to have an eye for a manager.

 

He instantly binned out Mark Wotte. Good call.

He brought in Pardew: Great call.

He brought in Nigel Adkins: Up to this season, great call.

 

Also, the whole Football Development Centre and Director of Football model is a good one that I subscribe to; it gives long term stability and thinking to a club even if they lose/dispense with the services of the first team manager. I'm just unsure about the wisdom of having Les Reed as the kingmaker, and what I see as too minimal an input from the current manager into certain operations such as transfers.

[Turkish]

One of the good things you can say about Cortese is that he seems (so far) to have an eye for a manager.

 

He instantly binned out Mark Wotte. Good call.

He brought in Pardew: Great call.

He brought in Nigel Adkins: Up to this season, great call.

 

Also, the whole Football Development Centre and Director of Football model is a good one that I subscribe to; it gives long term stability and thinking to a club even if they lose/dispense with the services of the first team manager. I'm just unsure about the wisdom oh having Les Reed as the kingmaker, and what I see as too minimal an input from the current manager into certain operations such as transfers.

 

I agree with all that. I actually agree with the transfer comittee and having a few peoples input as it stops a manager going off on his own and buying players their own favourites from previous clubs and it prevents new managers coming in and wanting to get rid of what is already there and bring in all their own people and really believe in the whole Football development centre idea.

 

I am absolutely certain that Les Reed is not the man to lead it though. Sacked by The FA, sacked by Charlton and labelled the worst manager of alltime. He's never played the game at a decent level and he has no management experience of any crediblity. Steve Gerrards comments on him make interesting reading as well.

"To this day, I have no respect for Reed or (fellow coach) Derek Fazackerley. I was a young lad who had never been away from home to play football before. They didn't seem to understand that not everyone can board a plane, settle in a strange hotel far from the family they love, and find it easy. In fact they made me feel like sh*t. My homesickness worsened whenever I was forced to be in their company. I felt they could have shown more care and sympathy. They were always pushing me, always telling me to buck up my ideas"

[dubai_phil]

Arrogant Businessmen aspire to show Leadership.

 

Truly successful Businessmen inspire Followership.

 

NC (and your current crop of Politicians) fall into the first category.

 

It is easy to be in the right place at the right time and not screw things up.

 

It is incredibly hard to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and make things work.

 

Considering the options we had 3 years ago then without a doubt NC was THE best person for the job.

 

He now has to make the biggest decision of his life. He has to review the ENTIRE operation INCLUDING HIMSELF from top to bottom of the club and make it right.

 

Or he will sack NA

 

And because he appears to have surrounded himself with Yes Men and has lost the ability to "Talk it through" with ML

 

So long Nige & thanks for all the fish

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

When it comes to Cortese there was a time (not so long ago) when a fan dare not offer the merest hint of criticism on here because the Don's legion of admirers would soon fall on you like a ton a bricks. Well one (small) upside of this miserable season is that a spirit of Glasnost is sweeping the forum, and we can freely say now what we really think.

 

The manager has not exactly covered himself in glory - far from it - but truth to tell the root cause of this clubs current problems stem from the boardroom, not the dugout. The fact that Cortese knows next to nothing about how to run a Premier League football club is self evident, but that wouldn't matter so much as long as he possessed the humility to acknowledge his limitations and take advice from those who do. It seems to me however that his ego-centric personality precludes that possibility.

 

Someone said earlier that Cortese needs to 'pull his neck in' and leave the running of the team to the manager - with absolutely no sign that our absentee owners are prepared to intervene (or are even interested) until that happy day happens we're likely to remain in deep trouble if you ask me.

Edited 6 November, 2012 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[Fitzhugh Fella]

When it comes to Cortese there was a time (not so long ago) when a fan dare not offer the merest hint of criticism on here because the Don's legion of admirers would soon fall on you like a ton a bricks. Well one (small) upside of this miserable season is that a spirit of Glasnost is sweeping the forum, and we can freely say now what we really think.

 

The manager has not exactly covered himself in glory - far from it - but truth to tell the root cause of this clubs current problems stem from the boardroom, not the dugout. The fact that Cortese knows next to nothing about how to run a Premier League football club is self evident, but that wouldn't matter so much as long as he possessed the humility to acknowledge his limitations and take advice from those who do. It seems to me however that his ego-centric personality precludes that possibility.

 

Someone said earlier that Cortese needs to 'pull his neck in' and leave the running of the team to the manager - with absolutely no sign that our absentee owners are prepared to intervene (or are even interested) until that happy day happens we're likely to remain in deep trouble if you ask me.

 

This

[SuperSAINT]

Anyone see this last night?

 

Neil Ashton ‏@neilashton_

Hope Adkins doesn't get 'sacked in the morning', works in almost intolerable conditions.

[The Kraken]

Anyone see this last night?

 

Neil Ashton ‏@neilashton_

Hope Adkins doesn't get 'sacked in the morning', works in almost intolerable conditions.

 

Yep, heard about that. Hardly surprising.

 

I really worry who on earth we could/would get as manager if NA goes. Its like when Burley left; most people knew he was not up to the job, there just wasn't an obvious replacement to come straight in. As a consequence we lurched from mid-table to staying up on the last day. If NA goes a ready made replacement has to be available and primed to come straight in.

[eurosaint]

I don't think so. It cost 33 million all in, plus there is the outstanding loan to pay back. If/when we are relegated who's going to pay 40-50 million for a championship club? I would say the investment is looking decidedly shaky.

 

The club was bought for £13 million and there has been sizeable further investment but taking the current asset value of fixed holdings, players etc.. you will easily get beyond £50 million and that's without considering £60 million parachute payments over 4 years after relegation !

I still think that the club was a good investment and as the dealmaker (I am fully aware that ML was the moneyman!) Cortese should get credit for having the vision to make the purchase !

[aintforever]

Anyone see this last night?

 

Neil Ashton ‏@neilashton_

Hope Adkins doesn't get 'sacked in the morning', works in almost intolerable conditions.

 

Who is Neil Ashon?

[lordswoodsaints]

I'm trusting the man to make the right decision to keep us in the prem but if he dithers about doing nothing then he will be branded a fool

[Smirking_Saint]

I wish all of these so called journalists and the like what stop with the now obvious soundbites and back it up with some form of fact or reasonable opinion.

 

Otherwise IMO its all crap

[SuperSAINT]

Who is Neil Ashon?

 

Journo.

[Doctoroncall]

I agree with all that. I actually agree with the transfer comittee and having a few peoples input as it stops a manager going off on his own and buying players their own favourites from previous clubs and it prevents new managers coming in and wanting to get rid of what is already there and bring in all their own people and really believe in the whole Football development centre idea.

 

I am absolutely certain that Les Reed is not the man to lead it though. Sacked by The FA, sacked by Charlton and labelled the worst manager of alltime. He's never played the game at a decent level and he has no management experience of any crediblity. Steve Gerrards comments on him make interesting reading as well.

"To this day, I have no respect for Reed or (fellow coach) Derek Fazackerley. I was a young lad who had never been away from home to play football before. They didn't seem to understand that not everyone can board a plane, settle in a strange hotel far from the family they love, and find it easy. In fact they made me feel like sh*t. My homesickness worsened whenever I was forced to be in their company. I felt they could have shown more care and sympathy. They were always pushing me, always telling me to buck up my ideas"

 

With the role Les Reed is currently in, how does it compare to the role of manager or coach when he was utterly dross? Also, do you know why was he sacked by the FA?

 

it just seems to me that what you have pointed out has little or no relevance to what he is doing now and I'm not saying he's doing a good job. If you have any info on the above then it would greatly enhance your view that Les Reed should go.

 

I wouldn't care if someone hasn't got football experience, as long as they are suitable for the role, after all Sacchi was only a shoe salesman.

[offix]

He got us to the PL ahead of what was already an ambitious 5 year plan. I don't care if those that work with (or for) him don't like him. He gets results, that's all that matters. Our previous chairman was truly an @ss AND ruined the club. I know which I'd rather have.

[Turkish]

With the role Les Reed is currently in, how does it compare to the role of manager or coach when he was utterly dross? Also, do you know why was he sacked by the FA?

 

it just seems to me that what you have pointed out has little or no relevance to what he is doing now and I'm not saying he's doing a good job. If you have any info on the above then it would greatly enhance your view that Les Reed should go.

I wouldn't care if someone hasn't got football experience, as long as they are suitable for the role, after all Sacchi was only a shoe salesman.

 

 

Do you not think a director of a football centre or whatever his title is might need a bit of football experience to be suitable to do the job or should we get a shoe salesman in?!!!

 

So Reed in his one and only role as a manager was regard as the "worst manager in history" He was sacked from his role at the FA by Trevor Brooking for reasons that remain confidential apparantly, but i think it's fair to say nice guy Trev didnt sack him because he was doing a brilliant job!!! He's never played or managed at the top level, but i'm sure his experience as assistant manager at Bishops Stortford will hold him in good stead!!!

 

So in his current role by his own words

 

"I am responsible for what we call the Football Development and Support Centre. It is a concept rather than a facility. FDSC incorporates Coaching, Sports Medicine and Science, scouting and recruitment, kit and equipment and the Academy"

 

I would say given his track record it doesn't really suggest hes got the credentials to be Director at a Premier league club with so much responsibility. Or maybe he does, who knows? Prehaps we should get a shoe salesman in?