Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 While that is entirely true, there's absolutely no reason why a new chairman/CEO couldn't possess an equal (or greater) amount of drive and ambition. Given backing, it's a role that I'm sure would be highly desirable. Fair comment, but as a fan would be a risky swap given Cortese's publically stated ambitions. Perhaps the family do not feel they are achieveable, although that would be slightly bizarre - they have been known for a while and they had ample opportunity to reign in NC before now.
Webby Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Can you imagine the ad: New CEO required. Previous incumbent left because his ambition exceeded ours. Ambitious types need not apply.
Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Can you imagine the ad: New CEO required. Previous incumbent left because his ambition exceeded ours. Ambitious types need not apply. Exactly...
hypochondriac Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Exactly... Or CEO required. Able to achieve success on a budget and not bankrupt the club by spending money they do not have?
Dig Dig Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Because believe it or not members of the Liebherr family have attended social functions at the club and have been in boxes when the ex player has been in attendance. So, this guy works with Cortese's staff in some capacity and also has spoken to the Liebherrs. And the Liebherr he has spoken to was happy to provide information about the man who this guy contracts for in some capacity in a derogatory manner? And then the ex player is happy to go into corporate and share all of this information with a person who once logged into his "ex-girfriends" account on SWF and pretended to be her once he was banned? Clearly not the cleverest of blokes!
farawaysaint Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Realistically, we can't do better than Cortese at the moment and I think he's playing hardball for a new contract based on that.
buctootim Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Can you imagine the ad: New CEO required. Previous incumbent left because his ambition exceeded ours. Ambitious types need not apply. Or Ambitious Chairman required. Previous incumbent left because he fell out with almost everybody. Must be able but not socially autistic.
CanadaSaint Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 The two key words in this, IMO, may well be "trust" and "control". Trustees have a legal/fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the trust. They have absolutely no choice in this. The best interests of Southampton FC and its fans do not override that. The trustees are not acting in the best interests of the trust if they sit quietly by while (what they could reasonably perceive as) financially dubious decisions are made. Similarly, they are not acting in the best interests of the trust if they allow one (management type of) individual to have an inordinately large say in how things are run. The only way around these things is for the trust documents to specify that a certain amount of funding is freely available and that one individual (NC) will have total say in how it's applied. It wouldn't surprise me if the problem revolves around the fetters that will be placed on Cortese if the trustees actually start doing their job, which they might feel they haven't been in the past.
hypochondriac Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 So, this guy works with Cortese's staff in some capacity and also has spoken to the Liebherrs. And the Liebherr he has spoken to was happy to provide information about the man who this guy contracts for in some capacity in a derogatory manner? And then the ex player is happy to go into corporate and share all of this information with a person who once logged into his "ex-girfriends" account on SWF and pretended to be her once he was banned? Clearly not the cleverest of blokes! I never pretended to be her.
sfc1976 Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Do the family really share anything like the passion for saints that Markus did? Do they attend many games? Not very nice I know, but as the years pass since his death perhaps they just want rid and can cash in an asset that has proven profitable, but that now requires a great deal more of risk to take it to the next level?
Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Or CEO required. Able to achieve success on a budget and not bankrupt the club by spending money they do not have? Which is basically saying that Cortese is/was over ambitious for Saints and the Liebherr's wouldn't match him.
Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Or Ambitious Chairman required. Previous incumbent left because he fell out with almost everybody. Must be able but not socially autistic. Judging by this thread most people have been supporting Cortese though?
swannymere Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 If there's any truth to this i hope it can be resolved and Mr.Cortese stays. He's achieved alot for the club in the time he's been here, and while some may point out it's other people's money and other people on the football side of things you only have to look to Blackburn to see that having money to spend doesn't always work and all the alternatives offered by those who dislike him all smack of possibility rather than backing it up with results.
Gemmel Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 For two parties that are historically very press adverse, that fact it has made it into the public domain, seemingly deliberately, doesn't bode well. The fact that there is a timeline associated to as well, suggests that this has probably been going on for a little while. It's hard to see what leverage it gives Cortese, by having it out there, strikes me as final throw of the dice. I guess it will depend on how keen the family are to change the current structure, or reporting lines and whether that is being driven by a desire to be closer to the business, or if Cortese has upset them in someway. Having never met the guy, I can only go on what people who have, say about him and he doesn't strike me as the sort of person to accept something he perceives as second best. That said, its a big gig and big money job.
qwertySFC Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Thats so naive. Where do you think the drive and direction has come from? Its all from Cortese since ML passed. Not from the Liebherr family. Its a game of football after all - no matter what happens 11 players go out on the pitch thats why I'm not worried who the chairperson is - if we win we win if we dont we dont - control the controllables
ART Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 What do we know of the Liebherr family, the various branches, the heirs, the sons, nephews? I recall at the time of the takeover it being mentioned that one of Markus's brothers was a keen football follower. It also mentioned he had no intentions at the time of getting involved. 1) Could it be that one of the Liebherr brothers, maybe approaching retirement, wishes now to be involved and join the board. 2) Could one of the Liebherr sons or nephews have come of age, wishes to join the board, to represent the family? I feel more and more that the Liebherr's wish to become involved at board level. Something that Cortesé doesn't feel comfortable with.
ART Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 News update on Christina Liebherr's recent activity http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/05/09/569416_horses.html
dubai_phil Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 The thought that will keep me awake the next few evenings will be down to this issue of Ambition. Here we sat honestly believing that we were now in a position where we would not listen to a 10 million bid for the likes of Luke Shaw because we had Vision Strategy and Backing. This isn't a Ticket Tax issue, something more important is at stake here and it worries the sh1t out of me. Forget early additions to the squad, will we get through July keeping hold of Morgan & Luke IF this goes the wrong way.
The9 Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 I was giving an imaginary scenario. Lets ignore the fact I said Everton and replace it with a proven and decent chairman who has had success in football? So then what would you think if we got a chairman who is proven and decent chairman who has had success in football? Clear enough? Your original point was in no way difficult to understand, not sure why anyone's breaking it down into semantics.
hypochondriac Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Your original point was in no way difficult to understand, not sure why anyone's breaking it down into semantics. Well I thought it was clear. I think Saint Clark genuinely misunderstood but the others just jumped on the bandwagon because it was me.
The9 Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Well I thought it was clear. I think Saint Clark genuinely misunderstood but the others just jumped on the bandwagon because it was me. I beg to differ, MLG did it just because he can't help himself.
View From The Top Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 While that is entirely true, there's absolutely no reason why a new chairman/CEO couldn't possess an equal (or greater) amount of drive and ambition. Given backing, it's a role that I'm sure would be highly desirable. Exactly!
hypochondriac Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 I beg to differ, MLG did it just because he can't help himself. Good point. Some do it because they have a mental disability
The9 Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Its a game of football after all - no matter what happens 11 players go out on the pitch thats why I'm not worried who the chairperson is - if we win we win if we dont we dont - control the controllables Tch, that's SO 2012. We've reached onwards and upwards into not having a clue what the Head Coach is saying nowadays and that's how we like it.
Nolan Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 It sounds to me like NC is trying to negotiate a new contract. The story has probably been 'leaked' by either side to gain the reaction from the terraces against Stoke.
Saint Lindford Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 I will trust the BBC/Times source more than a twobob journalist. Has #factlessallen got in on the act now?
Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-chairman-nicola-cortese-considering-his-position-8614370.htm Independent's take on it.
Dig Dig Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Seems to sum it up well without the speculation around who doesn't like who, court cases and petty spats with ex-players
trousers Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 (edited) Not sure where I'm going with this or whether it makes any difference but do we know if the 'Trust' that was created to manage the funds Markus left to the club was actually set up by Markus himself before he died or whether it was something the family set up after his death? Edit: And would the appointed Trustees have to legally be independent of the Liebherr family or could they themselves be the trustees? Edited 13 May, 2013 by trousers
Dellman Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 If I was a Liebherr Trustee and obliged by trust terms to do the best for the Trust I would at this point want to cash in on the vast rise in the Club's value, it must have risen for the original £15m invested to at least £150m. That would be easier than laying out the sort of money required to buy and pay the players now needed, enlarge the stadium and make the training centre the best in the country as planned. On the other hand if I was the Chief Exec who had seen it all get to this exciting point I would want to complete the plan. I guess that is the issue
Window Cleaner Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 (edited) http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-chairman-nicola-cortese-considering-his-position-8614370.htm Independent's take on it. looks like a rational enough view. We probably need to spend around 40 million this summer and probably don't have it all in cash in a drawer somewhere. The 'Trust' may well be happy enough to run the team we have now with a couple of sales to fund some minor additions and scrub along the bottom for the PL cash. Wouldn't think it's about day to day control. However of all the money 'invested' last summer we've only really had any value from JRod,Maya and Davis so far this season all the rest is latent at best or wasted at the worst. If I wasa Trustee I'd certainly question the purchases of Mayuka,Gazzaniga and Forren with the eternal question mark on Gaston.. Edited 13 May, 2013 by Window Cleaner
Sour Mash Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 It sounds to me like NC is trying to negotiate a new contract. The story has probably been 'leaked' by either side to gain the reaction from the terraces against Stoke. There's nothing to suggest its anything to do with his personal contract or what happens on the terraces.
Barry Sanchez Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 looks like a rational enough view. We probably need to spend around 40 million this summer and probably don't have it all in cash in a drawer somewhere. The 'Trust' may well be happy enough to run the team we have now with a couple of sales to fund some minor additions and scrub along the bottom for the PL cash. Wouldn't think it's about day to day control. I believe I have been saying that all season and have been deemed a negative poster, Cortese states and now its gospel, its obvious for us to compete we have to spend as much as Liverpool, Everton, Spurs and one of the top four, we probably have to spend a fair bit more as our squad is weaker than theirs currently.
Barry Sanchez Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 looks like a rational enough view. We probably need to spend around 40 million this summer and probably don't have it all in cash in a drawer somewhere. The 'Trust' may well be happy enough to run the team we have now with a couple of sales to fund some minor additions and scrub along the bottom for the PL cash. Wouldn't think it's about day to day control. Cortese rightly wont and cant accept that as he has said we are not a selling club and has put people on long term contracts, it would competely go against what he has said, he could obviously not accept to have his position undermined.
Saint Charlie Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 If I was a Liebherr Trustee and obliged by trust terms to do the best for the Trust I would at this point want to cash in on the vast rise in the Club's value, it must have risen for the original £15m invested to at least £150m. That would be easier than laying out the sort of money required to buy and pay the players now needed, enlarge the stadium and make the training centre the best in the country as planned. On the other hand if I was the Chief Exec who had seen it all get to this exciting point I would want to complete the plan. I guess that is the issue But why did Markus invest in the first place. If he put plans together with NC then surely the Trust should do everything to achieve those in his name.
trousers Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 If I was a Liebherr Trustee and obliged by trust terms to do the best for the Trust I would at this point want to cash in on the vast rise in the Club's value, it must have risen for the original £15m invested to at least £150m. How do we know that the instructions of the "Trustor" (Markus?) was to make as much money as possible for 'the trust'. Isn't it the responsibility of the trustees to see that the trust fund is spent in the way that the Trustor decreed. (Not saying that it wasn't Markus's wish to make as much money as possible and then get out but I suspect it wasn't)
trousers Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 (edited) Could it be that Cortese is actually trying to do what Markus wanted him to do - i.e. "go for it when we secure premier league survival" - whereas 'the family and/or the trustees' now want to take a different approach? (It could also be the other way around of course - I.e. Cortese has decided he wants more than what Markus wanted) Edited 13 May, 2013 by trousers
JoeShmoe Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 The two key words in this, IMO, may well be "trust" and "control". Trustees have a legal/fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the trust. They have absolutely no choice in this. The best interests of Southampton FC and its fans do not override that. The trustees are not acting in the best interests of the trust if they sit quietly by while (what they could reasonably perceive as) financially dubious decisions are made. Similarly, they are not acting in the best interests of the trust if they allow one (management type of) individual to have an inordinately large say in how things are run. The only way around these things is for the trust documents to specify that a certain amount of funding is freely available and that one individual (NC) will have total say in how it's applied. It wouldn't surprise me if the problem revolves around the fetters that will be placed on Cortese if the trustees actually start doing their job, which they might feel they haven't been in the past. Great post, spot on
Window Cleaner Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 How do we know that the instructions of the "Trustor" (Markus?) was to make as much money as possible for 'the trust'. Isn't it the responsibility of the trustees to see that the trust fund is spent in the way that the Trustor decreed. (Not saying that it wasn't Markus's wish to make as much money as possible and then get out but I suspect it wasn't) But there seems to have been a lot of "rationalisation" in the Empire of the late Markus Liebherr, everything seems to have been consolidated or liquidated; I do wonder if there isn't some sort of fiscal problem.His main company is run jointly by Cortese and a Zurich liquidator; you'd have to wonder about that wouldn't you.
mack rill Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Could be another Takeover thread in the lounge Boss!
UpweySaint Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 All this hype, could be very simple. Cortese wants more money as he's now running a premiership side, trustees have yet to agree, simple negotiating. Of course there be more to it but we honestly dont know
Matthew Le God Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Could be another Takeover thread in the lounge Boss! Difference is... if Saints were to be sold they would be an attractive investment proposition (modern stadium, large matchgoing fanbase, modern training ground they own, Jackson's farm, one of the best academies in the country and a midtable Premier League quality squad) without being passed from crook to crook for a decade and having to be bailed out by a fans trust and dilution of over £150m of debt.
trousers Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 But there seems to have been a lot of "rationalisation" in the Empire of the late Markus Liebherr, everything seems to have been consolidated or liquidated; I do wonder if there isn't some sort of fiscal problem.His main company is run jointly by Cortese and a Zurich liquidator; you'd have to wonder about that wouldn't you. I did notice earlier that the Mali-Group website is now a single page just listing company contacts... (It was never the most expansive website in the world but...)
Saint-Armstrong Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Here's my take on it... There have been many ups and downs in recent years for us Saints fans, and boy do they keep on coming. Whilst the past four seasons have been some of the most memorable and enjoyable, this morning we faced the realisation that there is a potential for the era of Liebherr and Cortese to be drawing to a close. For the record, I would be gutted to lose a chairman of the ilk of Cortese, but it is not the end of all. I think Cortese has been a great chairman for Saints. His PR at times has left a lot to be desired, but first things first, when he walked into the chairman's office in 2009 this place was a rabble. It was disorganised, lacking in structure and was heading into a League One season with next to no stable preparation for doing so. He appointed a well-known manager and supported him in the transfer windows. He has supported both of his appointments with funds. The on-the-pitch results need little explanation. 24th in League One to 14th in the Premier League whilst developing an attractive and exciting style of play. Off-the-field, he has always ensured that Southampton Football Club gets the best deal possible. He's a ball-breaker who acts with conviction and nous. What we have largely needed for numerous years. He bled Arsenal dry over the Chamberlain deal and continued to invest in the club. The development at Staplewood is coming along nicely and ensures the players have a top class base, and we were hardly providing a facility in rack and ruin beforehand. BUT, his enabler is the Liebherr Trust's finances. I can entirely understand their sentiments with regards to wanting a greater involvement in what is their own asset, now that the sums being bandied around within the elite of European football are so high. At the same time, I think it could be viewed as being a little disrespectful to Nicola. When I look at what we have achieved in his four seasons as Executive Chairman, it fills me with pride. He deserves an awful lot of credit. I think he has bought into the club, in the way that he has invested in infrastructure - and not solely focused on first team matters and purchasing well-known players. He has encouraged the club to focus on player development and has assisted the excellent academy set-up in continuing their great work with greater resources. These are a few of the numerous reasons I am keen for him to remain. At the same time, it is does not appear too unreasonable for the Liebherr's to want some control, or at least a say in the decision making process that occur within Southampton Football Club. Cortese has been accountable to no-one but his own conscience for a long time. It has brought us success, but maybe the Liebherr's are fearing that pride comes before a fall? It could also be to do with the perceptions of the club within the footballing fraternity and wider audiences. There have been well-documented disputes and feuds - which have reflected badly upon the club at times, as the club itself and Mr. Cortese are so inextricably linked. I would be far more worried about losing Cortese than I was about losing Pardew, Adkins, or would be about losing Pochettino. At this moment in time, in terms of people within the club, to me Nicola is the most important by a considerable length. He is the driving force from the very top. Dodd speaks of his drive, Jaidi, Pochettino, Lambert, Schneiderlin - they all speak of his plans not just for this season, and next season - but for the long term. The Liebherr's may be approaching the end of 'the five year plan' with a return on their mind, but in my opinion Cortese feels as if he is just getting started. To Nicola, finishing 14th in the Premier League is no real achievement. Alternatively, maybe Cortese is more in pursuit of 'hard and fast' success, in fighting our way up the pecking order - whilst the Liebherr family favour a more conservative approach. To have had the desired impact, he would want to lead us into the top 6-8 teams in the country and be competing on a continental stage. Such is the level of his conviction, I believe he would almost certainly achieve the goals that he has mapped out. Whether he will be able to is down to the funding. Cortese does not suffer fools gladly, and I believe the reports today to be far more than empty threats from his end to manoeuvre a scenario that suits him. I have no doubt that Cortese would walk away if he felt the Liebherr's had reneged on previous guarantees or had failed to support the ambitions of their father. Who am I to blame him? It would be perfectly understandable. The club has done a lot of big-talking, a lot of target-setting and a lot of aspiring. Nicola is not the sort of chairman to talk the talk and not walk the walk. If there are restrictions that he feels are going to negatively impact on the success of SFC - his apparent stand-off is entirely comprehensible. For the record, I am sure I speak for most Saints fans when I say that I hope Cortese and the Liebherr Trust can come to an amicable and appropriate resolution. However, I could entirely understand it if Cortese walked away from Southampton Football Club as he felt his ambition was no longer being matched. As has been said previously, if we could guarantee the financial stability of the club and keep Nicola Cortese as our Executive Chairman - I would be in full support of that. What we must remember though is that there was a Southampton Football Club before Cortese, and before the Liebherr family rocked up. Maybe it was in disarray, and needed a hand - but it was there. When the time inevitably comes and both parties have gone their separate ways, there will still be a Southampton Football Club. All we can do is show our support for the team and continue lending our support in the appropriate ways for the long-term, which I have no doubt we will. Onwards.
Gemmel Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 I did notice earlier that the Mali-Group website is now a single page just listing company contacts... (It was never the most expansive website in the world but...) A number of the group companies appear to be being liquidated, with the main company seemingly being MALI International AG whish looks like it is just focused on investments; Purpose The company intends to acquire, manage and sell shares in companies of all kinds, especially industry, trade and finance companies in Switzerland and abroad as well as management, administration and consulting group of companies. The company may acquire and hold land, and sell. The Company may engage in any commercial, financial and other activities which are related to the purpose of the corporation. http://www.moneyhouse.ch/en/u/mali_international_ag_CH-217.3.541.516-4.htm
Saint86 Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 It's behind a paywall, and at the bottom of this article, http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article3763094.ece It reads: "Southampton should be feeling optimistic. Yesterday’s point away to Sunderland effectively removed the threat of relegation and performances since the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as manager in January have pointed to good days ahead. However, there are issues in the boardroom. Nicola Cortese, the executive chairman, and the trust that owns the club have been unable to reach an agreement to secure the 44-year-old’s future at the club for next season. Cortese has driven Southampton’s revival from League One to the Premier League since he bought the club for Markus Liebherr, the late Swiss industrialist, four years ago. Cortese remade the club in his own image, making a few enemies but winning admiration from other top-flight owners. If he goes this summer, it would leave a gaping hole that Southampton would find hard to fill." Response :- Following this quote, we then had several people stating how this can't be shoddy journailsm, the times reporter has fantastic connections, it will have been check, dobule checked and tripple checked by the editors... etc etc etc.... Well, last time I checked - Marcus paid for the club, not Nicola - this extremely reliable item of reporting indicates the opposite. Further to that point, if NC had bought the club, I don't think he'd be considering his position as chairman. We had a 5 year plan, and it has frequently been said that if the money runs out that Nicola would take the club on with external investment... It could also be the case that if a deal has not been struck it is pending our survival. There are numerous possibilties of what could be behind this story, it may be utter crap, the trust were waiting on survival, Cortese is manoeuvring to bring in other parties... it could even be true... But, I still expect NC to be part of our long term future. I see nothing but pure rumour with no substantial proof to the opposite.
ericb Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 as they do with anyone who says anything that they dont want to read. Bury your head in the sand and don't listen to people, then shout about everyone being negative! Anyway this is what i said and i still have no reason to disbelieve it http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?43303-The-Project&p=1625363#post1625363 I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that i'm not so convinced that NC is in it for the long haul. I'm not doubting his ambition - though the CL stuff is clearly just PR - but i think his ambition is personal and what he's manufacturing is far more about his next job rather than this current one. Now that's not going to be a popular statement but it does follow the things i've heard personally, including some that have come straight from NC's mouth as well as others from people he's dealt with that he's had putting the feelers out for a new buyer. Anyway as with the last time i posted stuff like this i'm not going to reveal sources as it'll risk jobs, and people can take it or leave it as they feel. Oh and one last piece i'm also fairly sure that the Benali thing IS relevant, but ontop of that maybe people should look more into payment (or not) of bills from the club, including what NC himself has billed out (the clubs money being spent as his own).
hypochondriac Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Lol@u saint86. It doesn't say Nicola paid for the club. He bought the club on behalf of Markus. He used Markus' money to buy it but he bought it.
Olallana Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-chairman-nicola-cortese-considering-his-position-8614370.htm Independent's take on it. I guess I´m a CoC for saying this, but that article to me seems more spot on than anything else written about it today.
northam soul Posted 13 May, 2013 Posted 13 May, 2013 Well this seems to put pay to the 50,000 seater stadium that we desperately need then. Perhaps cortese has found his alternative finance who are willing to push the club on further than the current owners are prepared to but they will not sell. Perhaps the current owners want to sell and cortese doesn't have any other finance. Perhaps the current owners are not happy with the required finance needed for the champions league spot next season. Perhaps they are all not happy that we only just avoided relegation which whilst I am sure they all wanted better, we can still finish in a respectable position gaining good prize money. Perhaps the current owners have now refused to sanction the couple of signings we had already lined up. A lot of supposition has been spouted but I doubt anyone can be seriously stupid enough to take it this far either cortese or the owners if its about this seasons football. The direction for next season is a fair guess I would say but whatever is happening needs to be resolved soon or this thread will wipe the floor with the gaston signing thread.
Recommended Posts