Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Feck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2539563/Nicola-Cortese-close-quitting-Southampton-bust-owner-Katharina-Liebharr.html Nicola Cortese is on the verge of quitting Southampton after a behind-the-scenes row with owner Katharina Liebherr. The Southampton chairman, who has just returned to the south coast from an annual skiing holiday, is preparing to walk away nearly five years after he arrived at the club. Liebharr became trustee of Southampton after her father Markus died unexpectedly died in August 2010, but has no experience of running a football club. Cortese has continued to work under almost intolerable conditions placed on him since Liebherr’s death and has been close to quitting on a number of occasions. But this time the divisions at the club are so deep that Cortese is preparing to quit Southampton for good. Liebherr has no interest in football, but was left the club as part of her father’s estate and she has rejected a number of advances to sell the club. Instead she left Cortese in charge of the team, but her demands on the chairman have increased since they arrived in the Barclays Premier League under Nigel Adkins in May 2012. Cortese is now considering his future, but sources at the club revealed last night that the chairman is preparing his exit strategy. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Hold tight folks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 So all of the sources that said he was going last year have said he's going now and everyone's taking it seriously?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted 15 January, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2014 If Katharina Liebherr has no interest in the club, she really should sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Wtf is he on about intolerable conditions? He has had free reign of the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Ben Smith and the Daily Mail....the two outlets which we generally leak rumours to. Very worrying. Not sure what these demand are unless they're "win the league and don't spend any more money" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Dear, oh dear. Reports coming in from a few quarters now. January has certainly been interesting lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Dear Katharina, Please sell the club to Cortese's backers. Yours, 'Most' (?) Saints Fans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 If Katharina Liebherr has no interest in the club, she really should sell. She will see us alright. Ethical family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted 15 January, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Wtf is he on about intolerable conditions? He has had free reign of the place. Maybe poor old Cortese was told he could "only" spend 40m in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Dear Katharina, Please sell the club to Cortese's backers. Yours, 'Most' Saints Fans How do you know that Cortese has backers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint J 77 Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 At least we could have our stripes back next season if he goes... Carrying on the Monty Python theme here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 So this will pave the way for the billionaires from Dubai to take us over? :-) I'm not going to worry about this until it happens, but I worry about morale within the camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 At least we could have our stripes back next season if he goes... Carrying on the Monty Python theme here Indeed! And free use of the club car park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 (edited) How do you know that Cortese has backers? IIRC, he said back in the early days that he had 'financial backers waiting in the wings' if the Liebherrs ever decided to pull the plug. Another BBC interview at the time. (Got a link MLG?) Edited 15 January, 2014 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 IIRC, he said back in the early days that he had 'financial backers waiting in the wings' if the Liebherrs ever decided to pull the plug. Another BBC interview at the time. I suspect this is to put pressure on the liebherrs to sell. That silly pr piece from last month was clearly the first step on this tactical battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I suspect this is to put pressure on the liebherrs to sell. That silly pr piece from last month was clearly the first step on this tactical battle. Does seem that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Wtf is he on about intolerable conditions? He has had free reign of the place. We really don't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Does seem that way. Like Steve says I don't think he will go anywhere. If I were the liebherrs though I'd be a bit fecked off by this playing of the media constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redder freak Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Reminds me of the Johnny Cash song, Hurt. What have I become, my sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away in the end. And you could have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 We really don't know that. Well considering what he is like on match days he certainly does not seem to be working under intolerable conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 NC has done a brilliant job getting the Mail and BBC to put out these naff PR pieces for him on a regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Like Steve says I don't think he will go anywhere. If I were the liebherrs though I'd be a bit fecked off by this playing of the media constantly. Maybe that's his aim... To hack them off to the point where they sell up... A potentially risky strategy granted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Like Steve says I don't think he will go anywhere. If I were the liebherrs though I'd be a bit fecked off by this playing of the media constantly. I'd be laughing at the brass balls for trying exactly the same tactic as in the summer - get a different angle, FFS Would be very interesting if the Liebherrs had a succession plan in case they felt they wanted a change - after all, it's their money, they can do as they please - and decided to call Cortese's bluff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 NC has done a brilliant job getting the Mail and BBC to put out these naff PR pieces for him on a regular basis. Glad I'm not the only one who can see straight through that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I'd be laughing at the brass balls for trying exactly the same tactic as in the summer - get a different angle, FFS Would be very interesting if the Liebherrs had a succession plan in case they felt they wanted a change - after all, it's their money, they can do as they please - and decided to call Cortese's bluff. There must be a reason they refuse to sell. I have always maintained that the family and Cortese have never seen eye to eye and it is possible that they don't want to sell an asset that gave their father so much pleasure over to nicola. I guess we will find out, either way it will be interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sibster Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Reminds me of the Johnny Cash song, Hurt. What have I become, my sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away in the end. And you could have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt. The Nine Inch Nails song you mean? Johnny Cash covered the song but it was originally written and recorded by Trent Raznor's band...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redder freak Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 So: Cortese, Lambert, Lallana and Shaw are all leaving. Who'll be left, I wonder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastor Patrón Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Last time rumours of him leaving arose it was about money for transfers, now there's more rumours in another transfer window where we've said we're not going to sign anyone. He's clearly just applying some pressure to get some money for signings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 NC has done a brilliant job getting the Mail and BBC to put out these naff PR pieces for him on a regular basis. We all know he's leaked the story - the question is why he's done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redder freak Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 The Nine Inch Nails song you mean? Johnny Cash covered the song but it was originally written and recorded by Trent Raznor's band...... Sorry yes you're right. That's the song I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I'd be laughing at the brass balls for trying exactly the same tactic as in the summer - get a different angle, FFS Would be very interesting if the Liebherrs had a succession plan in case they felt they wanted a change - after all, it's their money, they can do as they please - and decided to call Cortese's bluff. But why would Katherina stay? Why has she stayed this long? If she has zero interest in the football club, then what's she in it for? Money....and right now we're worth more than we ever have been. Surely she's stayed at the club because Cortese convinced her to when ML passed away? She probably doesn't want to put any more money in, and has decided to sell up. But Cortese won't stay without the financial resources as he doesn't need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 But why would Katherina stay? Why has she stayed this long? If she has zero interest in the football club, then what's she in it for? Money....and right now we're worth more than we ever have been. Surely she's stayed at the club because Cortese convinced her to when ML passed away? She probably doesn't want to put any more money in, and has decided to sell up. But Cortese won't stay without the financial resources as he doesn't need to. Because she doesn't want to sell this asset of her fathers to a person she isn't keen on? Possibly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Because she doesn't want to sell this asset of her fathers to a person she isn't keen on? Possibly... Why would she have to sell to Nicola? Can Nicola even afford it? How much is the club worth? £2/300m? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 If Cortese goes to Milan, I'm going to put a horses head in his bed. See how he likes it. No, I think you're supposed to put the horse's head in his bed before he decides to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Well considering what he is like on match days he certainly does not seem to be working under intolerable conditions. Come on, let's hear it then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Come on, let's hear it then... It's not necessarily a bad thing. Just extremely cocky, fired a girl last week for being too slow struts around like he owns the place. He clearly isn't working under intolerable conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostBoys Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 This story looks as though it has 'legs' and has just been reported on SSN. My understanding is that unlike when Markus was alive and the corporate jet arrived at Soton Airport for every game, the Liebherr family do not come to any matches and do not appear to be interested. This may have led to restrictions on funding in which case the Liebherrs may decide to sell. Mr Cortese advised in an interview that if they did sell he had backers in the wings and if that came to pass presumably he would stay as part of the deal. On a personal note, I have only met Mr Cortese once at a hotel in Norwich and he was only willing to 'acknowledge the presence of my wife and I' whereas all the other staff from manager downwards and players were overwhelmingly friendly to the few of us in the hotel for the match. He may have the personality of a brick but you cannot do anything but admire what he has achieved notwithstanding the advantage that the Liebherr funding has given us. I hope he stays even if the ownership changes. I would dread the thought of new owners without him judging by some of the dickheads around such as the village idiot in Cardiff as an example. Owners who leave their brains in the car park are not what we need - we have already had our fair share. Very disappointed and worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Why would she have to sell to Nicola? Can Nicola even afford it? How much is the club worth? £2/300m? Backers that nicola has sourced as outlined in an old interview possibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I'm not sure I see how Cortese threatening to leave would convince Katharina to sell. Chances are he's after investment again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 It's not necessarily a bad thing. Just extremely cocky, fired a girl last week for being too slow struts around like he owns the place. He clearly isn't working under intolerable conditions. And before you ask I know this because I have a female relative who works in catering at the ground for every home game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted 15 January, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Perhaps not new info for many here... Alex Goring Crook @alex_crook Just got back from a game and getting loads of tweets re Cortese. His 2 favourite journos are Neil Ashton, Daily Mail, and Jim White at Sky Alex Goring Crook @alex_crook 55s If Sky are saying Cortese is leaving it has almost certainly come from his camp #saintsfc Expand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 (edited) Is it about transfer funds, though? Surely there's a limit to how far he can pull this s**t/play this card if it is. Surely, any professional businessman would have agreed a medium-term budget (well at least one longer than a single window) in the summer in order to head off similar incidents. Edited 15 January, 2014 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I wouldn't worry too much: 1) as a club, it is in good condition, and you don't cock up your investment. If you don't want it, you sell it. 2) people come, people go. The club stays. Not much we can do about it, so why worry? 3) It's SFC - if we take a huge downturn, I will still support Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I wouldn't worry too much: 1) as a club, it is in good condition, and you don't cock up your investment. If you don't want it, you sell it. 2) people come, people go. The club stays. Not much we can do about it, so why worry? 3) It's SFC - if we take a huge downturn, I will still support Saints. Totally agree. Great post. Night all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmacian_saint Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 As has been discussed previously in these topics whenever they come round, it is only a matter of time before Cortese buys the club from the Liebherr estate. I really think that this has been his strategy all the way. It was him who attracted the Liebherrs to the club so it would only make sense to start accelerating the process once profitability became feasible. "You know I'm your buyer! Help me out and I'll stop annoying you soon enough!" is what that DM article should read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 The Sun's running it now. Anyone with a subscription able to fill us in on whether it's a report of other reports or offers anything new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 I will be very sad if this us true . Unlike some on here who will no doubt be celebrating . Like the anti Lowe brigade there is an anti NC brigade . Iif this is true it will those cheating gits down the road something to smile about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 15 January, 2014 Share Posted 15 January, 2014 Sun headline is saints face melt down . Just when I'm going to see the team next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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