Ralph Krueger Interview

[Lallana's Left Peg]

As per Adam Blackmore:

 

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport · 2 mins

Just about to interview #saintsfc chairman Ralph Krueger for the BBC. Hear it on @BBCRadioSolent in drive-time with @louhannan after 5

 

[Saints foreva]

I bet it's cringey.

[hypochondriac]

Bet it says nothing of substance. I hope they grill him.

Edited 28 May, 2014 by hypochondriac

[alpine_saint]

Another drivel-fest.

 

Give him hell, Adam.

[Olallana]

Anyone knows if Adam´s doing it over phone or skype?

[Tom28]

Oooh the suspense is killing me. No, really. I hope Adam calls "bull****" on him.

[Georgie]

Oh good more waffle and no action.

 

I really hope we haven't just started to look for new management replacements. You would like to hope we started that as soon as MP hesitated on signing the new contract. I guess we will find out later.

[Window Cleaner]

Oh good more waffle and no action.

 

I really hope we haven't just started to look for new management replacements. You would like to hope we started that as soon as MP hesitated on signing the new contract. I guess we will find out later.

 

 

might be like the CEO replacement, interview a few likely candidates, let everything die down in a wall of silence and then appoint from within, Hunter or Reed. I mean it's not like we're not used to that modus operandii is it.

[Turkish]

I wont consider him a proper chairman until he mentions offering to stay behind and help clean the team bus or offered to buy all the fans a pint but wasnt allowed by the oppositions chairman.

[Sour Mash]

might be like the CEO replacement, interview a few likely candidates, let everything die down in a wall of silence and then appoint from within, Hunter or Reed. I mean it's not like we're not used to that modus operandii is it.

When have we used that modus operandi before?

[Window Cleaner]

Gray, Wigley, Gorman and Dodd....??????

[St Chalet]

IF you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

 

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

[alpine_saint]

Questions to ask :

 

Was Mopo offered a new contract ?

When did you start looking for a replacement manager ?

Do you have a short-list identified ?

Have you agreed to any approaches for any of our players ?

Why are the club failing to communicate with the players ?

Why has Jack Cork not been offered a new contract ?

What position are the club targeting in the league next season ?

When is our kit going to be revealed ?

[buctootim]

Gray, Wigley, Gorman and Dodd....??????

 

Totally different owner, chairman and CEO but you think thats relevant?

Edited 28 May, 2014 by buctootim

[alpine_saint]

IF you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

 

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

 

Does this mean we're getting Mike Bassett ?

[buctootim]

Does this mean we're getting Mike Bassett ?

 

No, Mr Kipling

[dubai_phil]

Does this mean we're getting Mike Bassett ?

 

The way the bored (sic) has performed in public so far, it'll be some geezer called Mike from Bassett.

[St Chalet]

Does this mean we're getting Mike Bassett ?

 

Ralph is very fond of this poem, I expect he will draw inspiration form it - as should we.

[Charlie Wayman]

What is wrong with you guys, ffs give the bloke a chance. All we want him to say is that no player will be allowed to break his contract and leave. If he does that then we can move forward with confidence. It would help if he also called Pochettino a two-timing, double-dealing, self-seeking git! That would get my support.

 

He can say he's bought a Maclaren as long as its orange and comes form Woking.

[Window Cleaner]

Totally different owner, chairman and CEO but you think thats relevant?

 

 

No, I said it's not as if we weren't accustomed to the MO. They've already done it with the CEO hiring haven't they?

[Convict Colony]

Reckon Ralph is gonna take over as with his ice hockey knowledge having been a team coach and the fact that he thinks that football managers don't do much he can combine both roles.

[Window Cleaner]

Reckon Ralph is gonna take over as with his ice hockey knowledge having been a team coach and the fact that he thinks that football managers don't do much he can combine both roles.

 

 

Well as long as we can sack him after one season in the same way as Edmonton Oilers what's not to like. The fights might be more interesting than the football though.

[Matthew Le God]

Sky are about to do an interview with someone at Saints...

 

Simon Burwood ‏@SiCamHd 5m

Set up for a big #saintsfc interview but who will Roger be talking to?

 

[Roger]

Sky are about to do an interview with someone at Saints...

 

Simon Burwood ‏@SiCamHd 5m

Set up for a big #saintsfc interview but who will Roger be talking to?

 

 

Who will I be talking to?

[dubai_phil]

Who will I be talking to?

 

 

In reality, time for KL to take the Stand.

But I guess the only person not on vacation will be Sibley

[hypochondriac]

Hope it's katherina

[Kingsland Red]

Who will I be talking to?

 

Roger Roger, I guess I picked the wrong day to give up drinking !

[Mr X]

Hope it's katherina

 

no chance!, would she need an interpreter like MP?

[shurlock]

As long as its none of our fanbase, a battle of the yokels between Callaghan and Illingsworth.

[jasonb]

Its Ralph

 

[BlakeySFC]

Oh god, RK is so insincere it's unreal, bet this is going to be along the lines of:

 

'Tried everything we could to keep Poch but he wanted to go'

 

'No players are going to be sold that Les doesn't want to be sold'

 

'Managerial search only just begun, going to be a while before a successor is named'

[jasonb]

I think his performance here and later with Adam from Solent needs to be really top notch. No more pandering and pontificating. Time for decisive actions and concise answers Ralph.

 

In other words... clear leadership with vision and purpose. You've tried your best to soften us up but that time has now passed.

[shurlock]

 

Time to shine Ralph.

Edited 28 May, 2014 by shurlock

[angelman]

[Saint Charlie]

Is this what we need?

[Toon Saint]

Questions to ask :

 

Was Mopo offered a new contract ?

When did you start looking for a replacement manager ?

Do you have a short-list identified ?

Have you agreed to any approaches for any of our players ?

Why are the club failing to communicate with the players ?

Why has Jack Cork not been offered a new contract ?

What position are the club targeting in the league next season ?

When is our kit going to be revealed ?

 

Yes all these questions need to be asked. I'd also question why was he so relaxed about the situation and why contract talks were supposedly put to the end of season, when it was obvious to anyone outside the club that Poch was stalling on a deal. If this was just to save face as they suspected he might be off, then when did the start for a new manager commence? On next seasons targets if he starts talking in vague terms about 'maximising potential' again then Blackmore should pin him down on what exactly he means by that.

 

Would like Cortese's recent comments put to Ralphy as well, i.e. 'The former Chairman, Nicola Cortese, has said recently that he would be able to keep onto Poch and key players, do you have the confidence that you can do the same given that Poch has now left?' Might cause a bit of a stir, but would make for interesting copy.

[Mr X]

Is blackmore known for grilling people or giving them an easy time?

[Baird of the land]

Questions to ask :

 

Was Mopo offered a new contract ?

When did you start looking for a replacement manager ?

Do you have a short-list identified ?

Have you agreed to any approaches for any of our players ?

Why are the club failing to communicate with the players ?

Why has Jack Cork not been offered a new contract ?

What position are the club targeting in the league next season ?

When is our kit going to be revealed ?

 

Agree completely, all these questions need to be asked and answered.

[jasonb]

I think Adam Blackmore will potentially get more out of him. He was asking the same questions that Alpine has raised here on the Solent phone-in yesterday (listen again anyone who missed it here: https://audioboo.fm/boos/2202892-listen-to-last-night-s-27th-may-saintsfc-phone-in-following-mauricio-pochettino-s-departure )

 

Well worth a listen with contributions from MLT (briefly) and Merrington as well as the aforementioned Blackmore. Apologies if posted elsewhere.

[shurlock]

Is this what we need?

 

No reason why it can't be a good interview - why RK can't impress.

 

In his defense, its hard not to be vague when there's nothing to report and you've literally been given a blank sheet. He now has the chance to prove he can deal with tangibles and the nitty gritty.

[jasonb]

Is blackmore known for grilling people or giving them an easy time?

 

As I just replied, he seemed pretty punchy and forthright in the Solent phone-in yesterday. However, he probably has to play a fairly straight bat in order to continue good working relations? I am sure they will go over what is fair game prior to the interview.

 

One thing is for certain, the supporters need some straight talking and none of this guff for which Ralph, unfortunately, has become synonymous

[MOSaint]

Is blackmore known for grilling people or giving them an easy time?

 

If recent interviews are anything to go by he gives people an easy ride then complains on Twitter when he doesn't get a proper answer afterwards.

[Mr X]

ralph on sky now talking lots of pseudo waffle with an smirk

[shurlock]

ralph on sky now talking lots of pseudo waffle with an smirk

 

No he isnt

[Mr X]

No he isnt

 

he is just been on SSN

[Alain Perrin]

Glad to see the cynics are out in force on this board and it doesn't matter what he says. People need to realise that the Swiss aren't flash or showy - they'll go on about their business quietly and not through the press (unlike the North London Yobbos).

 

I'd like someone to tell me what Saints should have done to keep him? If the guy's heart was set on leaving for what (undoubtedly) is a 'bigger' club (albeit a bunch of *****), what could they have done? If you offer more money than Spurs, likelihood they still win because they can offer Europe and a higher profile.

 

To be honest we lost MP the day that NC left - and many celebrated this ("we've got our club back" etc.), just like they did with Wilde - and then look what happened. That said, NC decided to leave because of the governance KL wanted and at the end of the day it's KL's club and KL's money, you can't blame her if she wanted more control over her asset.

 

Has anyone noticed that one of the reason Spurs is attractive is the wealth of big name (albeit underperforming) talent they have? Any manager worth his salt would think I can do something with them. Ironic then that that talent that was (in part) paid for by our own Gareth Bale - giving up that sell on clause has hurt us in more ways than one.

[shurlock]

he is just been on SSN

 

By "pseudo waffle with a smirk", you don't mean Joey Barton

 

That's who was on when I switched over (around 3.25pm).

[Mr X]

might have been a repeat of an earlier interview! apologies

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Summary: Club did everything they could to keep Pochettino at Saints. Refused to use negative language or acknowledge it was disappointing that he left. Said that the scouting network is now focussed on new Managerial candidates. Said that Les Reed has received lots of enquiries from high profile Managers across Europe. Said a short-list would be drawn up shortly.

 

Main thing for me is that he has set the expectation that a high profile candidate may be appointed.

[Mr X]

Summary: Club did everything they could to keep Pochettino at Saints. Refused to use negative language or acknowledge it was disappointing that he left. Said that the scouting network is now focussed on new Managerial candidates. Said that Les Reed has received lots of enquiries from high profile Managers across Europe. Said a short-list would be drawn up shortly.

 

Main thing for me is that he has set the expectation that a high profile candidate may be appointed.

 

Everyones definition of high profile is different that herein lies the problem