Sport Republic

[CB Fry]

Basically they've bought the wrong club.

They should have taken this plan to a Championship club with potential - and then tried to do the wonderkid strategy with them. 

Then they could have got to the Prem like Rasmus did with Brentford. Less pressure and in a division where having a defined clear club strategy can genuinely provide an advantage. And the risk is lower, as even if you don't go up you can sell players on to keep afloat (like Brentford did).

To try and make this too-clever-by-half strategy in the Premier League with a club already hollowed out is proving to be absolute madness.

They have absolutely fucked this. 

[The Kraken]

1 minute ago, CB Fry said:

They have absolutely fucked this. 

Sadly it’s this.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Basically they've bought the wrong club.

They should have taken this plan to a Championship club with potential - and then tried to do the wonderkid strategy with them. 

Then they could have got to the Prem like Rasmus did with Brentford. Less pressure and in a division where having a defined clear club strategy can genuinely provide an advantage. And the risk is lower, as even if you don't go up you can sell players on to keep afloat (like Brentford did).

To try and make this too-clever-by-half strategy in the Premier League with a club already hollowed out is proving to be absolute madness.

They have absolutely fucked this. 

That’s absolutely spot on. If they bought a mid table championship club then it could have been brilliant.

it’s on semmens and Steele anyway, after all they chose this over all the other billionaires that were queuing up to buy us. Or something.

[SambaMaverick]

I've never seen so much sense spoken on this forum. Happy new year all

[AlexLaw76]

57 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Smug, self congratulatory tosser with no idea what football supporters want from a club

Semmens is the Gareth Southgate of football CEOs

[Dark Munster]

27 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Semmens is the Gareth Southgate of football CEOs

That's a bit harsh on Gareth Southgate.

[SotonianWill]

9 minutes ago, Dark Munster said:

That's a bit harsh on Gareth Southgate.

at least semmens might pick rashford 

[Killers Knee]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

That’s absolutely spot on. If they bought a mid table championship club then it could have been brilliant.....

This time next year, Rodders

[Archers Road Stand]

Hipster owners. 

[the colonel]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

In all honesty we could do with some of that ruthless streak but without being a total cock with it

My point exactly. And to be honest, 'good enough for Marcus'. Enough said.

[Smirking_Saint]

11 hours ago, Turkish said:

Smug, self congratulatory tosser with no idea what football supporters want from a club

Is this Semmens or Rasmus you’re talking about ?

[AlexLaw76]

 

[Suhari]

As posted by someone previously.

Their 'plan/model' is great for a mid-table Championship team. Incredibly tough to make it work in the prem, with a club already in decline.

Hopefully they're here for the long haul.

[FarehamSaintJames]

Just read on another thread about SR trying to dictate formation policy.

I doubt this is a thing, and if it is is horrendous and would’ve been leaked by now.

[Badger]

18 hours ago, Archers Road Stand said:

Hipster owners. 

Yet they’ve made the most unimaginable non- “hipster” appointment to the most critical job at the club.
 

Defies logic (or at least to my limited brain anyway ). 

[Badger]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

According to Semmens at the Fans Forum most things read on the internet are rubbish and without a grain of truth. Bit difficult to argue with that damning stat though.

Perhaps someone should email the link to him, or Blackmore should ask about it when opportunity arises. 

[John B]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

According to Semmens at the Fans Forum most things read on the internet are rubbish and without a grain of truth. Bit difficult to argue with that damning stat though.

Perhaps someone should email the link to him, or Blackmore should ask about it when opportunity arises. 

I was quite surprised how so many of the forum were in support of SR I must admit I was sceptical of their approach and did and always think for the club to prosper is to have an owner with deep pockets and the will to sign proven PL standard players.

 

I have been following the Saints for ages but this squad of ours today is pretty ropey containing International players of repute who I have watched over the last sixty years.

 

Football in the PL is big business and some of the best players in the world play in it and all we can offer is JWP who would not be one of the better midfield players I have seen in a Saints shirt and a lot of young players who maybe PL standard players in the future but are not at the moment

[Saint86]

4 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Just read on another thread about SR trying to dictate formation policy.

I doubt this is a thing, and if it is is horrendous and would’ve been leaked by now.

Personally, I didn't think it was that likely when I first started to think about it, but then a prominent itk on here liked a comment suggesting that it's from SR, and it's something I pondered a bit more since. 

So could be nothing, but my general musings;

Frankly it is just weird that Ralph (basically a career 4-2-2-2 high line high press fanatic) changed to the 5 at the back and extensively ran with it in pre season (even though it clearly wasn't working). He then stuck with it for all of 45min of competitive football - its surely pretty weird for a mananger to so quickly abandon the entire pre season approach like that?

Its also weird that this tactic is at odds with the club's attacking / pressing ethos (which ralph is largely credited with implementing at all age levels over lockdown / project reatart), plus we've lost a lot of backroom staff related to the academy / coaching etc under SR. Also our transfer policy this summer re cb's and restructuring for 5 at the back. Maybe that was all on Ralph (we'll likely never know but I doubt it personally). 

So then okay, they sacked Ralph, they could then go out and get any mananger that they wanted, one that you would imagine is comfortable playing a formation and style practiced at all levels of the club and which the players are familiar with... Nope, that didn't happen, instead we've specifically gone out and spent significant funds on the lesser spotted Nathan Jones, who seemingly plays 5-2-3 with direct / long ball tactics, and instead of a high press and ball recovery, seems to stand off, let's the other team have the ball, and targets nearer 25% possession each game.... And we're again seemingly after CB's this window.

Whatever the reason, it's a notable change in direction after the summer of SR taking charge starting to ring (almost constantly ongoing) changes,  and spending a significant amount of money to restructure the team no? Plus right now with Jones, we're using up valuable "winnable" games to practice a formation that the players are certainly not used to. 

Anyway, probably all just circumstantial and reading too much into all the changes that are going on. And there are bigger issues right now than what formation we play (hmm, well maybe) 😅. Whether it ends up being a good or bad change in direction?... Hopefully it works this year and we go strength to strength (only time will tell I guess). 

The fact remains though - this is a significant change in approach for the club and one that ties in with the overall restructuring... if it didn't come from Ralph - where did it come from? 

Edited 1 January, 2023 by Saint86

[Turkish]

45 minutes ago, John B said:

I was quite surprised how so many of the forum were in support of SR I must admit I was sceptical of their approach and did and always think for the club to prosper is to have an owner with deep pockets and the will to sign proven PL standard players.

 

I have been following the Saints for ages but this squad of ours today is pretty ropey containing International players of repute who I have watched over the last sixty years.

 

Football in the PL is big business and some of the best players in the world play in it and all we can offer is JWP who would not be one of the better midfield players I have seen in a Saints shirt and a lot of young players who maybe PL standard players in the future but are not at the moment

On paper it looked good. A billionaire businessman with a guy working for him who had been successful in Denmark and with Brentford. Plus we were In the anyone but Goa frame of mind.

it’s difficult to think how it could have been much worse, we’ve spent a lot of money badly, maybe not badly long term But certainly short term it’s looks disastrous. It’s difficult to think what they’ve actually got right in a year. The people running the club day to day have become a laughing stock amongst the fans, not that they care I’d imagine, it’ll take relegation for them to start realising how much they need fans.

[Saint86]

13 minutes ago, Turkish said:

it’s difficult to think how it could have been much worse, we’ve spent a lot of money badly, maybe not badly long term But certainly short term it’s looks disastrous. It’s difficult to think what they’ve actually got right in a year. The people running the club day to day have become a laughing stock amongst the fans, not that they care I’d imagine, it’ll take relegation for them to start realising how much they need fans.

Hard to disagree. 

I'm curious to know what our wages are like. 

If we go down then we obviously lose significant money short term. But against it we've shipped out so many senior players on large wages now, some that are left will likely leave regardless next few years? (salisu / kwp /Stu armstrong)?

The promising youngsters were all signed fairly cheaply, are on long contracts, and I suspect are in relatively low wages - they'll be the first team next season - regardless of league... Plus I reckon jwp will still be here. So financially, could we cover the income drop by selling some of the senior players knowing that if we get promoted, the long term business plan is to sell the kids for a profit - which won't change? And ofc we get parachute payments. So is there some kind of scenario where SR think we're cleverly cushioned from relagation? 

Edited 1 January, 2023 by Saint86

[Morse]

At some point the man with the money, Dragan something, will be asking the man with the plan, Rumplestilskin, what the fùck is going on. At which point the Danish genius will have to pass the buck, which is when Semmens will get the push, allowing for a quick and dramatic change of direction. Jones will go, a recently sacked David Moyes will be appointed and all will be well. 

[Dark Munster]

15 minutes ago, Morse said:

At some point the man with the money, Dragan something, will be asking the man with the plan, Rumplestilskin, what the fùck is going on. At which point the Danish genius will have to pass the buck, which is when Semmens will get the push, allowing for a quick and dramatic change of direction. Jones will go, a recently sacked David Moyes will be appointed and all will be well. 

Can that happen tomorrow, please?

[FarehamSaintJames]

Imagine being the one providing the cash, giving it to someone and then turning around a few months later only to see you investment is being skunked up the wall and you sit as the worst team in the league. 
Eyes will roll, then heads…

If they’re serious they need to invest now to get us out of this.

The appointment of Jones however is almost a backwards step in itself. Not the right appointment.
Not his fault by any means.
If I was offered a shit ton of money to “try” and fix things with the potential of earning a few million more in severance pay several months later, I’d do it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Jones has nothing to lose in this. SR and their reputation do.

[FarehamSaintJames]

I’m going to throw a curveball in as well and say that our form is down to our horrendous fucking kit this season.

Play in red, Saints.

[Morse]

1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I’m going to throw a curveball in as well and say that our form is down to our horrendous fucking kit this season.

Play in red, Saints.

Proper red & white stripes

[saintant]

1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Imagine being the one providing the cash, giving it to someone and then turning around a few months later only to see you investment is being skunked up the wall and you sit as the worst team in the league. 
Eyes will roll, then heads…

If they’re serious they need to invest now to get us out of this.

The appointment of Jones however is almost a backwards step in itself. Not the right appointment.
Not his fault by any means.
If I was offered a shit ton of money to “try” and fix things with the potential of earning a few million more in severance pay several months later, I’d do it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Jones has nothing to lose in this. SR and their reputation do.

Not to mention Dragan who is the biggest investor.

[SotonianWill]

9 hours ago, Morse said:

Proper red & white stripes

We’ve allowed Brentford to take the red and white stripes. also they don’t f*ck around with a red block on the back like we do, straight red on white stripes 

[Badger]

19 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I’m going to throw a curveball in as well and say that our form is down to our horrendous fucking kit this season.

Play in red, Saints.

Wouldn't go as far as to say the form is down to the kit, but the selection of all three kits this season does underline for me the disregard those involved in running things have for the club identity, traditions and supporters. A complete disconnect between dickheads in ivory towers making decisions and the rest.

Okay so the home strip has a vague 'variation on a theme' to defend it, can't say the same about the other two despite the idiotic marketing guff they gave ('the sea'... a silhouette of Liebherr cranes would be more appropriate !!!).

 

Red and white, by the way, unless you want the Cortese era kits to return.

Edited 2 January, 2023 by Badger

[FarehamSaintJames]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Wouldn't go as far as to say the form is down to the kit, but the selection of all three kits this season does underline for me the disregard those involved in running things have for the club identity, traditions and supporters. A complete disconnect between dickheads in ivory towers making decisions and the rest.

Okay so the home strip has a vague 'variation on a theme' to defend it, can't say the same about the other two despite the idiotic marketing guff they gave ('the sea'... a silhouette of Liebherr cranes would be more appropriate !!!).

 

Red and white, by the way, unless you want the Cortese era kits to return.

I loved the two we had in the Koeman years. 
There was a third kit we had a few years ago which was red shirt with white pin stripes), that looked good.

 

There is a huge disconnect from the fans, and almost a defiance in some of the interviews we’ve heard previously that anyone that disagreed was “a minor few”. Like listening to the Tory party and they’re burying their heads in the sand.

Edited 2 January, 2023 by FarehamSaintJames

[Wade Garrett]

I like the kit.

Just saying like.

[Bakovnetski]

I don't give a shit about the kit, just get us a team and a manager.

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, Bakovnetski said:

I don't give a shit about the kit, just get us a team and a manager.

As with Ralph, the mananger isn't the real issue... Our attackers are appalling and cannot score. It's irrelevant outside of that - we need wins, and without goals we won't get them... 

Edited 2 January, 2023 by Saint86

[saintant]

SR came and talked a good game. Unfortunately, they don't seem as bright as many of us thought. All shit and no substance so far.

[Give it to Ron]

8 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

As with Ralph, the mananger isn't the real issue... Our attackers are appalling and cannot score. It's irrelevant outside of that - we need wins, and without goals we won't get them... 

irrelevant? Yeah those substitutions and tactics are irrelevant!

[Saint86]

1 minute ago, Give it to Ron said:

irrelevant? Yeah those substitutions and tactics are irrelevant!

My point is - we could have pep himself and our attack is still shite...

Ralph had us 13th for xG but 18th for goals scored. Who knows if Jones can better that by the end of the season... but the reason we are in this mess is because SR failed spectacularly to buy good attackers in the summer - we got Mara, Aribo, and Edozie. - The latter was basically a trade for Romeu.

[Give it to Ron]

Agreed it was a mistake that someone should have paid price for and why in shit but Ralph should have gone last summer.

His inability to turn round form in last 13 games plus losing to Wolves, Everton and Villa who changed there manager when 1 point above us and now are 9!

I have absolutely no faith in this board to get players in January needed to improve us.

[saintant]

17 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Agreed it was a mistake that someone should have paid price for and why in shit but Ralph should have gone last summer.

His inability to turn round form in last 13 games plus losing to Wolves, Everton and Villa who changed there manager when 1 point above us and now are 9!

I have absolutely no faith in this board to get players in January needed to improve us.

Agree, the reset should have been done last summer when the other coaches were sacked. Ralph should have gone with them and a replacement brought in and given the summer to work with the squad and suggest what signings were needed. Huge mistake and we are now paying the price. Poor decision making from SR in my view.

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

Agreed it was a mistake that someone should have paid price for and why in shit but Ralph should have gone last summer.

His inability to turn round form in last 13 games plus losing to Wolves, Everton and Villa who changed there manager when 1 point above us and now are 9!

I have absolutely no faith in this board to get players in January needed to improve us.

So you agree the players are shit, but think Ralph should have gone for it? Fair enough. All history now.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

On 01/01/2023 at 22:47, FarehamSaintJames said:

I’m going to throw a curveball in as well and say that our form is down to our horrendous fucking kit this season.

Play in red, Saints.

The stripes are back, but Nathan has a hard time convincing the players of his tactics at training...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lpuJBtcMMp8

[FarehamSaintJames]

As if the players are this pumped for the game in “t-minus one day” 🤮

This is the bullshit I’m talking about:

 

[Weston Super Saint]

34 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

As if the players are this pumped for the game in “t-minus one day” 🤮

This is the bullshit I’m talking about:

 

Isn't that the same picture as the one used to say some bollocks about blocking out the noise yesterday?

If so, it was taken at T-2....

[John B]

10 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

Agreed it was a mistake that someone should have paid price for and why in shit but Ralph should have gone last summer.

His inability to turn round form in last 13 games plus losing to Wolves, Everton and Villa who changed there manager when 1 point above us and now are 9!

I have absolutely no faith in this board to get players in January needed to improve us.

So you reckon it is nothing to do with the lack of investment from Gao regime over the last few years and the Academy not producing any worth while PL players then?

 

It always seems to be the manager fault despite players missing goal scoring chances and defenders and goal keeper making unforced errors.

 

We just do not seem to have enough quality PL players so lets sack the manager and get in someone with little topclass experienceto play a system which has not proved to be successful before

 

This at the moment does not seems not be a very good strategy.

 

Over the last few years we have lost Forster Bertrand Romeu Ings Redmond Stephens PEH Cedric Bednerak Vestegard and loads of Academy players.

 

With their replacements apart from KWP who have proved to be not much better and to continue to make errors whilst other clubs like Brighton Crystal Palace and Brentford have become recruited better players

 

We seem now to be in a group with Nottm Forest Bournemouth Wolves Leeds Everton and possibly West Ham fighting for survival.

 

Wolves seem to be addressing their problems and I expect the other three will do so with more investment and experienced managers like Aston Villa have done

 

As a club we seem to be at our best when we have a number of home produced players in the squad and playing a full part but not these days

[Smirking_Saint]

I was pretty excited when I originally bought us, I think like many of us. Overall their plan seemed sound, And the multi club model seems to be on the surface of things the right way to go about football ownership, currently because it allows for a lot more freedom in both the transfer market and financially.

I do hear from the training ground from time to time, and the general feeling around the club, especially over the summer was that we were in very good hands. The rumours that I heard have come true, which was that Ralph had until the World Cup, a new manager had been scouted and financially we were comfortable backing him in January if required.

We signed a lot of promising Young players and this seemed like a model that would allow us to progress, I would like to have seen us sign a bit more experience and of course, the first major issue that we all saw was the absolute necessity to sign a striker and their inability to get that done.

I’m sure the interest in Ramos and Gakpo was real, but the failure in signing them, was either incompetence or arrogance. Semmens words made little to no sense as well.. ‘We will not sign a striker for the sake of it, we can wait until January’… because now arguably, we are in an even more desperate position and would likely have to panic buy a player of lesser quality

I do still think in the long-term sports Republic should be a good fit for Southampton, I do think they have ambitions for us as a club, however, the sporting strategy over the last 6 to 9 months has been awful, we simply had to sign experience to back up our youthfull buys. And the appointment of Nathan Jones, at least so far, seems nothing less than disastrous, especially given our position in the table.

I’m not even convinced, even if we spent significantly in this transfer window, that we will have what is required to keep us from relegation, in fact, even though generally I’m an optimist, I have completely resigned myself to seeing us in the championship next year

Edited 3 January, 2023 by Smirking_Saint

[Smirking_Saint]

12 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

Agreed it was a mistake that someone should have paid price for and why in shit but Ralph should have gone last summer.

His inability to turn round form in last 13 games plus losing to Wolves, Everton and Villa who changed there manager when 1 point above us and now are 9!

I have absolutely no faith in this board to get players in January needed to improve us.

I think if Ralph was backed to effectively in the summer then he would still be here.

We went too heavy in youth recruitment, and absolutely failed to sign a striker that literally everybody was aware that we needed, like I said above, I’m not sure whether this was incompetence or an arrogance that we could sign the calibre of striker that we tried for.

However, I do believe that Ralph is a better manager than Nathan Jones, but arguably, if we wanted to undertake this Nathan Jones experiment or a complete tactical change with another manager, there is simply had to happen in the summer.

I think realistically, what we are seeing now, is the culmination of years of poor footballing decisions and ineffective recruitment at all levels

Edited 3 January, 2023 by Smirking_Saint

[Dman]

On 04/01/2022 at 20:50, TWar said:

xG is the lifeblood of our club now. The club is well and truly run by people like me 😂

I think I’ve found the reason why it’s all gone to shit. 
 

SR are TWar’s wet dream. It turns out, much like him, they haven’t a fucking clue. 

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think I’ve found the reason why it’s all gone to shit. 
 

SR are TWar’s wet dream. It turns out, much like him, they haven’t a fucking clue. 

Where is Twar these days? Why does she/he/they not post any more'?

[Dman]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

Where is Twar these days? Why does she/he/they not post any more'?

Either; embarrassed to post after so many ridiculous posts in the past which have proven to be, as suspected, nonsense. Or Posting under a new username. 
 

I suspect it’s actually Both…

[FarehamSaintJames]

14 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Where is Twar these days? Why does she/he/they not post any more'?

I recall the names but not what they posted in particular 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Isn't that the same picture as the one used to say some bollocks about blocking out the noise yesterday?

If so, it was taken at T-2....

Correct 😅

[Rebel]

https://offthepitch.com/a/southampton-managing-director-squad-we-have-now-enables-us-return-profitability-next-two-three
 

Can anyone read this interview with Toby Steele, the MD?

If nothing else the headline gives a clear idea of the Sports Republic strategy - buy cheap young players to flip them and make money.

The only problem is it seems to ignores the the need to be competitive on the pitch with a team built around a sold core of good experienced players - and at  the same time allow you to develop get the best of the youngsters.

[Saint Garrett]

12 minutes ago, Rebel said:

https://offthepitch.com/a/southampton-managing-director-squad-we-have-now-enables-us-return-profitability-next-two-three
 

Can anyone read this interview with Toby Steele, the MD?

If nothing else the headline gives a clear idea of the Sports Republic strategy - buy cheap young players to flip them and make money.

The only problem is it seems to ignores the the need to be competitive on the pitch with a team built around a sold core of good experienced players - and at  the same time allow you to develop get the best of the youngsters.

Southampton managing director: “The squad we have now enables us to return to profitability in the next two to three years”

• Last January, Southampton were taken over by the sports and entertainment investment firm Sport Republic, who are targeting sustained success for the Saints as part of a multi-club group.
• Southampton managing director Toby Steele says the new owners are helping the club focus on developing young talent and building on the success of its academy.
• Why it matters: After heavy losses during the Covid pandemic, Steele reveals that Southampton are aiming to return to profitability in the next two to three years – with player trading still a key revenue earner for the club.
• The perspective: With the Saints currently in the Premier League relegation zone, questions have been raised about the strategy of the club and its new owners.

 

With new owners, new backroom staff followed by the appointment of a new manager, and several new players signed in the summer, the past 12 months have seen a series of major changes at Southampton.

Back in January 2022, the club were taken over by the sports and entertainment investment firm Sport Republic, backed by Serbian billionaire businessman Dragan Solak, which acquired Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng’s 80 per cent stake.

With Solak as lead investor, Sport Republic was founded by Henrik Kraft, an investor in the technology, telecoms and media industry, and Rasmus Ankersen, who was previously co-director of football at Brentford and chairman at FC Midtjylland, the Danish club which is also owned by Matthew Benham.

 

Jisheng had owned Southampton since 2017, and under his reign the club had Premier League finishes of 17th, 16th, 11th and 15th – a marked decline after finishes of 14th, 8th, 7th, 6th and 8th since the club had returned to the top-flight in 2012/13.

Southampton and their new owners have made it clear they are determined to bring sustained success, with the strategy centred around the development of young players – something the club has a well-earned reputation for excelling at. Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Luke Shaw are among the players to have graduated from their academy.

The acquisition of the south coast side has formed part of the London-based Sport Republic’s plan to establish a multi-club group, with Southampton the first team it has acquired, followed last August by Turkish second tier side Goztepe S.K.

While the construction of that multi-club group remains a long-term project, and little is known as yet about which other clubs and territories Sport Republic are looking at, the Southampton managing director Toby Steele says the club has already been exploring the potential advantages that such a set up can bring.

 

“The scouting efficiencies that we can get by having a centralised team, for example, are pretty exciting,” he says, adding that being linked to other clubs across Europe, where the entry requirements for players are less strict than in the UK post-Brexit, can open up a wider pool of potential signings.

“The ability to pass players between clubs means there are opportunities to bring players into Europe as part of the group to get them minutes playing for other teams. So it's opening up lots more markets than we would have had as a standalone club under our previous ownership.”

Steele – who was speaking before Southampton’s recent slump in form – stresses that the club and its owners are aligned in particular around the importance of nurturing young talent. 

“Their support of young players is probably in the near term the biggest advantage for us. They've fully bought into our strategy and philosophy of building on the success of our academy.”

The focus on youth could be seen in the summer, with Sport Republic’s first full transfer window proving to be Southampton’s most active in 15 years. Ten players came in, with six of the new signings under the age of 21, while 12 departed, either permanently or on loan, including players who had been with the club for several years, such as Nathan Redmond, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens.

 

n all, Southampton recorded a net spend of £76 million – the eighth highest in the Premier League.

While the season began encouragingly, with wins against Chelsea and Leicester City, a poor run of results in September and October was followed by the sacking of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in early November.

The club swiftly appointed Nathan Jones from EFL Championship club Luton Town before the World Cup break, which began with the team second from bottom in the Premier League. Since the top-flight’s return, Southampton have moved to the foot of the table after two more defeats.

While the owners have understandably faced questions about the transfer strategy and the team’s performances so far this campaign, they have insisted that they are looking at the long-term picture as well as the shorter-term challenges. 

With Ankersen’s passion for the innovative use of data, as seen at Brentford, and Sport Republic’s investments in sports technology businesses, one area they are unsurprisingly keen to enhance is Southampton’s data-led decision-making.

 

Sport Republic have minority shareholdings in a number of football-related businesses, including Tonsser, which claims to be the largest football player app and community in the world, and Sport Buff, which is said to be powering live, on-demand and archive sports video experiences to millions of users around the globe.

“They are very much focused on data and have said they'd like to do a little bit more in this area within the football side of things,” says Steele, although he adds that the changes introduced so far have been relatively subtle.

“There haven’t been wholesale changes, just a few minor tweaks, particularly around the summer transfer window. Data was heavily involved in how we looked at players and assessed them, but we just slightly tweaked some of the outputs that we had around the data that we're already collecting.

“We're not starting from a low point – we've already got a very mature process – so it's about changing a little bit of what we do rather than necessarily revolution.”

While the club hopes that its renewed focus on recruiting and developing young players can help bring consistent success on the pitch, Steele says the strategy can also bring significant financial benefits over time.

“We are profitable at an operating level but when you add on the amortisation of player transfer fees, we need to sell players to be net profitable. And I think the squad we have now enables us to return to that profitability in the next two to three years.”

He adds that while the club never consciously moved away from its focus on the development of young talent, “we just haven't had as much success with this in recent years. So nothing's changed, it's just whether we've had people coming out of the academy system that we've been able to sell.

“What we look for is players making their first or potentially second move, so that they're hungry, and they want to come and play for Southampton understanding that this may mean they either stay here long term, or they move on to their next step.

“Where we've had players that have made a sideways move, or even slight downward step, coming to Southampton wasn’t seen as such a big opportunity for them. And that's where we've had a number of players that haven't quite worked out as we would want.

“If you look at the players that we bought this summer, for all of them – bar one where we needed a more experienced player in a particular position – this is all a step up and an opportunity to play first team football. And that's really encouraging because their desire to then succeed is greater than somebody who's perhaps played 100 games already in the Premier League – are we just another club for them?”

 

Southampton posted losses of £73.3 million in 2019/20 and £13.7 million in 2020/21, with the club pointing to lost revenues of £10.3 million in 2019/20 and £30.1 million in 2020/21 due to the impact of Covid-19.

The Saints are yet to announce their financial results for 2021/22 but are set to make their fourth consecutive loss, amounting to £17 million before tax according to Off The Pitch estimates.

Steele admits that during the pandemic, in addition to lost matchday and broadcast revenue, the club suffered from the slump in the transfer market.

“Our Covid losses were high like everybody else's,” he says. “I think the area that people don't recognise is what happened in the transfer market, particularly in Europe at that time. We had four players that we probably would have had £20 million transfer fees for [pre-Covid] – and that's being conservative – but we got £5 million for each of those players.

“So that, on top of the lost revenue from not having fans and the broadcast rebates, was quite a big bit of our business we lost as well. But we're through all of that now.”

He adds: “And what's great about the new ownership group is that they're very supportive. We had a net spend in the summer transfer window for the first time, I think pretty much since I've been here, which they helped to fund.”