Should Dragan Šolak remove Rasmus Ankersen from the SFC board?

[Dark Munster]

Yes, he's a Charlatan who is primarily responsible for the mess we are in?

No, he and Sport Republic have been unfairly criticised and are doing the best they can?

If you think Dragan doesn't have the power to remove him, please still feel free to still vote yes/no as a hypothetical assuming that he can. I'm curious of what the general feelings are about Rasmus Ankersen, who is the co-founder and "Mr Football" of Sport Republic.

[Farmer Saint]

It depends on whether decisions are just down to Ankersen or whether Manager hiring and firings are board decisions?

[Turkish]

Rasmus has my full support he is a visionary you just don’t understand what’s going on. That’s not his fault it’s yours 

Edited 16 November, 2024 by Turkish

[Toussaint]

He should have him offed

[Morse]

If I were Dragan, Rasmus would be out the door, his feet not touching the ground.

But on second thoughts, If I were Dragan, I wouldn't have been taken in by Rasmus and his bollox in the first place. 

Friends, fellow Saints, we are lions led by donkeys.  

[FarehamSaintJames]

Rasmus is a fraud. That’s the simple truth.

I do feel for Dragan Solak to a point because he might legitimately want to build up a lower Premier League team, but he has little to no one on the board making decisions with much footballing pedigree.

[Matthew Le God]

This poll is flawed.

Rasmus Ankersen is co founder and CEO of Sport Republic he can't and won't be 'kicked out'. He isn't going to sack himself!

[Weston Super Saint]

7 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

This poll is flawed.

Rasmus Ankersen is co founder and CEO of Sport Republic he can't and won't be 'kicked out'. He isn't going to sack himself!

Your argument is flawed.

ALL of Sport republic is controlled by Sport Republic Holding ltd of which ONLY Dragan has the right to appoint and remove directors.

Rasmus CAN be 'kicked out'.

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Weston Super Saint

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

The club stooges who post on here have been keen to tell us Ankersen has little to do with SFC and Goztepe is his main concern, well Kraft's recent statement certainly blows that out the water

"To put it simply, Rasmus is Mr. Football. He works closely with the sporting directors of our different clubs on player recruitment, with the staff and the performance departments"

Does anyone know if the Turkish side is forced to play the same way? Looking at their league they're sixth in the top division, scored 19, conceded 13 with 18 points on the board (played 11).

If it's doable I vote get him gone, along with anyone else wedded to this tedious 'process'.

 

[Whitey Grandad]

If the club think everything’s fine and they were to follow Ankersen’s teachings then they’d get rid of him.

[Osvaldorama]

Who’s voting ‘no’? 😂

[beatlesaint]

54 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

This poll is flawed.

Rasmus Ankersen is co founder and CEO of Sport Republic he can't and won't be 'kicked out'. He isn't going to sack himself!

Dragan is the owner but Sport Republic Holdings has 3 Directors - Dragan, Rasmus & Kraft - so yeah I dont see how Dragan could sack him really  

Edited 17 November, 2024 by beatlesaint

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Who’s voting ‘no’? 😂

I voted no for the reasons I stated above. Me and 3 other visionaries who get it. 

[BarberSaint]

Solak's interest is golf, not football.  Everyone assumes it's his money. Presumably they've seen him hand over his own bullion to demonstrate this, otherwise that assumption is flawed. He bought into the SR "project" so was sold it and overall is as passive as Gao was (another indication that this is a vehicle for something else, as it is even with groups like FSG) and the most involved person is RA. So he won't go: he's central to the whole thing and he's got connections in football so he can assist with player/money trading.

 

I've voted 'yes' because it's what I'd like to see, but it won't happen. I also think they're unlikely to get many/any more 'clubs' in the portfolio; as I see it France is good for recruitment of young players from Africa (someone else pointed that out), England has the crazy costs of the EPL/Premier League/shittiest league in the world with the ability to generate money via player sales and Turkey can be used for other purposes. 

[Turkish]

We are playing a different game to the others, we are creating a dynasty. We don’t play by the set rules, we create our own. We lead others will follow

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Turkish

[Nordic Saint]

49 minutes ago, Turkish said:

We are playing a different game to the others, we are creating a dynasty. We don’t play by the set rules, we create our own. We lead others will follow

One of Ankersen's favourite maxims is, "EMBRACE FAILURE". Well. we've certainly done that, so in his eyes,  we've succeeded.

He said that you should recruit managers who've failed in the past, because they'll have learnt from their mistakes, so that explains why we've never had a successful manager come here since SR took over, and until Ankersen goes, it's unlikely that we ever will. He's probably looking at a new list of failed managers right now, just in case Russell Martin doesn't fail enough.

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Nordic Saint

[ally_uk]

Bloke is a absolute numpty with a knack for poor decision making.

Dragan do the right thing grow a set of spuds son! Get this clown out of our club ASAP 

[Weston Super Saint]

2 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

Dragan is the owner but Sport Republic Holdings has 3 Directors - Dragan, Rasmus & Kraft - so yeah I dont see how Dragan could sack him really  

Correct that there are 3 'Directors', however, there is only one person with 'significant control' and the right to appoint and remove Directors and that is Dragan.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13789278/persons-with-significant-control

 

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Weston Super Saint

[Wade Garrett]

100% yes.  
 

Absolute charlatan.

[gio1saints]

35 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

One of Ankersen's favourite maxims is, "EMBRACE FAILURE". Well. we've certainly done that, so in his eyes,  we've succeeded.

He said that you should recruit managers who've failed in the past, because they'll have learnt from their mistakes, so that explains why we've never had a successful manager come here since SR took over, and until Ankersen goes, it's unlikely that we ever will. He's probably looking at a new list of failed managers right now, just in case Russell Martin doesn't fail enough.

Very funny - but I hope Russell Martin and all of us continue to fail~  in a positive way because healthy life is all about trial and error. 😁

The embracing of failure - and the supporting of those who dare - is actually a very powerful way to improve - especially the mental side of things - and it’s nothing new and not invented by Ankersen. 

For example I spent all last season hoping Sam Edozie would take on his right back -by season end he’d virtually lost his courage in that regard - this season I’d almost given up that we have a forward prepared to take players on until Tyler showed he’s not afraid to fail. Yes to be brave with the ball much as that’s apparently something to roll your eyes about on here. Why should it be any different with a Manager? Do we want him to be afraid to fail? He has to dare because Saints don’t have the best players or the most money - and in being daring ( insert stupid or arrogant for those who dislike him personally) that obviously risks failure. Public catastrophic failure.
In that regard I can understand if Ankersen has empathy for RM and whole heartedly wishes him to ultimately succeed - it would be a powerful story for everyone who has ever been doubted vilified and abused - on a massive public stage - yet still turned up and ultimately overcame. 

[beatlesaint]

50 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Correct that there are 3 'Directors', however, there is only one person with 'significant control' and the right to appoint and remove Directors and that is Dragan.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13789278/persons-with-significant-control

 

Aah ok, I didn’t see that tab when I looked it up. Thanks 👍

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Nordic Saint said:

One of Ankersen's favourite maxims is, "EMBRACE FAILURE". Well. we've certainly done that, so in his eyes,  we've succeeded.

He said that you should recruit managers who've failed in the past, because they'll have learnt from their mistakes, so that explains why we've never had a successful manager come here since SR took over, and until Ankersen goes, it's unlikely that we ever will. He's probably looking at a new list of failed managers right now, just in case Russell Martin doesn't fail enough.

That’s rubbish. Some people never learn and are condemned to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

[Master Bates]

Yes.

Solak should then at least accept an offer of investment, if there's anyone out there of course that's willing to buy or make an offer of investment/partnership should a buy out be rejected.

With the right person, I feel a partnership could work, Solak and someone that knows the club well.

I like alcohol.

[manji]

4 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

The club stooges who post on here have been keen to tell us Ankersen has little to do with SFC and Goztepe is his main concern, well Kraft's recent statement certainly blows that out the water

"To put it simply, Rasmus is Mr. Football. He works closely with the sporting directors of our different clubs on player recruitment, with the staff and the performance departments"

Does anyone know if the Turkish side is forced to play the same way? Looking at their league they're sixth in the top division, scored 19, conceded 13 with 18 points on the board (played 11).

If it's doable I vote get him gone, along with anyone else wedded to this tedious 'process'.

 

Goztepe doing well finally promoted to Super League . When they were in the league below they were near the top and Rasmus sacked the manager because of the way they were playing football. It was a shock decision in Turkish Football but the team improved without looking it up they were promoted in second place .

Rasmus has done well . Good position for their first season. It’s obvious RM has the backing, the players are behind him too.

quick caveat I’m really fucked off with the way we are playing. There seems to be a horrible inevitability to most of our results. I can’t do anything about it . I can’t see anyone wanting to take over from RM . Rather than the infantile scapegoating of Rasmus I’m trying to look big picture and hope for the best. I used to love this forum FWIW I’ve stopped paying because it’s become boring. 
This might amuse some but a thread was started something like " manji is a cunt " water off my back . If I wanted likes I’d just take the piss out of Rasmus and I would become popular.
considering all the bollocks about forum rules I was surprised the thread wasn’t taken down. I’m guessing Admin have given into popular opinion and of course the more posts the better . They are probably making money from the forum. 
 

 

[Weston Super Saint]

4 minutes ago, manji said:

Goztepe doing well finally promoted to Super League . When they were in the league below they were near the top and Rasmus sacked the manager

 

Rule 1 : If it ain't broke, break it.

And people claim he isn't a genius!

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, manji said:

Goztepe doing well finally promoted to Super League . When they were in the league below they were near the top and Rasmus sacked the manager because of the way they were playing football. It was a shock decision in Turkish Football but the team improved without looking it up they were promoted in second place .

Rasmus has done well . Good position for their first season. It’s obvious RM has the backing, the players are behind him too.

quick caveat I’m really fucked off with the way we are playing. There seems to be a horrible inevitability to most of our results. I can’t do anything about it . I can’t see anyone wanting to take over from RM . Rather than the infantile scapegoating of Rasmus I’m trying to look big picture and hope for the best. I used to love this forum FWIW I’ve stopped paying because it’s become boring. 
This might amuse some but a thread was started something like " manji is a cunt " water off my back . If I wanted likes I’d just take the piss out of Rasmus and I would become popular.
considering all the bollocks about forum rules I was surprised the thread wasn’t taken down. I’m guessing Admin have given into popular opinion and of course the more posts the better . They are probably making money from the forum. 
 

 

Not sure what the main gist of this is, Manji, other than pleading to cut the beleaguered Rasmus Ankersen some slack.  Most people are able to function on here without name calling fellow fans, and when it occurs its either taking the piss or one of the few hard of thinking, you'd be right to shrug it off.  That said, people have strong opinions in terms of their football club so heat is part and parcel when swimming against the tide. So is gallows humour of course. 

People don't 'take the piss' or 'scapegoat' Ankersen to garner popularity, they do so because they've identified him as part of the problem rather than the solution - if Kraft has recently described him as 'Mr Football' he needs to seek professional help (both meanings).  Personally, working in an industry that's partly reliant on assessing whether people are being economical with the truth I feel that I managed to assess Solak, Kraft and Ankersen relatively quickly - self-made entrepreneur, speculative financier and narcissistic fraud.  Nothing I've seen or heard since the takeover makes me feel that I should change that view.  I don't really care how Goztepe are doing whilst wishing them no ill will, but I would imagine that cutting it in the EPL is a tad more difficult than the top two tiers of Turkish football.  Should we be happy to have SFC used as a work experience project? 

Sport Republic are failing miserably by all metrics, spending hundreds of millions to make SFC worse in all Departments (remember us being 12th when they took over from an exhausted manager and a Chairman who was skint).  I genuinely feel for Solak, and want him to succeed but there is no goodwill for Rasmus, that would have to be earned.  If things don't improve almost vertically in the next two or three games I would imagine there will be around 30,000 reading Sport Republic and their man Russell their horoscope for the remainder of 24/25.  Being 'loved' by the players and 'loving' them right back wont save Martin at that point, and if Solak is a serious man he should seize the moment to remove Ankersen - better late than never.     

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Miltonaggro

[trousers]

3 hours ago, Master Bates said:

Solak should then at least accept an offer of investment

This might be a daft question, but why would someone of Solak's wealth need 3rd party investment in order to make a success of the club? Isn't it more a case of getting someone in to spend *his* money more astutely than the current lot are spending it...?

Edited 17 November, 2024 by trousers

[FarehamSaintJames]

8 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

This poll is flawed.

Rasmus Ankersen is co founder and CEO of Sport Republic he can't and won't be 'kicked out'. He isn't going to sack himself!

 

7 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Your argument is flawed.

ALL of Sport republic is controlled by Sport Republic Holding ltd of which ONLY Dragan has the right to appoint and remove directors.

Rasmus CAN be 'kicked out'.

Mic drop please, MLG has been ruined

 

[Miltonaggro]

8 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Your argument is flawed.

ALL of Sport republic is controlled by Sport Republic Holding ltd of which ONLY Dragan has the right to appoint and remove directors.

Rasmus CAN be 'kicked out'.

Exactly this by the way, spot on Weston. Surely anyone who has managed or owned a business is well aware of this.  Even with a comparative or equal shareholding director removals can and do happen if the party is determined enough and willing to litigate.  On the face of it getting rid of Ankerson would appear relatively easy technically and at a human (performance) level.  

[Master Bates]

28 minutes ago, trousers said:

This might be a daft question, but why would someone of Solak's wealth need 3rd party investment in order to make a success of the club? Isn't it more a case of getting someone in to spend *his* money more astutely than the current lot are spending it...?

But if the person knows what's needed and is willing to spend their own money on it, then no risk to Solak with his money.

Depends what the person has in mind, you know the deal.

Edited 17 November, 2024 by Master Bates

[trousers]

11 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

But if the person knows what's needed and is willing to spend their own money on it, then no risk to Solak with his money.

Depends what the person has in mind, you know the deal.

Fair point. I wonder if Solak would be open to the notion of splitting the investment with 'someone else'? Of course, he actually already does given Katharina still has her 20% sharing in the club (I assume), so would he be willing to divide the ownership even more...?

Edited 17 November, 2024 by trousers

[gio1saints]

@manjitotally hear you. When you me Cato and Fab stop posting alternate ways of interpreting our situation this place will become an echo chamber. 
 

Yiu are right- you want plenty of likes post RM is a cubt or similar, want to be the next one called that? Argue that nomenclature is not necessarily so and reasonably argue why. Pretty standard though. Most people like to hang out in big groups. It’s safer, even if the big group does not truly represent them. You step out of line you become a target too- as you, I and a few others know to our cost. 

 

 

[Master Bates]

14 minutes ago, trousers said:

Fair point. I wonder if Solak would be open to the notion of splitting the investment with 'someone else'? Of course, he actually already does given Katharina still has her 20% sharing in the club (I assume), so would he be willing to divide the ownership even more...?

I can't answer that and neither can anyone else except Solak. But imo I believe that if anything does actually happen and they do ever both end up meeting up talking to each other, Solak would be interested.

[FarehamSaintJames]

31 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

@manjitotally hear you. When you me Cato and Fab stop posting alternate ways of interpreting our situation this place will become an echo chamber. 
 

Yiu are right- you want plenty of likes post RM is a cubt or similar, want to be the next one called that? Argue that nomenclature is not necessarily so and reasonably argue why. Pretty standard though. Most people like to hang out in big groups. It’s safer, even if the big group does not truly represent them. You step out of line you become a target too- as you, I and a few others know to our cost. 

 

 

I’ve missed all of this but what the f***? 🤣

[FarehamSaintJames]

On a side note does Katarina Liebherr still have a 20% share in Saints? 

She did when Jisheng Gao was owner but thought she’d long gone?

[Ekelund]

33 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

@manjitotally hear you. When you me Cato and Fab stop posting alternate ways of interpreting our situation this place will become an echo chamber. 
 

Yiu are right- you want plenty of likes post RM is a cubt or similar, want to be the next one called that? Argue that nomenclature is not necessarily so and reasonably argue why. Pretty standard though. Most people like to hang out in big groups. It’s safer, even if the big group does not truly represent them. You step out of line you become a target too- as you, I and a few others know to our cost. 

 

 

Jumped the shark you wind up merchant 

[trousers]

35 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

@manjitotally hear you. When you me Cato and Fab stop posting alternate ways of interpreting our situation this place will become an echo chamber. 
 

Yiu are right- you want plenty of likes post RM is a cubt or similar, want to be the next one called that? Argue that nomenclature is not necessarily so and reasonably argue why. Pretty standard though. Most people like to hang out in big groups. It’s safer, even if the big group does not truly represent them. You step out of line you become a target too- as you, I and a few others know to our cost. 

 

 

#textbook

 

Edited 17 November, 2024 by trousers

[Master Bates]

4 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

On a side note does Katarina Liebherr still have a 20% share in Saints? 

She did when Jisheng Gao was owner but thought she’d long gone?

Yes she does.

[FarehamSaintJames]

1 minute ago, Master Bates said:

Yes she does.

Wouldn’t mind her being back more prominently.

[Weston Super Saint]

4 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

On a side note does Katarina Liebherr still have a 20% share in Saints? 

She did when Jisheng Gao was owner but thought she’d long gone?

It's not mentioned on companies house anywhere.

If you follow the trail from Southampton FC to sport Republic holding Ltd, the people with control are the companies further up in the chain until you get to Solak as the only person with significant interest.

Caveat to that is companies house only shows significant interest as persons owning over 75% of the shares, so technically she could own 20% of sport Republic holding and not be listed...

[trousers]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23853797.kat-liebherr-opens-fathers-death-control-southampton/

 

 

 

Edited 17 November, 2024 by trousers

[Badger]

I vaguely recall reading that Katarina Liebherr’s share had been diluted to 10% after SR put more funds in. May be wrong of course 

[Badger]

6 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Wouldn’t mind her being back more prominently.

Agree, the Liebherr’s did seem to offer some stability and sensible ownership. 

[FarehamSaintJames]

It’s alright ladies and gents.

When I come to power I’ll take full control of the club as well as redevelop the entire area from Itchen to Northam along the waterfront.

My project is in the planning stages. 😇🤪

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, gio1saints said:

@manjitotally hear you. When you me Cato and Fab stop posting alternate ways of interpreting our situation this place will become an echo chamber. 
 

Yiu are right- you want plenty of likes post RM is a cubt or similar, want to be the next one called that? Argue that nomenclature is not necessarily so and reasonably argue why. Pretty standard though. Most people like to hang out in big groups. It’s safer, even if the big group does not truly represent them. You step out of line you become a target too- as you, I and a few others know to our cost. 

 

 

Spice Girls, two become one

[Miltonaggro]

31 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

On a side note does Katarina Liebherr still have a 20% share in Saints? 

She did when Jisheng Gao was owner but thought she’d long gone?

Minor shareholder but still has a stake.  She's clearly been on the 5:2 diet so probably up for a fight!

[Dark Munster]

 

11 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

This poll is flawed.

Rasmus Ankersen is co founder and CEO of Sport Republic he can't and won't be 'kicked out'. He isn't going to sack himself!

On 16/11/2024 at 10:53, Dark Munster said:

Yes, he's a Charlatan who is primarily responsible for the mess we are in?

No, he and Sport Republic have been unfairly criticised and are doing the best they can?

If you think Dragan doesn't have the power to remove him, please still feel free to still vote yes/no as a hypothetical assuming that he can. I'm curious of what the general feelings are about Rasmus Ankersen, who is the co-founder and "Mr Football" of Sport Republic.

Ahem, I was one step ahead of you. The poll was made MLG-proof.

[Toussaint]

Maybe he should remove himself at the same time. I’m not sure why he seems to get a seemingly free pass from criticism?

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, trousers said:

#textbook

 

With a Glaswegian hint, via Bournemouth and Kenya. Love and Light.

[Give it to Ron]

So a classic Saints yesterday at the Run Through 10k at the stadium. 1k runners plus families cold morning not one food or drink outlet open or megastore for people to get Christmas stuff or extra layers.

The one mobile coffee van man can book his Bahamas trip.

Edited 18 November, 2024 by Give it to Ron