Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on May 03, 2023, 10:15:06 AM
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We may as well start this one off.
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
If this is the man Emery wants then he's going to be good at whatever he does, and the fact he's leaving Barcelona of his own accord to come here also suggests were not planning on just solidifying our place in the top 10 next season
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Sporting Director innit blud.
He’ll be like Purslow but for the Football side of the club from what I’ve read but who knows.
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He sounds...well, he sounds fucking good to be honest.
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
If this is the man Emery wants then he's going to be good at whatever he does, and the fact he's leaving Barcelona of his own accord to come here also suggests were not planning on just solidifying our place in the top 10 next season
Yeah, sorry, more in a "what's a director of football?" way rather than a "who does this bloke think he is?" way.
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Sounds like we're the ones who'll be paying the alimony. As long as he makes sure the kids are alright...
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
If this is the man Emery wants then he's going to be good at whatever he does, and the fact he's leaving Barcelona of his own accord to come here also suggests were not planning on just solidifying our place in the top 10 next season
Yeah, sorry, more in a "what's a director of football?" way rather than a "who does this bloke think he is?" way.
I know, I'm not sure myself but I'm certain the manager does, so that will do for me
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Does Emery know him from his time st Valencia?
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
My impression is, overseeing the football side of things i.e. transfers in and out and contract negotiations, whilst keeping an eye on the financials. Doesn't scout the players, rather looks at the assessments, gives the yay or nay on them and deals with the financial aspects. The general consensus seems to be that he's done a very good job at Barca building a title winning team despite reducing the debt.
Had a quick look at Twitter and from what I saw..
- The Barca fans are gutted he's going, some saying this is worse news than Messi leaving.
- The reason for his departure seems to be the board's (and manager's) desire to bring Messi back, whereas he wants to be more practical from a footballing and financial perspective i.e. not a man for vanity or nostalgia signings.
- Highly respected and considered top 5 in the World at what he does, if not the best. Extensive list of contacts in Spanish and World football.
- Known as a ruthless negotiator when it comes to dealing with agents and other clubs. Not an area we've been weak in so far but still welcome news.
- Will be considered quite the coup if we get him. https://twitter.com/Millar_Colin/status/1653496657835708419
In short, exciting news and after the appointment of Unai, would be a statement of intent by the owners that they aren't here to f*ck around.
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If someone could please explain what he's going to do that would be helpful.
If this is the man Emery wants then he's going to be good at whatever he does, and the fact he's leaving Barcelona of his own accord to come here also suggests were not planning on just solidifying our place in the top 10 next season
Yeah, sorry, more in a "what's a director of football?" way rather than a "who does this bloke think he is?" way.
In a setup like ours I'd see 3 things:
Sets the priorities for the academy, specifically the transition from youth to senior squads.
Leads on scouting based on the needs of the manager.
Handles negotiations for agents, players and clubs.
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Nice news after the defeat on Sunday, a reminder that whatever happens in the next few games next season is going to be full on.
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He's built a side that won the league again having been in a really shit financial state.
Seems well liked.
Now, what was it people were saying in January about a lack of ambition?
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Whatever his successes or otherwise at Barca, the fact that he's coming from there will be huge. I imagine that sort of person has a lot of clout when phoning players and agents. Add this to Emery's reputation and it's looking very good indeed.
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not a man for vanity or nostalgia signings.
So we can rule out Tammy 'needs 9 chances to score 1' returning? Good.
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The sort of appointment that, had Lerner made it in 2006/7, would have made his money go significantly further and would quite possibly have avoided the immense, drawn out shitstorm which was Lerner's disengagement.
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He's built a side that won the league again having been in a really shit financial state.
Seems well liked.
Now, what was it people were saying in January about a lack of ambition?
It was shit, we should have bought some more players! ;) Let's hope this bloke can help put this right in the summer.
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The sort of appointment that, had Lerner made it in 2006/7, would have made his money go significantly further and would quite possibly have avoided the immense, drawn out shitstorm which was Lerner's disengagement.
But then we might have missed out on Harewood, Knight and Salifou. :(
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Interested to see how he fits in with Lange. As he appears to be an addition, rather than a replacement.
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I wonder if the likes of Alemany and Lange will operate at V Sports level, ie all clubs in the group, or purely Villa.
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2021 profile from marca - https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/03/10/6048f1f9268e3e516e8b4602.html
Laporta's latest signing: He's a killer, the number one
New director of football has an impressive CV
It was an open secret that Mateu Alemany was one of the big names involved in Joan Laporta's candidacy, although the newly elected Barcelona president only announced it on Monday.
Alemany, the former boss at Valencia, will take on a director of football role to be the top man in the Blaugrana's model, with plenty of work ahead of him.
It is the latest challenge for the lawyer who has worked at almost every level there is of a club's hierarchy, including as president at Real Mallorca.
"He's a killer, the number one," said a source close to Alemany.
"Many people shake the tree hoping for fruit to fall.
"Not him, he goes right up and takes the apple he wants."
With more hits than misses in his long career, Alemany is a negotiator to be reckoned with and even turned down Florentino Perez when he tried to bring him in in 2000 to work with Jorge Valdano.
At the time he was 37 years old and Perez wanted to begin his time as Real Madrid president with Alemany in a top role.
"I will always appreciate it, but my obligation at the time was to continue with Real Mallorca," Alemany said of Perez's offer.
Real Mallorca and Eto'o
One of his notable triumphs at Real Mallorca was Samuel Eto'o, who he bought for around seven million euros and then sold for 24m euros to none other than Laporta himself at Barcelona.
It was in those negotiations that a friendship was born that has led to Alemany's Camp Nou appointment this week.
His success at Valencia
When Alemany joined Valencia in the spring of 2017 it was as a result of a recommendation from LaLiga president Javier Tebas to Peter Lim to give his struggling project a major boost.
With Valencia languishing in the lower half of the table, Alemany had a major rebuild on his hands and one of his key decisions was bringing in Marcelino as head coach, ahead of Quique Setien, who had been wanted by the previous sporting director Jose Ramon Alexanco.
The excellent relationship between the pair was an almost instant success, despite Alemany tactfully remaining silent when Lim made decisions behind his back, such as the proposed sale of Rodrigo to Atletico in 2019.
Alemany's strategy in his first year was high risk: spend big on the playing squad and bank on qualifying for the Champions League. It paid off.
Lim wanted to reduce the risk and the cost of the squad, but Alemany stood firm and he pointed to the example of Atleti as the star to follow, aiming to establish themselves as a perennial presence in the Champions League.
Alemany is known for his competitive nature, hating losing at golf or padel, his two favourite pastimes to destress.
The man from Mallorca was a futsal player in his day and also enjoys sailing.
He takes the helm at Barcelona in the midst of a storm, but he has weathered adverse conditions before in Palma and Valencia, always looking to the Mediterranean, where he has never yet capsized
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Villa appoint Alemany.
Leeds appoint Allardyce.
Levels.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Indeed a corker
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He's built a side that won the league again having been in a really shit financial state.
Seems well liked.
Now, what was it people were saying in January about a lack of ambition?
It was shit, we should have bought some more players! ;) Let's hope this bloke can help put this right in the summer.
Haha! The bosses clearly heard you and decided to act.
Newcastle wanted him a couple of years ago, before he said no and went to Barcelona. Now we're getting him as well as Emery when they wanted him.... it makes me smile, and worry slightly that there may be an 'accident' happening soon.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
:)
Cue pink and baby blue comments on SHA. ::)
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
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Sounds like an ambitious signing. He seems very driven to succeed. A Barca fan that I know stated that they only won the league this year due to him. Will be a big summer coming up.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
Nobody here drinks it. In fact nobody here knows why anybody would drink it. It's treated as a bit of a joke and cheap shot at the 'bifes'. Not you, obviously Bren.
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If we do get Alemany, I will have many ales. #shitjoke #sorry
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
Nobody here drinks it. In fact nobody here knows why anybody would drink it. It's treated as a bit of a joke and cheap shot at the 'bifes'. Not you, obviously Bren.
As Bren says, isn't it mostly about people liking the bottle rather than the wine?
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
Nobody here drinks it. In fact nobody here knows why anybody would drink it. It's treated as a bit of a joke and cheap shot at the 'bifes'. Not you, obviously Bren.
As Bren says, isn't it mostly about people liking the bottle rather than the wine?
20 million bottles a year are produced. That's a lot of bottle love.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
Nobody here drinks it. In fact nobody here knows why anybody would drink it. It's treated as a bit of a joke and cheap shot at the 'bifes'. Not you, obviously Bren.
As Bren says, isn't it mostly about people liking the bottle rather than the wine?
20 million bottles a year are produced. That's a lot of bottle love.
Just to be clear, what I mean by that is that people think it's 'fancy' because of the cool bottle and then convince themselves that the wine is good.
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Like most people, I’d never heard of the bloke until last night and now he’s the best thing since sliced bread and I’m all for it - he seems like he knows his Spanish onions.
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I suppose it could be worse, we may have been presented with one Craig Gardner.
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I hope this finally means we no longer need to be linked to signing Carlton Palmer and Benni McCarthy
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Sounds very promising.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
Nobody here drinks it. In fact nobody here knows why anybody would drink it. It's treated as a bit of a joke and cheap shot at the 'bifes'. Not you, obviously Bren.
As Bren says, isn't it mostly about people liking the bottle rather than the wine?
20 million bottles a year are produced. That's a lot of bottle love.
Just to be clear, what I mean by that is that people think it's 'fancy' because of the cool bottle and then convince themselves that the wine is good.
Apparently it was the late Queen that made it fashionable in the 60s. As a side note, I used to know the grandson of the chap that created Mateus Rose. Really nice fella, down to earth, the type you'd never expect to be linked to the biggest wine producers in the country apart from his comical bushy eyebrows. The family company, Sogrape also have among their portfolio the best Portuguese red wine, Barca Velha. And no, he never offered me any, not even a glass.
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Apparently it was the late Queen that made it fashionable in the 60s. As a side note, I used to know the grandson of the chap that created Mateus Rose. Really nice fella, down to earth, the type you'd never expect to be linked to the biggest wine producers in the country apart from his comical bushy eyebrows.
My in-laws (in their late 70s early 80s) drink it, I imagine they're probably still the target demographic.
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I like rosé. I haven't had Mateus for years though. There's enough choice to be able to avoid it now.
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Apparently it was the late Queen that made it fashionable in the 60s. As a side note, I used to know the grandson of the chap that created Mateus Rose. Really nice fella, down to earth, the type you'd never expect to be linked to the biggest wine producers in the country apart from his comical bushy eyebrows.
My in-laws (in their late 70s early 80s) drink it, I imagine they're probably still the target demographic.
Funny you say that I've just read this from the current winemaker - warning, contains complete and utter bollox.
Which consumer audiences are you targeting currently?
Diogo Sepúlveda: 'Mateus is a brand with universal reach in the journey through the world of wine. People who are starting out on their journey may try Mateus and enjoy it, thus remaining faithful to it for the rest of their lives. But there are many others who ‘visit’ other types of wines and then return to Mateus when the occasion calls for it.'
'So, the target runs from urban consumers, who follow the world through social media to those who value privacy and appreciate time out to enjoy a great landscape in the company of loved ones in a relaxing way.'
I did warn you!
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I just have half a bottle of Blue Nun.
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Oh, an intriguing appointment by the way if it comes off.
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I won’t pretend to know much about the director of football things but reading about this fella I get the feeling this is proper big statement stuff
I’ve said before I think the owners will give Emery everything he wants because they trust him and think they have the right man at last. clearly this is one of them
For me it’s continuing to build the foundations for a long-term strategy
Bloody hell I can’t believe I actually wrote that and I’m reminded of a night long ago losing away at Barnsley with De Mateo as manager thinking what the fuck am I doing here
We’ve come a long long way together (Fatboy slim)
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Like most people, I’d never heard of the bloke until last night and now he’s the best thing since sliced bread and I’m all for it - he seems like he knows his Spanish onions.
They're the sweeter, yellow coloured ones.
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Apparently it was the late Queen that made it fashionable in the 60s. As a side note, I used to know the grandson of the chap that created Mateus Rose. Really nice fella, down to earth, the type you'd never expect to be linked to the biggest wine producers in the country apart from his comical bushy eyebrows.
My in-laws (in their late 70s early 80s) drink it, I imagine they're probably still the target demographic.
Funny you say that I've just read this from the current winemaker - warning, contains complete and utter bollox.
Which consumer audiences are you targeting currently?
Diogo Sepúlveda: 'Mateus is a brand with universal reach in the journey through the world of wine. People who are starting out on their journey may try Mateus and enjoy it, thus remaining faithful to it for the rest of their lives. But there are many others who ‘visit’ other types of wines and then return to Mateus when the occasion calls for it.'
'So, the target runs from urban consumers, who follow the world through social media to those who value privacy and appreciate time out to enjoy a great landscape in the company of loved ones in a relaxing way.'
I did warn you!
What they meant "Brit pensioners who usually have no truck with forrin rubbish, but who came on holiday to the Algarve in the 80s, tried a bottle and have refused to sample anything more racey ever since. Maybe a bottle of Asti Spumante at Christmas."
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All the signs are that we intend to go big on the recruitment drive in the summer
Cant wait
UTV
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2021 profile from marca - https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/03/10/6048f1f9268e3e516e8b4602.html
Bear in mind too that effusive article is from Marca, usually a mouthpiece for Real Madrid.
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Mateu has the potential to make life Rosé at B6 maybe?
Nice. Your joke that is, not the wine.
Yep, sweet crap it is/was. Only purchased because of the bottle which when empty you could stick a candle in and for a fleeting moment pretend you were in Portugal. Sophisticated up-cycling even back in the early '80s.
We weren't posh enough to have Mateus Rosé back in the 80s. It was a bottle of Blue Nun (only at Xmas, mind) before we went upscale to Black Tower.
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I trust Unai if that is who he wants that's good enough for me.
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He'll do for me, especially if Unai wants him. https://www.sport.es/en/news/opinion/winning-the-league-and-losing-mateu-alemany-86791441
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Just heard that Alemany will still complete all the Barca transfers this summer despite agreement to leave on 1st of July. Strange.
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Just heard that Alemany will still complete all the Barca transfers this summer despite agreement to leave on 1st of July. Strange.
Maybe they are only selling to us.... :-)
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If he is against the re-signing of Messi then he is bang on. Apart from a short burst of serotonin for the fans getting a legend back, why would you sign someone at that age for half a mil a week? He will be a rapidly depreciating asset whilst there being a massive pressure to play him, like Ronaldo. It's daft and incredibly short sighted...
... fuck it, let's get Messi.
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Just heard that Alemany will still complete all the Barca transfers this summer despite agreement to leave on 1st of July. Strange.
Maybe they are only selling to us.... :-)
Or buying from us, we have some dead wood to get rid of
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Just heard that Alemany will still complete all the Barca transfers this summer despite agreement to leave on 1st of July. Strange.
His contract was until 2024 so maybe it was the only way of keeping Barca sweet, and was something NSWE felt they could live with to get their man.
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
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Just heard that Alemany will still complete all the Barca transfers this summer despite agreement to leave on 1st of July. Strange.
His contract was until 2024 so maybe it was the only way of keeping Barca sweet, and was something NSWE felt they could live with to get their man.
I mean, we mostly have our transfer business done or nearly done by then anyway. I'd guess most vaguely professional clubs do the same, get players in for a full preseason.
Can see this summer being heavily Lange/Emery driven signings with Alemany becoming more a key figure in summer 2024.
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Can see this summer being heavily Lange/Emery driven signings with Alemany becoming more a key figure in summer 2024.
Bloody hell, we should have "jam tomorrow" as our new motto!
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Another big statement of intent from the club...we've installed a quality coach, now we need someone to oversee the whole player acquisition, style and approach, sustainable model...and it looks like we're getting one of the very best!
Sawiris and Edens, with close consultation with Emery, will have made this happen.
Quality. Class.
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Who do we think we are? We need to sit back down and know our place.
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
This is getting serious.
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Our Txiki Begiristain appointment.
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That's easy for you to say.
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We're we so impressed with the fact he managed to offload Coutinho for barca, that we thought we would give him the chance to do it again
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Evening everyone, here’s a 3-minute video detailing everything you need to know about Mateu Alemany and why I believe he’s the perfect fit for Aston Villa for those interested. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
https://youtu.be/1OhUtGsFVYo
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I’m a bit concerned by his nickname in Spain “3 porteros en el banquillo”
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Why would Sunderland be bothered?
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
Pinching the sporting director of the incoming La Liga winners is some statement of intent for our club. Mugged us off already when we signed Gerrard's mate. Excellent track record. More than Emery I think this is the most critical appointment the club has made in many years. Exciting summer ahead.
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Can see this summer being heavily Lange/Emery driven signings with Alemany becoming more a key figure in summer 2024.
Bloody hell, we should have "jam tomorrow" as our new motto!
Alright, he comes in on 1st July and starts from scratch without being that well acquainted with Emery's requirements, or knowing any of the scouting staff, ... and what, we just wing it this summer? Not bother scouting, just sign players who've looked good when they've played against us?
All's I'm saying is that the practicalities are (I imagine) that by 1st July we'll have already scouted out players, and Emery will already have a good idea of who he wants to bring in. Barcelona aren't likely to give Alemany some kind of special dispensation to work for us before then, so it'll all take place without him.
The first opportunity Alemany will have is Jan 2024, but it's a notoriously bad time to sign players (at least ones who their clubs aren't actively trying to offload). So summer 2024 is probably when we'll actually start seeing the first proper results.
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Why am I getting the feeling next season will be off the scale for us. What’s more the media are quietly ignoring us
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I'm not sure Algy. He has agreed to help Barcelona with their recruitment over the summer so I would expect some flexibility both ways
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
This could be the new national anthem
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Evening everyone, here’s a 3-minute video detailing everything you need to know about Mateu Alemany and why I believe he’s the perfect fit for Aston Villa for those interested. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
https://youtu.be/1OhUtGsFVYo
Nice one uti! UTV UTI
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Why would Sunderland be bothered?
He was making a point that everyone should be happy that us and Newcastle are becoming better, apart from Small Heath and Sunderland.
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Evening everyone, here’s a 3-minute video detailing everything you need to know about Mateu Alemany and why I believe he’s the perfect fit for Aston Villa for those interested. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
https://youtu.be/1OhUtGsFVYo
So a success for him was selling Coutinho lol
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Evening everyone, here’s a 3-minute video detailing everything you need to know about Mateu Alemany and why I believe he’s the perfect fit for Aston Villa for those interested. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
https://youtu.be/1OhUtGsFVYo
So a success for him was selling Coutinho lol
Of course it was they got a huge chunk reduced from their wage bill and 30mil in their bank account. Apart from a few magic moments Coutinho has looked like a busted flush. I'd say Alemany played a blinder for his current employer.
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So a success for him was selling Coutinho lol
Of course it was they got a huge chunk reduced from their wage bill and 30mil in their bank account. Apart from a few magic moments Coutinho has looked like a busted flush. I'd say Alemany played a blinder for his current employer.
I wonder if that was the first Villa had come into contact with Alemany, and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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Evening everyone, here’s a 3-minute video detailing everything you need to know about Mateu Alemany and why I believe he’s the perfect fit for Aston Villa for those interested. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
https://youtu.be/1OhUtGsFVYo
So a success for him was selling Coutinho lol
Of course it was they got a huge chunk reduced from their wage bill and 30mil in their bank account. Apart from a few magic moments Coutinho has looked like a busted flush. I'd say Alemany played a blinder for his current employer.
We paid £17 million in the end.
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Plus the loan fee.
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Plus the loan fee.
I thought we just took over his wages and had agreed a £33m fee which we then renegotiated down.
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On a serious note - whilst not pretending to know who he is, or what hell do - this has got to be a massively positive sign.
To get staff from Barca, when they would like to keep him, restates the owners are not playing games.
Though - all this still makes it harder to understand why the hell we appointed steven gerrard. Just seems to go against so much else that we have done and seems like a temporary insanity
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Plus the loan fee.
I thought we just took over his wages and had agreed a £33m fee which we then renegotiated down.
Ah, ok. I was just surmising, and I suspect you'd know better than I would.
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Plus the loan fee.
I thought we just took over his wages and had agreed a £33m fee which we then renegotiated down.
Ah, ok. I was just surmising, and I suspect you'd know better than I would.
Don’t bet on it mate, vague recollections are all I have these days. I’ve already discovered a slight error on mob history I made on another thread recently. Very niche info though, to be fair to me - I’m more confident on all the big stuff.
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On a serious note - whilst not pretending to know who he is, or what hell do - this has got to be a massively positive sign.
To get staff from Barca, when they would like to keep him, restates the owners are not playing games.
Though - all this still makes it harder to understand why the hell we appointed steven gerrard. Just seems to go against so much else that we have done and seems like a temporary insanity
As I said on the Purslow thread:
It was someone he knew well who had met the challenges set for him up to that point well who many thought was a shoe-in to go to Liverpool in a few years time.
I can understand the logic of thinking he was good enough to be worth a look and that his profile would help us in the transfer market (and the latter bit definitely happened).
I didn't want Gerrard (there plenty of posts from the time to back me up here) and with hindsight he was totally out of his depth but I think his reputation was enough that it wasn't ridiculous to think he could be a success.
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
Pinching the sporting director of the incoming La Liga winners is some statement of intent for our club. Mugged us off already when we signed Gerrard's mate. Excellent track record. More than Emery I think this is the most critical appointment the club has made in many years. Exciting summer ahead.
It's also the suggestion that we offered him a package that Barcelona couldn't get anywhere near that really resonates. This could be a very interesting summer indeed.
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2021 profile from marca - https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/03/10/6048f1f9268e3e516e8b4602.
His success at Valencia
When Alemany joined Valencia in the spring of 2017 it was as a result of a recommendation from LaLiga president Javier Tebas to Peter Lim to give his struggling project a major boost.
With Valencia languishing in the lower half of the table, Alemany had a major rebuild on his hands and one of his key decisions was bringing in Marcelino as head coach, ahead of Quique Setien, who had been wanted by the previous sporting director Jose Ramon Alexanco.
The excellent relationship between the pair was an almost instant success, despite Alemany tactfully remaining silent when Lim made decisions behind his back, such as the proposed sale of Rodrigo to Atletico in 2019.
Alemany's strategy in his first year was high risk: spend big on the playing squad and bank on qualifying for the Champions League. It paid off.
Lim wanted to reduce the risk and the cost of the squad, but Alemany stood firm and he pointed to the example of Atleti as the star to follow, aiming to establish themselves as a perennial presence in the Champions League.
Alemany is known for his competitive nature, hating losing at golf or padel, his two favourite pastimes to destress.
The man from Mallorca was a futsal player in his day and also enjoys sailing.
He takes the helm at Barcelona in the midst of a storm, but he has weathered adverse conditions before in Palma and Valencia, always looking to the Mediterranean, where he has never yet capsized
[/quote]
The bit about his time at Valencia is interesting as I suppose some parallels could be drawn with us in some ways. It's also interesting that he held up Atletico Madrid as an example of a club who have been able to establish themselves at the top table of both domestic and European football and that's what he wanted to achieve there.
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Would be good to get Footy's take on this.
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Aston Villa closing in on Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany
Unai Emery given permission to shake up the club's hierarchy after lifting the club from 14th to seventh in the Premier League table
By John Percy
3 May 2023
Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Barcelona's director of football, Mateu Alemany, over a key role at the Premier League club.
Villa have opened negotiations with Alemany and are hopeful of completing a significant coup for manager Unai Emery as he plots the club's short and long-term future.
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday night that Alemany, 60, would leave the club at the end of this season after just over two years in his position.
Villa's owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, have given Emery permission to undertake major changes to the club's infrastructure and a move for Alemany will be regarded as a huge statement of intent.
After his appointment at Barcelona in March 2021, Alemany was involved in a number of major signings including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
A move to Villa Park has been rumoured for some time but it is only now that discussions are moving forward.
It is unclear at this stage whether Alemany's proposed arrival will have any effect on the position of Johan Lange, Villa's sporting director.
Alemany could be appointed to work above Lange, who has played a key role in the club's progress since promotion to the Premier League in May 2019.
Emery has guided Villa to the brink of a European place after his appointment last year and the Basque coach is preparing for a busy summer in the transfer window.
Last month, Emery appointed Alberto Benito to Villa's scouting team. Benito will be based in Spain and it is understood that Villa will be targeting a number of players in La Liga this summer.
Villa are seventh in the Premier League table and face local rivals Wolves this weekend.
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It feels strange to be so excited about a Director of Football but in the words of Herman's Hermits "something tells me I'm into something good".
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Deco has agreed to be their new DOF
Alemany will be in place at Villa officially on 1/7 - but "work" will be happening prior.
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This has taken a lot of serious football journalists by surprise. This is a very serious appointment. Much like Emery was in October this will be a pivotal appointment in the total direction of the football side of the club. The reputation of Emery combined with the transfer strategy and connections of Alemany is more than about money. It’s about football influence. NSWE is build a football empire and it’s got lots of tentacles to it on and off the pitch. More than stadium expansion or match day catering, all of which are important it’s about laying foundations all across the world to benefit the entire organization with Aston Villa being the centre of it.
Yes, I even got a Telegraph article sent through to me this morning from a red Manc fan: I think his tone was slightly "What, to the Villa?!!"
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It feels strange to be so excited about a Director of Football but in the words of Herman's Hermits "something tells me I'm into something good".
Herman's Helmet would sing that!
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Aston Villa closing in on Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany
Unai Emery given permission to shake up the club's hierarchy after lifting the club from 14th to seventh in the Premier League table
By John Percy
3 May 2023
Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Barcelona's director of football, Mateu Alemany, over a key role at the Premier League club.
Villa have opened negotiations with Alemany and are hopeful of completing a significant coup for manager Unai Emery as he plots the club's short and long-term future.
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday night that Alemany, 60, would leave the club at the end of this season after just over two years in his position.
Villa's owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, have given Emery permission to undertake major changes to the club's infrastructure and a move for Alemany will be regarded as a huge statement of intent.
After his appointment at Barcelona in March 2021, Alemany was involved in a number of major signings including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
A move to Villa Park has been rumoured for some time but it is only now that discussions are moving forward.
It is unclear at this stage whether Alemany's proposed arrival will have any effect on the position of Johan Lange, Villa's sporting director.
Alemany could be appointed to work above Lange, who has played a key role in the club's progress since promotion to the Premier League in May 2019.
Emery has guided Villa to the brink of a European place after his appointment last year and the Basque coach is preparing for a busy summer in the transfer window.
Last month, Emery appointed Alberto Benito to Villa's scouting team. Benito will be based in Spain and it is understood that Villa will be targeting a number of players in La Liga this summer.
Villa are seventh in the Premier League table and face local rivals Wolves this weekend.
Interesting to read that Unai Emery seems to have overarching control at the club. That could be a real pull to keep him here if other clubs do come in for him, as he wouldn't have that at other clubs. Maybe explains why he turned down Newcastle, but came to us.
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Interesting to read that Unai Emery seems to have overarching control at the club. That could be a real pull to keep him here if other clubs do come in for him, as he wouldn't have that at other clubs. Maybe explains why he turned down Newcastle, but came to us.
Put it thus way, if it continues like this, I won't mind the media referring to us as Unai Emery's Aston Villa.
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Yes although there is a balance to strike there. Unai will leave at some point so we need to be able to transition effectively. I’m sure the Club is acutely aware of that and it’s all being worked through in the right way.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
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I'm a pessimist, how do we afford him under FFP and also Barca have been a shitshow from a business perspective recently. Please disabuse me of these sentiments.
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I'm a pessimist, how do we afford him under FFP and also Barca have been a shitshow from a business perspective recently. Please disabuse me of these sentiments.
Go back a page or so
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I'm a pessimist, how do we afford him under FFP and also Barca have been a shitshow from a business perspective recently. Please disabuse me of these sentiments.
We may have made him an offer that blew Barca's out of the water for an accountant/executive, but it's probably only the same as the salary for one of our higher paid players. Plus the owners will hope that they'll more than cover his salary with money saved in negotiations, and profits generated on savvy player acquisitions.
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I'm a pessimist, how do we afford him under FFP and also Barca have been a shitshow from a business perspective recently. Please disabuse me of these sentiments.
The cost of someone like this is peanuts in FFP terms.
He was the man who came in to fix the shitshow (and did it well enough to bring the title back to them).
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Yep, if he's on say £3m a year, that's £60K a week with no initial outlay (I assume). You could cover that by selling one not especially promising youth team player a year.
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Deco has agreed to be their new DOF
Alemany will be in place at Villa officially on 1/7 - but "work" will be happening prior.
Sounds a bit like Dan Ashworth when he left Brighton for Newcastle but didn't "join" till the summer.
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Yep, if he's on say £3m a year, that's £60K a week with no initial outlay (I assume). You could cover that by selling one not especially promising youth team player a year.
€3m according to this, which is peanuts in football terms. https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1654076229639602177
If Todd Boehly had had the foresight to put him in charge of Chelsea's transfers he'd probably have saved that 10 times over. But then as ever, us accountants are undervalued and underpaid. :(
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Sounds like we're the ones who'll be paying the alimony. As long as he makes sure the kids are alright...
Who?...
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Yep, if he's on say £3m a year, that's £60K a week with no initial outlay (I assume). You could cover that by selling one not especially promising youth team player a year.
Or about £3.75 on each matchday ticket for a season.
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If Todd Boehly had had the foresight to put him in charge of Chelsea's transfers he'd probably have saved that 10 times over. But then as ever, us accountants are undervalued and underpaid. :(
It's a curse mate!
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Yep, if he's on say £3m a year, that's £60K a week with no initial outlay (I assume). You could cover that by selling one not especially promising youth team player a year.
€3m according to this, which is peanuts in football terms. https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1654076229639602177
If Todd Boehly had had the foresight to put him in charge of Chelsea's transfers he'd probably have saved that 10 times over. But then as ever, us accountants are undervalued and underpaid. :(
Amen brother.
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Aston Villa closing in on Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany
Unai Emery given permission to shake up the club's hierarchy after lifting the club from 14th to seventh in the Premier League table
By John Percy
3 May 2023
Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Barcelona's director of football, Mateu Alemany, over a key role at the Premier League club.
Villa have opened negotiations with Alemany and are hopeful of completing a significant coup for manager Unai Emery as he plots the club's short and long-term future.
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday night that Alemany, 60, would leave the club at the end of this season after just over two years in his position.
Villa's owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, have given Emery permission to undertake major changes to the club's infrastructure and a move for Alemany will be regarded as a huge statement of intent.
After his appointment at Barcelona in March 2021, Alemany was involved in a number of major signings including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
A move to Villa Park has been rumoured for some time but it is only now that discussions are moving forward.
It is unclear at this stage whether Alemany's proposed arrival will have any effect on the position of Johan Lange, Villa's sporting director.
Alemany could be appointed to work above Lange, who has played a key role in the club's progress since promotion to the Premier League in May 2019.
Emery has guided Villa to the brink of a European place after his appointment last year and the Basque coach is preparing for a busy summer in the transfer window.
Last month, Emery appointed Alberto Benito to Villa's scouting team. Benito will be based in Spain and it is understood that Villa will be targeting a number of players in La Liga this summer.
Villa are seventh in the Premier League table and face local rivals Wolves this weekend.
Interesting to read that Unai Emery seems to have overarching control at the club. That could be a real pull to keep him here if other clubs do come in for him, as he wouldn't have that at other clubs. Maybe explains why he turned down Newcastle, but came to us.
And maybe push Purslow further away from football matters
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
Fair enough but the way they reacted after potting Gerrard gives me reason to think they won’t be caught on the hop.
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This topic has reminded me of /got me thinking when John Gregory was looking for a Football Director when it was all quite new to us . There was speculation of all kinds and in the end Doug took it up himself to take the role . Gregory was quoted along the lines of ‘the chairman knows everyone, why would i need anyone else ?’. It tickles me now 😳
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
Fair enough but the way they reacted after potting Gerrard gives me reason to think they won’t be caught on the hop.
Also, isn't the appointment of a football director supposed to help with this sort of thing? Succession planning?
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I think every club would say that they want continuity, but when it comes down to a change of manager they mostly just go with the best bloke available for their size of club at the time.
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If Todd Boehly had had the foresight to put him in charge of Chelsea's transfers he'd probably have saved that 10 times over. But then as ever, us accountants are constipation personified and overpaid. :(
It's a curse on humanity!
FTFY. ;D
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If Todd Boehly had had the foresight to put him in charge of Chelsea's transfers he'd probably have saved that 10 times over. But then as ever, us accountants are constipation personified and overpaid. :(
It's a curse on humanity!
FTFY. ;D
You're right, we don't give a shit. :)
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
To my knowledge the only club that ever solved the problem of succession was Liverpool in their boot room era. That was a dynasty.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
To my knowledge the only club that ever solved the problem of succession was Liverpool in their boot room era. That was a dynasty.
Until Fallon went off on the spaceship 👀
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Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
To my knowledge the only club that ever solved the problem of succession was Liverpool in their boot room era. That was a dynasty.
Yanited tried to replicate that by naming their training ground Carrington but it didn't work.
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Brighton already had De Zebri planned in the event that Graham Potter was ever headhunted.
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This in my opinion is a special moment in our recent history
In my “supporter lifetime” the two managers we needed to nurture and keep were Ron Saunders and Sir Graham
We did not because the club lacked stability and/or ambition.
This time it feels different
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Who's our next manager gonna be then?
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Shirley De Zerbi!
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Maybe Emery has taken us as far as he can.
We lose the first 6 (six) games of the season. Nas doesn't pause for his allocated pint.
He storms out of The Terrace View and De Zerbi is scrolling yellow before the final whistle of Emery's last game.
Full moon I think.
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This in my opinion is a special moment in our recent history
In my “supporter lifetime” the two managers we needed to nurture and keep were Ron Saunders and Sir Graham
We did not because the club lacked stability and/or ambition.
This time it feels different
Up The Villa garyellis!
It's the best feeling!
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Who's our next manager gonna be then?
Dwight Yorke. By then he will be ready.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
Brighton managed their succession planning pretty well with de Zerbi.
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I wonder if UE will be asked about Alemany at his press conference later today.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
Brighton managed their succession planning pretty well with de Zerbi.
As did Brentford but they are clear outliers.
How long have Yanited been floundering since Siralix retired? Arsenal bodged-up big-time after Wenger with Unai Emery, not sure what happened to him. Chelsea flitted from Tommy Tippee to Graham Potter, that went pretty well...
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Worth remembering, Brighton didn't just lose Potter and his team, they also lost a few important members of their 'back office' team.
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Hmm, I'm not at all sure of that but we can only hope.
Yep, these wet behind the ears billionaires haven’t got a clue how to run a sports business.
Succession-planning for managers is ridiculously difficult as practically every top club discovers.
No matter what our billionaires do, there's a pretty stong chance that the day Emery leaves will cause worry and panic.
Brighton managed their succession planning pretty well with de Zerbi.
As did Brentford but they are clear outliers.
How long have Yanited been floundering since Siralix retired? Arsenal bodged-up big-time after Wenger with Unai Emery, not sure what happened to him. Chelsea flitted from Tommy Tippee to Graham Potter, that went pretty well...
Arsenal it didn’t matter who went in they had been run down for a number of years with Wenger in charge. Chelsea are a shambles. United are a shambles.
Getting the transition right is so much about the underlying stability at the club.
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But at massive clubs "the transition" usually just means firing an expensive manager and his army of coaches that take up 15 seats on the bench and replacing them with another expensive manager and his entourage. Big egos, their own way of managing, expecting a lot of freedom from the club hierarchy.
Well-run clubs at a non-elite level but with an upward trajectory like Brighton and Brentford can do this because the managers they appoint are usually coming from lower clubs/other countries and are happy to buy-in to the existing philosophy.
If we're successful under Emery, chances are that we will go for a name appointment which suggests someone from the first ("big club") volatile category than the latter.
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I'm a pessimist, how do we afford him under FFP and also Barca have been a shitshow from a business perspective recently. Please disabuse me of these sentiments.
We may have made him an offer that blew Barca's out of the water for an accountant/executive, but it's probably only the same as the salary for one of our higher paid players. Plus the owners will hope that they'll more than cover his salary with money saved in negotiations, and profits generated on savvy player acquisitions.
From what I've understood from an interview with some Barca journalist on For the Love of Paul McGrath podcast, Alemany may set out the strategy, may be involved in the negotiations but he's not the man to be recommending players. He'll be deciding how much we can spend and how best to spend it.
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But at massive clubs "the transition" usually just means firing an expensive manager and his army of coaches that take up 15 seats on the bench and replacing them with another expensive manager and his entourage. Big egos, their own way of managing, expecting a lot of freedom from the club hierarchy.
Well-run clubs at a non-elite level but with an upward trajectory like Brighton and Brentford can do this because the managers they appoint are usually coming from lower clubs/other countries and are happy to buy-in to the existing philosophy.
If we're successful under Emery, chances are that we will go for a name appointment which suggests someone from the first ("big club") volatile category than the latter.
This is what we need to get our heads around as Villa fans: the more successful we become or are perceived to have become, the less we'll be looking at "up and coming". That goes for coaches as well as players. Although they weren't successful choices in the end, Tottenham were able to bring in winners like Mourinho and Conte. And they're only Tottenham, not actually a big club.
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Hopefully we'll be less of a basket case kind of football club than Tottenham.
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Hopefully we'll be less of a basket case kind of football club than Tottenham.
I think part of the reason they became a basket case was because they've never gotten over Pochettino, just as United haven't truly gotten over Ferguson etc. And us, actually, taking our sweet time washing O'Neill out of our hair. I think the only failsafe to getting over a successful manager is to keep spending, and even then, it rarely goes smoothly.
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Arsenal's demise can be pinpointed back to when David Dein left. Similar with Man United. It's not always just about successful managers. If you can keep some continuity in the running of a club while transitioning managers, that can be a big help. When more than one important figures leave at the same time, it's a recipe for disaster.
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Not sure how Spurs are a basket case?
Multiple top four finishes and a Champions League final in the last five years, superb brand new stadium, managed to hold on to England's all time highest goal scorer.
They're (fortunately, as I dislike them intensely) having a bad season, but if the above is the territory of basket case clubs, what does that make us by comparison?
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Yeah they're not a basket case. What they do is somehow fail to ever convert consistent good times into actual trophies, often hilariously.
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I suppose if you look at the last month or so you might call them that, but no, Spuds aren't a true basket case.
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Looks like it's done.
(https://i.ibb.co/8dfvgr4/alemany.png) (https://ibb.co/8dfvgr4)
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Not sure how Spurs are a basket case?
Multiple top four finishes and a Champions League final in the last five years, superb brand new stadium, managed to hold on to England's all time highest goal scorer.
They're (fortunately, as I dislike them intensely) having a bad season, but if the above is the territory of basket case clubs, what does that make us by comparison?
They weren't a basket case five years ago. They are this season. What happened in previous years is irrelevant to be honest. We were a basket case a few years ago. Now we're not.
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Not sure how Spurs are a basket case?
Multiple top four finishes and a Champions League final in the last five years, superb brand new stadium, managed to hold on to England's all time highest goal scorer.
They're (fortunately, as I dislike them intensely) having a bad season, but if the above is the territory of basket case clubs, what does that make us by comparison?
They weren't a basket case five years ago. They are this season. What happened in previous years is irrelevant to be honest. We were a basket case a few years ago. Now we're not.
The term 'basket case' suggests a lasting dysfunction, though so what happened in previous years absolutely is relevant, surely?
We were a basket case a few seasons ago because we went several years of terrible managers delivering terrible results through terrible football. It wasn't just about one season.
They're a mess this season, yes, but, at least to me, basket case suggests the likes of us in the years up to our relegation, Newcastle during the Mike Ashley years, Small Heath for the last several decades.
Spurs are (amusingly) having a poor season, but it's a poor season by their own standards, there's a lot they've got right in the last few years.
EDIT - also, despite having such abysmal season, they're only just out of the mix for a Champions League place and have somehow managed to be 4th or thereabouts for months.
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Not sure how Spurs are a basket case?
Multiple top four finishes and a Champions League final in the last five years, superb brand new stadium, managed to hold on to England's all time highest goal scorer.
They're (fortunately, as I dislike them intensely) having a bad season, but if the above is the territory of basket case clubs, what does that make us by comparison?
They weren't a basket case five years ago. They are this season. What happened in previous years is irrelevant to be honest. We were a basket case a few years ago. Now we're not.
The term 'basket case' suggests a lasting dysfunction, though so what happened in previous years absolutely is relevant, surely?
We were a basket case a few seasons ago because we went several years of terrible managers delivering terrible results through terrible football. It wasn't just about one season.
They're a mess this season, yes, but, at least to me, basket case suggests the likes of us in the years up to our relegation, Newcastle during the Mike Ashley years, Small Heath for the last several decades.
Spurs are (amusingly) having a poor season, but it's a poor season by their own standards, there's a lot they've got right in the last few years.
EDIT - also, despite having such abysmal season, they're only just out of the mix for a Champions League place and have somehow managed to be 4th or thereabouts for months.
Obviously it's all relative as it could always be worse. Look at Chelsea for instance but getting through managers at the rate they have and in the manner they have puts them squarely in basket case territory for me. Many of their own fans would agree. How long it lasts before they sort themselves out is the question.
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I’m looking forward to us being a basket case like Spurs.
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I’m looking forward to us being a basket case like Spurs.
There's a fair chance we'll finish above them this season.
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The trajectory of spurs is leaning towards a basket case, they just have a lot of credit in the bank from being well run for a decent period which is masking the problem (and a loyal Harry Kane).
The stadium will provide huge dividends eventually but like Wembley and the Arsenal I can see a period where it will cripple them in the short term. Add in Covid, what’s happened with interest rates generally (I’d guess the fixed loan terms will expire soon) and the need for another new manager and it is a bit of a perfect storm.
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I’m looking forward to us being a basket case like Spurs.
it beats seasons in the Championship under Bruce and Di Matteo.
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I’m looking forward to us being a basket case like Spurs.
There's a fair chance we'll finish above them this season.
Five to 3 on Saturday. Good times.
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I think Spurs have been fortunate to have been carried by almost Francis levels of one-man teammery and without Kane they'd be Everton.
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From The Athletic:
Why Aston Villa turned to Alrmany as Project Emery gathers pace.
Unai Emery sought a number of assurances from Aston Villa before agreeing to take on the challenge of lifting his prospective employers away from relegation trouble and into the top half of the Premier League.
He wanted an entire backroom team installed alongside him, including personal assistant Damia Vidagany. The hierarchy agreed to Vidagany, who has played an important role at the club so far — a conspicuous presence at the head coach’s side at press conferences.
Next was the guarantee of significant backing in the transfer window. Villa, again, agreed and will head into the summer with ambitious plans to strengthen the squad further.
Perhaps the most interesting element of Project Emery, though, will be how the management structure looks when the incoming Mateu Alemany leaves his role as director of football at Barcelona on July 1 to take up a similar position at Villa.
Alemany’s exact title with Villa has yet to be determined. The finer details are still to be ironed out, too, over what his arrival means for the current sporting director Johan Lange, who is valued by the owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens. Lange is expected to continue in a senior role.
What is certain, however, is that a new triangle of power — Emery, Alemany and Vidagany — is about to be established at Villa Park.
Their alliance has been a long time in the making. All three spent time at Valencia, albeit during different periods, and could have been in office together at Newcastle United had the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund had their way in recent years. Emery was their preferred choice to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle in 2021 before Eddie Howe later accepted the job. Alemany was also previously targeted to direct all football operations.
“He (Alemany) was the person they had chosen to take the club forward,” Vidagany told Spanish publication Marca. “He has always been clear he wanted a sporting project.”
It was only natural that a move to Villa, a club on the up with ambitious owners and a modern football infrastructure already in place, would appeal. That Villa have been able to prize away a key decision-maker at La Liga leaders Barcelona is telling. It shows the strength of their project and how serious the plans are for the future.
Alemany will land a big pay rise when he leaves Spain for the Midlands. Barcelona, meanwhile, have made it known that they could not match the salary Villa offered due to their ongoing financial concerns.
But it was not as simple as Alemany leaving for more money or to work alongside people he knows well.
There were other internal issues at Camp Nou that swayed his decision.
Disagreements with the manager Xavi and board members over squad planning caused some friction and persuaded Alemany that he should listen to other offers. Villa, with their grand plans, was an enticing prospect. When he arrives, he will work closely with both Emery and Vidagany, charged with moving the club forward.
Alemany held important roles at Real Mallorca and Valencia in the past.
He oversaw negotiations when the Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o left Mallorca for Barcelona in 2004. The Catalan club’s president, Joan Laporta, took an instant liking to him during those discussions, identifying Alemany as a person with whom he wanted to link up in the future — an ambition that was realised when Laporta hired him at Camp Nou in March 2021.
Barca, a club working within serious financial constraints, have performed well this season and Alemany is credited with helping smooth operations during difficult times.
There’s still work to be done before he signs off in the summer. Yet, when he joins Villa, he is expected to be based permanently at the Bodymoor Heath training complex.
Emery has already identified players he wants to sign in the months ahead — the club will offer Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio a lucrative alternative to extending his time in Spain — and Alemany will help deliver some of the top targets. Recruiting from Spain is expected with Villa having also secured a new scout, Alberto Benito, who is based in the country and will be charged with monitoring top local talent.
Emery has known Benito for some time. They roomed together as players at Spanish side Toledo in the mid-to-late 1990s. Benito was also the sporting director at Almeria when Emery took them into the Spanish top flight for the first time in 2007. His most recent job was working as the chief scout at Real Betis.
Villa’s search for new players will not be exclusively restricted to La Liga.
They will continue to scour other markets in search of value for money as Emery looks for players in all departments in the months ahead. Lange still has a part to play in Villa’s future, too, and with Sawiris and Edens’ portfolio growing through their joint venture V Sports, more senior roles within the company are likely to be created in the future.
V Sports recently purchased a 46 per cent stake in Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes and also entered into a partnership with the Egyptian academy ZED FC.
The billionaire co-owners are keen to expand further and continue shaping a multi-club model. They rate Lange highly and want him around in the future to assist.
Their pursuit of Alemany was not a reflection of Lange’s performance. It was a move sanctioned to support Emery and continue the pledge to provide the elite manager with all the tools he needs to succeed in his role at the club. Lange and Emery enjoy a good working relationship and, clearly, some of the structures and processes that are already in place are helping the club thrive.
Under the guidance of CEO Christian Purslow and Lange, Villa have built a squad capable of challenging for Europe. The club will finish in the top half of the Premier League for the first time in 12 years and a number of players have grown significantly in value.
Part of the plan when re-establishing the club in the top flight following promotion in 2019 was to sign players with potential. To that end, Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Ollie Watkins, Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendia and Jhon Duran have all made their international debuts since joining.
The infrastructure is in place, too.
Lange helped set up a new research team that is staffed with analysts and data scientists, and has enhanced the club’s player care department, now overseen by Phil Roscoe. Youth development is improving and Villa have a successful loan programme, managed by Adam Henshall and Mile Jedinak, that will see the likes of Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey, Jaden Philogene, Tim Iroegbunam, Finn Azaz and Louie Barry all return this summer with a spring in their step. Not all of them will make it but, if Villa do look to sell, they will make a big profit.
With so many highly qualified experts already working in important roles at the club behind the scenes, Emery has inherited a solid structure at the club, allowing him to settle in quickly and focus largely on coaching. There are, therefore, no plans to rip up what is working well or to move on multiple members of staff. Much of what is in place at present is working impressively.
Yet Sawiris and Edens are keen to give Emery more control over the football decisions and continue supporting him as the club’s aims and expectations grow.
The owners still want to maximise what they bring into the club through various revenue streams. That is why season ticket prices have been increased and is also one of the reasons why commercial expert Chris Heck, who previously worked as the president of the NBA team Philadelphia 76ers, has been targeted to take up a senior management role. But Villa’s net spend of around £40million ($50.6m) over the last two seasons means there is a little more freedom to invest in the squad this summer.
Giving Emery — now the most powerful figure at the club behind the co-owners — what he wants was always part of the plan when he signed in November.
The Spaniard, who has managed at Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and won the Europa League a record four times with Sevilla and Villarreal, made it clear to Sawiris that he would only be joining on his terms and if such assurances were given. How far the blank canvas stretches remains to be seen.
A brilliant run of results that has seen Villa win 14 of their 22 matches under Emery has given the manager further credit in the bank. With Alemany joining him over the summer, Villa are already looking in fine shape and the transfer window is not yet even open.
Now to make the right decisions on recruitment as this upwardly mobile and ambitious club target a place in the top six.
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From The Athletic:
Why Aston Villa turned to Alrmany as Project Emery gathers pace ...
Now to make the right decisions on recruitment as this upwardly mobile and ambitious club target a place in the top six.
Brings a bit of a lump to the throat - after nearly 60 years of supporting Villa and thinking that the 1970-1982 period was 'it', I am beginning to think we may see another golden era.
Either that, or I've got a mild version of Covid!!
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That was a lovely read, thanks.
It would appear absolutely everything we could wish for in terms of actually, genuinely trying to become successful is being done, absolutely no place for cutting corners or going through the motions.
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That was a lovely read, thanks.
It would appear absolutely everything we could wish for in terms of actually, genuinely trying to become successful is being done, absolutely no place for cutting corners or going through the motions.
Agreed, and if we don't achieve some success under this regime then I really don't know what we'll do, although there are no guarantees in football.
It also feels that if we are successful, it's being done in a way to try and make it long-term and sustainable rather than the all too brief spell we had in the early 80s. Not that I'd complain unduly about something similar to that happening in the next few years.
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We're in probably the best position we've been in for 40 years - I hope we make the most of it. I think under Emery we've got a great chance. With Spurs and Chelsea imploding timing might be on our side.
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We're in probably the best position we've been in for 40 years - I hope we make the most of it. I think under Emery we've got a great chance. With Spurs and Chelsea imploding timing might be on our side.
We all thought that when Lerner initially took over and O'Neill had been appointed in anticipation.
This does feel very positive though.
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Although the Villa O'Neill stropped away from was quite a bit better than the one he was welcomed into. Last step is often the hardest.
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That was a lovely read, thanks.
It would appear absolutely everything we could wish for in terms of actually, genuinely trying to become successful is being done, absolutely no place for cutting corners or going through the motions.
Agreed, and if we don't achieve some success under this regime then I really don't know what we'll do, although there are no guarantees in football.
It also feels that if we are successful, it's being done in a way to try and make it long-term and sustainable rather than the all too brief spell we had in the early 80s. Not that I'd complain unduly about something similar to that happening in the next few years.
The issue now is that i think the PL is the most competitive in that top half that it's ever been. There are really 8 clubs including us that are all thinking that they could have the resources and the infrastructure to get to the very top. I'm just pleased that it does finally appear that we're going to mix it with those clubs, obviously we'll know more on the 1st of September but if they do have a serious go as it appears that they will then you really can't ask any more than that. Hopefully we'll be more determined and shrewder, maybe even a bit luckier than the rest and we'll come out on top at some point, and as pointed out hopefully we'll be in amongst it for a long period of time.
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We're in probably the best position we've been in for 40 years - I hope we make the most of it. I think under Emery we've got a great chance. With Spurs and Chelsea imploding timing might be on our side.
The situation with those two won't last long.
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I remember spending years arguing over my prediction of the demise of the hegemony and eternal nature of the ‘top four’. Now we have the ‘big 6’, soon to be 7 with Newcastle. I’m in no doubt with these owners we will make it a big 8.
As I suspected it would, the PL has outgrown the CL to become the world league and we’re going to be major players.
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We're in probably the best position we've been in for 40 years - I hope we make the most of it. I think under Emery we've got a great chance. With Spurs and Chelsea imploding timing might be on our side.
The situation with those two won't last long.
It's tough to know
Chelsea could turn things around pretty quickly but they need to spend a lot of time nad effort sorting the squad out and making it manageable. Another season of struggling in upper mid-table wouldn't be a shock.
Spurs are easier to predict, if Kane does leave as seems very possible I think it'll take them a while to work out how to play without him, he's bene the backbone of their team for too long to be replaced in a single summer.
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Great read and really exciting times. I'm really looking forward to the transfer window to see what we can do. Villa sound structured and organised.
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We're in probably the best position we've been in for 40 years - I hope we make the most of it. I think under Emery we've got a great chance. With Spurs and Chelsea imploding timing might be on our side.
The situation with those two won't last long.
We were in a better position than now for all of the 1990s. All this "the future's bright" stuff, I mean...c'mon lads, we all know it's going to end in disappointment. It's what the Villa do best.
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I don't think we were better placed in the 90s - we just had the semblance of looking decent. We were closer to the top yes, but the other clubs were accelerating away from us, while we did nothing. From the sound of it Villa are finally, finally modernising and looking like we're serious again.
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It really does feel as though a few, very large pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are being put in place to lift us into the upper echelons of the EPL. Of course we need to see the reality of the actual signings over the summer, but something is very different and I love it.
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I don't think we were better placed in the 90s - we just had the semblance of looking decent. We were closer to the top yes, but the other clubs were accelerating away from us, while we did nothing. From the sound of it Villa are finally, finally modernising and looking like we're serious again.
Nah, the gap was much smaller compared to now. Ellis wrecked it.
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Nah...Ellis wrecked it.
46 pages.
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Not seen it mentioned elsewhere, but seeing us also linked with Chris Heck from New York Red Bulls as a new commercial manager. Never heard of him before, (or Alemany before he was linked either) but seems well respected.
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Not seen it mentioned elsewhere, but seeing us also linked with Chris Heck from New York Red Bulls as a new commercial manager. Never heard of him before, (or Alemany before he was linked either) but seems well respected.
There's been some discussion about it in the Purslow thread (along with useful tips on which underwhelming tourist attractions to avoid).
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Barcelona chief Eduard Romeu admits it's "very bad news" that Mateu Alemany is leaving the club, and claims he couldn't refuse Aston Villa’s exciting project.
"They give you a blank cheque book regarding transfers and it's very hard to say no. Mateu is a phenomenon, he has done a great job."
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"They give you a blank cheque book regarding transfers and it's very hard to say no. Mateu is a phenomenon, he has done a great job."
*rubs hands together*
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Jesus... We're in the big time!
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Barcelona chief Eduard Romeu admits it's "very bad news" that Mateu Alemany is leaving the club, and claims he couldn't refuse Aston Villa’s exciting project.
"They give you a blank cheque book regarding transfers and it's very hard to say no. Mateu is a phenomenon, he has done a great job."
That's the problem with modern football, it's all about money and the big teams buying their way to success. :(
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I’m convincing myself that Alemany got the job on the back of having 2 or 3 top drawer players he could attract. I doubt we appoint him then say “right, who can you get?”
Buckle up everybody!
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Just read this. Apologies if posted on here earlier
So Spanish press are suggesting that Alemany is already working for us unofficially...and his role at Barce atm and until he officially leaves is not as a football director...
'AS has learned, Mateu Alemany will no longer have the last word in making those decisions, nor will he be the person who chooses which players will reinforce Barcelona next season. These functions will fall on the tandem formed by Deco and Jordi Cruyff. The role of Mateu Alemany until his final departure is closer to that of an adviser than that of a football director. This allows him to begin shaping his landing at Aston Villa, his destination from July 1. In fact, although his signing by the English club is not yet official, Mateu Alemany has begun to mark the roadmap for the Birmingham team in the next summer market. Three of the proper names that he has on his agenda are those of Álex Baena, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres.'
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Does anyone know much about Baena?
I think Alemany's role at Barcelona until the end of his contract will be for his relationships with the Spanish league authorities and helping them to stay on the right side of their FFP rules. It doesn't surprise me that he's already working on our 'project'. Other than his relationships/contacts with the authorities, he's effectively on gardening leave for them.
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Does anyone know much about Baena?
I think Alemany's role at Barcelona until the end of his contract will be for his relationships with the Spanish league authorities and helping them to stay on the right side of their FFP rules. It doesn't surprise me that he's already working on our 'project'. Other than his relationships/contacts with the authorities, he's effectively on gardening leave for them.
Just based on a look on his Wikipedia entry, 21yo Spanish left winger currently at Villarreal. Looks like he's progressing quickly there, has gone from Villarreal B (Spanish 3rd tier) 2 years ago, to being a regular in the Girona side (Spanish div 2) last season, through to becoming a regular in the Villarreal first team this season.
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Was Alemany at the game today?
Rumours this week he was over here.
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Both the owners were there, in front of Purslow. It's not very often both them are there so you would think there will have been some key meetings while they're here.
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Was Alemany at the game today?
Rumours this week he was over here.
Probably too busy signing world-class superstars. 8)
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Was Alemany at the game today?
Rumours this week he was over here.
I don’t think so. By ‘Eck was though. So was Martin Laursen, who looks like he works at the same ski lodge as Thomas Frank.
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What we're the vibes, Risso? Nas and Wes all smiles?
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
Edens met Darren Woolley before the game so that is understandable
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
I was like that today, like I'd had a sugar rush, until the sugar got the better of me and I had a few tantrums about Kane and the referee.
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
Edens met Darren Woolley before the game so that is understandable
It is Pat. Edens must have been delighted to meet Big Daz.
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Any pics of the mighty Daz and Wesley?
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Any pics of the might Daz and Wesley?
Wes hasn't posted them to his Instagram yet.
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Heck certainly was - photos of him with Wes
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Heck certainly was - photos of him with Wes
Presume that Heck has also agreed to join the ever improving Aston Villa Football Club too then?
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When I predicted that Spain would have a dominant influence on player recruiting, some people laughed in my face.
We can expect the incoming to have a predominant profile of players who speak and understand Spanish. The evidence is very clear now as Mateu Alemany comimg in.
I knew what I was talking about.
Gracias y buenas noches.
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Hasta un reloj parado acierta dos veces al día.
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When I predicted that Spain would have a dominant influence on player recruiting, some people laughed in my face.
We can expect the incoming to have a predominant profile of players who speak and understand Spanish. The evidence is very clear now as Mateu Alemany comimg in.
I knew what I was talking about.
Gracias y buenas noches.
So Barca only sign Spanish speaking players then?
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When I predicted that Spain would have a dominant influence on player recruiting, some people laughed in my face.
We can expect the incoming to have a predominant profile of players who speak and understand Spanish. The evidence is very clear now as Mateu Alemany comimg in.
I knew what I was talking about.
Gracias y buenas noches.
So Barca only sign Spanish speaking players then?
A strong spainish speaking influences will be the case in my view and stands to reason.
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Oh dear
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I think you need to consider the difference between correlation and causation.
We will probably sign players from spain but the language they is way down the list of reason why.
The priorities for scouting/signings will be something like:
Players Emery wants.
Players Alemany recommends.
Players our new scout recommends.
Players that our other staff have scouted previously.
Players who are technically and physically able to play in the premier league.
Players on more reasonable fees and wages compared to buying from the premier league.
Players with European experience.
Players capable of improving significantly in the near future.
Players on free transfers that meet our other criteria.
.
.
.
Players who speak Spanish.
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Players the statisticians recommend based on their numbers.
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Oh ffs.
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Giggles.
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
Edens met Darren Woolley before the game so that is understandable
Edens also got Daz's autograph.
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
Edens met Darren Woolley before the game so that is understandable
Edens also got Daz's autograph.
In return, Wes signed the copy of Andy Sinton's autobiography Daz was reading at the time.
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Heck certainly was - photos of him with Wes
Presume that Heck has also agreed to join the ever improving Aston Villa Football Club too then?
I was thinking this was Alex McLeish for a minute!
His nickname was big 'eck
When actually this is Chris Heck on the business side people are talking about.
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Like a couple of giddy kids.
Edens met Darren Woolley before the game so that is understandable
Edens also got Daz's autograph.
In return, Wes signed the copy of Andy Sinton's autobiography Daz was reading at the time.
Hahaha, class.
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I was thinking this was Alex McLeish for a minute!
His nickname was big 'eck
When actually this is Chris Heck on the business side people are talking about.
Gosh, really?
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I was thinking this was Alex McLeish for a minute!
His nickname was big 'eck
When actually this is Chris Heck on the business side people are talking about.
Gosh, really?
You live and you learn, every day is a school day etc.
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I was thinking this was Alex McLeish for a minute!
His nickname was big 'eck
When actually this is Chris Heck on the business side people are talking about.
Gosh, really?
You live and you learn, every day is a school day etc.
Yes because people kept saying Heck? And couldn't fanthom what was going on.
Where is the Chris Heck thread that would be more straightforward.
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
Did you hear the one about Chris Heard, Fabian Delph and James Collins? That was unsavory business
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
Did you hear the one about Chris Heard, Fabian Delph and James Collins? That was unsavory business
No?
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When I predicted that Spain would have a dominant influence on player recruiting, some people laughed in my face.
We can expect the incoming to have a predominant profile of players who speak and understand Spanish. The evidence is very clear now as Mateu Alemany comimg in.
I knew what I was talking about.
Gracias y buenas noches.
Si arrojas tanta mierda como lo haces, es seguro que algo se pegará eventualmente.
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
Did you hear the one about Chris Heard, Fabian Delph and James Collins? That was unsavory business
No?
They were involved in a fracas . It was after player season awards 2012.
A nightclub named Gatecrasher in Birmingham saw the 3 of them at 245am in the morning being unruly.
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
Did you hear the one about Chris Heard, Fabian Delph and James Collins? That was unsavory business
No?
It’s a joke about when a Welshman, an Australian and a snake enter a bar.
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It's what you get when Alex McLeish and Chris Herd spend too much time on one-to-one training at Bodymoor Heath circa 2012.
Did you hear the one about Chris Heard, Fabian Delph and James Collins? That was unsavory business
No?
It’s a joke about when a Welshman, an Australian and a snake enter a bar.
They weren't allowed into the bar! Refused entry and all kicked off.
I believe under Emery we won't have that sort of player they will be ousted from the club.
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I don't think we have any of those sorts of players now. Whatever you think of their abilities, they all appear to be top pros. We got rid of the last pissed up arsehole we had when we sold Grealish.
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We've been linked to Kyle Walker! That would be interesting. On the field fantastic off the field a few issues.
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Interesting fact about McLeish was that he only wanted to sign Scottish players because of the language barrier.
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We've been linked to Kyle Walker! That would be interesting. On the field fantastic off the field a few issues.
Does he speak Spanish then? I hope so because he can barely speak English.
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Interesting fact about McLeish was that he only wanted to sign Scottish players because of the language barrier.
You jest, but I noticed that on 'Trawlermen' they have subtitles for some of the Scottish fishermen. Maybe that's where it all went wrong. :(
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Interesting fact about McLeish was that he only wanted to sign Scottish players because of the language barrier.
You jest, but I noticed that on 'Trawlermen' they have subtitles for some of the Scottish fishermen. Maybe that's where it all went wrong. :(
To be fair, my mate flatshared with a lad from Larkhall, just south of Glasgow, for a few years. It took me about a year before I understood anything he said.
Spoke at high speed, with a pronounced accent (to the point where a good number of Scots couldn't understand him either), heavy usage of Glasgow-area dialect (well beyond your usual 'ken', 'dreich', etc), and used swearwords as a form of punctuation. Funny lad beyond that, and one of the most entertaining storytellers I've ever met ... but bloody hell, you had to put in the initial work with him.
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We've been linked to Kyle Walker! That would be interesting. On the field fantastic off the field a few issues.
No thanks. he's a knob.
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Fact: All players in Spain and Portugal have release clauses.
Mateu Alenany and Emery will have expertise dealing with these kind of agreements, and I believe we will sign a few players from these leagues. The Spain influence be willing to meet even the largest of release clauses so exciting times and there's an expectation to be bringing in some top champions league level players.
I thought it was a duty to let those who weren't aware of this information on player contracts and the fact that release clauses are included for all players in those leagues know about it.
Up The Villa!
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
We're really luck to have you. I'm so grateful.
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Martinez
Cashlos
Youngente
Chambez
Konso
Minglesias
Carlos
Dignez
Moreno
McIniesta
Kamarez
Luiz
Coutinho
Ramosy
Traore
Buendia
Baileya
Watkinez
Duran
If any one has any other thoughts on how to rename these players for Alemany and Emery tenure give us your shot.
I will be using these names from now on.
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If any one has any other thoughts on how to rename these players for Alemany and Emery tenure give us your shot.
I will be using these names from now on.
No need for that, it will make your posts lack their usual clarity. As long as the team score lots of 'scorchios' that will be plenty enough Spanish on H&V.
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
We're really luck to have you. I'm so grateful.
All lucky to have each other I think and this great club binds us together! Vamos Villa!
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If any one has any other thoughts on how to rename these players for Alemany and Emery tenure give us your shot.
I will be using these names from now on.
No need for that, it will make your posts lack their usual clarity. As long as the team score lots of 'scorchios' that will be plenty enough Spanish on H&V.
Buendia GoodDay.
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
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Interesting fact about McLeish was that he only wanted to sign Scottish players because of the language barrier.
You jest, but I noticed that on 'Trawlermen' they have subtitles for some of the Scottish fishermen. Maybe that's where it all went wrong. :(
To be fair, my mate flatshared with a lad from Larkhall, just south of Glasgow, for a few years. It took me about a year before I understood anything he said.
Spoke at high speed, with a pronounced accent (to the point where a good number of Scots couldn't understand him either), heavy usage of Glasgow-area dialect (well beyond your usual 'ken', 'dreich', etc), and used swearwords as a form of punctuation. Funny lad beyond that, and one of the most entertaining storytellers I've ever met ... but bloody hell, you had to put in the initial work with him.
We had a young lad doing some labouring for us in Glasgow in the late 90s. Wasn't until we saw his name written down we found it was Craig, not Greg.
Mind you, I had similar trouble with a Londoner trying to introduce an Antony.
"Andy?
"Aaaantny.
"That's what I said, Andy.
"Aaaaaaaaantny."
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
How do they say it in Spanish, I guess sort of like 'hwa-hwah'?!
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Interesting fact about McLeish was that he only wanted to sign Scottish players because of the language barrier.
You jest, but I noticed that on 'Trawlermen' they have subtitles for some of the Scottish fishermen. Maybe that's where it all went wrong. :(
To be fair, my mate flatshared with a lad from Larkhall, just south of Glasgow, for a few years. It took me about a year before I understood anything he said.
Spoke at high speed, with a pronounced accent (to the point where a good number of Scots couldn't understand him either), heavy usage of Glasgow-area dialect (well beyond your usual 'ken', 'dreich', etc), and used swearwords as a form of punctuation. Funny lad beyond that, and one of the most entertaining storytellers I've ever met ... but bloody hell, you had to put in the initial work with him.
We had a young lad doing some labouring for us in Glasgow in the late 90s. Wasn't until we saw his name written down we found it was Craig, not Greg.
Mind you, I had similar trouble with a Londoner trying to introduce an Antony.
"Andy?
"Aaaantny.
"That's what I said, Andy.
"Aaaaaaaaantny."
Scottish people can't say "Carl" without it sounding like "Carol".
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
How do they say it in Spanish, I guess sort of like 'hwa-hwah'?!
Yahwah... :-\
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
How do they say it in Spanish, I guess sort of like 'hwa-hwah'?!
At the risk of sounding a bit like BE*, if you were in Barcelona wouldn't they be Catalan speakers?
*Not that there's anything wrong with that.
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In Catalan it is pronounced "Jag-wah" so they wouldn't have taken the piss.
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
You don't 'have to', you want to. There's a difference.
As for 'foresight'; we all predict stuff, with varying degrees of success. Nobody is always right, which means they don't have foresight, you/I/we are merely predicting/hoping/thinking/making up scenarios that we think may come to pass.
We now have a management team that are largely from Spain so it stands to reason there are likely to be more links to the markets they know, but it doesn't mean they want players only from there, or that they must speak Spanish. You only have to look at players they've previously worked with and signed to know that they operate in various other markets too.
I think we know that you are supremely confident that things you predict will happen, but perhaps instead of stating them as foresight (i.e. that you have a special ability) or as fact (which of course you can't know to be true until things either come to pass or do not) then it can prove to give people the impression that you don't particularly want them to have; one of arrogance and self aggrandisement. We know you're a nice enough person, who believes in nice things, but perhaps using language that is toned down, and just provide some thoughts now and again, rather than stating things as fact would help and cause less opprobrium.
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Martinez
Cashlos
Youngente
Chambez
Konso
Minglesias
Carlos
Dignez
Moreno
McIniesta
Kamarez
Luiz
Coutinho
Ramosy
Traore
Buendia
Baileya
Watkinez
Duran
If any one has any other thoughts on how to rename these players for Alemany and Emery tenure give us your shot.
I will be using these names from now on.
You'll be on your own.
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
How do they say it in Spanish, I guess sort of like 'hwa-hwah'?!
At the risk of sounding a bit like BE*, if you were in Barcelona wouldn't they be Catalan speakers?
*Not that there's anything wrong with that.
The company was owned by a Catalonian family, but I think the majority of employees weren't. The owners had dealings with Jaguar, so like the Spanish people I worked with over here, pronounced it correctly.
But then, as an outgoing MD once said to his replacement - "Don't worry about your English, Jonathan's will be worse." So what do I know? ;D
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I miss the emoji we used to have of someone banging their head against a brick wall. There are occasions where it would be very apt.
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You can buy them from the H&V shop off Mr Woodhall once he figures how to monetise them.
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You can buy them from the H&V shop off Mr Woodhall once he figures how to monetise them.
:(
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You can buy them from the H&V shop off Mr Woodhall once he figures how to monetise them.
😂
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
Yeah, thanks for telling us things that we already know. And in bold letters as well. Just because you find something out that’s news to you, doesn’t mean it’s news to anybody else.
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
Yeah, thanks for telling us things that we already know. And in bold letters as well. Just because you find something out that’s news to you, doesn’t mean it’s news to anybody else.
It also means some don't know so we are all helping each other when information is provided.
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Everyone has access to such info and I suspect most, including myself choose to avoid much of it as it's speculative garbage
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Hi, thanks for this. Just to put your mind at ease though, there's no duty, and certainly no expectation from anyone, for you to post all of your knowledge.
And regarding signing players from Spain, we already know that's what you think.
OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
Yeah, thanks for telling us things that we already know. And in bold letters as well. Just because you find something out that’s news to you, doesn’t mean it’s news to anybody else.
It also means some don't know so we are all helping each other when information is provided.
Blessed are the providers of information!
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OK. Its just I see things played out in front of me sometimes and have to share my foresight
Yeah, thanks for telling us things that we already know. And in bold letters as well. Just because you find something out that’s news to you, doesn’t mean it’s news to anybody else.
It also means some don't know so we are all helping each other when information is provided.
Blessed are the providers of information!
Amen! Blessed are the geek(s).
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I'm all for inclusion, but less so for more Spanish. Not after they laughed me out of a factory in Barcelona for pronouncing Jaguar with a J and a G. >:(
How do they say it in Spanish, I guess sort of like 'hwa-hwah'?!
Yahwah... :-\
They can’t say it in the US, Jagwah
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Stuff about him staying at Barcelona
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That would be annoying.
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Radio Catalunya saying he’s staying, The Athletic Barcelona correspondent saying he’s having talks about staying and “all parties working to make it happen”
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Bah, shame. Still, it's Barcelona so hard to say fairer than that. Remain very happy with our vaulting ambition.
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Yep, a few reports from serious looking journos on Twitter. Bugger it.
*Tears up list of Spanish players*
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Was it raining when he visited?
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https://barcauniversal.com/plot-twist-mateu-alemany-offers-to-continue-at-barcelona-days-after-exit-announcement/
Looks like he's staying in Spain.
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Fabrizio says he's staying.
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Was it raining when he visited?
Someone told him eamonn's gag about us paying him alimony and he didn't take it well. :(
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Fabrizio says he's staying.
Boooooo!
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What a scumbag!
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Senor Unsworth
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I know he’s right on lots of stuff and not saying he’s wrong on this but Romano is a bit of a goalhanger, snaps up breaking news elsewhere and makes himself look like some sort of sage when he’s toe poking into the net from three feet out
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Wonder what went wrong there then. Did the club say he was definitely coming or was it 'paper talk'?
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The club didn’t say anything tbf.
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Fuck sake, we had dedicated 18 pages of threads to him (36 if you're Legion/Bullywee and prefer scolling to clicking) and, what...? He thinks "Fuck this, they're freeeeaks" and does a u-turn?
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I know he’s right on lots of stuff and not saying he’s wrong on this but Romano is a bit of a goalhanger, snaps up breaking news elsewhere and makes himself look like some sort of sage when he’s toe poking into the net from three feet out
Sure, but at least he's a goalhanger like Montella, not Francis Jeffers.
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Oh well, we move on.
Who’s next and Lange needs to rethink his holiday plans
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Fuck sake, we had dedicated 18 pages of threads to him (36 if you're Legion/Bullywee and prefer scolling to clicking) and, what...? He thinks "Fuck this, they're freeeeaks" and does a u-turn?
Think CDBullywee's on page 7. Not sure about Leeg.
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Do we need a thread for Antonio Cordon now?
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Hot off the press at The Athletic:
Mateu Alemany considering Barcelona stay despite Villa offer.
Mateu Alemany is reconsidering his future at Barcelona putting a proposed move to Aston Villa in jeopardy.
Barcelona confirmed earlier this month that Alemany would leave the club on June 30 — a year before his contract was due to expire — to pursue a new “professional project”.
He was subsequently expected to join the Premier League in a senior football position and work alongside fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.
However, Barcelona club sources, speaking with anonymity to protect relationships, confirmed a meeting with president Joan Laporta took place on Wednesday in which Alemany reconsidered his position.
Despite receiving a lucrative offer from Villa and visiting the training ground last week, Alemany considers the current project in Barcelona as his project, and is open to fulfilling the remaining year of his contract at his current terms.
Alemany has been director of football at the Camp Nou since 2021 and has helped oversee transfers during a challenging financial period.
He previously held roles at Valencia, where he was general director, and Real Mallorca, where he was president and chief executive.
Damia Vidagany, the personal assistant of Villa head coach Emery, worked with Alemany at Valencia and they were set to be reunited as Villa looked to build on the progress made under the Spaniard since his arrival earlier this season.
He has lifted Villa from 14th to eighth in the Premier League table since taking over from Steven Gerrard in October.
Sporting director Jordi Cruyff confirmed he would be leaving Barcelona on Tuesday with former player Deco one of those in the frame to replace him.
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Fuck sake, we had dedicated 18 pages of threads to him (36 if you're Legion/Bullywee and prefer scolling to clicking) and, what...? He thinks "Fuck this, they're freeeeaks" and does a u-turn?
Think CDBullywee's on page 7. Not sure about Leeg.
Oh yeah, its the opposite innit.
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Seems like we were used as leverage so Cruyff would get pushed out. Reeks of typical Barca/Real scumbaggery.
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Seems like we were used as leverage so Cruyff would get pushed out.
Yeah, the timing re Cruyff does look suspicious.
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Sporting director Jordi Cruyff confirmed he would be leaving Barcelona on Tuesday with former player Deco one of those in the frame to replace him.
Exactly what Vinnie wrote last week regarding Deco except he was to replace Alemany not Cruyff.
EDIT: Alemany is currently Director of Football, Cruyff Sporting Director. Barca have numerous sports teams apart from football, was that Cruyff's remit with Alemany on football. I'd assume Deco was more likely to stick with football than go Sports Director?
EDIT II: It's widely reported down here Deco will be the new Sporting Director.
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In cufflinks, in the boardroom.
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Couldn't face having to find another club for Coutinho again.
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Always had the feeling he was in two minds about it. Like he was going to be staying there until the end of June etc, which would be weird. Ah well, we move on.
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I did think it was odd that his departure had been announced but nothing seemed to be finalised, signed, or announced on our side.
Sod him then. Looked too much like that bloke in Casino Royale for me, who knows what side he's really on.
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Oh well we move on. Disappointing but not a massive shock. Most of us hadn’t heard of him prior to being linked. And there are no doubt other top DOFs out there. I have full faith in Emery.
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I did think it was odd that his departure had been announced but nothing seemed to be finalised, signed, or announced on our side.
Sod him then. Looked too much like that bloke in Casino Royale for me, who knows what side he's really on.
Tend to agree.
We shouldn’t be all that surprised when someone labeled as a “master negotiator” swindles us to get an elevated position at a club he’s already under contract with. It’s still a scummy move, nonetheless.
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Defo led down garden path on this one and timing of the Cruyff stuff seems a little odd.
Interested to see whats next as he wasnt choice 1. Choice 1 was Olabe from Sociedad
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Why did he swindle us? He could have changed his mind for any number of reasons. Villa hadn’t officially announced anything. It was all reported through the media.
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Why did he swindle us? He could have changed his mind for any number of reasons. Villa hadn’t officially announced anything. It was all reported through the media.
Yeah, you’re right. He acted in good faith and just returned to Barcelona after they had announced his departure because a position opened up.
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If he doesn't want to come, I'd much rather we found out now than halfway through the season.
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Says he’s reconsidering doesn’t it mean to say he won’t come
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They've probably countered our offer, with all sorts of other promises. It never works, he'll be scrolling through El Indeed in a few months time.
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They've probably countered our offer, with all sorts of other promises. It never works, he'll be scrolling through El Indeed in a few months time.
Report from a Barca VP “They put an astronomical salary on the table. And, on top of that, they give him a blank chequebook. It’s very hard to say no.” He went on to say that Barca couldn't match either. He has one year on his remaining contract and is said to be against Barca resigning Messi despite their president declaring it their prime objective. Maybe it's not quite over.
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Purslow probably tried to charge him in full for his seat in the Trinity. It's got a cushion and a scarf, what's he complaining about?
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Looks like he might have been angling for more power at Barcelona and now with Cruyff gone, he’s got it.
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Why did he swindle us? He could have changed his mind for any number of reasons. Villa hadn’t officially announced anything. It was all reported through the media.
Yeah, you’re right. He acted in good faith and just returned to Barcelona after they had announced his departure because a position opened up.
He didn’t sign for us or renege on a contract. The media jumped the gun on the assurance of his arrival, not confirmed by the club. And it’s very possible that was accurate at the time it was reported. But he very likely evaluated and reevaluated his decision, personally and professionally. It’s not like he’s DOF of West Brom where he is just dying to get out. He is part of one of the most successful clubs in world football living in one of the most lovely cities in Europe.
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Why did he swindle us? He could have changed his mind for any number of reasons. Villa hadn’t officially announced anything. It was all reported through the media.
Yeah, you’re right. He acted in good faith and just returned to Barcelona after they had announced his departure because a position opened up.
He didn’t sign for us or renege on a contract. The media jumped the gun on the assurance of his arrival, not confirmed by the club. And it’s very possible that was accurate at the time it was reported. But he very likely evaluated and reevaluated his decision, personally and professionally. It’s not like he’s DOF of West Brom where he is just dying to get out. He is part of one of the most successful clubs in world football living in one of the most lovely cities in Europe.
I said you were right? He used us as a tool and got what he wanted.
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Why did he swindle us? He could have changed his mind for any number of reasons. Villa hadn’t officially announced anything. It was all reported through the media.
Yeah, you’re right. He acted in good faith and just returned to Barcelona after they had announced his departure because a position opened up.
He didn’t sign for us or renege on a contract. The media jumped the gun on the assurance of his arrival, not confirmed by the club. And it’s very possible that was accurate at the time it was reported. But he very likely evaluated and reevaluated his decision, personally and professionally. It’s not like he’s DOF of West Brom where he is just dying to get out. He is part of one of the most successful clubs in world football living in one of the most lovely cities in Europe.
I said you were right? He used us as a tool and got what he wanted.
sorry came across wrong. Just agreeing with you also. We're cool.
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This feels like we've been played. And so have Barcelona. Oh well his loss. I'm sure the owners will still come up trumps.They haven't let us down yet.
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We've got top owners and a top manager. Those are the main pieces of the jigsaw. We just go to the next one on the list.
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I assume this confirms that Messi won't be returning, and is off to the Saudi league?
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If his heart isn’t in it, then I’m glad he’s not coming.
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Didn't want him anyway.
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We've got top owners and a top manager. Those are the main pieces of the jigsaw. We just go to the next one on the list.
Yes, we are already improving under Emery as we are and for potential players thinking about coming here that’s the draw. He may have made it smoother but we’ll never know.
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It could be that his wife/partner is giving it the Unsworth treatment too.
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We've got top owners and a top manager. Those are the main pieces of the jigsaw. We just go to the next one on the list.
From what Vinnie said about who was our first choice, Roberto Olabe, we're not messing around. Shame he'd just signed an extended contract just before we approached him. The man's a football club philosopher.
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
Yes, that's how I feel tbh.
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
You hadn't been shooting your mouth off in the pub, bragging about it to Baggies or Dingles, had you?
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Hot off the press at The Athletic:
Mateu Alemany considering Barcelona stay despite Villa offer.
Mateu Alemany is reconsidering his future at Barcelona putting a proposed move to Aston Villa in jeopardy.
Barcelona confirmed earlier this month that Alemany would leave the club on June 30 — a year before his contract was due to expire — to pursue a new “professional project”.
He was subsequently expected to join the Premier League in a senior football position and work alongside fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.
However, Barcelona club sources, speaking with anonymity to protect relationships, confirmed a meeting with president Joan Laporta took place on Wednesday in which Alemany reconsidered his position.
Despite receiving a lucrative offer from Villa and visiting the training ground last week, Alemany considers the current project in Barcelona as his project, and is open to fulfilling the remaining year of his contract at his current terms.
Alemany has been director of football at the Camp Nou since 2021 and has helped oversee transfers during a challenging financial period.
He previously held roles at Valencia, where he was general director, and Real Mallorca, where he was president and chief executive.
Damia Vidagany, the personal assistant of Villa head coach Emery, worked with Alemany at Valencia and they were set to be reunited as Villa looked to build on the progress made under the Spaniard since his arrival earlier this season.
He has lifted Villa from 14th to eighth in the Premier League table since taking over from Steven Gerrard in October.
Sporting director Jordi Cruyff confirmed he would be leaving Barcelona on Tuesday with former player Deco one of those in the frame to replace him.
Bet stripey Gregg Evans couldn't wait to get that into print
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
Yes, that's how I feel tbh.
Thats a little how I feel - though never heard of him, when you read into it, it seemed like a proper statement.
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
You hadn't been shooting your mouth off in the pub, bragging about it to Baggies or Dingles, had you?
Yeah
And now I’ve got to eat my sou’wester
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Spanish press reporting he changed his mind due to our financial problems.
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That would be a big blow.
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Spanish press reporting he changed his mind due to our financial problems.
‘Financial problems.’ Lol, yeah.
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I read that, surely it can't really be the case. I never expected us to chuck 200m in this window, but surely the money is there. Pretty sure Unai wouldn't come here without those assurances.
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Spanish press reporting he changed his mind due to our financial problems.
The Spanish press were reporting that we were willing to spend hundreds of millions on Torres and Vlahovic last week.. they're just throwing shit at a wall to see if it sticks.
If we have financial problems, what does Barcelona have?
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Spanish press reporting he changed his mind due to our financial problems.
Have they been looking at a Bristol City forum?
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I think we have been used in a negotiation. Can't see we ever offered a blank cheque-book, or that it turned out that we're broke.
Think we we're used for MA to enhance his position at Barca.
Again - not expecting us to be throwing money around - but cant see that you employee Unai and then not give him any of the tools to do the job. Especially after backing SG.
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Spanish press reporting he changed his mind due to our financial problems.
Have they been looking at a Bristol City forum?
Or a stripey forum? Perhaps they guaged the opinion of Paul Franks
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It could be that his wife/partner is giving it the Unsworth treatment too.
Or Martinez has convinced Lionel M of the wonder of Gaucho in Colmore Row and Many ales has got the hump.
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There’s no way he got as far as agreeing his early departure from Barcelona without having had a conversation with our owners of what his budget would be.
If it did then he must be pretty shit at his job.
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It could be that his wife/partner is giving it the Unsworth treatment too.
Or Martinez has convinced Lionel M of the wonder of Gaucho in Colmore Row and Many ales has got the hump.
I was bar manager at Knighton Town FC, then in the 3rd tier of the Welsh league, for a year or so. One of the best memories is being in the bar at the start of the season and the manager coming in and bollocking the players for not drinking enough in the club bar, that they should all stop coming in and having half a pint of lemonade & orange cordial and instead get on the pints, cos how was the club ever going to be a success when they were putting so little cash behind the bar!
Loved working there, it was comically badly run. The league meetings were also a laugh, all the teams from the west speaking exclusively in Welsh, all the teams from the east speaking exclusively in English, and some truly bizarre debates about things like (genuinely) if it was ok for a team to have their dressing room in a farm shed which was a 3/4 mile walk down a relatively busy A road from the pitch because otherwise they had to wade across a fast flowing river to get to it.
In case you were wondering, they decided (after about an hour's fierce debate) that it was OK for the forthcoming season but they had to do something about it the next season or they'd be automatically relegated to the 4th tier, which was less fussy about such matters.
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
Yes, that's how I feel tbh.
Thats a little how I feel - though never heard of him, when you read into it, it seemed like a proper statement.
My sentiments as well. Hope UE does not feel pissed off by this
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are we skint again then?
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I thought it was a massive statement at the time and a coup for the Villa
So this is a bit of a blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise
We don’t really know how far down the line negotiations were and if a formal offer had been made.
It does feel like a bit of a blow if he has done a u-turn though. If we are going to move forward and compete with the top clubs, we need to shake off the impression that they can just push us around and take our players from us.
Getting people like him in from a club like Barcelona would have been a statement of intent, but let’s see how it plays out.
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What financial problems are they making up now?
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The same Spanish press that know fuck all who were saying we're quadrupling this blokes salary, spending £45m on this guy and £70m on that, are now spinning a yarn to say we don't have as much money as was lead to believe. All of it, is shite.
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Barcelona have turned into a bit of a dickhead club recently. I hope they get Messi back and continue to financially cripple themselves. Although saying that maybe him staying puts us in a good position doing dealings with them when they need to sell players to pay the Saudi shill his weekly wage.
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Luckily we’ll soon be able to see how skint we are. Give it a few months and we’ll either have signed a few decent players or we’ll be mangerless and going cap in hand to Allardyce to help keep us in the league.
I know which one is out money on.
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What financial problems are they making up now?
No idea where that has come from as there has been no mention of anything of the sort elsewhere. Ex-pat Blues or Albion fan in the media out there maybe?
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Barcelona have turned into a bit of a dickhead club recently. I hope they get Messi back and continue to financially cripple themselves. Although saying that maybe him staying puts us in a good position doing dealings with them when they need to sell players to pay the Saudi shill his weekly wage.
Recently?
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Barcelona have turned into a bit of a dickhead club recently. I hope they get Messi back and continue to financially cripple themselves. Although saying that maybe him staying puts us in a good position doing dealings with them when they need to sell players to pay the Saudi shill his weekly wage.
Recently?
Ha, yeah, I was waiting for that. I don't know enough Barca history although I have read about Pep belittling an opposition player's experience of racism when he was a player for them.
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Barcelona have turned into a bit of a dickhead club recently. I hope they get Messi back and continue to financially cripple themselves. Although saying that maybe him staying puts us in a good position doing dealings with them when they need to sell players to pay the Saudi shill his weekly wage.
Recently?
Ha, yeah, I was waiting for that. I don't know enough Barca history although I have read about Pep belittling an opposition player's experience of racism when he was a player for them.
:D Sorry mate, I couldn't resist. But know exactly what you meant, though.
As for Pep being a wanker, who'd have thought it. I can't wait for the day that Unai schools that smug, cigar smoking fuckhead
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It could be that his wife/partner is giving it the Unsworth treatment too.
Or Martinez has convinced Lionel M of the wonder of Gaucho in Colmore Row and Many ales has got the hump.
I was bar manager at Knighton Town FC, then in the 3rd tier of the Welsh league, for a year or so. One of the best memories is being in the bar at the start of the season and the manager coming in and bollocking the players for not drinking enough in the club bar, that they should all stop coming in and having half a pint of lemonade & orange cordial and instead get on the pints, cos how was the club ever going to be a success when they were putting so little cash behind the bar!
Loved working there, it was comically badly run. The league meetings were also a laugh, all the teams from the west speaking exclusively in Welsh, all the teams from the east speaking exclusively in English, and some truly bizarre debates about things like (genuinely) if it was ok for a team to have their dressing room in a farm shed which was a 3/4 mile walk down a relatively busy A road from the pitch because otherwise they had to wade across a fast flowing river to get to it.
In case you were wondering, they decided (after about an hour's fierce debate) that it was OK for the forthcoming season but they had to do something about it the next season or they'd be automatically relegated to the 4th tier, which was less fussy about such matters.
That’s brilliant!
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It does seem as though this is the 1st set back since Mr. Emery arrived at our club
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If only we have a savant, someone with such clear foresight, who could have predicted this.
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I reckon Alemany turned up and refused to speak Spanish (like everyone else does at the club now), opting for Catalan, and that was that, no communication possible.
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(Catalan's nice though.)
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Apparently it took Emery 3 hours to get Matty Cash to understand the difference between Catalan and Matalan.
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Dear Matty, when they told him he should learn Polish he went and bought some Windex.
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Some guy on Twitter who's long claimed to be ITK said that the budget issue is that it's based on potential player sales, not new money. But the main issue is the continued presence of Lange, which Alemany didn't agree with.
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The only thing I would say, is over the past 3 or 4 windows we haven't really splashed as much cash as maybe I had expected. I don't know the logic behind it etc. Clearly the owners are minted, but what they are willing to invest etc, I don't know, Also the same with FFP.
But on the flip side it seems strange that we would try and bring in a transfer guru to oversee very little activity. I would imagine, either we were used in a dutch auction, or they failed to reach agreement over how much control / exactly what his role would be.
Likewise, I don't see how Unai would come if he didn't have guarantees from the owners.
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Apparently it took Emery 3 hours to get Matty Cash to understand the difference between Catalan and Matalan.
Matty is an upstanding member of the squad and wouldn't be looking for cheap pussies.
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Likewise, I don't see how Unai would come if he didn't have guarantees from the owners.
All things are relative though. I'm sure UE has some assurances, yes, but maybe Alemany really thought he would get to work with a virtually unlimited budget and then it turned out he wouldn't?
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I wonder if this has more legs in it.
As far as I can tell, Barcelona haven't announced he's staying - whereas they did announce he was going.
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It might just be as simple as MA having differing opinions and before Cruyff left, MA was prepared to leave. Things seem to change when Cruyff left. I'm not going to be too hard on Alemany in case he shows up in a year's time when his contract's up.
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It might just be as simple as MA having differing opinions and before Cruyff left, MA was prepared to leave. Things seem to change when Cruyff left. I'm not going to be too hard on Alemany in case he shows up in a year's time when his contract's up.
Yep, pretty much how I see it
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I wonder if this has more legs in it.
As far as I can tell, Barcelona haven't announced he's staying - whereas they did announce he was going.
That's where I'm at, happy to wait and see and trust the owners to try and do what's best for the club.
In the meantime you've top "bantz" like this. https://twitter.com/Total_Villa/status/1659098319925174272
I wasn't overly impressed when I opened the notification to see that. Screw you, Elon Musk! >:(
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It might just be as simple as MA having differing opinions and before Cruyff left, MA was prepared to leave. Things seem to change when Cruyff left. I'm not going to be too hard on Alemany in case he shows up in a year's time when his contract's up.
Bang on. Would've been nice, not the end of the world.
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Also, at the end of the day, it's Barcelona.
It's not like we've had someone change their mind on us to stay at Everton or some pointless slum of a club.
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And he's responsible for a lot of their turnaround over the past couple of years and wants to see it through. From what Emery's said, it sounds like we're still on good terms with him and don't feel like we've been used as a stalking horse.
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Also, at the end of the day, it's Barcelona.
It's not like we've had someone change their mind on us to stay at Everton or some pointless slum of a club.
That Upson thing, you’ve got to let it go mate
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Also, at the end of the day, it's Barcelona.
It's not like we've had someone change their mind on us to stay at Everton or some pointless slum of a club.
That Upson thing, you’ve got to let it go mate
Or even that Unsworth thing
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he got 24 pages 😳, he will be missed 😥
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In years to come, the historians of Aston Villa Football Club will remember Mateu Alemany with the same reverence as Joe Bryan and David Unsworth.
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I was in Girona yesterday and the waiter at the Campus bar by the university told me that it was in fact the Cervantes Institute that had intervened as they could not possibly entertain a native Mallorcan Catalan speaker in a highly-visible overseas role where Spanish is the main language of communication. Of course FC Barcelona were quick to roll back out the 'catifa vermella' when they heard this.
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I was in Girona yesterday and the waiter at the Campus bar by the university told me that it was in fact the Cervantes Institute that had intervened as they could not possibly entertain a native Mallorcan Catalan speaker in a highly-visible overseas role where Spanish is the main language of communication. Of course FC Barcelona were quick to roll back out the 'catifa vermella' when they heard this.
I was wondering what had happened behind the scenes. Makes a lot more sense than the "financial problems" story.
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Proper EAT hermano. Estoy al tanto
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Was in Barcelona over the weekend for the birthday of future Mrs Monty (or 'Mont' in Catalan). She asked Alemany for a canya, but he thought she, being Italian, had called his wife a cagna, which might have swayed him against us. Needless to say if we have a shite transfer window I'm demanding a week off dishes duty.
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Was in Barcelona over the weekend for the birthday of future Mrs Monty (or 'Mont' in Catalan). She asked Alemany for a canya, but he thought she, being Italian, had called his wife a cagna, which might have swayed him against us. Needless to say if we have a shite transfer window I'm demanding a week off dishes duty.
The fine margins of elite sport.
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From what Emery's said, it sounds like we're still on good terms with him and don't feel like we've been used as a stalking horse.
What did he say?
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Also, at the end of the day, it's Barcelona.
It's not like we've had someone change their mind on us to stay at Everton or some pointless slum of a club.
That Upson thing, you’ve got to let it go mate
Or even that Unsworth thing
ha ha I've never been good with names
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Also, at the end of the day, it's Barcelona.
It's not like we've had someone change their mind on us to stay at Everton or some pointless slum of a club.
That Upson thing, you’ve got to let it go mate
Or even that Unsworth thing
ha ha I've never been good with names
But I remember faces.......
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From what Emery's said, it sounds like we're still on good terms with him and don't feel like we've been used as a stalking horse.
What did he say?
“It was two weeks ago we were speaking about the possibility for him to come here, it was positive and, in the end, he’s not coming,” he told reporters, as per VillaTV. “We will continue in our project and build up as a club and a team. He is a very good professional with experience. I know him, I sometimes meet with him. But we’re very focused here with the project we have in front. We will try to analyse someone to help us. But now, Mateu Alemany will stay in Barcelona.
“He is in Barcelona and he will continue there. What is the reason? I think Barcelona is a very good team. We were speaking about the possibility but he decided to continue in Barcelona. He’s very respectful with us and, with his decision, we are respectful as well.”
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“It was two weeks ago we were speaking about the possibility for him to come here, it was positive and, in the end, he’s not coming,” he told reporters, as per VillaTV. “We will continue in our project and build up as a club and a team. He is a very good professional with experience. I know him, I sometimes meet with him. But we’re very focused here with the project we have in front. We will try to analyse someone to help us. But now, Mateu Alemany will stay in Barcelona.
“He is in Barcelona and he will continue there. What is the reason? I think Barcelona is a very good team. We were speaking about the possibility but he decided to continue in Barcelona. He’s very respectful with us and, with his decision, we are respectful as well.”
See you next year, Mateu.
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
No you're not. I do exactly the same, only because I want to be like him though. The man is a genius, although I was shocked when he actually admitted that he takes a couple of days off to empty his head and think about non-footballing matters, which he is perfectly entitled to do, but I had him down as a machine!
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
No you're not. I do exactly the same, only because I want to be like him though. The man is a genius, although I was shocked when he actually admitted that he takes a couple of days off to empty his head and think about non-footballing matters, which he is perfectly entitled to do, but I had him down as a machine!
He didn't say which days they fall on though. My guess would be the 17th and 18th June.
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
You're not. I'm the same. The same to the point I've scratched the side of my face with my index finger.
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
You're not. I'm the same. The same to the point I've scratched the side of my face with my index finger.
I'd also add to that the frequency with which non mother tongue English speakers refer to "the project".
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Does anyone else read our Managers comments with his accent and rhythm of speaking in their head? At first I found it slightly tricky to decipher but now I relish it and can't help myself when I read his written comments.
I think I'm going mad.
No you're not. I do exactly the same, only because I want to be like him though. The man is a genius, although I was shocked when he actually admitted that he takes a couple of days off to empty his head and think about non-footballing matters, which he is perfectly entitled to do, but I had him down as a machine!
He didn't say which days they fall on though. My guess would be the 17th and 18th June.
Surely not around the time that the new fixture list comes out? The man has no commitment at all does he?
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I'd also add to that the frequency with which non mother tongue English speakers refer to "the project".
I think that could be because they do it a lot in their mother tongues. "Le projet sportif", "El proyecto deportivo", "El projecte sportiu", "il progetto sportivo"...
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I'd also add to that the frequency with which non mother tongue English speakers refer to "the project".
I think that could be because they do it a lot in their mother tongues. "Le projet sportif", "El proyecto deportivo", "El projecte sportiu", "il progetto sportivo"...
Well at least we’ve moved on from the Benitez “clooob” which I think we can agree is a step in the right direction.
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I'd also add to that the frequency with which non mother tongue English speakers refer to "the project".
I think that could be because they do it a lot in their mother tongues. "Le projet sportif", "El proyecto deportivo", "El projecte sportiu", "il progetto sportivo"...
Well at least we’ve moved on from the Benitez “clooob” which I think we can agree is a step in the right direction.
Hey at least that makes sense! In Italy they try and pronounce it 'correctly' and end up with this weird e-sound instead.
So 'club' becomes 'kleb', for instance, or 'curry' becomes something like 'kaerry'. Makes me shiver every time I hear it.
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I'd also add to that the frequency with which non mother tongue English speakers refer to "the project".
I think that could be because they do it a lot in their mother tongues. "Le projet sportif", "El proyecto deportivo", "El projecte sportiu", "il progetto sportivo"...
Well at least we’ve moved on from the Benitez “clooob” which I think we can agree is a step in the right direction.
Hey at least that makes sense! In Italy they try and pronounce it 'correctly' and end up with this weird e-sound instead.
So 'club' becomes 'kleb', for instance, or 'curry' becomes something like 'kaerry'. Makes me shiver every time I hear it.
I listen to the CDS english football podcast and that cleb thing gets me every single time.
Almost as much as 'le Big' referring to the big 6 (plus Newcastle these days, even more annoyingly).
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Christ alive the use of 'i big' or 'le big' is objectively one of the very worst horrible anglicisms Italians love to drop in.
It's everyone too. I remember Meloni, supposedly the big traditionalist who wants to ban English in official documents, during the campaign calling for 'un meeting dei big' of the right. I screamed when I heard that.
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I was talking to an Italian friend recently and realised just how much more the English language has polluted italian since i moved back here 25 years ago.
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In years to come, the historians of Aston Villa Football Club will remember Mateu Alemany with the same reverence as Joe Bryan and David Unsworth.
Who the fuck is Joe Bryan?
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Yeah I hate it so much. If I know the equivalent Italian word I'll usually say it pointedly like my name's Bad Italian (Male Italiano I suppose).
It's especially the educated sort, people who work in marketing (sorry, 'il marketing') in Milan etc, who are virtually speaking some unspeakable, unholy hybrid thing. They genuinely think it makes them sound cooler. I keep telling them it makes them sound really, really, really, really, really naff.
Maybe that's what Alemany was afraid of, didn't want to dilute his pristine Mallorcan Catalan. Moving to Barcelona was risky enough.
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In years to come, the historians of Aston Villa Football Club will remember Mateu Alemany with the same reverence as Joe Bryan and David Unsworth.
Who the fuck is Joe Bryan?
Exactly.
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
We've probably all read the same Newsnow articles Footy. Its probably all made up and he's not coming because he's been promised something by Barcelona that made him stay. Nothing more sinister to it.
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Yeah I hate it so much. If I know the equivalent Italian word I'll usually say it pointedly like my name's Bad Italian (Male Italiano I suppose).
It's especially the educated sort, people who work in marketing (sorry, 'il marketing') in Milan etc, who are virtually speaking some unspeakable, unholy hybrid thing. They genuinely think it makes them sound cooler. I keep telling them it makes them sound really, really, really, really, really naff.
Paninaro, woah-oh-oh.
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Ha good god haven't heard that term in a while!
They're not quite paninari though, as literally all of them will have been to university. They're more like fighettini or what have you.
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Ha good god haven't heard that term in a while!
They're not quite paninari though, as literally all of them will have been to university. They're more like fighettini or what have you.
Ha! I haven't heard or read that phrase in ages. Now I imagine you with a Jordan Pickford haircut and hollowed face. ;)
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
Probably not, unfortunately. With Cruyff out of his way, Alemany has gained a lot more control behind the scenes - exactly what he wanted in the first place.
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Ha good god haven't heard that term in a while!
They're not quite paninari though, as literally all of them will have been to university. They're more like fighettini or what have you.
Ha! I haven't heard or read that phrase in ages. Now I imagine you with a Jordan Pickford haircut and hollowed face. ;)
I'm going to let my lawyers handle this one.
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I was talking to an Italian friend recently and realised just how much more the English language has polluted italian since i moved back here 25 years ago.
Tsk! It's becoming a lingua franca.
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And if it weren't for the Italians we wouldn't have proper roads, sanitation, and the word villa. And dildo.
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And if it weren't for the Italians we wouldn't have proper roads, sanitation, and the word villa. And dildo.
So, tell me again: what have the Romans ever done for us?
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
We've probably all read the same Newsnow articles Footy. Its probably all made up and he's not coming because he's been promised something by Barcelona that made him stay. Nothing more sinister to it.
Well it seems a strange one announced then deannouced?!
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
We've probably all read the same Newsnow articles Footy. Its probably all made up and he's not coming because he's been promised something by Barcelona that made him stay. Nothing more sinister to it.
Well it seems a strange one announced then deannouced?!
Well, if you're looking for a strange one to be denounced.....
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I don't think we have heard the last of the Alemany appointment or non appointment.
I suspect he may have to do some deals for Barca before he can come here.
I also suspect on Villa side Lange is an obstacle and once these matters get resolved Emery can get his man.
We've probably all read the same Newsnow articles Footy. Its probably all made up and he's not coming because he's been promised something by Barcelona that made him stay. Nothing more sinister to it.
Well it seems a strange one announced then deannouced?!
Except for the fact it was never announced (by us).
Barcelona said he was leaving, that was it.
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I’m not aware that anything was ever announced by the Villa, or have I missed something? It was all press speculation coupled with Barcelona’s apparent stirring, as far as I can tell.
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Emery mentioned that it might be happening. Then yesterday he confirmed it definitely wasn’t.
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Perhaps he'll now do us a BOGOF on Torres and Fati. Just to make up for it like.
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The "Real reason" Alemany U-turned according to "Football Insider". https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-deal-rejected-u-turn-sources/
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The "Real reason" Alemany U-turned according to "Football Insider". https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-deal-rejected-u-turn-sources/
I think any of us could’ve written that. It lacks depth and any real knowledge and it’s certainly not breaking news. A headline to grab your attention but no substance. Summing it up, a big investment this summer and then spending what you bring in from then on. Isn’t that what most clubs do?
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Pay no heed, it's Football Insider. The average age of their contributors is 15 which they claim as an exciting growth indicator in the notes to their annual accounts.
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Pay no heed, it's Football Insider. The average age of their contributors is 15 which they claim as an exciting growth indicator in the notes to their annual accounts.
They're just idiots making stuff up, and they're laughably bad at it.
"Emery was backed in January, as were previous managers Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith, but the Spaniard will then have to rein in his spending."
No he wasn't.
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Pay no heed, it's Football Insider. The average age of their contributors is 15 which they claim as an exciting growth indicator in the notes to their annual accounts.
They're just idiots making stuff up, and they're laughably bad at it.
"Emery was backed in January, as were previous managers Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith, but the Spaniard will then have to rein in his spending."
No he wasn't.
Not to the degree he will be in the summer, certainly, and I expect, given the results and the proof that Emery has shown that he is indeed the real deal, that the owners will safe to invest big time.
We will have to balance the books, but if we get Europe and the increased revenues that generates, then we will continue being able to invest. If we don't then of course things change and transfer income needs to be generated.
We've said before though, if you look at the value of our squad, in line with what we paid for players, it's gone up in value.
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It's going over old ground yet again but he was backed as a player he wanted was available and we got him in. Whoever else he wanted might not have been available at the time. It really could have been as simple as that.
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It's going over old ground yet again but he was backed as a player he wanted was available and we got him in. Whoever else he wanted might not have been available at the time. It really could have been as simple as that.
That's just pedantry. In the context of the article they're using it in the context of him spending lots of money, when we absolutely didn't.
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It's going over old ground yet again but he was backed as a player he wanted was available and we got him in. Whoever else he wanted might not have been available at the time. It really could have been as simple as that.
That's just pedantry. In the context of the article they're using it in the context of him spending lots of money, when we absolutely didn't.
Pedantry is a very big part of what makes this site what it is! ;D
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Pay no heed, it's Football Insider. The average age of their contributors is 15 which they claim as an exciting growth indicator in the notes to their annual accounts.
They're just idiots making stuff up, and they're laughably bad at it.
"Emery was backed in January, as were previous managers Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith, but the Spaniard will then have to rein in his spending."
No he wasn't.
To go to the source of the thing - yeah, this is bullshit from a famously bullshit website.
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Wasn’t entirely sure where to post this:
V Sports and Aston Villa are pleased to announce exciting additions to the Club’s global recruitment network.
Alberto Benito and Pablo Rodriguez will join from Real Betis and Villarreal CF respectively.
Alberto brings a wealth of experience and a global network to the organisation and will work alongside Rob Mackenzie in a global technical role.
He leaves Real Betis having won the Copa del Rey and having qualified for Europe in the last three seasons. He has previously worked with Unai at PSG and Arsenal, in addition to stints at Granada, Parma, Almeria and Swansea.
Pablo was most recently at Villarreal CF as a coaching staff member and senior scout.
He was previously a senior scout at Valencia for 10 years and is a Copa del Rey and Europa League winner.
Alberto joins Villa immediately while Pablo will arrive at the Club at the end of the season.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/22/club-statement/
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I think this is the third May in a row where figures of '£200m plus' will be spent this summer by the Villa. I just hope that Emery keeps up his points average since taking over through all of next season, keeping the squad together and adding a few shrewd signings and anythings possible. My only concern is if we have to replace Martinez, we'll be starting on the back foot again like 2 years ago. Hopefully it's all in hand anyway.
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Emery didn't join us just to finish seventh. He certainly didn't join us to sell our best players at the first opportunity.
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Emery didn't join us just to finish seventh. He certainly didn't join us to sell our best players at the first opportunity.
I'd say that the noises coming from the manager, owners and club in general are that big things are ahead; that surely translates to big spending.
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This is the first manager in a very long time I expect to recruit well with a plan. With these new guys coming in I suspect there will be a decent amount being bought for the future as well.
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I had put this in the transfer thread earlier but give this one has the two new additions adding this article here
Aston Villa have beefed up their back room with the addition of not one – but two new faces.
By Ashley Preece
The resurgent Villans have today confirmed the arrival of Alberto Benito and Pablo Rodriguez who join from Real Betis and Villarreal CF respectively.
They say: “Alberto brings a wealth of experience and a global network to the organisation and will work alongside Rob Mackenzie in a global technical role.”
Benito arrives having won the Copa del Rey, having qualified for Europe in the last three seasons and having worked with Unai Emery at both PSG and Arsenal.
Rodriguez is a relatively less high profile but adds to the brains trust set to oversee Villa’s progress on the analytical side of the game. Here’s what you need to know about him.
Who is he?
A 47-year-old who was most recently at Villarreal CF as a coaching staff member and senior scout. Villa also brought Emery from Villarreal CF last October. He spent three years at Villarreal having joined them from Valencia. However he knows Emery from their playing days at Ferrol back in 2000.
Relationship with Emery
In an interview with El Progresso he said: “Throughout my career I have had many coaches, but it is clear that if Unai has that path, it is for a reason. He is a top-level coach with absolute control of everything that has to do with the position and he is a very influential person in my career.”
Career highlight
Rodriguez was a technical analyst with Villarreal when they won the 2021 Europa League after a 22-penalty shoot-out against Manchester United. He was congratulated for that success by the mayoress of his home town Viveiro, which is on the Galician coast.
Playing career
He spent his playing days as a midfielder but outside of the Spanish top flight, between the Segunda and Tercera at Deportivo B, two stints with Lugo, at Rácing de Ferrol – with Emery, Girona, Leganés and Atlético Baleares, before retiring Pontes in 2010.
Technical career
He spent nine seasons at Valencia, where he also worked with Emery. He moved to Villarreal in 2020 having received a call from his former team-mate. “When he calls you, a coach of his prestige, to go to a club with such good references you have little to think about.” It seems Rodriguez is still in that mindset. Villa haven’t clarified his role yet but their announcement did make reference to their ‘global q[quote Aston Villa have beefed up their back room with the addition of not one – but two new faces.
By Ashley Preece
The resurgent Villans have today confirmed the arrival of Alberto Benito and Pablo Rodriguez who join from Real Betis and Villarreal CF respectively.
They say: “Alberto brings a wealth of experience and a global network to the organisation and will work alongside Rob Mackenzie in a global technical role.”
Benito arrives having won the Copa del Rey, having qualified for Europe in the last three seasons and having worked with Unai Emery at both PSG and Arsenal.
Rodriguez is a relatively less high profile but adds to the brains trust set to oversee Villa’s progress on the analytical side of the game. Here’s what you need to know about him.
Who is he?
A 47-year-old who was most recently at Villarreal CF as a coaching staff member and senior scout. Villa also brought Emery from Villarreal CF last October. He spent three years at Villarreal having joined them from Valencia. However he knows Emery from their playing days at Ferrol back in 2000.
Relationship with Emery
In an interview with El Progresso he said: “Throughout my career I have had many coaches, but it is clear that if Unai has that path, it is for a reason. He is a top-level coach with absolute control of everything that has to do with the position and he is a very influential person in my career.”
Career highlight
Rodriguez was a technical analyst with Villarreal when they won the 2021 Europa League after a 22-penalty shoot-out against Manchester United. He was congratulated for that success by the mayoress of his home town Viveiro, which is on the Galician coast.
Playing career
He spent his playing days as a midfielder but outside of the Spanish top flight, between the Segunda and Tercera at Deportivo B, two stints with Lugo, at Rácing de Ferrol – with Emery, Girona, Leganés and Atlético Baleares, before retiring Pontes in 2010.
Technical career
He spent nine seasons at Valencia, where he also worked with Emery. He moved to Villarreal in 2020 having received a call from his former team-mate. “When he calls you, a coach of his prestige, to go to a club with such good references you have little to think about.” It seems Rodriguez is still in that mindset. Villa haven’t clarified his role yet but their announcement did make reference to their ‘global recruitment’.
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And if it weren't for the Italians we wouldn't have proper roads, sanitation, and the word villa. And dildo.
Thanks fook for that. Dildo has saved me many times.
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If Alemany is 47 he will join us, if not there is no chance.
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If everyone is saying Almery isn't coming, we shouldn't have a thread about him for the time being, so maybe it's not all done?
And there could be a title thread for , Pablo Rodriguez and Alberto Benito either together or separately. I'm not sure why talk of them are being explicitly posted here.
However one thing we can now all agree is that Rodriguez and Benito confirm my prediction that there would be more and more Spanish influence running through the club.
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Oh FFS.
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If everyone is saying Almery isn't coming, we shouldn't have a thread about him for the time being, so maybe it's not all done?
And there could be a title thread for , Pablo Rodriguez and Alberto Benito either together or separately. I'm not sure why talk of them are being explicitly posted here.
However one thing we can now all agree is that Rodriguez and Benito confirm my prediction that there would be more and more Spanish influence running through the club.
As such an obvious expert on these matters I would have expected you to at least be able get the man's name correct.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
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Amazing foresight.
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Pay no heed, it's Football Insider. The average age of their contributors is 15 which they claim as an exciting growth indicator in the notes to their annual accounts.
So yesterday "Football Insider" continued to push their Alemany theory and today they've moved on to claiming (again) that Martinez is off due to a personality clash with Unai. Do they do this to every team or do they just have a thing about Villa?
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
Fag box and crayons no doubt
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
Its all quite simple really, get desperate in January and agree to take a player on loan that they don't really need, then agree to pay £40m in the Summer to keep him for real. Its brilliant long term thinking.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
I fucking wouldn't.
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
Fag box and crayons no doubt
(https://i.ibb.co/yQnNSLs/20012.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yQnNSLs)
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Who'd have thought a successful Spanish manager could bring a generally greater Spanish influence to the club. 9D thinking for sure.
Contrast with the short term-ism at Wolves who have been built on sand for a few years now.
I read on their forum yesterday someone say exactly the same but the other way around, our owners were only interested in the 'now' but Fosun's plan was long term.
The fucking thick twats.
I'd love to see their working out on that.
Its all quite simple really, get desperate in January and agree to take a player on loan that they don't really need, then agree to pay £40m in the Summer to keep him for real. Its brilliant long term thinking.
This after buying a 12 year old who got 4 in 50 (or something like that) for a similar fee who's now loaned out to Belgium.
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Some of the transfer fees involving them need to be seriously looked at in light of the Juventus stuff.
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On MOTD the other night the commentator mentioned that Leeds had a £40m striker on the bench. Really? Never heard of him. He sounds about as useful as a late-career Tommy Brolin rocking-up in Yorkshire to test the pies and puds in the mid-90s.
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On MOTD the other night the commentator mentioned that Leeds had a £40m striker on the bench. Really? Never heard of him. He sounds about as useful as a late-career Tommy Brolin rocking-up in Yorkshire to test the pies and puds in the mid-90s.
Was good in the Euros though
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That Rutter chap? Excuse the hyperbole but he looks attrocious whenever Ive seen him.
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I think John means Brolin
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I listened to a Leeds pod the other night (I revel in other clubs’ misery) and they were moaning about this chap and the one who sued them. £70m flushed down the toilet for no discernible benefit apparently. Lol.
I think the £40m bloke has been branded good enough for the under 21s by Big Fat Sam.
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I listened to a Leeds pod the other night (I revel in other clubs’ misery) and they were moaning about this chap and the one who sued them. £70m flushed down the toilet for no discernible benefit apparently. Lol.
Was it The Square Ball?
I listen to that. It’s genuinely very funny and well made.
The ‘propaganda’ episodes where they take the piss out of other clubs podcasts is absolutely brilliant.
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I listened to a Leeds pod the other night (I revel in other clubs’ misery) and they were moaning about this chap and the one who sued them. £70m flushed down the toilet for no discernible benefit apparently. Lol.
Was it The Square Ball?
I listen to that. It’s genuinely very funny and well made.
The ‘propaganda’ episodes where they take the piss out of other clubs podcasts is absolutely brilliant.
No, it was Leeds That. I’ll give that one a try later.
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There's a clip they play on The Villa Podcast of a Leeds podcast playing a clip of them saying "Leeds are a well coached, well drilled team but they've got shit players" and them not agreeing with it (that was difficult to type).
It's from a little while back when Bielsa was there but it was so, so true.
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There's a clip they play on The Villa Podcast of a Leeds podcast playing a clip of them saying "Leeds are a well coached, well drilled team but they've got shit players" and them not agreeing with it (that was difficult to type).
It's from a little while back when Bielsa was there but it was so, so true.
Yes, I thought that might be it.
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I think John means Brolin
That’s the fella