No smoke without fire: Lerner will sell, if the right offer is made

[LeeB]

I think that says more about Mouthcunians than anything else, Dave.

[dave.woodhall]

No, he was a lot more genuine-fan-friendly than he was given credit for.

[Risso]

No, he was a lot more genuine-fan-friendly than he was given credit for.

Part of me thinks there was an element of Michael O'Leary syndrome about Cook.  That is, coming out with outlandish, provacative statements just to gain notoriety and the accompanying attention for your company.

[dave.woodhall]

Manchester City have just announced annual losses of £197 million.

[Dante Lavelli]

Manchester City have just announced annual losses of £197 million.

That's careless.  When do the FFP rules kick in?

I think the theory goes that Man City are making hay before the FFP rules kick in.  After that they will sell their surplus players (arguably) artificially increasing their turnover.  In a way their strategy is pretty cunning because it will be nigh on impossible for a club to buy their way into the top four once the rules exist.

[Louzie0]

Manchester City have just announced annual losses of £197 million.

Have they looked down the back of the sofa?

[DrGonzo]

Manchester City have just announced annual losses of £197 million.

That's careless.  When do the FFP rules kick in?

I think the theory goes that Man City are making hay before the FFP rules kick in.  After that they will sell their surplus players (arguably) artificially increasing their turnover.  In a way their strategy is pretty cunning because it will be nigh on impossible for a club to buy their way into the top four once the rules exist.

That would only improve their financial results in the short term, eventually either their turnover would have to increase substantially or they find another loophole.

[Mazrim]

Oh well, maybe they can have their dugout seats sponsored for say... £200m?

[Chris Smith]

No, he was a lot more genuine-fan-friendly than he was given credit for.

A mate of mine knows him well, grew up with him. Got us tickets in the posh seats and wined and dined avcouple of years ago and turned out he had about 30 guests from Birmingham for the night and looked after us well.

[Concrete John]

I think the theory goes that Man City are making hay before the FFP rules kick in.  After that they will sell their surplus players (arguably) artificially increasing their turnover.  In a way their strategy is pretty cunning because it will be nigh on impossible for a club to buy their way into the top four once the rules exist.

But with that, they'll still have to pay a huge amount towards their wages due to the ridiculous deals they've given out, which should mean they still operate at a loss.  And I think many clubs will be to cute to pay them what the players areactually worth, so a load of loans is more likely.

[Risso]

After that they will sell their surplus players (arguably) artificially increasing their turnover.  In a way their strategy is pretty cunning because it will be nigh on impossible for a club to buy their way into the top four once the rules exist.

Selling players doesn't increase turnover though.  The only way selling players would help would be by getting the players off the wage bill, or selling them at a profit to help their overall profitability.

[saunders_heroes]

There's an interview with Lerner about his commitment to Villa in tomorrow's Times apparently.

[Iago]

Interesting for somebody who is very private.

[Dante Lavelli]

After that they will sell their surplus players (arguably) artificially increasing their turnover.  In a way their strategy is pretty cunning because it will be nigh on impossible for a club to buy their way into the top four once the rules exist.

Selling players doesn't increase turnover though.  The only way selling players would help would be by getting the players off the wage bill, or selling them at a profit to help their overall profitability.

The way I thought it worked was say Adebayor was sold after the rules kick in for say 10m then that would increase their turnover for that season meaning they can spend more in wages.  The fact he was purchased prior to the rules will not matter.  Is that not right then?

I agree it is a short term move but they'll have solidified their place in the chumps league by then and possibly gained a few extra fans.

[Lowendbehold]

There's an interview with Lerner about his commitment to Villa in tomorrow's Times apparently.

I heard from someone at the club that he gives one press interview a year. This is probay it.

I wonder if as it's with The Times that's why Charles Sale at the Daily Mail had a go the other day?