New chairman and Lerner ramblings

[Toronto Villa]

Yes, it seems that Hollis is talking a good game.
But, only time will tell.
It wasn't so long ago we all thought that Fox talked the talk!

True, but then like Sherwood not being Lambert, Fox also benefitted simply by not being Faulkner. He did come across as saying a lot of the right things he just couldn't do it and the job overwhelmed him. Hollis on the other hand has seen and done it and what he is being tasked to do is precisely what he is skilled in doing. Plus he has had the immediate foresight to understand where the club was seriously lacking. It is a testament to great management that you hire well in areas that you are not strong and he has done that very quickly. From his interview yesterday not only is the club lacking those that understand football at board level but critically anyone that has a real connection to the club and fans. I thought his observation there was very astute.

[passport1]

It's not hard to imagine King moving in the sort of circles that would make operating any business in any field a lot easier.

To the best of my knowledge he was an academic who then joined the Bank of England. He may well know business people but he has never run a business in his life.

[The Edge]

What strikes me about the changes at the top is that for the first time in ages we have some real heavyweights in their respective fields. It can only be a good thing if it starts to correct the balance of power at the club away from halfwits like gabby.

It's a small thing but the phone numbers that King and Bernstein would have on their mobiles compared to Fox's connections must make the implementation of any strategy that much easier.

yep I was with him right up until he left us. Middlesbrough? FFS
so it's a no from me
 

[Risso]

It's not hard to imagine King moving in the sort of circles that would make operating any business in any field a lot easier.

In what way?  He's had a career where he'll have dealt extensively with economists and politicians.  I can't see how that has any relevance at all to the world of football.


edit: not that I'm saying it's a bad appointment, I just don't think his contact base will be at all relevant.

[Lastfootstamper]

I, too, only ever speak to people that do exactly the same job as me.

[Risso]

I, too, only ever speak to people that do exactly the same job as me.

Ah, so he was head of the Bank of England by day, and secretly scouted the European leagues by night.  Gotcha.  I take it all back.

[olaftab]

Ahhhh...how do you know he didn't?

[Toronto Villa]

I'm sure he bumped into some very, very wealthy and influential people in his former occupation. People who might be investors for example or just very successful in whatever it is they do or did.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm really struggling to think who they will bring in as Head of Football Operations. Somebody that knows the game inside out, a great administrator, communicator as well as a bit of a strategic visionary.

I'll get abused for this, but I've long thought Southgate is suited to this sort of position.  He's spent donkeys studying the best academies and was involved with St Georges Park (or at the very least there during the planning and implementation) whilst working for the FA.  Apparently threw his toys out when he was not offered Ashworth's position, so seemingly likes the strategic back house role. 

Obviously he knows the club and Brian Little so there would be some sort of continuity/shared knowledge.

That's a great shout, Dante.

[Toronto Villa]

It wouldn't be completely out of left field for Little to have recommended Southgate.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'd welcome Southgate back in a DoF capacity. To be honest I'd take him as manager if he wanted it.

What qualifications he brings with him other than failure in his coaching/managerial career?

It's what he learnt whilst Head of Elite Development with the FA that is what makes me think he is a suitable candidate. 

Weirdly the fact that he had a column in a newspaper whilst at Palace and has written a critically acclaimed book makes me think that he is sufficiently studious to do the strategic footballing administration which will also others to coach.

[Risso]

I'm sure he bumped into some very, very wealthy and influential people in his former occupation. People who might be investors for example or just very successful in whatever it is they do or did.

I'm sure he did.  That doesn't mean that his contacts will be more relevant than Tom Fox's though, which was the original point.  And Bank of America Merrill Lynch are actively looking for wealthy investors, so at any point that the club has been for sale he could just have pointed people in their direction.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's not hard to imagine King moving in the sort of circles that would make operating any business in any field a lot easier.

In what way?  He's had a career where he'll have dealt extensively with economists and politicians.  I can't see how that has any relevance at all to the world of football.

edit: not that I'm saying it's a bad appointment, I just don't think his contact base will be at all relevant.

My guess is that Bernstein will have the footballing contacts whereas King will have the ear of big business which will be useful for increasing commercial income and maybe schmoozing potential investors

[tomd2103]

I'd welcome Southgate back in a DoF capacity.

I would prefer someone with a proven record and a bit more experience in that type of position. 

[peter w]

I'm sure he bumped into some very, very wealthy and influential people in his former occupation. People who might be investors for example or just very successful in whatever it is they do or did.

I'm sure he did.  That doesn't mean that his contacts will be more relevant than Tom Fox's though, which was the original point.  And Bank of America Merrill Lynch are actively looking for wealthy investors, so at any point that the club has been for sale he could just have pointed people in their direction.

The point is though that he will have contacts in business. Networking makes the business world tick and someone will know someone who will know someone. It doesn't matter if you move in football circles for that to happen. I have contacts through my line of work who work in professional football and who are Ambassadors. I work in neither field. Hollis doesn't need to have moved in football circles to have football contacts and neither is football in a cocoon anymore.