Bernstein and King Resign from the Board

[AV82EC]

This has got nothing to do with Agbonlahor. The letters clearly state this is around the implementation of the review that's taken place and Lerner has balked and not backed Bernstein in the changes he wanted. I'm suspecting it's a combination of money (Lerner can't get any as Mummy now controls the purse strings), a new Manager (Lerner disagreed) and maybe Reilly being released (again Lerner disagreed). A bit of player misbehaviour is inconsequential when lined up against these scenarios which were designed to get our footballing structure right with us heading into the Championship and

If this is the case then I'd have to conclude Lerner is even more of an idiot than I gave him credit for. My season ticket renewal has now gone from in the balance to extremely unlikely.

[ROBBO]

These are two quality people with plenty of money who have refused to be part of the comedy that is Aston Villa under the Lerner stewardship, as soon as they realised that they were being used as stooges they have given Lerner the middle finger and walked out. I hope they both come clean with the fans as to what transpired in their short stay.

[frank black]

These are two quality people with plenty of money who have refused to be part of the comedy that is Aston Villa under the Lerner stewardship, as soon as they realised that they were being used as stooges they have given Lerner the middle finger and walked out. I hope they both come clean with the fans as to what transpired in their short stay.

This

[olaftab]

I assume the resignation was about autonomy. We were all under the impression that after Hollis was put in charge all financial decisions can be made by the new board as long as the Board don't ask Lerner for new money. I guess in truth the spend/commitment process still required sign off from the Bank and that approval has not been forthcoming.

[martin o`who??]

The longer this drags on the and more unsavoury it becomes the higher the likelihood that we will be bought by some dodgy money-laundering front company who will just finish the job Lerners ineptitude started.

[john e]

Whatever the reason I just can't see how Randy can carry on now, he can't just start again appointing people and a manager as if nothing's happened the damage is to big

His only option is to offload us at any price, whether there is a buyer now or not I don't think Lerner will be our owner at the start of the start of the new season, as Brian says this is the end game

because he's now desperate we could end up with anyone,
we have not been in a more dangerous position for near on 50 years maybe ever

[Virgil Caine]

Without knowing the story of what went on, I'm disappointed with both Bernstein and King( especially the latter) as I would have hoped they had more bottle and fight out whatever differences there were. I can only assume that some brinkmanship was involved and Lerner called their bluff- a this is what we need, give it,or we resign scenario. Pat Murphy described Lerner as stubborn, so surely someone had told Bernstein and King that the way to get a win/win was to negotiate and compromise?

[Jon Crofts]

Without knowing the story of what went on, I'm disappointed with both Bernstein and King( especially the latter) as I would have hoped they had more bottle and fight out whatever differences there were. I can only assume that some brinkmanship was involved and Lerner called their bluff- a this is what we need, give it,or we resign scenario. Pat Murphy described Lerner as stubborn, so surely someone had told Bernstein and King that the way to get a win/win was to negotiate and compromise?

I'm the same, following the disappointing news yesterday, this morning my feelings are more about these two being quitters rather than standing up for themselves and Villa, after all, it appears nobody else is. 

[Vegas]

Can't see the board resigning over Gabby, he's nothing really.

Indeed. You'd have to have a very vivid imagination to suggest 2 big hitters like Bernstein and King would resign over a no-mark like Agbonlahor.
They resigned over Lerner, pure and simple.

What does "over Lerner" mean though?

If they wanted to sack Agbonlahor (believable) but Lerner wouldn't sanction it because of the cost of paying off a relatively recent contract (given lerner's aversion to spending money) then that is exactly the sort of matter of principle you'd expect people like that to resign over - why have a board if you don't let them make decisions?

Resigning as an outcome of the Gabby situation would be resigning over Lerner - they wouldn't be doing it because they're angry about his night out, they'd be doing it because Lerner is not doing what he said he would and letting them do their jobs.

Exactly right

[aev]

Without knowing the story of what went on, I'm disappointed with both Bernstein and King( especially the latter) as I would have hoped they had more bottle and fight out whatever differences there were. I can only assume that some brinkmanship was involved and Lerner called their bluff- a this is what we need, give it,or we resign scenario. Pat Murphy described Lerner as stubborn, so surely someone had told Bernstein and King that the way to get a win/win was to negotiate and compromise?

I'm the same, following the disappointing news yesterday, this morning my feelings are more about these two being quitters rather than standing up for themselves and Villa, after all, it appears nobody else is. 

I guess they felt staying on would be harming their own reputations.

What a mess.

[Clampy]

I suppose it's entirely possible that the club knew that the Gabby story was about to break and wanted something done. They did both resign the day the story was revealed. I'm just surmising, it may not be that at all.

[olaftab]

It's a weight off their shoulders. Just us fans left to deal with this misery!

[Vegas]

Without knowing the story of what went on, I'm disappointed with both Bernstein and King( especially the latter) as I would have hoped they had more bottle and fight out whatever differences there were. I can only assume that some brinkmanship was involved and Lerner called their bluff- a this is what we need, give it,or we resign scenario. Pat Murphy described Lerner as stubborn, so surely someone had told Bernstein and King that the way to get a win/win was to negotiate and compromise?

I'm the same, following the disappointing news yesterday, this morning my feelings are more about these two being quitters rather than standing up for themselves and Villa, after all, it appears nobody else is.

It just depends what was promised, and what transpired.

There's no point in people of their stature and experience being on a board if actually their ability to do anything or make any changes is non-existent. I think to get them in the first place would have required a big sell around genuine autonomy in decision making, a new way of working, clear accountability for the future direction of the club etc.

If they quickly realised they actually didn't have that remit and authority, why stay?

[old man villa fan]

It is difficult to comprehend what is truly going on at the Club.  One thing I do understand though, is that the Club is in a serious crisis.

Like others, I thought that finally that Lerner had come to some sense and brought in football people to advise on the running of the football club.  It seems that once again it was a smoke screen to buy time.  The duplicity of this man is a real danger to the Club.

The only other thing that could be an answer that I haven't seen mentioned is that Bernstein and King were put forward by a potential buyer and that Lerner has turned his back on this deal in favour of another.  This is only wild speculation on my part.

[Jon Crofts]

Without knowing the story of what went on, I'm disappointed with both Bernstein and King( especially the latter) as I would have hoped they had more bottle and fight out whatever differences there were. I can only assume that some brinkmanship was involved and Lerner called their bluff- a this is what we need, give it,or we resign scenario. Pat Murphy described Lerner as stubborn, so surely someone had told Bernstein and King that the way to get a win/win was to negotiate and compromise?

I'm the same, following the disappointing news yesterday, this morning my feelings are more about these two being quitters rather than standing up for themselves and Villa, after all, it appears nobody else is.

It just depends what was promised, and what transpired.

There's no point in people of their stature and experience being on a board if actually their ability to do anything or make any changes is non-existent. I think to get them in the first place would have required a big sell around genuine autonomy in decision making, a new way of working, clear accountability for the future direction of the club etc.

If they quickly realised they actually didn't have that remit and authority, why stay?

Let's face it, nobody knows shit. We're all guessing and clutching at straws just now.