Before I talk about Milan Mandaric I want to update you on the response to the post I left on Talking Balls, which has been fantastic. Replies have included;
- lots of warm welcoming messages
- helpful advice
- some suspicion that it is all a big wind up
- an offer of a shag
Now then - our Milan. Born in Yugoslavia and brought up in Serbia, he moved to America when his own government took a dislike to his capitalist ways following considerable business success. He repeated this success in America and gained a track record of developing highly successful businesses.
Eventually he moved into the world of sport to pursue his childhood love of football, first in America then Belgium. After that he took over Portsmouth FC (practise before the 'real' thing with LCFC) and under his leadership they rose from the Championship to the Premiership.
After a wobbly negotiation period he eventually took over at Leicester on 13th February 2007. Since then performance has been disappointing and as previously reported the general feeling is that significant changes are likely to come sooner rather than later.
Being a woman I trust my intuition. What my intuition says is that this man is going to be good for Leicester.
The Foxes are on the up!
Georgie
ReplyDeleteI think this is right. Of the teams that have been taken over by the money men, only West Ham are really struggling although the devestation brought on Hearts in Scotland has to be seen to be believed.
Man U are doing well
Chelsea are doing well
Portsmouth are doing well
Liverpool are doing well
All owned by big money.
The critical question is whether the fans will accept the new sociology of the club.
This non-acceptance has made itself felt in two distinct places to my certain knowledge. Man U and Wimbledon. Both clubs have spawned off-shoots as a result of big money take overs. Both offshoots are struggling with sub-league status trying to make their way with maybe, 500 supporters.
Mostly, the people are happy with their "false conciousness" therefore ?
You Rzzzz
SS
SS - It could just be my ignorance but I think the fans simply want to see their teams do well. Football has been a significant business forum for a long time now. The relationship between the business side and the soul of football has to be maintained however otherwise everyone loses out
ReplyDeleteGeorgina
The second last paragraph of the first post is absolute rubbish. Wimbledon fans didn't spawn an 'off-shoot' as a result of a big money takeover, it happened because the club was frnachised to an area miles away from its origins where supporters wouldn't realistically be able to go and watch their team. The breakaway team that was fomed was AFC Wimbledon who certainly have more than 500 fans (they have many of the disgruntled fans left from the old Wimbledon FC). Therefore the poster's "certain knowledge" is actually misinformed knowledge so you'd be best not to learn from people like him/her or you'll be ridiculed by real football fans!!
ReplyDeleteHello anonymous. I'm afraid I couldn't possibly comment
ReplyDeleteCalm down dear !
ReplyDeleteI know about AFCW. In fact, in another life I know the mum of the guy that spawned the breakaway. Maybe 2500 fans tops now fella !
It is sad though that money and business takes clubs aways from the fans. Maybe i wouldn't know though cus clearly, i'm not a proper one :-)
SS