Exiled

Thaksin is not exactly a hero but he is well liked by us fans at Man City. The club was in slow decline and he initially saved the day. There was a lot of dissent towards him in the 2nd half of last season, when it was on the cards that Sven was to be dumped. Then we find out that the Thai courts were not going to free up his money. So he sold. Here comes the main difference.. He didn't go too far trying to be the friend of the fans. He knew his place - up in the directors box. He didn't recruit what is essentially one of the club's family (KK in your case). Sven was undermined true, and the fans didn't like it one bit. But he was just another manager. Then he installed Mark Hughes during the close season. Great move. He continued to show his face at the ground, rather than cry off at the first moment of dissent. He sold the club to an owner who has the money to take the club further (hopefully), without the circus that Ashley's now created at your place. I like Newcastle Utd a lot but the circumstances of the events over the last year differ. In the end, Thaksin stepped aside with good grace, got some profit but without screwing over the fans. We got what we wanted - stability and an opportunity to go higher. After years of supporting a team that are forever screwing up, I'm over the moon about what has happened during the last couple of months. I hope Newcastle also come through this in better shape and able to compete again.