How Ashley's men let him down

[Sonatine 10232]

How Ashley's men let him down

 

Sep 15 2008

 

by Luke Edwards, The Journal

 

 

MIKE Ashley appears to have admitted defeat at Newcastle United but chief sports writer Luke Edwards argues the club’s owner might not be going anywhere quickly.

 

EVEN now, as he begrudgingly bows to unrelenting public pressure and puts Newcastle United up for sale, Mike Ashley has failed to grasp the real reason for his fall from grace at St James’s Park.

 

Even now, as he prepares to suffer the first humiliation of his business career and the club teeters on the brink of a disaster which could take a generation to recover from, Ashley cannot see why things have gone so wrong, so quickly.

 

Ashley cannot be blamed for wanting to buy a football club so that he can enjoy it. He cannot be blamed for wanting to implement a long-term plan based on gradual and sustainable growth and he cannot be blamed for not wanting to bring himself to the brink of bankruptcy in a vain effort to buy instant success and gratification.

 

But what Ashley can be blamed for, and what he must realise if he is to salvage something from the car crash that Newcastle United has become, is that his single, biggest and ultimately fatal mistake was in who he appointed to run the club for him.

 

Loyalty can be blinding and Ashley has been blind to the mistakes made by his friends. By sticking by them following manager Kevin Keegan’s row with managing director Derek Llambias and executive director (football) Dennis Wise over their interference in transfer policy, he has ostracised the one appointment he has made since he became Newcastle’s owner which gave his regime real credence and widespread support – Keegan. He has not seen that Llambias has been a disastrous replacement for former chairman Chris Mort because of his refusal to open any lines of communication.

 

He did not realise that Llambias’ aggressive approach to dealing with the day-to-day running of the club has upset and angered many of his employees, not least Keegan, whose decision to quit owed more to the arrogance and bullish behaviour of the former casino manager than any other individual.

 

He has not seen that Tony Jimenez’s persistent leaks to a London-based media has undermined his regime by emphasising the fact the club was being run from 300 miles away.

 

And he did not see that the presence of Wise as what has become an omnipotent director of football would not only incense those supporters who loved to hate him when he was a player, it would lead to the complete dissatisfaction and eventual departure of the football manager who united the club with its followers in an unbreakable bond.

 

For an astute and ambitious businessman, Ashley has been remarkably naive in how he has run the club. He has tried to operate a football club like one of his sport shops and has failed miserably.

 

Football is big business, but it is still not like any other big business. It is part of the entertainment industry and those at the top cannot simply stay quiet and hope the problems go away. The wall of silence the board erected after Mort’s departure in June allowed the divide to grow between club and supporters and suspicions to ferment even before the Keegan debacle.

 

In his for-sale statement yesterday, Ashley gave his most revealing insight into how he wants to run the club, but why wait until he has been backed into a corner because of the actions of his board? What would the atmosphere have been like on Tyneside if Ashley had made such a clear mission statement at the start, rather than the end?

 

When Mort had been in charge of the day-to-day running of things in his absence, the vast majority of fans had bought into his vision of the future.

 

Newcastle United fans did not necessarily want superstar signings and big-name players. They knew that was no longer viable and they believed Mort’s exposé of the club’s finances and the blunders of the previous regime which had left the club facing economic meltdown. Ashley underlined those facts again last night, but in that respect he was already preaching to the converted.

 

Nobody believed Newcastle would be able to sign Thierry Henry or Frank Lampard this summer, nobody thought it was realistic for the Magpies to enter the race for Dimitar Berbatov, but it was realistic to expect the management structure he still stubbornly defends to get the players the manager asked for and needed.

 

Newcastle could have done with another creative midfielder and a centre-back this summer, but just a new left-back before the transfer window shut would have been enough to keep Keegan satisfied in the short term.

 

There will be a certain amount of sympathy for Ashley following his emotional comments. It is sad that someone who wanted to enjoy watching football matches with his family on the terraces can no longer do that because of the strength of feeling against him and it is sad that someone who appears to have wanted to improve the football club has failed to do so because of the mistakes of those around him, but Ashley may still have the time to put things right.

 

He has warned that there will be no quick sale and it is far from certain that the buyer he is looking for is willing to pay the price he is looking for.

 

Indeed, at the same time as putting the club up for sale, Ashley has effectively tried to dissuade anyone from buying it by highlighting the size of the debt and the money needed to put things right in the short term.

 

As things stand this morning, as the unpopular Newcastle board look for Keegan’s replacement and the team tries to pick itself up after a home defeat to relegation favourites Hull City, it is difficult to tell whether this is the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end.

 

The bits in bold sum it all up for me

[Fop 1]

Again makes a lot of sense.

 

 

What doesn't make sense the utter lack of experience and management/diplomacy skills in the people he appointed (post-Mort at least).

 

I mean if you wanted to pick a fight you'd get Wise on your side, and if what's said about Llambias is true that just makes it even worse.

[Ketsbaia 0]

I miss Mort

[Happy Face 29]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre

[Happy Face 29]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre?

[Ketsbaia 0]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre

 

I don't think so. I always got the feeling those appointments were made by Ashley himself.

[Fop 1]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre

 

I don't think so. I always got the feeling those appointments were made by Ashley himself.

 

 

I think Wise appointed himself.

[Ketsbaia 0]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre

 

I don't think so. I always got the feeling those appointments were made by Ashley himself.

 

 

I think Wise appointed himself.

 

He does seem to have became the party guest no one has the balls to ask to leave, like.

[Guest alex]

I miss Mort

 

 

Didn't he appoint Wise, Jminez and Veteretrterre

 

I don't think so. I always got the feeling those appointments were made by Ashley himself.

 

 

I think Wise appointed himself.

It's 'funny' how the board/Ashley take the stance that they are trying to create a professional set-up within the club and that they have this little shit running the show.

[tinofbeans 91]

Funny's not the word i'd use Alex. Its pretty much the polar opposite as things stand (i know you were taking the piss btw)...

[Guest alex]

And apart from what you think of Wise as a person, it's just Ashley giving the job to his mate. Without even running it past Keegan first as well. All so much more business-like than the previous regime so they'd have us believe.

[Park Life 71]

I miss Mort

 

Yup.

 

Mort wouldn't have allowed them to talk down to and undermine KK. He was as we now all realise a very good bridge between the two groups.

[Fop 1]

It's 'funny' how the board/Ashley take the stance that they are trying to create a professional set-up within the club and that they have this little shit running the show.

 

I can accept Wise (in his purported role) of looking for the best youth to develop. Ok he's not go much experience there either, but it's more an organisational thing anyway.

 

But appointing him as the most extreme DoF-type (i.e. full control and relegating the manager to first team coach) is just barmy.

 

The other two directors we've not really heard enough about to make much of a judgement (clearly they have some idea of the Spanish league at least though - but that's just scouting).

 

And Llambias just seems an odd choice, running a casino involves very different talents an abilities to running a football club. Especially if his manager of doing it was as abrasive as documented. Certainly he seemed to have no clue about engaging with the fans (which Mort did pretty well).

[Park Life 71]

It's 'funny' how the board/Ashley take the stance that they are trying to create a professional set-up within the club and that they have this little shit running the show.

 

I can accept Wise (in his purported role) of looking for the best youth to develop. Ok he's not go much experience there either, but it's more an organisational thing anyway.

 

But appointing him as the most extreme DoF-type (i.e. full control and relegating the manager to first team coach) is just barmy.

 

The other two directors we've not really heard enough about to make much of a judgement (clearly they have some idea of the Spanish league at least though - but that's just scouting).

 

And Llambias just seems an odd choice, running a casino involves very different talents an abilities to running a football club. Especially if his manager of doing it was as abrasive as documented. Certainly he seemed to have no clue about engaging with the fans (which Mort did pretty well).

 

I haven't even thought about his 'team' for about 3 months. I just look at that bunch and think cronies.

 

None are qualified to run a child's puppet show.

 

That's why I don't believe all this nonsense about a structure, cause there cleary isn't one. It's been a free for all for power grabs and Wise as chief grass.

[Guest alex]

Even Dick Money and Alan Thompson got their jobs because of their friendship with Wise btw.

[sammynb 2934]

Even Dick Money and Alan Thompson got their jobs because of their friendship with Wise btw.

 

Had to be, it's not as if Money's had a sterling career as a manager, the useless cunt he is!

[Guest alex]

Even Dick Money and Alan Thompson got their jobs because of their friendship with Wise btw.

 

Had to be, it's not as if Money's had a sterling career as a manager, the useless cunt he is!

[maggiespaws 0]

Cracking article for once and one a totally agree with.

 

I see Ashley's point about the finances of the club and I agree with his long-terms strategy. I want the club to be successful and the only way we can do that is with a strong team. However, I want the club to exist in the top flight for many years to come. I dont want us to do a Leeds.

 

If what Ashley says is true then we are in the shit financially and we are paying for our previous chairmans lavish spending. Clearly we've tried that route and it's not worked. I'm all for solid steady growth.

 

We're not going to win the league any time soon, but if we can make steady progress towards getting back to where we were under SBR then I'm happy.

 

I don't expect this to happen overnight, I expect it to happen over the next few seasons. Finishing top 5/6 consistently will bring in additional funding (including participating in the UEFA) and that will mena more than the 20mil Ashley is prepared to commit to every year.

 

I believe there is a way back for Ashley - he needs to look at his current board and make the necessary changes. As I've said in other threads, I don't see the issue in adopting a more continental approach to running the club with a Manager & DoF type role. As the article above states, it's the personnel in place I have the biggest problem with and the lack of communication.

 

Ashley's statement has come too late unfortunately. I think if he'd said this over the summer then I think he'd have been given more slack.

 

This all of course setting aside the KK issue. This not easily forgotten (and isn't), but for the sake of looking forward I've separated that out so I can look at the wider issue with an open view.

 

Lastly, it's a shame it's gotten to this stage. He feels he can't take his kids to the match. For some reason, that sentence has made a real impact on me. Call me soft (and I've no doubt many of you will) but that's kinda of what this is all about is it not. Watching football is something we can do as a family and our owner feels he can't. Now obviously this turn of events has been down to him and the people who work for him, so he is not blameless.

 

As I've said, I understand his strategy for the club and I'd be happy if we could resolve the situation and move forward. He's trying to implement the stability we desperately need and I think I hope he stays around to implement it. This might prove to be a better solution than ploughing our hopes into a foreign sugar-daddy.

 

*puts kevlar suit on and waits for a vitriolic response*

[Guest alex]

Cracking article for once and one a totally agree with.

 

I see Ashley's point about the finances of the club and I agree with his long-terms strategy. I want the club to be successful and the only way we can do that is with a strong team. However, I want the club to exist in the top flight for many years to come. I dont want us to do a Leeds.

 

If what Ashley says is true then we are in the shit financially and we are paying for our previous chairmans lavish spending. Clearly we've tried that route and it's not worked. I'm all for solid steady growth.

 

We're not going to win the league any time soon, but if we can make steady progress towards getting back to where we were under SBR then I'm happy.

 

I don't expect this to happen overnight, I expect it to happen over the next few seasons. Finishing top 5/6 consistently will bring in additional funding (including participating in the UEFA) and that will mena more than the 20mil Ashley is prepared to commit to every year.

 

I believe there is a way back for Ashley - he needs to look at his current board and make the necessary changes. As I've said in other threads, I don't see the issue in adopting a more continental approach to running the club with a Manager & DoF type role. As the article above states, it's the personnel in place I have the biggest problem with and the lack of communication.

 

Ashley's statement has come too late unfortunately. I think if he'd said this over the summer then I think he'd have been given more slack.

 

This all of course setting aside the KK issue. This not easily forgotten (and isn't), but for the sake of looking forward I've separated that out so I can look at the wider issue with an open view.

 

Lastly, it's a shame it's gotten to this stage. He feels he can't take his kids to the match. For some reason, that sentence has made a real impact on me. Call me soft (and I've no doubt many of you will) but that's kinda of what this is all about is it not. Watching football is something we can do as a family and our owner feels he can't. Now obviously this turn of events has been down to him and the people who work for him, so he is not blameless.

 

As I've said, I understand his strategy for the club and I'd be happy if we could resolve the situation and move forward. He's trying to implement the stability we desperately need and I think I hope he stays around to implement it. This might prove to be a better solution than ploughing our hopes into a foreign sugar-daddy.

 

*puts kevlar suit on and waits for a vitriolic response*

The PRs actually working a bit then? Because that's all it is.

[Fop 1]

The whole family/assault thing is a bit of a canard.

 

He's using it to good effect, but realistically I don't think there's anything really in it. Other than the police perhaps being overcautious.

 

If Wise had appeared and told everyone to shut the fuck up, then maybe, but Ashley sitting in the directors box? He'd have got some verbal stick and that would have been about it, less probably if he'd released a vaguely contrite explanatory statement before hand.

 

I suppose his sitting within the fans might be at an end, but what does he really expect?

[Guest alex]

The whole family/assault thing is a bit of a canard.

 

He's using it to good effect, but realistically I don't think there's anything really in it. Other than the police perhaps being overcautious.

 

If Wise had appeared and told everyone to shut the fuck up, then maybe, but Ashley sitting in the directors box? He'd have got some verbal stick and that would have been about it, less probably if he'd released a vaguely contrite explanatory statement before hand.

 

I suppose his sitting within the fans might be at an end, but what does he really expect?

Said this before but I don't think he ever intended to go on Saturday. By saying he might go he thought probably thought he'd sell more tickets (it was a bigger crowd than Bolton as well I think). He's now using this to make the fans look like they've turned on this benevolent family man. Which is total fucking bullshit.

[Park Life 71]

The whole family/assault thing is a bit of a canard.

 

He's using it to good effect, but realistically I don't think there's anything really in it. Other than the police perhaps being overcautious.

 

If Wise had appeared and told everyone to shut the fuck up, then maybe, but Ashley sitting in the directors box? He'd have got some verbal stick and that would have been about it, less probably if he'd released a vaguely contrite explanatory statement before hand.

 

I suppose his sitting within the fans might be at an end, but what does he really expect?

Said this before but I don't think he ever intended to go on Saturday. By saying he might go he thought probably thought he'd sell more tickets (it was a bigger crowd than Bolton as well I think). He's now using this to make the fans look like they've turned on this benevolent family man. Which is total fucking bullshit.

 

Oh well, I guess its back to the $200,000 night outs for him.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

The only way back for MA now is to peddle Pontoon eyes and the Lambrini kid and fetch KK back. This isn't going to happen and even if it did I reckon the majority of fans would still have reservations about him.

[maggiespaws 0]

The whole family/assault thing is a bit of a canard.

 

He's using it to good effect, but realistically I don't think there's anything really in it. Other than the police perhaps being overcautious.

 

If Wise had appeared and told everyone to shut the fuck up, then maybe, but Ashley sitting in the directors box? He'd have got some verbal stick and that would have been about it, less probably if he'd released a vaguely contrite explanatory statement before hand.

 

I suppose his sitting within the fans might be at an end, but what does he really expect?

Said this before but I don't think he ever intended to go on Saturday. By saying he might go he thought probably thought he'd sell more tickets (it was a bigger crowd than Bolton as well I think). He's now using this to make the fans look like they've turned on this benevolent family man. Which is total fucking bullshit.

 

Maybe it is and maybe I've fallen for it.

 

I guess I'm trying to look at the bigger picture. His strategy for the future sounds like a good plan IMO and I'd rather we had someone in charge who was trying to ensure the financial stability for the club than someone who was over-extending the club reaching for the stars only for it to fall on it's arse. If what he is saying about the money we owe for players is true then we are more in the shit than any of us knew. You can't build for the future if we're in that situation.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Where's the 20 mill went this transfer window then?