It transpires that Randy Lerner was in the country today and while there were suggestions that maybe he was over here to sanction some much-needed transfer funds, someone in the previous thread called it spot on (ITK Lionheart? or a pure guess?) in that he was indeed here to have talks with a prospective new CEO, in Arsenal’s chief commercial manager, Tom Fox;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/11044183/Arsenals-Tom-Fox-close-to-being-appointed-Aston-Villa-chief-executive.html”
Now it makes sense that we need a new CEO, but does it make sense that we would look to appoint one when there are suggestions that we’re close to being sold?
I’d suggest not, as if a sale was imminent, surely a prospective owner would want to look to bring his own man in?
Or could it be that Lerner is working with a prospective buyer and the latter wants Fox in?
I doubt it personally.
Which probably means that any dreams we might have had about a big fat transfer pot in this window have er, gone straight out of the window.
Ah well, it was a nice thought while it lasted.
As for Fox being American, I’m not sure if that means anything.
I agree. CCO at Arsenal to CEO at Villa is a promotion in job title and scope, but only if the job survives the sale. Which brings me to a point I have laboured before. If you take Randy’s word for it he wanted to sell the club and cleared the decks for a sale as soon as survival was assured. He has not commented on the fact that no sale has happened, the speculation as to why not is from the media and fans not the owner. However if you look at the actions of Lerner since May you can make the case that his wish to sell is only “if tempted by a big offer”
Robbo reckons Mickey Arison
Who the fuck is Robbo?…..surely not the same guy who posts on here every time we lose?….He’s had TEN guesses already. Sooner or later he might get lucky!
Takeover with a Turkish connection, ring any bells?
The Fox appointment is interesting. Whilst it is a step up in position it is to be at the helm of a smaller club (in revenue and marketability terms). Add that to an owner who has committed to selling, and has severely contracted his ongoing investment and it is more puzzling. Lerner did say he was refocussing on the club so it could just be that.
However, Lerner came in just after a change of manager, and presumably sanctioned the appointment of MON. Could there be a parallel with Fox? If any sale is imminent then Fox will know his job is secured under the new owner. If it isn’t, there must be something in it for him financially to ensure things are run well and to assist with the deal.
Lerner has said once the season kicks off he will concentrate on the football club and not the sale….. I think he is doing what is right by the club, there are still funds to buy new players and he has brought in a fantastic new CEO. I am going to wait and see !!! But now fatty has departed we may see a drastic change in direction and communication UTV….
Fully agree mate.
If someone of Tom Fox’s calibre and experience wants to come to the Villa and steer us in the right direction, whilst knowing both our owner and club, then this is nothing but fantastically positive news…. Maybe Randy has realised with a football brain at the boardroom table, we wouldn’t be in the predicament we are now… Best signing since Randy took over !!
I’m not sure I get what your saying. Fox will make Lerner more money that he won’t spend on us. How us that a good thing.
He’s certainly when it comes to deals going to be a dam sight better than that fat useless twat so in terms of that it’s a huge step in the right direction isn’t it?????
Totally agree. I think its a fantastic appointment, repeat I think its a fantastic appointment.
Someone of his pedigree (and I don’t mean Chum) is joining us because we are either sold and the new owner wants him in, or Lerner has told him he is prepared to spend some cash, whilst Fox improves the running of the club and our profile….. He isn’t going to ruin his CV working for a shoestring club, narrowly avoiding relegation…. It just wouldn’t happen !!! Compare this to fatty faulkner, we should all be walking around with big cheesy grins on our faces !!!
SADDENED….good post mate. He is the sort of CEO we have needed for a longtime. Fox can only be good for the club IMO.
Things are starting to look alot better. I feel very positive going forward.
Top 10 finish
Fox worked with Mickey Arison in the NBA
That’s interesting Jay Dee. I’m not sure bringing in Fox heralds an imminent sale but neither do I believe a new owner would automatically bring in a new CEO. It very much depends on the quality of senior management already in place and in Fox we have just obtained one of the best operators in the EPL. Reasons to be happy part 2!
I’m hearing a statement from Lerner confirming the sale of the club is imminent. Can confirm contrary to what others may believe there are no Turkish connections. I repeat no Turkish connections.
Link; source?
Yea right. What happened to that £8m bid you said we made for Mark Noble the other night?
Was that Bird? Wind up merchant!
App Lerner flew to the med where Arison utv
Where Arison is holidaying
Have to admit the Arison rumour won’t go away. Maybe the Fox appointment and availability of cash for transfers is linked to a sale after all. Next few days could be interesting but then again………….
Lerner and Fox were supposedly going to Sardenia, so that makes sense as they were going to finish the paperwork on the sale.
That is brave of them, Rich people have a habit of disappearing in Sardinia to be replaced by a ransom note.
Well that would be a waste of time – we haven’t got any money lol
The last time Randy went to Sardinia he came back with McLeish
I seem to remember that the Brum Mail was suggesting that ‘a sale could be a month away’….cant remember exactly whan but I think it was in July!
This not a wind up and I’m not claiming to be ITK but My daughter who has business connections with Villa is adamant a sale has been agreed and can’t understand why nothing’s been said. I admit to not being convinced by her reasoning and told her so but she remains certain. Maybe she’s right?
Know it’s not a name everyone likes, but Incog claims a deal’s agreed and it’s simply paperwork at the moment (not word for word but very similar anyways). So she could be correct.
You never know mate. I have been trying to find that Brum Mail link, but cant. Maybe its just my memory playing tricks.
Very true; I’ll be eating a large slice of (expensive!!) humble pie if she’s right lol
Langford; July 28th – it was the piece quoting stockbroker Peter Knowles who rubbished reports that no deal was imminent and said after intensive behind the scenes activity a deal could be concluded within a month. Most people on here; including me, rubbished it. Stop worrying and have another drink your mind is fine!
Hitchens lol mate….i will have another couple. Thanks for giving me permission 🙂
Langford, Your welcome lol (how do you add a smiley face?)
Badger beat me to it 🙂
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/aston-villa-takeover-could-month-7508514
Thanks Andrew…..is this a coincidence. Its certainly very interesting as its almost a month. I wonder. Very interesting few days ahead I feel!
Hitchens, post the following without spaces;
: – )
Thanks Badger 🙂
The most likely new owner(s) will be Jewish. Randy Lerner is Jewish and the usual habit is to offer fellow Jews first crack. The Glazer model has attracted enough flak for the spiral debt idea to be shelved – thank goodness – so the new owners will be expected to put up cash. Arison and Ellison could both stump up the money from disposables but both own business interests which could feasibly pair with Villa advertising. Carnival Cruise Lines and Oracle (software). The tie ups, stadium naming, shirt sponsors for example would have to be on a much bigger scale than Villa have managed to date, so the new CEO is just the sort of man needed, with of course a track record of working with the faithful.
Stadium naming? (spit)
Not for me, unless we move, or it’s something like “The Oracle ground at Villa Park” or similar.
Your other points are pretty good though.
Still don’t believe either of these names are interested, myself.
I have to thank Wikipedia for this one. Did you know there is no official record of the ground being called Villa Park? The name in Birmingham Council and Land Registry records is Aston Lower Grounds. I suppose that makes a name change easier since the current one is unofficial.
I do think Arison is interested in buying a sports club, he has tried to get at least one in the USA and been outbid or rebuffed. However following the Costa Concordia he is very averse to the idea of buying another sinking ship. Both Americans have business cash held offshore on which they would pay 40% CT if repatriated, Factor in Villa’s tax losses and the deal will look interesting.
Where does it say that on Wikipedia???? It says “The Aston Lower Grounds, later renamed Villa Park.”
You making this shit up?
In 1897, the year Villa won The Double, they moved into their present home, the Aston Lower Grounds.[14] Supporters coined the name “Villa Park”; no official declaration listed the ground as Villa Park.[15]
The above quote Bill I lifted from Wikipedia today, so no – I ain’t making it up, Wikipedia may be.
A Document from 1998 from B’ham CC Dept of Planning and Architecture (September 1998 Aston Local plan) refers to it as Villa Park 31 times, strange that.
Oll f**k wiki I ain’t having it!
The Ay Vey stadium?
Very good Jewish BWS, I’m OK this tablet I’m on was bought in Israel had a job understanding how to get English on it all f%:king Hebrew on it, Ay Vey. 🙂
Cheers Bill, on the subject of religion I’ve just read this book about a group of rich footballers wives that get into Satanism. I suppose you could it a Wags to Witches story.
(Sorry)
Dear oh dear BWS,:-) nice one.
It’s actually OI VEY!
Lol – Get away with you it never is.
Bill he’s Jewish, he would know 🙂 thanks O wise one. Like Oha.
Correct I am Jewish so know what I’m talking about for once :-). Having said that I don’t really want an American owner (Jewish or not). I just don’t think they get it and never will. Yes it should be an improvement but if you look at glazers even at utd they can’t even get the top players they want there so what chance have we got.
The question is, will OoAhh post a pic of his his schmuk as proof? Lol!
You honestly believe it’s because they’re American United can’t get top players? Get real. They can’t get top players because they’re not in the CL and they don’t look like a top team at all at the moment, even under Van Gaal, the supposed savior.
Disagree UTD are still a huge draw whether they are in CL or not. It’s only temporary anyway if they get these players they will finish top 4 anyway.
Thought this was a Villa blog?
Thing is, is what big player wants to leave an already big club for a club who if they join, could just finish 4th? That’s not what these big players want, and they’re not near the pull you think they are.
And it is, but we at times get off topic about other clubs. lol
Oohah is true Jewish porn movies play backwards so the climax is when the prostitute hands the money back?
Announcement that we’ve been sold will be made next week sometime.
Link? Source? My ITK contacts are my links and source.
Fair enough – time will tell.
Did anyone see our man Lambert on the news? He thought we was excellent against Stoke, at last I’ve understood him and I wasn’t pissed. NO mention of anything else I hope its true we are about to be sold that would make my day. Oh happy days.
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-transfer-gossip-Wilson-Palacios/story-22801999-detail/story.html
Here’s some new (old?) gossip – linked with Palacios
http://www.sportinastorm.com/Premier-League/Aston-Villa/Villa-ready-to-reward-Vlaar-loyalty/X1Y2Z1793265
Update piece on Vlaar contract – £20million?!
Hello – is there anyone out there? 🙂
Yes mate waiting for the newky match preview to be posted,I’d give it a go but it would probably end up all pearshaped.
Do you mind Hitchen 60 you just woke me up 🙂 ERM yes I wouldn’t mind if he ended up getting the most money to keep him, Oohah might not agree because he don’t see what we see, he’s fought hard for Villa ,OK made some boobies but that’s down to others not up to his standard, my concern now is the possible sale I just hope its true, if it is happy days are back, hey that pub next to the ground opens Saturday how will they monitor the intake of fans on the match days, bet you have to be a member.
Apologies Bill – agreed think it’s vital we keep Vlaar and I reckon he’s earned a decent payday.
Hello Hitch!
Hello Bum Bum; is everyone coming put of hibernation? Ah no the sun is over the yardarm and the bars are open lol!
Coming out of hibernation!
Friday night on a bank holiday weekend always brings the best out of everyone!!!
Yeah, know what you mean. I just wondered what you guys thought of the link with Palacios; seen a couple more this afternoon but reports seem to be coming from Honduras so not sure whether they are real or not!!
Mate sounds like stoke want rid plus he must have something dodgy due to failing a medical with a Qatar team so don’t sound to clever to me.
Reckon you’re right mate. Personally, never rated him but what do I know 🙂 I just love these smiley faces!
Salah also linked on loan.
Palacios would be a poor-esque signing. Would probably mean KEA is leaving if we get another midfielder.
I reckon KEA is angling for a move. Reports in Holland suggest Feyenoord interested in taking him back; reckon that would suit Villa!
Yup. The right move…for all of us!
Feyenoord and PSV interested I guess.
I don’t honestly expect Palacios to come, Hughes claimed no Premier League interest in him.
Think you’re right; like lots of other links, nothing in it.
Why is there no new post for the CEO news? or tomorrows game review? slacking lads!
I think at the moment we’re just happy taking the piss out of each other!
Don’t know about you but I’m just on the piss lol
I think Fox sounds like a great appointment, and it does pose the question of where we’re up to with the sale.
I’m in hols in the sun at the moment so a little out of touch. Speaking of appointments – is there a date in the diary for Vlaar and Delph to discuss and sub new contracts.
Off to the beach tomorrow but the family may declare me a missing person when I sneak off to watch the Villa. Few Geordies at my hotel – would be good to pie then off tomorrow!!!!
*sign
It’s like rolling tumbleweed on here tonight but enjoy your hols mate.