I know, I’m behind the loop in commenting on this story, but it’s been for a reason, as I’ve been thinking about why we’ve sacked him at this particular time.
And make no mistake, this wasn’t “mutual agreement”. He was sacked.
Or was he?
Almstadt going on holiday to Dubai didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
Indeed, if things were a bit quiet at work and I was feeling “flush” money-wise, I’d be looking to go there myself.
But what astounded me was the fact that apparently the club didn’t even know he was going and were supposedly “stunned”.
Shocked… And stunned… Very stunned (anyone else remember the Rutles?)
So the obvious answer to a major official who just waltzes off on holiday without a minute’s notice in our direst hour of need, is to sack him.
What a load of rubbish and I don’t believe that for one second.
My money says he knew what was coming, because he’d been told and just thought “sod it” and did one. Either that or he was told to go; deal done.
His going on holiday was just too convenient for my liking.
The concern here is, I’ll bet he gets paid off big time and I dread to think what he’ll have cost the club, given that it seems he did next to nothing, apart from making sure he filled his plates with food down at Bodymoor heath each day.
Anyway, the more important point is that Tom Fox recommended him.
And if you believe that Almstadt was so useless, surely he has to go too, for his atrocious judgement?
Well, yes and no for me, although I lean to the yes side of things.
While Fox on the face of it, seems to be a poor CEO who was appointed above his level, it does seem he’s good at bringing the money in.
So, yes, he needs to be sacked as CEO. But maybe we should retain him as the revenue producer?
But then it depends on where you think the revenue will end up, doesn’t it?
So that leaves us with Paddy Riley, who I suspect will carry the can for the summer recruitment.
I’d guess he’s already been given notice and will probably see out the season.
That’s maybe somewhat unfair, if he wasn’t the major player.
But I’m not bothered.
Stats never worked for me, so it has to be a case of good riddance to a rubbish idea.
Which takes me back to Fox, who was probably the instigator of the whole thing.
The point there being that it’s rarely those higher up who get the sack, which is why I think he’ll get to stay.
All that said, we don’t really care do we?
We’re going down and want the lot of them out.
Which leaves the much more interesting subject of protests.
With the “out the door on 74” protest having proven a joke (imo), there’s now a much better proposition of “banners out on 74”.
This is much more like sucking the right tit and will be way more noticeable, given that the Chelsea game will be shown live on BT.
My opinion says there is much to commend this type of protest, especially after the despicable way those who bought the banners out last week were treated by the Gestapo’s henchmen.
Even the staid (read boring) AVST basically came out and said there is nothing wrong with a banner saying “Lerner out”, as it does not contravene any of the rules.
So sneak them into the ground, however you can.
The stewards will have to kick out half the support if enough banners are displayed and the fans stand their ground.
Although, hands up, I won’t be there myself.
The way the club treats it’s fans, let alone the rubbish on the pitch is just another reason I don’t attend anymore, as I’ve previously attested (wow, was that really 2010 when I got thrown out for holding an unlit cigarette?).
Get those banners out in force, if you’re asking me, as it’s the best those who turn up can probably do without teaming up with the Newcastle fans at our penultimate game and invading the pitch in a joint protest at the owners and the state of the game.
Not that I’m suggesting that at all.
I couldn’t possibly suggest a first, in two Premier league clubs coming together in a pitch invasion could I?
It’d be seen as “incitement”.
And it’s all just my opinion, anyway.
I know.
Who cares lately?
I’m the same as you lot though.
I care massively.
I’ve just got BT. Will be interested to watch the game in full. Shocked still that this has happens to us. The hated Lerner has to go down as one of the most inept and incompetent sports owners in history.
Get the banners out lads, even if it’s a message just scrawled on a hanky. Heavy handed arseholes.
Riley out next, followed by Fox, then hopefully Lerner too. Here’s to next seasons Channel 5 appearances!
revolution continues, disappointed Paddy Riley wasn’t given the boot yesterday. or did the only decent thing whilst employed at villa and fall on his rusty sword
problems surrounding transfers have been around for years. but we never spent much money to waste. but summer we blew 50 million on players clearly unable to live in premiership. how on earth could anybody stand by this. if riley rubber stamped this spree. he should be flogged first then sacked. FOOL.
newcastle are skating thin ice too, didn’t they spend a real fortune january, trouble with them, they spent because they panicked. threw good money after bad. i hope they go down with us. just because their fans were laughing at us saying how funny it was. because we didnt cry for them, the last time they went down.
i think thou it may be sunderland and norwich coming with us
Well the current bottom four are certainly breaking away! Swans seem to have a bit of a cushion now…Gonna put £1.50 on us coming straight back up next year. I ain’t gonna risk a full two quid!!!
Have to say that at least Sunderland and Newcastle have shown a bit of ambition by appointing the managers they have,
Got a sneaky feeling that Rafa knows enough to keep the Toon up.
Riley’s official job (according to the Telegraph) is Head of scouting and recruitment – so at least we actually know what he’s be doing albeit to a shockingly poor standard. No excuse he has to go – but I don’t understand why the club are waiting as it just adds to the poisonous atmosphere.
Almstadt just stuffed his face and his pocket at the same time. I agree with you Badger – he knew the writing was on the wall so waved two fingers in Hollis’ face and went to Dubai – result sacked (gross misconduct?) and he was sacked according to Brum Mail – not all this mutual consent stuff.
I’m in two minds about Fox – Almstadt has let him down big time and according to reports from Arsenal they were surprised at the level he was appointed to – so blame on both sides but then all employers make mistakes. On balance unless we can find a real big hitter I would retain Fox working under the direction of Bernstein. One last point (and this is widely accepted) a CEO needs to develop a good and close working relationship with the chairman – it’s a key element of any successful board / business. Lerner’s absence denied Fox that – back to Lerner being the major factor in our demise.
H60 I agree Fox could be good from a commercial view, but if the accounts are correct he is on more than £2m a year – is he worth that amount ?? If not, I doubt he would take a pay cut !!
It’s a good point Saddened – I suppose it depends to some extent on the cost of replacing him
Commercial director, of a once successful club, with dwindling attendances, fan following in freewill, soon to be relegated, with an owner in hiding…… Would you apply ??
Surprisingly I would – good opportuniy but I would need convincing to take the job and thereby lies the problem I suspect.
The other problem is I’d be crap at the job 🙂
I’ll give you a reference H60
Pitch invasion with the barcode fans? there’ll be murders, they hate us! regardless of mutual protest motives.
Agree fully with the piece and I too feel Fox will keep his job. The problem is he’s part of the rot and we need rid of all of it for us to move onward and upwards as a club.
I think the walk out did work Brian little in truckers breakfast with extra toast out.
Fox credentials
Working for arsenal
Fairly easy to sell at gunners,get sponsorship
60 thousand sell out each week demand for season tickets
Anyone with half a brain could do it,fox not got any
Fox has gone
THE FOX HAS BEEN SHOT! (or at least fired)
Good riddance but still a few more to go
Hear hear I echoe that fucking overpaid price.
PRICK Fucking spell checker
Id rather have our Badger than a Fox lol
just the other dick head now and a win the weekend and it will be a great week
Looks like someone else might be going too –
‘Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has refused to be drawn on reports linking him with a return to former club Lyon.’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35833174
Can’t say I blame him if he does go.
Pat57, think they are trying to real us in again? No matter what they say or do its way late in the day, nobody’s said sod all to us fans the ones who suffered all this shit , why don’t someone explain what’s gone on, what’s going on, and what they going to do? To me its bullshit to carm fans down.
@Bill
Couldn’t agree more. They should sack O’Reilly immediately and then Hollis should hold a conference and tell us what the plan is…
…if they have one that is 🙁
Not sure they could tell us anything that we’d believe or placates the fan base – like we have a wealthy buyer lined up! If they have a new CEO in mind, he’s probably already gainfully employed elsewhere.
Can’t believe Riley won’t be off very soon.
Death by a thousand ‘pricks’!
Riley seems to be hanging on by his fingernails – presumably over a substantial payoff!
Hollis now effectively Chairman and CEO – not good. I would hope they have a new CEO already identified. Wonder if Fox’s resignation has caught Hollis by surprise?
Does anyone agree with me when I think that the Newcastle match could end in a riot…..we are down and they well might do the same if we were to beat them……can see both sides getting on the pitch and wrecking the ground as well.
Surely the club and Police must know this has the chance of being a disaster waiting to happen…..and must do whats needed to stop it…WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE.
The problem with your argument is the phrase ‘If we were to beat them’
As we currently have a team that couldn’t beat their way out of a wet paper bag I find it very doubtful that we’d beat a Newcastle team with Rafa as manager.
There will be no riot just a lot of disgruntled Villa fans making their way home same as every match day
I wasn’t aware that Krulak has been appointed an executive director of the club (originally he was a non executive) at the same time as Bernstein? Not sure what to make of that. Little is not a director in any capacity but is an ‘expert’ retained to advise the board.
What the hell is the point of that? Is hw going to try and rouse the troops again?????
Perhaps it’s cheaper for the General to come back and shoot the troops than pay them to fuck off?
Bum Bum – I have no idea other than he (Lerner) needs a paid lackey on the board because he can’t be arsed to get of his and take an interest in OUR club.
Hitch, it smacks of desperation to me.
Lerner is so remote now and I suspect he thinks he’s been had over, somehow.
The CFO hasn’t gone for no reason, I’m sure of that.
I don’t think Lerner trusts anyone anymore and the General is probably the only one he feels he can trust, even though I suspect he’s sadly “past it”.
Lerner needs to do a deal and just go.
BBC News tonight, an interview with Remi Garde, should be interesting that.we will have to read between the lines,
Sure you’re right Badger – but ‘spies in the camp’ are very bad news and often negatively affect the effectiveness of a board. I’m afraid it’s another poor decision by Lerner to restrict the board’s decision making.
Lerner needs a reality check and start asking a sensible price for the club before we become the next Portsmouth and he does all his money
Correction, ITV.