Good grief, what is Edens wearing!
I heard this while watching the BBC local news and have to say straight off that I believe it’s the right decision for the club, if maybe not for our footy.
I tried to read the statement on the OS, but of course, the site timed out.
What do they use for broadband, I wonder; steam?
It’s probably BT.
Apart from the decision being right, I also believe it’s the moral thing to do, after the news came about that Thierry Henry had agreed to take over as manager.
For what it’s worth, I believe that story was probably true. I’ve no doubt Henry had agreed in principal to take over if indeed the new majority owners decided to change manager.
And I’d bet that this sort of thing happens all the time, in the background.
But we don’t usually get to hear about it, as the unwritten rule is that you never discuss someone’s job while they’re still in it.
Which is where I have to ask myself who leaked the story to the press?
I very much doubt it would be any of the owners, as that’s just not the way sucessful people do business.
So my pure guess is that it’s come from Henry’s advisor.
And actually might have shot Henry’s chances in the foot, in the short term anyway.
You only have to read the criticism on here and other sites about how the whole thing was just wrong.
But not only is it the morally correct thing to do, it just makes sense.
Bringing in a totally inexperienced manager, this late on would have been a massive mistake.
And then there’s the amount of money it would cost the club to sack Bruce, which was anywhere upwards of £1.5 million, if the press are to be believed.
Having thought about it, that contract payment still doesn’t make sense.
Why would you have a one year rolling contract, if it involves another six months severance pay on top?
Answer, you wouldn’t.
That’s the whole point. After each year, the contract is looked at again and if either party is unhappy, it’s terminated.
Which is quite handy for the owners, given that Bruce’s contract runs out in October.
It’s gives them time to see how Bruce gets on.
And if he looks to be failing, they can sack him, safe in the knowledge that Henry will probably be sat on the sidelines and they’re not seen to be totally ruthless, in bringing in an unexperienced manager, while not giving Bruce a chance.
Being totally pragmatic, it’s a win-win for the club.
But I genuinely hope Bruce gets us off to a flyer, as that’s all that matters.
But trying to play better footy would probably help his cause too.
