Posts Tagged ‘Upheaval’

Mawhinney to stand down as chairman

• Mawhinney must stand down in the year of his 70th birthday
• League may split role into chief executive and chairman

Brian Mawhinney could soon fire the starting gun on the race to succeed him as Football League chairman after confirming that he will vacate the role by the end of next season.

Lord Mawhinney is 70 next July and under Football League regulations must make way for a new candidate at the League’s annual meeting in 2011. Similar restrictions apply at the Football Association, where directors must step down at the AGM following their 70th birthday. In the Premier League the rules are more restrictive, requiring chairmen to quit on that date.

Mawhinney admits he has yet to make any decision as to the exact timing of his departure but has not ruled out leaving at the end of this season.

“I have no intention other than not to transgress the laws of the League, which I have spent so long upholding,” Mawhinney said. “I have sought guidance and the rules say people should not be on the board beyond 70, and in custom and practice that’s interpreted as being that you shouldn’t serve beyond the term of the session in progress when you attain that age. I have to leave the board by July 2011.”

Mawhinney has already spent almost eight years as the League’s executive chairman, a broad role that ensures he will be difficult to replace. Indeed there may be some constitutional upheaval if the League decides to split the role into two, with a separate chief executive and chairman.

There is bound to be a period of politicking from potential candidates such as Ipswich Town’s long-serving FA board member, David Sheepshanks, or the All England Club chief executive and Wembley director, Ian Ritchie. It might also interest Peter Kenyon, who said this week he has “one challenge left” after stepping down as Chelsea’s chief  executive.

England tie-up for players

England players’ contractual obligations with the Football Association’s sponsors have finally been agreed after eight years. The FA’s commercial director, Jonathan Hill, before announcing his departure this month, thrashed out the terms of the agreement with Terry Burn, the chairman of 1966, the firm representing the players’ interests.

The two parties had been operating under a brief heads-of-terms agreement which lacked the watertight obligations of a contract. Sources say one will soon be in place after both sides’ lawyers finalise the details. This will be a relief to the FA as it seeks to replace partners such as the FA Cup sponsor, E.On.

Matters came to a head in 2006 when the agents of Wayne Rooney, right, gave notice he would withdraw his co-operation from FA marketing activities after the governing body suspended him for three Premier League games after he was sent off in a pre‑season friendly. Under the terms of the new agreement there would be recourse against players refusing to co‑operate with sponsors’ activities.

Valley handed a top-up

Charlton are expected to announce a much needed boost to their finances. Eighteen months ago The Valley club tapped directors for almost £15m in an effort to repay other director loans, a large overdraft and to offer the club some working capital. But losses remain unsustainable and a continuing need for external financing has become clear. Fortunately with the club having wealthy fans such as the millionaire philanthropist Sir Maurice Hatter and the club chairman, Richard Murray, that has been possible.

ITV camera crowds action

An ITV cameraman was yesterday ejected from the Tour of Britain after getting too close to the peloton. He should consider himself fortunate: at last year’s Tour de France a too cosy Flemish TV cameraman was head‑butted by Cadel Evans.

Quest finally gets its man

Among those most relieved at Renault’s decision to jettison their team principal, Flavio Briatore, and chief engineer, Pat Symonds, is John Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner. His company, Quest, was engaged by the FIA to investigate the events at last year’s Singapore grand prix and the evidence it uncovered was central to Renault’s decision. These were high-profile scalps at last for Lord Stevens, whose inquiry into football corruption for the Premier League was eventually kicked into the long grass by the football authorities.

Thought of leaving Blues never crossed my mind, says Terry

• Defender confirms he will reject move to Eastlands
• Captain set for new deal worth £150,000 a week

John Terry is expected to agree an improved contract at Chelsea this week after the England captain finally broke his silence on Manchester City’s ambitious attempt to secure his services by committing his future to the London club.

City had a £30m bid for the centre-half rejected out of hand earlier this month but retained hope that Terry might agitate for a move to Eastlands for as long as he refused to comment publicly on the matter. The 28-year-old had privately been unnerved by Chelsea’s inability to secure a marquee signing this summer, and by two years of managerial upheaval since Jose Mourinho’s abrupt departure from the club, but insisted that leaving Stamford Bridge “was never a possibility”.

He had held talks with Roman Abramovich before the team’s departure for their four-match pre-season tour of the United States, but has since met the club’s owner and the chief executive, Peter Kenyon, for further discussions during their stay in the US as he sought assurances over their long-term vision at Stamford Bridge. Although Chelsea were always convinced that they would not lose the defender and believed they had an agreement in place with Terry, the player himself did not make up his mind definitively to stay until Saturday.

• Ancelotti insists he always knew Terry would stay
• Daniel Taylor on Terry’s decision to resist City’s millions
• Dominic Fifield: Chelsea’s pre-season is going to plan

The carefully worded statement released through Chelsea ahead of the team’s game against Club America will be the prelude for discussions to move on to securing the captain on improved terms likely to swell his weekly wage from £135,000 to nearer £150,000 – considerably short of what City were prepared to pay him – which should be signed before the end of the week. The new deal is not expected to extend the defender’s stay at the club beyond the three years still to run on his current contract.

“I am totally committed to Chelsea and always have been,” said Terry. “Chelsea have also made it clear to me consistently that there was never any intention to accept any kind of offer. When you are linked with any club, or with a manager [Mark Hughes] who I have huge respect for, it will always make headlines, but me leaving Chelsea was never a possibility.

“I know there has been comment that I should have made a statement earlier. However, throughout this period there have been numerous discussions between myself, the owner and the Chelsea board and we all agreed that the timing of any statement would suit everyone involved in those talks, not any outside influences or agendas. What is clear to me following those discussions is that Chelsea’s ambition remains as high as ever.”

That ambition has yet to yield either Franck Ribéry or David Villa, the players Terry suggested Chelsea should pursue in the wake of victory in the FA Cup final in May, though the club remain in the market for new blood. Securing their captain will provide a timely boost, particularly as Terry was genuinely intrigued by the project being put in place by the Abu Dhabi United Group at City, though Carlo Ancelotti insisted he was never perturbed by the issue. “There was not a problem because we have been sure that John stays at Chelsea,” said the Italian. “There’s never been a problem with this.”

The new Chelsea manager has already indicated he will build his team around its English core, typified by Terry, with the captain pinpointing the Italian’s influence as another reason to stay. “I am certain that he will take this club on to the next level,” he added. “Another important factor was knowing that Chelsea would be securing key current players for the long term. The strengthening of the squad around this core is crucial to pushing us on to greater success. I am as committed as ever to helping drive Chelsea forward and I will be proud to lead the team for as long as I can.”

The implications for City are less encouraging, though a move for Terry had always been hugely ambitious. Hughes still hopes to secure the Arsenal centre-half Kolo Touré, a long-standing target, as he seeks defensive reinforcements to complement the mouth-watering attacking resources already lured to Eastlands this summer.

Here comes the Antonio Valencia exit saga

Given their torturous progress en route to the finishing line Wigan could have been forgiven for wishing the season had finished in March, when theirs had effectively ended. While the subsequent two months have provided little cheer, though, yesterday gave something close to the ideal conclusion. As Wigan overcame Portsmouth, and overhauled Stoke to claim 11th place, their goalscorer Hugo Rodallega furthered the impression he is poised to make a considerable impact next term, while Antonio Valencia provided a scintillating valedictory display.

“He showed why we’ll struggle to hold on to him [Valencia],” said Steve Bruce. “He was magnificent and he deserves to play at the highest level. How the hell do you replace him?” It was a pertinent question: Jermaine Pennant, a potential successor, suffered in comparison with the electric Ecuadorean. Despite the end-of-season slump Bruce reflected with some satisfaction. “For a club like ours it’s terrific we can finish 11th while some massive clubs were relegated,” the manager said.

Portsmouth were long candidates for demotion themselves. The caretaker manager Paul Hart, whose own future will be resolved at a board meeting this week, downplayed his contribution to preserving their Premier League status. “If you look at my CV, there are not many achievements,” he insisted. Self-deprecation may yet earn him the position on a permanent basis.

With or without him, a summer of upheaval beckons, but this was a farewell best forgotten for some valiant servants. In particular it may have marked an inglorious ending for Sol Campbell, Ports­mouth’s most successful captain for half a century. His was an undignified send-off, the defender failing to cut off the cross that led to the goal and slashing wildly like a batsman playing down the wrong line. It meant Rodallega was afforded the luxury of a touch before tapping in Charles N’Zogbia’s cross.

If a defensive mishap brought the breakthrough, Wigan’s invention and energy could have yielded more goals. “You could see our achilles heel,” said Bruce. “We could have won two games.” Rodallega could have had a hat-trick while Asmir Begovic thwarted Mario Melchiot, who had combined with the Colombian.

N’Zogbia and Valencia provided pace on either flank and Wigan benefited from defensive solidity. Besides revelling in Newcastle’s misfortunes their supporters offered an appreciation of Titus Bramble’s excellence over thepast nine months. The chants of “Bramble for England” were only aired mockingly before this season, but he has been awarded the club’s player of the year award.

His career has been transformed by Bruce, while Valencia has been assisted on his rapid rise. Asked when the Ecuadorean may exit, he referred to Real Madrid’s forthcoming choice of president: “When is the election on?”

Man of the match Antonio Valencia (Wigan)

Premier League: Portsmouth owner denies sale allegations

Executives at Portsmouth told Observer Sport last night that they are "mystified" by rumours circulating on the south coast that owner Sacha Gaydamak is in advanced discussions with a European buyer finally to sell the club.

The businessman officially placed Portsmouth on the market in the autumn and is hoping to recoup more than the £50 million he spent buying the club three years ago. Sources close to Gaydamak told The Observer that talks were under way and that "everything should be clearer on Monday" – though rated the chances of the sale being completed this week as only "40 to 50 per cent". ­However, club executives last night denied knowledge of the potential deal.

A South African consortium had been interested in buying the club before Christmas, with those talks becoming advanced enough for Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie to fly to the country in the hope of closing the sale. That deal fell through, though, over finances.

The conflicting rumours of a new sale are the latest upheaval to effect the club, coming on the samePortmoiuth day as news that Storrie has been questioned again by police as part of the investigation into alleged football corruption, and as the club's attempt to lure Sven-Goran Eriksson back to England to replace Tony Adams appeared to have fallen through.

Storrie, who was arrested in ­November 2007 on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting, was ­questioned on a "tax issue" in London on Friday. But he denies any wrong-doing and was not charged, a club spokesman confirmed.

The spokesman added: "Mr Storrie has been fully cooperative throughout police investigations, which did not involve allegations of corruption or bungs. This investigation is being conducted by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

"Mr Storrie has been re-bailed to attend a police station in June 2009 when it is expected that the matter will be concluded."

The pursuit of Eriksson, meanwhile, which had looked promising last week, is now believed to have been unsuccessful. The Swede has informed friends he now wishes to stay in his current role in charge of Mexico. Despite being under pressure after the loss of an important World Cup qualifier last week against the United States, and reports that he was unhappy living in the country, the former England head coach is understood to have decided against taking the Portsmouth job – even if he is sacked.

Portsmouth, though, have not given up and are still hoping to hold discussions with Eriksson tomorrow. If the former England head coach does reject the advances, however, then Avram Grant, a former directior of football at Fratton Park, is likely to be made a ­formal offer. He is thought to have ­Gaydamak's support.

Read more...

Premier League: Tottenham are miles from a top-four finish, admits Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp last night offered Tottenham Hotspur's shareholders and the club's chairman, Daniel Levy, a damning assessment of the squad he inherited from Juande Ramos and warned that a complete player overhaul will be required if Spurs are to challenge for a top-five finish.

Tottenham's directors unveiled details of the club's proposed 60,000-capacity stadium at their annual general meeting yesterday and, while those plans were warmly received by those present, Redknapp made it clear that the club's short-term aims may be unobtainable given the weakness of the current squad. Spurs were bottom when the 61-year-old succeeded Ramos in October and, although they have since climbed to 15th, further upheaval is needed if they are to challenge for Champions League qualification.

Redknapp appeared to surprise the board members on the top table when asked by the non-executive director Mervyn Davies to assess the squad in a brief question and answer session conducted in front of 200 shareholders. "It depends where you want to go and finish," said the manager. "If you're talking about finishing fifth or in the top four, it's well short of that. I'm not going to stand up here and lie to you.

"So far we've got the best out of what we have here but the squad is still well short of the top four and not as good as Aston Villa's and other teams challenging to be up there. There's a lot of work to do if we are going to get where we want to be. I bet you wish you hadn't asked me that question now, don't you, Mervyn?"

Levy had earlier stressed that he anticipated "no major transactions" for the club in the winter transfer window, saying the challenge was "to realise the full potential of our squad". Redknapp appears to accept that he may have to operate with loan deals at best next month given that potential targets such as Lassana Diarra, Matthew Upson, Jermain Defoe and Carlo Cudicini are unlikely to be available mid-season. However, it appears the Spurs hierarchy must brace themselves for a further significant outlay in the summer having spent some £78m last summer‚ albeit with £73.7m recouped in sales.

"We want to build a team here that every­body's proud of," said Redknapp. "We need proper players and a proper team that can take us to where we want to go. Then I can bow out in a few years' time and leave you all with a team in the top four. As for this season, I think there will be 14 teams stuck in a possible relegation battle. Anybody could slip into it. You wonder where we'd be now if we hadn't had such a fantastic run. It doesn't bear thinking about. Everybody's scrapping for their lives and looking over their shoulders. I couldn't stand here and honestly say we're looking to get into Europe."

Redknapp is considering handing the 16-year-old John Bostock his first senior start in Thursday's Uefa Cup group match against Spartak Moscow with another teenager, Dean Parrett, expected to feature on the bench.

Read more...