Introducing the clubs whose chief executives and owners have made a complete foul-up this season . . .
'It is hard to argue that Levy was on the right track in wanting to replace Jol with Ramos. But the manner of doing so, the so-called “stab in the front” was such a bungled effort that it made Jol look like a martyr and Levy like a ruthless git'
you might think there have been some strange goings-on in the corridors of power in the Premier League this season - and we're talking chief execs and owners here. But these four pieces of "business" take some beating:
Idiot A: Daniel Levy at Spurs:
Although Levy looks like a James Bond villain with his tailored suit and meticulously shaved head, he was at least different in the execution of his cunning and evil plan. Instead of trussing up his quarry, detailing a complex plan to kill his target and then allowing his foe ample time to escape, Levy wanted a quick usurpation.
His plans were to decamp en masse to Spain, talk with Juande Ramos, and bring him back to the Lane after sending his head spinning with a dizzyingly fat pay cheque, thereby replacing a loveable Winnie the Pooh style manager with someone with a bit more of a cutting edge.
Alas, the whole thing was littered with as many gaffes and slip-ups as a Paul Robinson and Radek Cerny goalie coaching DVD. Not only were Levy’s power-suited acolytes caught talking with Ramos but the Spaniard then came clean and admitted he was given a dizzying offer by Levy.
It is hard to argue that Levy was on the right track in wanting to replace Jol (and his daily doughnut scoffing training sessions) with Ramos (and his tightly run fitness regimens). But the manner of doing so, the so-called “stab in the front” was such a bungled effort that it made Jol look like a martyr and Levy like a ruthless git.
That Levy failed to turn up alongside his new manager at a press conference on October 30 last year and instead allowed Damien Comolli to squirm in the face of questions, just made him look like a coward on top of the aforementioned gittishness.
Key Error: Spurs vice-president Paul Kemsley and club secretary John Alexander somehow being photographed talking to Ramos at the Hotel Alfonse XIII in Seville.
Idiots B: George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool:
Blustering into an historic football club that boasts the biggest trophy haul in English football, and then meddling to such an extent that the manager starts to get really p***ed off is never a good idea.
Add to this rumours that the American duo never intended hanging around for the long term, and simply bought Liverpool in order to sell it – as well as their public admittance that they courted Jurgen Klinsmann on the off chance that relations with Rafa would nosedive even further – and you have a veritable recipe for disaster.
Key Error: Coming out and publicly admitting that they had courtedKlinsmann; another bungled piece of mismanagement as bad as Levy’s treatment of Jol.
Idiot C: Mike Ashley at Newcastle United:
The club owner was clearly going stir crazy waiting for a decent excuse to do away with manager Sam Allardyce and indulge his fantasy of bringing Toon duo Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer to St James’ Park.
When Ashley couldn’t wait any longer, he gave Allardyce the boot, brought Keegan down from a ‘football circus’ in Scotland, and inexplicably appointed Dennis Wise to an executive role that is sure to increase the pressure on Keegan. Since Keegan’s appointment on January 16, he hasn’t won a Premier League game, securing two draws and four defeats.
Key Error: Two words - Kevin Keegan.
Idiot D: Roman Abramovich at Chelsea:
The Russian billionaire severed relations with Jose Mourinho and replaced him with the more pliant Avram Grant. Mourinho departed as the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history, and although Grant initially appeared to be doing well, his insipid coaching in extra time of the Carling Cup final highlighted exactly what Chelsea were missing.
Key Error: Getting rid of the most successful manager in the club's history, amid weeping and wailing from his players, and replacing him with a man who has all the vigour and character of distilled mud.
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