Manchester United News Round-Up: Moyes Ousted By Bankers, Sex And Ferguson
THE front and back pages and chockfull of Manchester United news.
The Sun has an “exclusive”.
Inside, we read:
Reds on the ropes after manager is dismissed
The scoop, which employed FOUR journalists, is:
MANCHESTER United will be investigated by Wall Street watchdogs over their handling of David Moyes’ sacking — which added $209million to the giant club’s value.
Moyes was yesterday said to be angry and devastated, both at his dismissal after only ten months as boss and the fact that news of it leaked out the day BEFORE he was officially axed.Investors were also left fuming by the reported leak as shares leapt by seven per cent. Now United potentially face a rebuke or fine from the New York Stock Exchange — where the shares are listed — and the US Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly briefing journalists before alerting shareholders.
It’s an exclusive?
What say the money experts at the FT?
Simon Kuper writes in the FT:
Money buys success in football and several clubs now have more money than United. From 1997 through 2004, United topped the consultancy Deloitte’s “rich list” of European football clubs ranked by revenues. In 2012-13, United dropped out of the top three for the first time since Deloitte began compiling the list. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich now have higher revenues. Moreover, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have oil-rich owners who pump money in rather than sucking it out. By the logic of the market that means there are six clubs in Europe more likely to win the Champions League than United. In the domestic league, by the same logic, the club’s natural position is now third behind Chelsea and Manchester City.
So. Money matters. Who knew?
Over in the Indy, Ian Herbert has the “inside story” of Moyes’ fall.
In a back corridor of The Hawthorns six weeks ago, David Moyes gave full force to his temper when expressing his displeasure at the characterisation of one of his regular written communiques to fans as an ‘open letter.’ Venom has always been one of his components.
There have been attempts to rein in his ire and his sometimes bare contempt for those who question him: the Easter eggs on offer before his last pre-match press conference on Good Friday felt like a choreographed softening.
Other papers realise that Ryan Giggs, the new caretaker manager, has a spot of history:
As for Moyes losing out on £20m, as the Star reports
As he prepared for the hotseat, axed Moyes was dealt a hammer blow with his compensation deal slashed by £20m… But his failure to qualify for the Champions League triggered an “ejector seat” clause in his deal. That allowed United’s owners the Glazer family to get rid of him for £5m, which is 12 months salary and peanuts in terms of pay-offs at football’s highest level.
He lost £20m. Or, to put it ion saner terms, David Moyes walked away with a £5m for 10 months of failure. Make the man not a footy manager but a banker and you’ve got a story of outrage and wailing shareholders.
The Mail opts to lead with Giggs and his one true love |(that’s Mrs Giggs).
So, Giggs is a top gap. And then what?
The Star says Alex Ferguson will choose the next United manager, just as he chose Moyes to succeed him.
Eeny, meeny, miney… CARLO!
Whoever comes next, there first job might be to kick out Fergie and his chums:
As Kevin Garside notes:
Wilf McGuinness, Frank O’Farrell, Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson all went in the 17 years that separated the reigns of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
A legacy can weight heavy…
Posted: 23rd, April 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
