Melbourne Heart FC buy out - Man City, Melbourne City FC, etc.

[thedukeofhearts]

club's philosophies pfft !!!

[kingofhearts]

It's basically done. Thats the vibe i get from reading that post.

[johnno cpfc]

This is what i'd like to see happen

1. SM announces the sacking of both JA ands HF and that interim coaching arrangements will be confirmed later in the week

2. Less than 24hrs later it is announced that Merbourne Heart is sold to a high flying consortium linked to the Melbourne Storm

3. The new Chairman states that he wants Melbourne Heart to become the biggest and most successful club in all of Asia and that he and his fellow investors will be doing everything in their power to make that happen, including appropriate levels of investment.

4. The new Chairman and Scott Munn jointly announce that the club is moving all operations to AAMI park.

5. Miron Bleiberg is annouced as an interim coach for the next 5 matches whilst the club commence a world wide search for a new manager.

6. Germano, Mcallister and Velaphi are released.

7. JVS is called back into the country to assist with the recruitment during the January transfer window and to commit more of his time developing our youth team, and it is announced that Brad Jones has been signed as new 1st choice goalkeeper. Josh Kennedy is also announced on a 10 match guest stint.

8. Miron announces his squad for the CCM game and plays a 4-4-2, stating he is taking it back to basics. Walker, Garrucio and Vrankovic get starts, Hoffman plays upfront with Williams, with Mifsud drifting in centrally off the left. Heart starts slowly, but is a lot more compact defensively and takes the lead just after half time. CCM draw level at the 72 minute. HK plays a great cameo in the last 10 minutes, but it is not enough with Sainsbury heading the winner from a corner with two minutes to play.

8. Scott Munn announces that he will not seek a contract extension with the club at the end of the season, and will focus his energy ensuring approriate transition for the new owners, and that he will have a less visible public presence for the remainder of the season.

9. JVS announces the signing of Tom Rogic on a loan deal till the end of the season (as our OZ marquee). Rogic says he needs playing time in the lead up to the World Cup.

10. We play Perth away and win. 1 nil, with Jacob Burns scoring an own goal in the 80th minute. Non-winning streak ended.

11. JD announces his resignation to focus on player management.

12. Marcello Bielsa announced as the new coach of Melbourne Heart, with his 1st match to be 20 Feb against the Roar. Biesla states that he understands the limitations of the A-League and he is looking forward to embracing the challenge of developing players, especially youth, in an equalised competition and that his aim will be to take Heart to National and AFC glory.

13. It is announced that midfielder Iñigo Pérez, a youth product of Athletic Bilbao has been signed on 2 year deal and will join the squad in two weeks.

14. Bielsa asks Miron to tell all players that all spots are up for grabs and that he wants detailed reports each week both on training and match day efforts. Competition and effort amongst the players is the most intense it has ever been.

15. Season continues, Heart beats Newcastle at home, loses (just) to Adelaide away in one of the matches of the season, thrashes Sydney at AAMI 5-1 (Farina is sacked and replaced by JA) and beats Perth 2 nil (regional) before drawing with the Phoenix away.

16. Bielsa arrives in time for Rogic's 1st match. Also, Engelaar is available for selection and is named on the bench.

17. 18 thousand attend the match against Brisbane, which ends 3 all. Rogic with a hatrick. Engelaar who gets 15 minutes, pulls up well after the hit out.

18. The club announce a pre-season game against Barcelona FC at the MCG.

19. The Derby arrives and is sold out. Heart smash the tards 5 nil. Nichols breaks his little toe. Muscat gets a red card for spitting on the ref. The tards have no choice but the sack him. Hayden Foxe is appointed their new 1st coach and he immediately enforces a new 'Where is Wally?" dress code on all coaching staff. Archie Thompson retires, crying like a little girl during his presser.

20. We win each and everygame for the rest of the season, make the finals which we win 2 -1 against WSW and we qualify for the AFC

21 .... then I wake up

What an absolutely great read, if that actually happened i would definitely sign up for next year in " A premium " and would attend every game regardless of where it is played even to the point of going bankrupt. God help us all. i might point out that i am a founder member and i rely on age pension .

Edited December 28, 2013 by johnno cpfc

[jw1739]

Well, at least the underlying rumour is confirmed. We also now know that discussions are ongoing.

Agree with KoH - basically done, ironing out the details.

[AntiScum]

 

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Statement-on-sale-speculation/81808

 

 

Melbourne Heart FC would like to acknowledge and address recent speculation linking the Club with a sale.

Melbourne Heart has been approached by a number of parties over the past 12 months.

The Club has always maintained that the owners would consider transferring ownership if they considered the sale to be in the best long-term interests of the Club, which includes players, staff and members.

Over the last four months, the Club’s ownership has held discussions with one particular group who has expressed an interest in growing the Club, which has always been the current Board’s vision.

The Club confirms, however, there has been no sale and that any discussions are ongoing.

Any discussions will ensure the Club’s existing structures remain, in order to prevent dislocation to the Club's philosophies or personnel.

Until such discussions are concluded, the Club will make no further comment.

 

Any new owners will not buy under those conditions they will have there own ideas!! Im sure wheelie bins and a dislocation wont be in any new owners plans!!!! There is so much that could be done to put heart back on the map with a world class training facility that would be appealing any overseas player who wishes to join in the future. 

[belaguttman]

 

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Statement-on-sale-speculation/81808

 

 

Melbourne Heart FC would like to acknowledge and address recent speculation linking the Club with a sale.

Melbourne Heart has been approached by a number of parties over the past 12 months.

The Club has always maintained that the owners would consider transferring ownership if they considered the sale to be in the best long-term interests of the Club, which includes players, staff and members.

Over the last four months, the Club’s ownership has held discussions with one particular group who has expressed an interest in growing the Club, which has always been the current Board’s vision.

The Club confirms, however, there has been no sale and that any discussions are ongoing.

Any discussions will ensure the Club’s existing structures remain, in order to prevent dislocation to the Club's philosophies or personnel.

Until such discussions are concluded, the Club will make no further comment.

 

I'm confused, given that the club's philosophies have already been dislocated, it'll take a change in personnel and structures to relocate those philosophies.

[belaguttman]

Well, at least the underlying rumour is confirmed. We also now know that discussions are ongoing.

Agree with KoH - basically done, ironing out the details.

Hopefully one of those 'details' isn't an assurance that Bambi keeps his job, still given that this season is already lost I could put up with that knowing that he would be gone as a major revamp at the conclusion of the season.

[thedukeofhearts]

Hard to know what all this jibba jabba EXACTLY means, but it is a bit worrying. The board, JA etc, I want them gone, but at the same time I feel a little bad for them because they ARE people. I feel bad when it gets a bit nasty towards them and just wish they would go quietly, but I'm moving from a real dislike to hatred towards them all. The only thing that I think describes them is they are a pack of self centre c*nts !!

[belaguttman]

 

 

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Statement-on-sale-speculation/81808

 

 

Melbourne Heart FC would like to acknowledge and address recent speculation linking the Club with a sale.

Melbourne Heart has been approached by a number of parties over the past 12 months.

The Club has always maintained that the owners would consider transferring ownership if they considered the sale to be in the best long-term interests of the Club, which includes players, staff and members.

Over the last four months, the Club’s ownership has held discussions with one particular group who has expressed an interest in growing the Club, which has always been the current Board’s vision.

The Club confirms, however, there has been no sale and that any discussions are ongoing.

Any discussions will ensure the Club’s existing structures remain, in order to prevent dislocation to the Club's philosophies or personnel.

Until such discussions are concluded, the Club will make no further comment.

 

Any new owners will not buy under those conditions they will have there own ideas!! Im sure wheelie bins and a dislocation wont be in any new owners plans!!!! There is so much that could be done to put heart back on the map with a world class training facility that would be appealing any overseas player who wishes to join in the future. 

 

Any serious top coach like Bielsa wouldn't consider the job without a promise of top training facilities. His dispute with Athletic was over the standard of their training facilities. His insistence on excellence is exactly what we need at this stage.

Edited December 28, 2013 by belaguttman

[MTP]

This is what i'd like to see happen

1. SM announces the sacking of both JA ands HF and that interim coaching arrangements will be confirmed later in the week

2. Less than 24hrs later it is announced that Merbourne Heart is sold to a high flying consortium linked to the Melbourne Storm

3. The new Chairman states that he wants Melbourne Heart to become the biggest and most successful club in all of Asia and that he and his fellow investors will be doing everything in their power to make that happen, including appropriate levels of investment.

4. The new Chairman and Scott Munn jointly announce that the club is moving all operations to AAMI park.

5. Miron Bleiberg is annouced as an interim coach for the next 5 matches whilst the club commence a world wide search for a new manager.

6. Germano, Mcallister and Velaphi are released.

7. JVS is called back into the country to assist with the recruitment during the January transfer window and to commit more of his time developing our youth team, and it is announced that Brad Jones has been signed as new 1st choice goalkeeper. Josh Kennedy is also announced on a 10 match guest stint.

8. Miron announces his squad for the CCM game and plays a 4-4-2, stating he is taking it back to basics. Walker, Garrucio and Vrankovic get starts, Hoffman plays upfront with Williams, with Mifsud drifting in centrally off the left. Heart starts slowly, but is a lot more compact defensively and takes the lead just after half time. CCM draw level at the 72 minute. HK plays a great cameo in the last 10 minutes, but it is not enough with Sainsbury heading the winner from a corner with two minutes to play.

8. Scott Munn announces that he will not seek a contract extension with the club at the end of the season, and will focus his energy ensuring approriate transition for the new owners, and that he will have a less visible public presence for the remainder of the season.

9. JVS announces the signing of Tom Rogic on a loan deal till the end of the season (as our OZ marquee). Rogic says he needs playing time in the lead up to the World Cup.

10. We play Perth away and win. 1 nil, with Jacob Burns scoring an own goal in the 80th minute. Non-winning streak ended.

11. JD announces his resignation to focus on player management.

12. Marcello Bielsa announced as the new coach of Melbourne Heart, with his 1st match to be 20 Feb against the Roar. Biesla states that he understands the limitations of the A-League and he is looking forward to embracing the challenge of developing players, especially youth, in an equalised competition and that his aim will be to take Heart to National and AFC glory.

13. It is announced that midfielder Iñigo Pérez, a youth product of Athletic Bilbao has been signed on 2 year deal and will join the squad in two weeks.

14. Bielsa asks Miron to tell all players that all spots are up for grabs and that he wants detailed reports each week both on training and match day efforts. Competition and effort amongst the players is the most intense it has ever been.

15. Season continues, Heart beats Newcastle at home, loses (just) to Adelaide away in one of the matches of the season, thrashes Sydney at AAMI 5-1 (Farina is sacked and replaced by JA) and beats Perth 2 nil (regional) before drawing with the Phoenix away.

16. Bielsa arrives in time for Rogic's 1st match. Also, Engelaar is available for selection and is named on the bench.

17. 18 thousand attend the match against Brisbane, which ends 3 all. Rogic with a hatrick. Engelaar who gets 15 minutes, pulls up well after the hit out.

18. The club announce a pre-season game against Barcelona FC at the MCG.

19. The Derby arrives and is sold out. Heart smash the tards 5 nil. Nichols breaks his little toe. Muscat gets a red card for spitting on the ref. The tards have no choice but the sack him. Hayden Foxe is appointed their new 1st coach and he immediately enforces a new 'Where is Wally?" dress code on all coaching staff. Archie Thompson retires, crying like a little girl during his presser.

20. We win each and everygame for the rest of the season, make the finals which we win 2 -1 against WSW and we qualify for the AFC

21 .... then I wake up

you need a hobbie, pal.

[MTP]

Apparently club not being sold anyway.

Source: Adam Peacock

[hedaik]

Apparently club not being sold anyway.

Source: Adam Peacock

Did you read his source?

[TheGaffer]

 

Apparently club not being sold anyway.

Source: Adam Peacock

Did you read his source?

 

Talks are still ongoing as per the Heart media release. So technically the club has not been sold "yet" but according to people that are in the know, its only a matter of time before they make the announcement....We are all expecting something in the new year but it will be massive let down if it doesn't happen though. 

[jw1739]

I wouldn't worry about what conditions are agreed to.

 

The important thing is to get new owners. Once they get their hands on things then they will run the club as they see fit.

 

If the discussions have gone as far as including "existing structures" and "personnel", then things are well down the track.

 

But even if this all collapses, we know something else - that the present syndicate will sell if the terms are right. So it's only a matter of time.

[Dylan]

I wouldn't worry about what conditions are agreed to.

 

The important thing is to get new owners. Once they get their hands on things then they will run the club as they see fit.

 

If the discussions have gone as far as including "existing structures" and "personnel", then things are well down the track.

 

But even if this all collapses, we know something else - that the present syndicate will sell if the terms are right. So it's only a matter of time.

 

 

I hope that statement was just a bit of bravado and all thats left is....

 

[DieHardRed]

Melbourne Heart FC would like to acknowledge and address recent speculation linking the Club with a sale.

Melbourne Heart has been approached by a number of parties over the past 12 months.

The Club has always maintained that the owners would consider transferring ownership if they considered the sale to be in the best long-term interests of the Club, which includes players, staff and members.

Over the last four months, the Club’s ownership has held discussions with one particular group who has expressed an interest in growing the Club, which has always been the current Board’s vision.

The Club confirms, however, there has been no sale and that any discussions are ongoing.

Any discussions will ensure the Club’s existing structures remain, in order to prevent dislocation to the Club's philosophies or personnel.

Until such discussions are concluded, the Club will make no further comment.

 

IF YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE LEFT WONDERING BEFORE ...................?

[Parrot]

"The new Chairman states that he wants Melbourne Heart to become the biggest and most successful club in all of Asia."

 

This is an unrealistic pipe dream and IMPOSSIBLE for all A League clubs while they are all competing in the A League and the Asian Champions League on an FFA enforced uneven playing field as for starters the rest of Asia has no salary cap and the rest of Asia will feel free to take A League clubs' best players with offers FFA will NOT allow A League clubs, no matter how wealthy, to match because of the pathetically low salary cap. 

Edited December 28, 2013 by Parrot

[mulhollanddrive]

Club's philosophies?  The board changed them the minute JVS left!  But thankfully they are protecting a 17 game winless club culture.

[Petercrouch]

This is what i'd like to see happen

1. SM announces the sacking of both JA ands HF and that interim coaching arrangements will be confirmed later in the week

2. Less than 24hrs later it is announced that Merbourne Heart is sold to a high flying consortium linked to the Melbourne Storm

3. The new Chairman states that he wants Melbourne Heart to become the biggest and most successful club in all of Asia and that he and his fellow investors will be doing everything in their power to make that happen, including appropriate levels of investment.

4. The new Chairman and Scott Munn jointly announce that the club is moving all operations to AAMI park.

5. Miron Bleiberg is annouced as an interim coach for the next 5 matches whilst the club commence a world wide search for a new manager.

6. Germano, Mcallister and Velaphi are released.

7. JVS is called back into the country to assist with the recruitment during the January transfer window and to commit more of his time developing our youth team, and it is announced that Brad Jones has been signed as new 1st choice goalkeeper. Josh Kennedy is also announced on a 10 match guest stint.

8. Miron announces his squad for the CCM game and plays a 4-4-2, stating he is taking it back to basics. Walker, Garrucio and Vrankovic get starts, Hoffman plays upfront with Williams, with Mifsud drifting in centrally off the left. Heart starts slowly, but is a lot more compact defensively and takes the lead just after half time. CCM draw level at the 72 minute. HK plays a great cameo in the last 10 minutes, but it is not enough with Sainsbury heading the winner from a corner with two minutes to play.

8. Scott Munn announces that he will not seek a contract extension with the club at the end of the season, and will focus his energy ensuring approriate transition for the new owners, and that he will have a less visible public presence for the remainder of the season.

9. JVS announces the signing of Tom Rogic on a loan deal till the end of the season (as our OZ marquee). Rogic says he needs playing time in the lead up to the World Cup.

10. We play Perth away and win. 1 nil, with Jacob Burns scoring an own goal in the 80th minute. Non-winning streak ended.

11. JD announces his resignation to focus on player management.

12. Marcello Bielsa announced as the new coach of Melbourne Heart, with his 1st match to be 20 Feb against the Roar. Biesla states that he understands the limitations of the A-League and he is looking forward to embracing the challenge of developing players, especially youth, in an equalised competition and that his aim will be to take Heart to National and AFC glory.

13. It is announced that midfielder Iñigo Pérez, a youth product of Athletic Bilbao has been signed on 2 year deal and will join the squad in two weeks.

14. Bielsa asks Miron to tell all players that all spots are up for grabs and that he wants detailed reports each week both on training and match day efforts. Competition and effort amongst the players is the most intense it has ever been.

15. Season continues, Heart beats Newcastle at home, loses (just) to Adelaide away in one of the matches of the season, thrashes Sydney at AAMI 5-1 (Farina is sacked and replaced by JA) and beats Perth 2 nil (regional) before drawing with the Phoenix away.

16. Bielsa arrives in time for Rogic's 1st match. Also, Engelaar is available for selection and is named on the bench.

17. 18 thousand attend the match against Brisbane, which ends 3 all. Rogic with a hatrick. Engelaar who gets 15 minutes, pulls up well after the hit out.

18. The club announce a pre-season game against Barcelona FC at the MCG.

19. The Derby arrives and is sold out. Heart smash the tards 5 nil. Nichols breaks his little toe. Muscat gets a red card for spitting on the ref. The tards have no choice but the sack him. Hayden Foxe is appointed their new 1st coach and he immediately enforces a new 'Where is Wally?" dress code on all coaching staff. Archie Thompson retires, crying like a little girl during his presser.

20. We win each and everygame for the rest of the season, make the finals which we win 2 -1 against WSW and we qualify for the AFC

21 .... then I wake up

Lol even when were asleep we can't win away... (CCM part)

[AntiScum]

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent. 

[Dylan]

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent. 

 

 

I still think its just a front to deflect the media and questions. You dont have the 'new' owners at a game with the playing group and staff and on the bench in full public view if its not very very close.

[AntiScum]

 

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent. 

 

 

I still think its just a front to deflect the media and questions. You dont have the 'new' owners at a game with the playing group and staff and on the bench in full public view if its not very very close.

 

Those people who were at the game didnt look be part of Bart Campbells camp. Going by sporting reputation they would rather sell to them than to an asian consortium 

[hedaik]

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent. 

 

Classic real estate agent talk

[Cinnamon]

And FFA have to sanction the purchase, after all it's an FFA franchise they are buying and they won't just let any rich fat mining magnate or similar buy in for shits and giggles

[KSK_47]

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent.

 

Classic real estate agent talk

This. Nothing but bullshit spilling out of this club but unfortunately for them people are becoming aware of it before they have had a chance to sneak out the back door

[Heart Inaugural]

Unsure why there is so much angst directed towards board members who have put a considerable amount of start-up time and money into this club under the advice of Heart's GM of football John Didulica.

 

Didulica is the guy responsible for overseeing and recommending football related decisions to a board which has little football knowledge or cultural understanding, he has to convince them to part with their cash for ideas he feels will benefit Heart.

 

Clearly, the last two seasons have been extremely sub-standard but most concerning, the club has completely reneged on their philosophy of promoting and developing Victorian and Australian youth  - one of the core reasons many supporters signed on as foundation members.

 

IMO he's the main culprit and has to go if we're to get back to our core commitment and become a genuine club that isn't built on hashtags or twilight players of the Socceroos golden generation. When the new deal goes through it's crucial that Heart re establishes its philosophy and commits through action - for the supporters, players and manager's sake.

[malloy]

Unsure why there is so much angst directed towards board members who have put a considerable amount of start-up time and money into this club under the advice of Heart's GM of football John Didulica.

Didulica is the guy responsible for overseeing and recommending football related decisions to a board which has little football knowledge or cultural understanding, he has to convince them to part with their cash for ideas he feels will benefit Heart.

Clearly, the last two seasons have been extremely sub-standard but most concerning, the club has completely reneged on their philosophy of promoting and developing Victorian and Australian youth - one of the core reasons many supporters signed on as foundation members.

IMO he's the main culprit and has to go if we're to get back to our core commitment and become a genuine club that isn't built on hashtags or twilight players of the Socceroos golden generation. When the new deal goes through it's crucial that Heart re establishes its philosophy and commits through action - for the supporters, players and manager's sake.

JD recommended Milicic for the job not JA, can't see how he can be blamed for the last two years

[Heart Inaugural]

JD recommended Milicic for the job not JA, can't see how he can be blamed for the last two years

 

Being the only person around the club at the time with a supposed 'football background' you'd f*cking hope he backed Milicic!

 

JD was responsible for overseeing and supporting Aloisi yet more than contributed to his failed tenure and was unable to provide an experienced assistant - refer to Dougie the pizza boy delivering to a technical area near you...

[jw1739]

 

Unsure why there is so much angst directed towards board members who have put a considerable amount of start-up time and money into this club under the advice of Heart's GM of football John Didulica.

Didulica is the guy responsible for overseeing and recommending football related decisions to a board which has little football knowledge or cultural understanding, he has to convince them to part with their cash for ideas he feels will benefit Heart.

Clearly, the last two seasons have been extremely sub-standard but most concerning, the club has completely reneged on their philosophy of promoting and developing Victorian and Australian youth - one of the core reasons many supporters signed on as foundation members.

IMO he's the main culprit and has to go if we're to get back to our core commitment and become a genuine club that isn't built on hashtags or twilight players of the Socceroos golden generation. When the new deal goes through it's crucial that Heart re establishes its philosophy and commits through action - for the supporters, players and manager's sake.

JD recommended Milicic for the job not JA, can't see how he can be blamed for the last two years

 

Do you know that for certain?

[belaguttman]

We don't know what his instructions were from the CEO, and his from the board. It could be that the club had recruited exceptionally well within the directions provided to him. As Sidwell said though, everyone bears responsibility for what happened, it isn't necessary to highlight any one person. As fans though we need to keep them all accountable, they are the custodians of the club and in that guise they are responsible to us (and with us) even though they own the franchise provided by FFA.

[Melburnian]

Hurry up with the sale Sidwell and your incompetent board.

Everyone out. Relaunch with better people.

JA cannot be the only scapegoat.

[jw1739]

We don't know what his instructions were from the CEO, and his from the board. It could be that the club had recruited exceptionally well within the directions provided to him. As Sidwell said though, everyone bears responsibility for what happened, it isn't necessary to highlight any one person. As fans though we need to keep them all accountable, they are the custodians of the club and in that guise they are responsible to us (and with us) even though they own the franchise provided by FFA.

Yes, Bela. Precisely my point.

 

And please everyone listen to what Sidwell actually said. Everyone including himself and Scott Munn has blood on their hands. Ever heard that from another Chairman in the football world or the corporate world? It isn't common, that's for sure.

 

Sidwell has recognised and publicly admitted his culpability in this whole sorry debacle.

 

Now give him a chance to make amends.

[KSK_47]

Now give him a chance to make amends.

Going to have to do something pretty fucking spectacular to make amends for what has gone on.

[Parrot]

"And please everyone listen to what Sidwell actually said. Everyone including himself and Scott Munn has blood on their hands. Ever heard that from another Chairman in the football world or the corporate world? It isn't common, that's for sure."

 

My comment: Including those players who were mentally weak and panicked in front of goal every time they had an easy goal scoring chance. Now time to move them on.

[malloy]

Unsure why there is so much angst directed towards board members who have put a considerable amount of start-up time and money into this club under the advice of Heart's GM of football John Didulica.

Didulica is the guy responsible for overseeing and recommending football related decisions to a board which has little football knowledge or cultural understanding, he has to convince them to part with their cash for ideas he feels will benefit Heart.

Clearly, the last two seasons have been extremely sub-standard but most concerning, the club has completely reneged on their philosophy of promoting and developing Victorian and Australian youth - one of the core reasons many supporters signed on as foundation members.

IMO he's the main culprit and has to go if we're to get back to our core commitment and become a genuine club that isn't built on hashtags or twilight players of the Socceroos golden generation. When the new deal goes through it's crucial that Heart re establishes its philosophy and commits through action - for the supporters, players and manager's sake.

JD recommended Milicic for the job not JA, can't see how he can be blamed for the last two years

Do you know that for certain?

I don't know 100% certain. But above 90% certain

[belaguttman]

Hopefully Sidwell and the board are considering this:

If they have been offered around $10 million for Heart in its decrepit run down trashed state, imagine how much more they could have received for it if we were in the same position of strength as WSW? Their gamble has cost them millions of dollars each. Words are cheap and Sidwell may or may not make good with his promise to correct the problems in the club but all the Board can't escape the financial hit.

[Melburnian]

Now give him a chance to make amends.

Going to have to do something pretty fucking spectacular to make amends for what has gone on.

No way he deserves another chance.

Admitted responsibility? Well kinda. Sort of blamed everyone.

No more excuses. No more chances. OUT.

Every single one of you. OUT.

[billyheart]

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent.

Classic real estate agent talk

At least they've done a few things to back yard and re painted the bathroom (sacked JA, brought JVS in)

But they still haven't mentioned the dodgy air con and rising damp.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

What pissed me off was the we have investors "that can fund any requirements"

... Well we've seen that over the past few years haven't we.

[hedaik]

 

 

very interesting press conference. according to sidwell there are numerous offers on the table sounds like they are taking there time to sell to the right party and obviously for a price where they dont lose a cent.

Classic real estate agent talk

At least they've done a few things to back yard and re painted the bathroom (sacked JA, brought JVS in)

But they still haven't mentioned the dodgy air con and rising damp.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

What pissed me off was the we have investors "that can fund any requirements"

... Well we've seen that over the past few years haven't we.

 

 

A renovators delight!

[belaguttman]

Interesting article on AJAX's new way forward under Cruyff.

 

 

Cruyff & Ajax's 'Way Forward'

“The idea now is that we are trying to create complete, exceptional players”

 

For those who read the recent article "Are Academies Restricting Creativity" you will know that I have been reading Dennis Bergkamp's book and quite frankly loving every bit of it. In that article we discussed the importance of providing players with the freedom to express and think for their-selves, as well as the possibility that academies require too much 'conformity' to allow true expression. In the final chapter of the book Bergkamp talks of the future of Ajax and the new ideas that Cruyff and his staff are implementing. This is what we will look at and discuss in this article. 

 

 

“We believe that in the future tams, clubs, countries will copy this. We will be in the forefront again” Dennis Bergkamp

 

The conflict of old and new

 

During 2008-2010 Ajax experienced a power struggle involving Johann Cruyff and the present board and coaching staff. Cruyff felt the club had stagnated in its development of players and teams befitting the 'Ajax way'. There was a sense he felt that the 1995 Champions League success had stopped the club from moving forward. That success had frozen Ajax in time. 

 

Of course the landscape of football changed signficiantly during the 1990’s and that Ajax success was perhaps the last of the 'classic' way. After an increase in the transfers of players, the Bosman ruling and the allowance of foreign players in sides opened the doors to mult-national teams. Money became the ultimate form of success, developing one’s own became a thing of the past. 

 

Ajax never reached those heights again, perhaps they felt it was no longer possible, or perhaps they were afraid to do new things. Cruyff felt it was the second. He was witnessing the reign of Barcelona in 2006-2010, watching Rijkaard and then Guardiola bring success and for him most importantly quality and entertainment to the Nou Camp. 

 

Yes it was done by spending money yet ultimately the success came from what he himself had laid down two decades earlier. Cruyff revolutionised the way Barcelona developed players and made sure to make this their philosophy. He brought the Ajax methods and beliefs to Barca and made them one of, if not the greatest side football has seen. It was hard for him therefore to see what happened to his Ajax side. 

 

After a failed ‘coup’ in 2008 Cruyff waited patiently, assembling his ideas and staff until in 2010 he could no longer take it. Martin Jol was ‘the worst he had ever seen’. For Cruyff ‘Ajax was no longer Ajax’. At the end of 2010 Jol was fired, the fans had turned against him, they had sided with Cruyff and agreed that this was not what Ajax were about. In came Frank De Boer, on the approval of Cruyff of course. 

 

After months of conflict and fighting the Ajax board resigned in April 2011 stating it was ‘impossible’ to work with Cryuff. This was what he wanted. He wanted complete control because he wanted to revolutionise the club. He wanted to make them the world’s best school of football once again. 

 

It was a difficult period for the club during 2011, Cruyff did not accept small changes but wanted complete change. It caused many issues and arguments. This blog wrote about a grassroots club in England who were resistant to change and it was no different at Ajax. “They were comfortable in their positions and the only thing they wanted was to stay comfortable. That’s why they resisted us, tooth and nail.”  

 

The resistance was a big strain and the two camps; the pro Cruyff and pro Van-Gaal groups fought hard. Finally in February 2012 after Cruyff took the matter to the courts the resistance fell and Cruyff was free to implement the changes he wished. 

 

The problem for Cruyff was that Ajax were no longer producing world class players, more average professionals. For some this was acceptable yet Cruyff does not know the word, or at least approve of it. He wanted more from his club and he would make sure the foundations were put in place to make it possible. After almost 15 years of stagnation and holding on to past glories, a revolution of their development was under way. As Berkgamp says about the Ajax academy in his book “It’s still good, but the standard had gone down a bit.” 

 

Educating genius 

 

Developing your own, especially for a side like Ajax is essential in today’s world. Dutch football is not close to one of the big leagues, especially financially. They would need to generate finance from selling star assets, yet for Cruyff it was not just about selling but developing individuals to make Ajax a force in Europe once again. As Cruyff says “if you have the eleven best trained footballers in Europe in your team you will automatically reach the European top.” High ambitions indeed, yet Cruyff has always dreamt and reached high.

 

For Cruyff he felt that the Van Gaal philosophy which had been with the club since the early 90’s was now wrong. For him the focus on tactics, systems and teamwork was not in-line with the modern development of players. For Cruyff he felt that the future game required youth development which would develop ‘extraordinary individuals’. Ajax would now focus on ‘encouraging and educating genius’.

 

This blog could not resist discussing what Ajax are doing under the guidance of Cruyff and the leadership of De Boer, Bergkamp and Jonk. So what is the revolution? What are the methods which Cruyff believes are necessary for future world class development? Well, it is ‘individual training’, intense individual work for players to become exceptional technicians and tacticians. 

 

Ajax’s new idea is to think of player development as just that, as Berkgamp says “Our idea is: don’t think about teams anymore, just think about individuals. It’s all about developing the individual.”

 

Their new way is to neglect tactics until 14 years of age. Before that it is all about technical skills. Laying the foundation for the future development of the player. As I say in “The Way Forward” these ‘key’ years of learning 7-12 years are the most important for the laying of neurological pathways and the building of ‘myelin’. 

 

What young children do in this window can determine their future. Therefore it is essential that they are given the best environment to lay great pathways. Is this the case in our coaching culture though? Uneducated ‘coaches’ who are ‘teaching’ our future generation? Even academies tend to put their less qualified coaches with these age groups. It is insane when you think this is the key for the future.

 

The pleasing thing for this blog is that in my book “The Way Forward” a key solution for England’s future player development was an increase in individual work with the guidance and coaching of a full time ‘technical skills coach’ who would work with the players on their individual technique and skill. This has been seen to be of great value at Man Utd with Rene Meulensteen with the Academy and Quieroz with Ronaldo. 

 

Also at Southampton they hired the French coach George Prost who took their young players to another level. Clive Woodward recently spoke of his marvel at what Prost was doing when he was working at Southampton. Jurgen Klinsmann brought in technical skills expert Alf Galustian when he was coach at Bayern. It is the technical skill level of players which is vital to be able to handle the speed of the future game. This is ‘the way forward’ for player development. Every play needs to be a great technician. Individual training helps increase a players development because of increased repetition and in-depth focus of detail.

 

Developing exceptional people

 

As well as technical skills Ajax seek to develop smart players and people. It is important they are good people for others, who respect and appreciate the world. It is important that he is “someone who is genuinely interested in helping or changing the world.” A strong vision and one which fits with Cruyff's beliefs on making change.  It is one which English football is starting to see value in also. 

 

Not every player can ‘make’ it so it is important that we as coaches have helped them improve as a player yet also as a person. The lessons they learn as young footballers can define who they become, therefore it is important that every player is helped to become a better ‘person’ first and foremost.

 

This ‘new’ approach may sound similar to some, and completely new to others. Personally I work with a number of individual players to enhance their technical and physical skills as well as their psychologically attributes. I believe it is key for players to get to the level required to compete in this ever difficult environment. In the US 1-1 coaching is big business as parents want to get the upperhand for their children’s development. 

 

However Ajax and Cruyff believe that the key is having ‘great’ players impart their wisdom and expertise on the players. This part of Cruyff’s vision will perhaps annoy and frustrate many reading this. 

 

He felt and believed that in order to develop great players for the future, they would need greater former players who had been educated and played at Ajax. These players would be there to educate, not just about football but life. Ajax’s youth players would be smarter, intelligent and wiser than any other in the world. This is the vision. 

 

As he says “there’s no better place in the world to be a young player than at Ajax.” For Cruyff it is important that his vision has people working for it who love football, who did it because they want to and not because it’s their job or their paycheck. He has a clear disdain for non-footballing executives who think too much about the money and not the football. And he is right. 

 

How can you teach, inspire and develop players if you haven’t got the love of the game allied with a deep knowledge of the game? English coaches have lots of enthusiasm yet few possess a real knowledge of the game, therefore they can’t really teach players can they? 

 

Some may scoff at Cruyff’s beliefs yet he knows what is required for the top levels of the game, he is not talking mediocrity but the top eight of the Champions League. He is talking the elite levels and he wants to develop players for that. If he believes that it requires great players to educate young players then can we argue against that? 

 

Of course we can argue that an education as a player at Ajax is a completely different one to what ex-pro’s got in the past 50 years in English football. Yet there is an argument for the ‘deeper knowledge’ assertion. Which leads to the question; as coaches, how many strive to learn more, to go deeper and learn more about the game? 

 

If you want to be an elite developer of talent, or put young players on that journey, then you need to know what is expected and how to get them there. That’s hard if you haven’t played at the top level, these great players have insight of the game which most coaches can only dream of or imagine, yet not impossible.

 

High demand, high support

 

Above all the lesson about Ajax’s new philosophy is about standards. As Berkgamp says “I watch everything and it bothers me when I see performances which don’t meet the standards we expect. If anyone – anyone – isn’t pulling their weight, then the details aren’t in order and that is unacceptable. Sure we’re very tough, but we want to be a top club and to accomplish that you have to be ruthless in maintaining top standards.”

 

I believe this is the most important message in the book. Top standards, never allowing mediocrity to creep in. My personal philosophy for myself and the coaches I work with is “High demand, High support”, expect a lot of your players and staff and make sure to offer them all the support, guidance and education necessary to take them further. 

 

Bergkamp’s book is an education in football and should be something read by every coach out there. As for Ajax’s future, it looks to be in good hands once again, a revolution was required to take them out of their slump, the lessons learnt from it are important; yes there will be resistance, people scared or fearful of change, yet sometimes change is required to raise standards once more. 

 

Ajax spent too long in the past and got too comfortable. They now have a new vision, a new ‘way forward’ which may help them develop world class players once more. 

 

It is evident that the world of football and player development is changing and evolving and the levels are becoming higher and more demanding. Are we in England prepared and able to take our players to these levels, to compete with his global market? A revolution may not be required yet significant change and investment will be if we are serious about competing in the coming years. 

http://whitehouseaddress.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/cruyff-ajaxs-way-forward.html

 

hopefully there are some elements of our Academy from this model and the new club owners will implement it properly.

Edited December 31, 2013 by belaguttman