trousers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26545313

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach Newly-appointed #SaintsFC chairman Ralph Krueger says owner Katharina Liebherr has "zero" intention of selling the club Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport New #saintsfc chairman Ralph Krueger says owner Katharina Liebherr has no intention of selling the club & "is here to grow the club". Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach Krueger dismissed talk Liebherr looking for a quick sell, saying #SaintsFC "has become a very important priority for her. She cares." Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach Krueger recently turned down five opportunities to return to the NHL & is confident of turning #SaintsFC into a "healthy sports model" Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach He believes #SaintsFC have "unlimited potential" & keen to make home-grown focus key marketing point. Coy when asked about keeping players. Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach Krueger suggested the #NFL's "sentimental favourites" Green Bay Packers was the kind of unique marketing position #SaintsFC could fill

Luke Shaw ‏@LukeShaw3 Tgis ? TGI Friday's UK ‏@TGIFridaysUK @LukeShaw3 Score a goal against Norwich this weekend and your post-match grub is on us, Luke! Luke Shaw ‏@LukeShaw3 @TGIFridaysUK I'll remember this ! TGI Friday's UK ‏@TGIFridaysUK @LukeShaw3 We're a man/woman/restaurant of our word, Luke! Hit the back of the net and we'll happily arrange that free meal #BringItHomeShaw

No, but has Krueger got any myrrh?

Lineker is talking about Sherwood at Spurs here but quite fitting for the subject matter of this thread too.... Gary Lineker ‏@GaryLineker There is no quicker way to lose the confidence and trust of your players than to slag them off publicly.

Bryan Swanson ‏@skysports_bryan Southampton's new chairman Ralph Krueger talks about @LukeShaw3, Mauricio Pochettino and club's future. 5pm on @SkySportsNews

Joe Batchelor ‏@Joe_Batchelor Interesting to meet Ralph Krueger for the first time. Lots of #saintsfc content to hit the wires after 5pm.

I'm sure a conspiracy theorist, or devil's advocate, could argue that what we've actually seen today is an excellent subliminal sales pitch... They'd say: What type of football club would be worth more on the open market? One that's rudderless and directionless or one that's just announced a new board and intentions to "continue with the project"...? Not that I'm one of those kind of people of course...

It all started off so well too... [video=youtube_share;iY8KehtGujA]

Krueger: "Contract talks with Mauricio are 'evolving naturally' and won't be rushed"

Krueger on Katharina: "The ties to her father and what he meant and how much he cared about The Saints has come alive in Katharina and every step she takes here she's doing with her father in mind" #goosebumps

He sounds very impressive! "We need to close the commercial gap to sustain the level of play we want here"....suggests more self-sustaining investment rather than dipping into trust funds etc...

Just watched that. It does seem to be endemic.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/barker-blasts-lack-of-quality-1-5929977

Hans Hofstetter....car salesman....? http://www.faessler-garage.ch/verwaltungsrat.html

CLUB STATEMENT Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce that Ralph Krueger has been appointed as its new Chairman by accepting a position on the Board of its holding company, St Mary’s Football Group Limited (formerly DMSWL613 Ltd). Ralph joins having just returned from participating in his fourth Winter Olympics, where he helped lead Team Canada to the gold medal in ice hockey. As part of the wider process of strengthening Southampton’s leadership team, the Club can also announce the appointment of Hans Hofstetter and Gareth Rogers to the Holding Company’s Board of Directors. Hans Hofstetter is an internationally connected business lawyer. His deep professional experience in corporate governance will be an invaluable asset to Southampton Football Club. Gareth Rogers is currently the Club’s Interim Chief Executive Officer who will also remain an Executive Director of the Football Club’s Board, alongside Les Reed. Owner Katharina Liebherr said: “Ralph has an impressive background in major league sport at all levels, it is his experience as an expert in leadership, motivation and team-building that makes him ideally suited for this important position in the Saints organisation. He has been a leading advisor and coach to senior management in large international corporations for the past 20 years. In addition, he has been an active member of the World Economic Forum since 2011. “The news that Ralph has agreed to take on the role of Chairman at the Club follows a calm and steady process of identifying a board that will bring the stability needed to achieve long-term success both on and off the pitch. “I will remain on the Board, with an active involvement, and we will continue to move forward with great respect for Saints’ history, while at the same time work towards a process that is creative, unique, dynamic and modern.” Ralph Krueger said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chairman of Southampton Football Club and the group. “I have had the opportunity to meet with a large percentage of the staff at Southampton and it is clear there is a positive soul throughout the Club, both at St Mary’s and the training ground. “We will build on that soul by creating platforms of open communication both inside with the staff and outside with our fan base. “Although there is a solid foundation in place, the Club still has tremendous untapped commercial potential. We will continue to nurture “The Southampton Way” by reaching for consistent growth in all departments to ultimately build a culture that allows Southampton to remain healthy and sustainable in the future.” Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/announcement-new-chairman-appointed-1415810.aspx#BAol61vbBI7ygMqv.99

I see that the club's parent company changed name from 'DWSL 613 Limited' to 'St Mary's Group Limited' on the 3rd March. No idea how significant that is... (apologies if already posted)

Live statement from the Malaysian authorities now on BBC News

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach Making my way down to Southampton. Promises to be an interesting day.