Cortese interview

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Some interesting extracts from Saturday's interview which appeared in the Echo on Saturday. As it is no longer possible to purchase Saturday's Echo I hope I am not infringing on their copyright. There have been quite a few who live out of the area who have asked me what was said.

 

 

Q - How are you settling into your new life in Southampton?

NC - Me and my family are trying to settle. My wife is looking into finding a property where hopefully we will spend a lot of our future.

Q - What about your role at the football club?

NC - My official start was Aug 1 but I was running the business since July 8. I am at the point now where I am starting to learn the business - I am a quick learner. I can already see some decisions we took right at the beginning which need to be revised. We are starting to control the business and make it more efficient.

Q - Does ML have any input on either transfers or in AP's appointment?

NC - So far, no he doesn't

Q - I take it then you are trying to run it as a self sufficient business not to have to phone him up and ask him to wire some money?

NC - A successful football team has to be a business. What I discuss with Markus is the financial aspect, budgets and once I have his approval for that we just run. Decisions about the team are personal for me and on my judgement.

Q - How are decisions made then - does AP come to you with a list of players?

NC - We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every 2 days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be done on the team. He listens to my view, I listen to his view and then we see and i'll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision.

 

That last sentence to me is quite revealing and infers that NC and AP simply HAVE to have a good relationship or things will quickly fall apart. I don't know how "qualified" NC is to take footballing decisions - obviously ML is happy for him to do so - but the dynamics of the relationship between manager and executive chairman will be fundamental to our success. The interview is a lengthy one and he makes some further innuendos re Pinnacle and wasted time but maybe, mods permitting, I will post that at another time.

[Pancake]

Thanks for that FF. Interesting that NC is putting his head on the block re: in and outs. A mighty risky decision knowing some of the fans on here.

[yorkiesaint]

interesting and roughly what i expected. ML isn't going to have anything to do with the club, other than providing a loan for NC. It would be interested when NC has told him he can expect a return on his investment, whether this will be a mandaric style sell out, or some other business model.

[Toadhall Saint]

I thought the interview was a good one TBH. Both NC & AP do need to work very closley together and it would appear that that is what is happening.

 

Just need to stop talking targets and get them in.

[paris]

Thanks..

[niceandfriendly]

That last sentence to me is quite revealing and infers that NC and AP simply HAVE to have a good relationship or things will quickly fall apart. I don't know how "qualified" NC is to take footballing decisions - obviously ML is happy for him to do so - but the dynamics of the relationship between manager and executive chairman will be fundamental to our success.

 

That's always going to be the case though isn't it. Although on first view it looks slightly alarming, but final decisions on signing players are always going to be taken by the Chief Exec/Owner rather than the manager, otherwise we'd have Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo by now and we'd be in the **** again financially!

 

NC doesn't mean he decides who we buy, he just means he sanctions those signings or not.

Edited 17 August, 2009 by niceandfriendly

[Master Bates]

Was a good interview and I hope it all goes well, just need to get on the pitch sorted.

 

The one thing i'm miffed about though is that there was no mention of biscuits with the tea.

[Torres]

Q - How are decisions made then - does AP come to you with a list of players?

NC - We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every 2 days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be done on the team. He listens to my view, I listen to his view and then we see and i'll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision.

 

F*ck me, that will light some fires in some people on here!

[S-Clarke]

Decent interview - but you can understand why they are keen to bring in a DoF role.

 

I doubt Cortese really knows the English leagues, or the players we're tracking...so it's hard for him to make good judgments.

 

I'd imagine a DoF will be in place sooner rather than later, he did say that in his first press release tbh.

[FMPR]

Rupert Mk II

[S-Clarke]

Rupert Mk II

 

I'd be more worried about Dr Who....

[Wes Tender]

Was a good interview and I hope it all goes well, just need to get on the pitch sorted.

 

The one thing i'm miffed about though is that there was no mention of biscuits with the tea.

 

I'm ITK on this one and happy to help. Hobnobs.

[Thedelldays]

Rupert Mk II

it happens at every club..

 

redknapp and storrie were great at finding the right player..or should i say, agent

[ottery st mary]

I'm ITK on this one and happy to help. Hobnobs.

 

No Toblerone on the table?

[Wes Tender]

No Toblerone on the table?

 

No. Top right hand drawer, only available for when Markus visits.

[ottery st mary]

No. Top right hand drawer, only available for when Markus visits.

 

What a Swizzz:D

[saintjay77]

Sounds fair enough to me. I doubt there is any club that hands an open cheque book to the manager so there will always be a CEO type that gives the nod on comings and goings. At the mo NC only has Pards say on how football is run. If a DOF is brought in it could be helpful to both NC and AP.

[VectisSaint]

seems like an eminently sensible arrangement to me. I think some are misunderstanding the bit about NC identifying the players. I seriously doubt this is precisely what he meant (you might consider that English is not his first language, indeed is it even his second or third). I am sure that AP identifies and names the players that he would like to see come in, discusses this with NC, and then NC goes out and identifies the possibility of bringing in these players, talks with the agent/scumbag, negotiates the contract etc. NC stating his view in discussions with AP would be telling AP that we can or cannot afford this player or that player.

 

Whatever the view though, it seems to me that this was the arrangement that AP joined under, and he is almost certainly very comfortable with that. I note that NC says he is already reviewing some of the early decisions that were made. I assume this at least in part refers to the stated intentioin to appoint a Sporting Director (not DoF) to do exactly what NC is currently doing in this regard. i wonder if some other decisions are also now found to be up for revision, perhaps the role of Oldknow who seems to have disappreared into the background after his reasonably high profile reintroduction.

[SaintRichmond]

seems like an eminently sensible arrangement to me. I think some are misunderstanding the bit about NC identifying the players. I seriously doubt this is precisely what he meant (you might consider that English is not his first language, indeed is it even his second or third). I am sure that AP identifies and names the players that he would like to see come in, discusses this with NC, and then NC goes out and identifies the possibility of bringing in these players, talks with the agent/scumbag, negotiates the contract etc. NC stating his view in discussions with AP would be telling AP that we can or cannot afford this player or that player.

 

Whatever the view though, it seems to me that this was the arrangement that AP joined under, and he is almost certainly very comfortable with that. I note that NC says he is already reviewing some of the early decisions that were made. I assume this at least in part refers to the stated intentioin to appoint a Sporting Director (not DoF) to do exactly what NC is currently doing in this regard. i wonder if some other decisions are also now found to be up for revision, perhaps the role of Oldknow who seems to have disappreared into the background after his reasonably high profile reintroduction.

 

 

The Admission pricing structure would seem a fair bet too .........

[Clapham Saint]

Some interesting extracts from Saturday's interview which appeared in the Echo on Saturday. As it is no longer possible to purchase Saturday's Echo I hope I am not infringing on their copyright. There have been quite a few who live out of the area who have asked me what was said.

 

 

Q - How are you settling into your new life in Southampton?

NC - Me and my family are trying to settle. My wife is looking into finding a property where hopefully we will spend a lot of our future.

Q - What about your role at the football club?

NC - My official start was Aug 1 but I was running the business since July 8. I am at the point now where I am starting to learn the business - I am a quick learner. I can already see some decisions we took right at the beginning which need to be revised. We are starting to control the business and make it more efficient.

Q - Does ML have any input on either transfers or in AP's appointment?

NC - So far, no he doesn't

Q - I take it then you are trying to run it as a self sufficient business not to have to phone him up and ask him to wire some money?

NC - A successful football team has to be a business. What I discuss with Markus is the financial aspect, budgets and once I have his approval for that we just run. Decisions about the team are personal for me and on my judgement.

Q - How are decisions made then - does AP come to you with a list of players?

NC - We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every 2 days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be done on the team. He listens to my view, I listen to his view and then we see and i'll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision.

 

That last sentence to me is quite revealing and infers that NC and AP simply HAVE to have a good relationship or things will quickly fall apart. I don't know how "qualified" NC is to take footballing decisions - obviously ML is happy for him to do so - but the dynamics of the relationship between manager and executive chairman will be fundamental to our success. The interview is a lengthy one and he makes some further innuendos re Pinnacle and wasted time but maybe, mods permitting, I will post that at another time.

 

The way I read that is that because he is ultimately responsible to ML for meeting budgets and managing the business he has final sanction. This isn't any different from any other well run club.

 

To see what can happen when the manager goes about transfer dealings without any form of restraint you only need to look down the M27.

[John B]

The way I read that is that because he is ultimately responsible to ML for meeting budgets and managing the business he has final sanction. This isn't any different from any other well run club.

 

To see what can happen when the manager goes about transfer dealings without any form of restraint you only need to look down the M27.

 

Or here when Wilde and Crouch were here.

 

The question regarding the budget is the most interesting because what money is available for transfers

[Draino76]

I bet its really like this;

 

Q - How are decisions made then - does AP come to you with a list of players?

NC - We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every 2 days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be done on the team. The first point of call is always the HCDAJFU on the saintsweb board. He listens to my view, I listen to his view and then we see if this lines up with what the majority want on the HCDAJFU fred, and then we see and i'll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision.

[Clifford Nelson]

Or here when Wilde and Crouch were here.

 

The question regarding the budget is the most interesting because what money is available for transfers

 

No club in their right mind will publicise how much money is available for players. Can you imagine what that will do with the asking price?

[Clifford Nelson]

Decent interview - but you can understand why they are keen to bring in a DoF role.

 

I doubt Cortese really knows the English leagues, or the players we're tracking...so it's hard for him to make good judgments.

 

I'd imagine a DoF will be in place sooner rather than later, he did say that in his first press release tbh.

 

Very wise (although absolutely not Wise). We need an experienced footballing head with his management and coaching days behind him to deal with the whole of the footballing strategy for the club which will leave AP to concentrate on the first team squad and results.

 

This somebody needs to have learnt the biggest and most difficult lesson of all: To avoid the temptation to interfere in the management of the first team!!! Then all will be well.

[krissyboy31]

The way I read that is that because he is ultimately responsible to ML for meeting budgets and managing the business he has final sanction. This isn't any different from any other well run club.

 

To see what can happen when the manager goes about transfer dealings without any form of restraint you only need to look down the M27.

 

This is where the Sporting Director will ultimately come in because NC will not necessarily be able to judge true value for money, when it comes to transfer fees and wages.

[WealdSaint]

The fact thant Nicola said yes to Lambert, when Huddersfield said no suggests that AP should be fairly happy so far.

 

Can undersatand that he would want some more people at board level to help him.

 

Would be suprised if AP did'nt know that this was going to happen when he was offered the job.

[Chez]

The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision.

 

wow.

[greg_hill]

Glad to see the reaction here has been mostly sensible. Indeed, it sounds like Cortese may have a slightly inflated opinion of himself (as we will if he and Alan guide us back to the Prem!) but as has been noted, the point he is making is natural, the executive has the final say.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Glad to see the reaction here has been mostly sensible. Indeed, it sounds like Cortese may have a slightly inflated opinion of himself (as we will if he and Alan guide us back to the Prem!) but as has been noted, the point he is making is natural, the executive has the final say.

 

I too am pleased the replies on here have been sensible having read what Cortese said, I felt some reactions maybe different. Afterall, the structure is not a million miles away from where we were under Lowe and he according to many was definitely not qualified to have the final say so on transfers and given Cortese's background I'm surprised of the double standards of many fans but relieved nonetheless.

 

My guess though it won't be long before we have our first wtf does Cortese know about football thread and especially as he is previously not a big time supporter. History has a habit of repeating itself expecially in the knee jerk reactions of some of our fanbase.

[doughnutman]

I too am pleased the replies on here have been sensible having read what Cortese said, I felt some reactions maybe different. Afterall, the structure is not a million miles away from where we were under Lowe and he according to many was definitely not qualified to have the final say so on transfers and given Cortese's background I'm surprised of the double standards of many fans but relieved nonetheless.

 

My guess though it won't be long before we have our first wtf does Cortese know about football thread and especially as he is previously not a big time supporter. History has a habit of repeating itself expecially in the knee jerk reactions of some of our fanbase.

 

Yes but Cortese appears to accept that he does not know all about football (unlike Lowe) and in the long term is prepared to bring in a football man (unlike Lowe) and has not done so yet as he understands it is important to get the first team competing before sorting out other things.

 

Of course there will be fans who will eventually criticise Cortese but another key difference is that this is the man who got a billionaire involved with our club so the fans may not be so quick to complain as unlike Lowe he has been able to bring financial backing to the table.

[Saint 76er]

seems like an eminently sensible arrangement to me. I think some are misunderstanding the bit about NC identifying the players. I seriously doubt this is precisely what he meant (you might consider that English is not his first language, indeed is it even his second or third). I am sure that AP identifies and names the players that he would like to see come in, discusses this with NC, and then NC goes out and identifies the possibility of bringing in these players, talks with the agent/scumbag, negotiates the contract etc. NC stating his view in discussions with AP would be telling AP that we can or cannot afford this player or that player.

 

Whatever the view though, it seems to me that this was the arrangement that AP joined under, and he is almost certainly very comfortable with that. I note that NC says he is already reviewing some of the early decisions that were made. I assume this at least in part refers to the stated intentioin to appoint a Sporting Director (not DoF) to do exactly what NC is currently doing in this regard. i wonder if some other decisions are also now found to be up for revision, perhaps the role of Oldknow who seems to have disappreared into the background after his reasonably high profile reintroduction.

 

It does seem that Cortese is running the show on his own now, whereas he appeared to be part of a double act with Oldknow at the start and appeared to be leaning on Oldknow's knowledge of English football.

 

Now, a short while later, Oldknow's name never seems to crop up in the public realm. Not to say he isn't squirreling away being a COO (whatever that is) in the background, although he did rather give the impression initially (to me at least) that he expected to be standing alongside NC up at the pointy end as the public face of those running the club.

 

However, ML did recently make it publicly very clear that Cortese was his chosen man and whom he had entrusted with executive powers to run the business in his (Liebherr's) name.

 

No mention of Oldknow at that time and very little since...

[krissyboy31]

It does seem that Cortese is running the show on his own now, whereas he appeared to be part of a double act with Oldknow at the start and appeared to be leaning on Oldknow's knowledge of English football.

 

Now, a short while later, Oldknow's name never seems to crop up in the public realm. Not to say he isn't squirreling away being a COO (whatever that is) in the background, although he did rather give the impression initially (to me at least) that he expected to be standing alongside NC up at the pointy end as the public face of those running the club.

 

However, ML did recently make it publicly very clear that Cortese was his chosen man and whom he had entrusted with executive powers to run the business in his (Liebherr's) name.

 

No mention of Oldknow at that time and very little since...

 

Oldknow is in affect Commercial Director, nothing to do with the running of the footballing side.

[John B]

No club in their right mind will publicise how much money is available for players. Can you imagine what that will do with the asking price?

 

Well have we a £0 m £1m £2 m or £5m budget for players

 

We have no idea what is being planned

[Clifford Nelson]

Well have we a £0 m £1m £2 m or £5m budget for players

 

We have no idea what is being planned

 

And so it should be.

[John B]

And so it should be.

 

Why ?

 

 

We have no idea of the aspirations of the new owner except they want to get to Premiership like every other club.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Oldknow is in affect Commercial Director, nothing to do with the running of the footballing side.

 

He was pictured standing behind ML and NC in the director's box for the Millwall game. I thought he had put on a little weight since I had last seen him but he won't thank me for pointing it out.

[Thedelldays]

Why ?

 

 

We have no idea of the aspirations of the new owner except they want to get to Premiership like every other club.

splashing out to buy the best striker in the league and doubling his wages is not a bad start

 

cant remember the last time we bought the best striker in the league we were in...

[JustMike]

I too am pleased the replies on here have been sensible having read what Cortese said, I felt some reactions maybe different. Afterall, the structure is not a million miles away from where we were under Lowe and he according to many was definitely not qualified to have the final say so on transfers and given Cortese's background I'm surprised of the double standards of many fans but relieved nonetheless.

 

My guess though it won't be long before we have our first wtf does Cortese know about football thread and especially as he is previously not a big time supporter. History has a habit of repeating itself expecially in the knee jerk reactions of some of our fanbase.

 

big difference between Lowe and Cortese. Lowe wanted x y z player, his managers didnt. In this case, AP is identifying them and going to Cortese to see if its financially managable.

[John B]

big difference between Lowe and Cortese. Lowe wanted x y z player, his managers didnt. In this case, AP is identifying them and going to Cortese to see if its financially managable.

 

Are you completely sure that every SFC signing in Lowe's time was carried out by him with no input from anybody else?

 

I thought there was a number of people involved in choosing players including the scout.

 

 

That method seems better than the Burley approach where any old pro was taken on especially if he knew George.

 

 

I just want a method where we get in decent players appropriate for the league we are in something which has happened rarely in the last few years.

 

 

Lambert seems a good signing and lets hope we can say the same about Harding and Murty if he remains fit.

[Charlie Wayman]

I doubt that Mr Liebherr has anything to do with the football club except to turn up occasionally to show his support for Nicola Cortese and smile benignly to fans.

 

Mr Cortese has no doubt been allowed to 'buy' the Saints simply as just another division of the Liebherr Empire to allow him to confirm his business administration potential for VERY HIGH OFFICE in that organisation. Success sets him up for the top, failure cannot be contemplated but what is success? If he sells the club on in 5 years at a profit that is the sort of success that he'll be measured by, NOT football results or what league we are in in 5 years as many on here think, hope or wish.

 

Of course he won't be going cap in hand to Mr Liebherr for a free handout of capital to buy players without recourse to other finance streams. He has been charged with the task of running Saints as a STAND ALONE business that means income must balance outgoings and any profit alone will be used for progression. Why else would AP rejoice in signing freebies like Murty and Harding?

 

This is where realism must be kept firmly in mind. What we/you want is probably not what 'they' want.

[John B]

splashing out to buy the best striker in the league and doubling his wages is not a bad start

 

cant remember the last time we bought the best striker in the league we were in...

 

Yes I agree but is this a one off or are we going to buy our way out of League 1 like Notts County are doing in League 2.

 

 

If they get to League 1 and we are still there it may mean there is one promotion spot less which concerns me a bit

Edited 17 August, 2009 by John B

[beatlesaint]

you can understand why they are keen to bring in a DoF role.

 

I doubt Cortese really knows the English leagues, or the players we're tracking...so it's hard for him to make good judgments.

 

I'd imagine a DoF will be in place sooner rather than later, he did say that in his first press release tbh.

 

Spot on !

[John B]

I doubt that Mr Liebherr has anything to do with the football club except to turn up occasionally to show his support for Nicola Cortese and smile benignly to fans.

 

Mr Cortese has no doubt been allowed to 'buy' the Saints simply as just another division of the Liebherr Empire to allow him to confirm his business administration potential for VERY HIGH OFFICE in that organisation. Success sets him up for the top, failure cannot be contemplated but what is success? If he sells the club on in 5 years at a profit that is the sort of success that he'll be measured by, NOT football results or what league we are in in 5 years as many on here think, hope or wish.

 

Of course he won't be going cap in hand to Mr Liebherr for a free handout of capital to buy players without recourse to other finance streams. He has been charged with the task of running Saints as a STAND ALONE business that means income must balance outgoings and any profit alone will be used for progression. Why else would AP rejoice in signing freebies like Murty and Harding?

 

This is where realism must be kept firmly in mind. What we/you want is probably not what 'they' want.

 

 

Exactly - I dont know what they think whether I should I dont know but it would be nice to know

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Exactly - I dont know what they think whether I should I dont know but it would be nice to know

 

John B - that is a classic sentence.

[Thedelldays]

Yes I agree but is this a one off or are we going to buy our way out of League 1 like Notts County are doing in League 2.

 

 

If they get to Leage 1 and we are still there it may mean there is one promotion spot less which concerns me a bit

 

dont know if it is a one off...but it is not penny pinching either really

[sadoldgit]

Yes but Cortese appears to accept that he does not know all about football (unlike Lowe) and in the long term is prepared to bring in a football man (unlike Lowe) and has not done so yet as he understands it is important to get the first team competing before sorting out other things.

 

Of course there will be fans who will eventually criticise Cortese but another key difference is that this is the man who got a billionaire involved with our club so the fans may not be so quick to complain as unlike Lowe he has been able to bring financial backing to the table.

 

Would Cortese gone against STachan's choice of keeper and gonefor Neimi instead?

 

Still, what does it matter? If he is successful he will get support, if not he will get the Lowe treatment...nothing changes...

[John B]

John B - that is a classic sentence.

 

Yes I did it before going to the pub not after

[John B]

dont know if it is a one off...but it is not penny pinching either really

 

But Strikers cost Money

[Thedelldays]

But Strikers cost Money

dont all players who are the best in the league

 

how much did delph go for..?

[John B]

dont all players who are the best in the league

 

how much did delph go for..?

 

Have you seen Lambert's Goal

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8204321.stm

 

Very Good