soiarrai Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2079661,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront Exit Pearce and enter Thaksin as City's revolution takes shape Ranieri and Houllier in frame to replace coach Former Thai prime minister closes on deal Daniel Taylor Tuesday May 15, 2007 The Guardian Stuart Pearce's sacking at Manchester City will usher in a multi-million-pound revolution that will see the deposed Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, seize control of the club and a replacement manager appointed from abroad. While Pearce was packing his belongings yesterday, Thaksin was secretly visiting the stadium for the first time and has made it clear he does not want to appoint another British manager. Thaksin's takeover bid has progressed more quickly than had been anticipated and there could be an official announcement about the next stage of the process within 48 hours. Gérard Houllier, the former Liverpool manager now in charge of Lyon, will be among those considered to replace Pearce, along with the PSV manager, Ronald Koeman, and the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Sven-Goran Eriksson, however, has already been discounted. It is clear that Thaksin, who was yesterday given a VIP tour of the City of Manchester Stadium, and his international team of advisers were consulted about Pearce's sacking in advance. City's chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, and the chairman, John Wardle, had decided several weeks ago that Pearce would have to go. Thaksin, who will retain Mackintosh in his present position, took advice from his English representatives and agreed. Pearce was informed in a lunchtime meeting with Mackintosh and Wardle yesterday but he had been aware the news was coming for several days. His intention is to get another job as quickly as possible, ideally in the south to be nearer his family home, but his reputation has been tarnished after an arduous season in which City finished only four points above the relegation zone. Thaksin, currently in a period of due diligence, has a personal fortune estimated at around £2bn and will make significant funds available for new players, possibly as much as £50m. If everything goes according to plan, his financial muscle could also be critical in terms of hiring a manager who would normally be seen as out of the club's scope, in terms of both money and ambition. However, the Thai's approach does not come without baggage. Human rights campaigners accused Thaksin's administration of various offences, especially in relation to a hardline anti-drugs campaign. The pressure group Human Rights Watch claims this led to more than 2,000 extra-judicial killings in Thailand in 2003. The following year Thaksin launched a bid to buy Liverpool but the deal collapsed amid suspicions about his motives and funding. Eight months ago he was overthrown by a military junta and warned against returning to Thailand. He owns several properties, including one near London. If the deal is closed it will put City on a financial level that has seemed unimaginable during the Pearce era. The former England captain has had to work to a tight budget since replacing Kevin Keegan in March 2005 and his lack of success in the transfer market - most notably, the £6m Georgios Samaras - was key to his departure. Pearce, quite simply, was not trusted to spend Thaksin's money. The club needs strengthening in defence, midfield and particularly attack, having not scored at home since January 1. They are resigned to losing Sylvain Distin on a free transfer this summer. Joey Barton will be another one to leave, though City have postponed a disciplinary hearing into Barton's training-ground attack on Ousmane Dabo that was due to be held today. The club intend to announce several more departures today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglesoup Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I heard this on the Radio on the way home from work. Now we can look forward to match fixing scandals involving Man City, illegal approach for transfer targets, shooting of players who fail drugs tests, and a new Man City stadium where cracks appear all over the pitch on the opening day of the season... Joking aside( maybe I m not joking),it will be interesting to see how he does as a football team owner. I ve got a feeling he will be ruthless. I ve got a feeling he could be good for Man City. He knows how to succeed. I think he will get in a good manager who will take city into the top half of the table next season. City are a team that need strong management up above. Love him or hate him, but Taksin is pretty good at making ruthless decisions. City have drifted about for too long without any real direction. Maybe now it is time for a change...we will see soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I ve got a feeling he will be ruthless. I ve got a feeling he could be good for Man City. He knows how to succeed. I think he will get in a good manager who will take city into the top half of the table next season. City are a team that need strong management up above. Love him or hate him, but Taksin is pretty good at making ruthless decisions. It will be interesting to see what Fleet Street and the Beeb have to say about his human rights record too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglesoup Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I ve got a feeling he will be ruthless. I ve got a feeling he could be good for Man City. He knows how to succeed. I think he will get in a good manager who will take city into the top half of the table next season. City are a team that need strong management up above. Love him or hate him' date=' but Taksin is pretty good at making ruthless decisions. [/quote'] It will be interesting to see what Fleet Street and the Beeb have to say about his human rights record too. It did mention on BBC Radio 5 this evening about his relationship was at best fragile with human right groups. However, I think in the immediate future these points will be raised, but it will be soon forgotten in a week or so, IMO. Abramovich isnt exactly squeaky clean, yet there isnt too much mention anymore of his corruption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianTroy Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 just shows how much money this fucker exploited by making the rules himself! I am jealous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I think it's a very shrewd move by Thaksin. Thais will love it if he does well with MCFC...they'll be begging him to come back and run the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 So does that mean that a 5th team will be supported in Thailand now apart from Man Poo, Arsenhole, Chelsea and Liverpewl?? Wonder who the "big name" manager will be... Sven? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglesoup Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 I think it's a very shrewd move by Thaksin. Thais will love it if he does well with MCFC...they'll be begging him to come back and run the country. Had'nt thought of that CW. But good call. And it is very possible he has this motive considering how much reverance the Thais have for PL football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Thaksin isn't the kind of guy to vanish into the shadows. It's quite unusual to see that kind of egotistic drive in a Thai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.