Statement from Levy...

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

Jeremy, I don't think Levy said anything yesterday that BMJ didn't already know privately. There is quite clearly a split in the ranks in the boardroom and yesterday's comments were for the benefit of the press and the fans. They should have been made as soon as the furore erupted.

Who do you propose to bring in and do a better job with an inherited squad who quite clearly believe in their manager, as evidenced by all the quotes from senior players the last couple of days? It's an utter shambles and they're trying to retrieve a disastrous situation far too late.

Today's lesson: did you know that the original meaning of shambles is "abattoir"? Just about right at the moment, wouldn't you say?

Subject: Statement from Levy..... Wed Aug 22 2007, 11:05

With all the talk of us finishing in the top 4 et al prior to the commencement of the season I must admit I focused on the players we were buying/have rather than on Jols' capabilities......OK we had two duff games but we are not the only ones......but the way the board have acted this past week it looks like the club only has itself to blame....I think many of us would have accepted missing out on CL this season and then dumping Jol for someone shit hot next summer. What I do not understand is what is the sudden rush and the mess we have made of it....it is nothing short of embarrassing now....I hope we stuff the mancs scum on sunday now as that would be really funny.

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

If you were one of the Board members who disapprove of BMJ (the press would have us believe it's Comoli, Kemsley and Alexander), what would your next move be? You've probably told Levy in no uncertain terms that you have no confidence in BMJ and he should go. You've been caught on camera courting an alternative manager (effectively laid your cards on the table and made your intentions crystal clear). That alternative has now decided to stay put. In addition, your Chairman of the Board has failed to sack the person you disapprove of and publicly supported that person (albeit with a condition to deliver CL football this season) against your collective advise.

What would you do? Would you be fuming with Levy for not taking on board your recommendations? I know many Board directors would be well pissed off.

And in circumstances like these, Board room splits become wider not narrower (I know from experience). Don't be surprised if the above mentioned Directors start making moves behind the scenes to have Levy removed in the long run, irrespective of CL being delivered or not. We're talking about guys with massive egos at this level. And if you're slighted at board room level you either resign or you take over.

This saga has a LONG way to run.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2497

_________________
To dare is to do

David Tuttle Joined : 25 Jun 2007 Posts : 66

Support Levy decision and pressure on Jol!!!!

I understood his concerns, and it's time for Jol to show his ability on the game vs MU.

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

Is that a knife sticking out of Levy's bag? He better look after that bag very well as I can see some of his peers ready and waiting to use some of the contents on him.

We now have:
* a lame duck manager.
* a divided Board room
* and a Chairman who's presided over the biggest PR debacle this club has seen for many a year (to add to the Fruitini one)

It's embarressing and Levy should walk or be made to walk. LEVY OUT!

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

I love the way the majority of fans are pouring out their support for Jol. Are those the same fans which booed the team off against Everton. Okay, it was largely directed at the players, however a lot of Spurs forums were up in arms about Jol tactics and first eleven. Those boos were partly aimed at him and did not go unnoticed by the board.

If Jol is here to stay, fine, I'll be chanting his name during games and hope he leaves me with egg on my face come end of season. Time to unite behind the club/team/management.

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

Not exactly our finest hour.

Gary Stevens Age : 30 Joined : 24 Jul 2007 Posts : 1798

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article2303091.ece

Interesting point made in the Times article that the club accountants have already made provision for Jol's GBP4m pay off. Also states that if they can't get Ramos, they'll go for Mark Hughes. Further, talk about rifts over Mido, which explains the odd events last January when he was all set to move to Man City before he scored at the Emirates in the League Cup Semi. The board obviously backed Jol on that occasion.

It is an extraordinary turn of events. Spurs have been caught chatting up another manager, who has turned them down, so they have to go back to Jol and back him, for the time being. So humiliating. Remember this is the same board that spent most of 2003/4 courting various managers when Pleat was caretaker. I've read in many places that they had agreed a deal with Trappatoni to be manager and Hughes to be his assistant, but Trap's wife decided at the last minute that she didn't want to live in England, so he went to Benfica instead (I think). So they got the disastrous Santini instead.

Make no mistake, Jol will be out by the Arsenal home game unless he gets 4 points from the next two games. If he doesn't get that number of points, CL football looks beyond us and last night in the club statement he said that this was the aim (albeit he said this with a gun to his head).

Levy is a ruthless b*stard. Also a clever b*stard, as he has a first class degree from Cambridge University, in economics. He doesn't seem to have any qualifications in decency mind.

Subject: Re: Statement from Levy... Wed Aug 22 2007, 13:43

These days all the clubs make provisions for the termination of key staff - they learn't their lesson after it cost Liverpool near on $40 million of those British Pounds to get shut of Houllier and the rest of his back team staff.

Talking of Houllier - he is available you know affraid

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

LONDON EVENING STANDARD headline......
Shameful Spurs climbdown sees Jol safe for now as Ramos rejects overtures
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Headlines and articles like these in the coming days and weeks prompted me to think of the other Board members who are probably neutral or pro-Jol. What will they be thinking now? I believe these guys are Keith Mills, David Buchler and Mervyn Davies. Have these guys had their noses put out of place? Do they feel disenfranchised? What do thet make of this whole fiasco and our good name being dragged through the mud?

Sorry to carry on about this issue, but it's gnawing away at me for the last 48 hours. I can't help thinking that Levy has done irreparable damage to his and the club's reputation and may well soon be feeling huge pressure himself.

Please tell me to shut the feck up on this whole matter and I will. I think I need a drink!

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

You keep firing of as much as you like mate, that's what forums like this are for. You speak a lot more sense than the people sat in the hot seats at WHL.

Gary Stevens Age : 30 Joined : 24 Jul 2007 Posts : 1798

Ezza - the Daily Mail is reporting that the 3 board members you mentioned are all pro-Jol and didn't want him sacked.

However, as Levy (through ENIC) now owns 80% of the shares after buying Sugar out completely, I don't think it particularly matters what they think.

Maybe I'm succumbing to the tabloids, but I see Kelmsley (sp?) as the villain in all this. He has Levy's ear and he's obviously pouring anti-Jol poison into it.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

It's been an emotional 48 hours. I need a drink or two tonight.