http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=333211&cc=5901 I still don't know where I stand on this, since Glazer will be taking on a sizable debt to buy the club, and he doesn't have MEGA bucks like Ambramovich. But he has guaranteed that we'll have 20+ million to spend this summer, something that is desperatley needed to find a replacement for some of our aging stars, and he currently have no money to spend after the Ronney swoop. If I were Glazer, I think I'd stay out of England for a while, because most fans want to lynch him right now.
Oh, man... I thought this was a thread about "Man Ut[e]" Bol. What's that stick with feet doing these days anyway? It is good to read soccer news.
He's taking in a large amount of debt in order to take over, that's the main complaint coming from Shareholders United. They say he' going to raise ticket prices (which has been happening without him) and that he'll sell the naming rights to Old Trafford, which is one of the most legendary football grounds in the world. Also, alot of Man United supporters don't want one person in in complete control of the team. And to be honest, although they would never admit it, I think alot of them don't want an American taking them over. BTW, Shareholders United are currently in front of Old Trafford burning their season tickets.
Cohen, here's an article which shows some of the fans complaints. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=333235&cc=5901
Wow, I read alot of the quotes from the British fans and found alot of ignorance. Do they think he became a billionaire by making bad business decisions? I don't understand their trepidation, unless its pure nationalistic paranoia. I don't remember there being a public outcry when Nintendo bought the Seattle Mariners, and Nintendo wasn't in the best financial shape then or now. From what I read Glazer wants to broaden Man U's presence in America and expand their revenue channels. Don't see how that is a bad thing.
Bet he'll be patient enough to keep ticket prices the same, not rename the stadium, and spend some $$$ to bring in the talent. The fans' fervor is also the source of their weakness. They love their team and if it appears that Glazer recognizes that and starts by making good decisions for the team's competitiveness, I think resistance will fold.
The resistance to Glazer (aside from the fact that he's american and jewish) is based on the fact that he's an investor, rather than a football guy. Roman whateverhisname, who owns Chelsea, for example, is prepared to throw whatever money he can into seeing his team win (and they did so, quite successfully this year). Glazer, meanwhile is seen as a type who'd trade off the Man you brand and cut costs to the point where winning is second and value maximization is first. Man U fans are already used to their team spending the most money on players and they are afraid Glazer will bring a more bottom line oriented approcah.
I hope he spends some money, that was part of the deal. He'd give the team 20 millions pounds to bring in talent, hopefully that will be enough to find long term replacements for Keano and Giggs. I kind of disagree with this, the only way for him to make alot of money at United is for the team to be successful, for example if he begins to cut costs and we miss out of the Champion's League next year, we lose about 50 million pounds. Glazer is taking on a HUGE amount of debt to make this move and will definitely be looking to make money here, and the best way to do that is put a damn good team on the pitch.
Not to the extent that Man U is a global brand - sure, he needs it to be successful, but only to the extent necessary to justify a profit; for example, not paying an outrageous amount for Rio Ferdinand isn't going to hurt Man U jersey sales in Japan.
People over here are worried that their beloved Man Utd will be asset stripped, sold for a profit and they will have nothing left (in their lives). English soccer fans are a proud bunch and the mentality towards sports is much more traditional than in America, for example the concept of a team relocating to another city (e.g. Memphis Grizzlies) is completely alien. Fans are also worried Glazer is getting involved for the worng reasons, and feel that a football fan/man utd enthusiast should be their owner and not a random businessman. It is not an anti-american thing, not at all. We don't hate Americans although there is a sizeable anti-bush contingent I must admit, although that is true for America also.
Some United supporters are even threatening that they will no longer support the club once Glazer takes over, and will form a new club, FC United, which would start somewhere around 10 levels below Man United (think Major League against the lowest of low minor leagues, and it's even further). That is just insane.
What awesome logic. The guy is going to own the team, so lets boycott and put him in a position where he'll definately fail and have no choice but to ruin the team instead of giving him a chance and seeing what he does.
