It\u2019s also clear that Peter Lawwell has been successful in managing costs, the reduction in net debt is inescapable proof of that. You would expect that of an experienced accountant, in particular an ex financial controller. He has also presided over the club through some interesting, unique and emotional times which range from the passing of Tommy Burns, refereeing skulduggery, the threats to Neil Lennon and the passing of Rangers FC. Some of these are highly charged political issues and it remains to be seen in the case of the later example whether or not his stewardship will result in the footballing authorities in Scotland enforcing their own rules and tackling the corporate and football malfeasance that has spiralled out of control in Govan over recent times. The loudest voice on this issue seems to be one of the fans and not the club, albeit some supporters seem to be satisfied that matters are being progressed behind the scenes. On this landmine of a subject, perhaps that is the best way but there does need to be an end result and this cannot simply wither on the vine or be subject to whispered rhetoric and reassurances to a chosen few by the CEO.<\/p>\n
Football is a unique business which draws upon allegiance and emotion of its supporters (I am loathe ever to call us customers or clients, even in this day and age) to convert it into cash. The strategy of managing the short term, medium term and long term financial health and football success are often concertinaed and the lines between each can become blurred, in particular in times of poor results and performances and the resultant dwindling crowds. My take on the appointment of Ronny Delia is that the CEO knew it was a risk, and I think he knew it was a reasonably substantial risk given that the investment in the team was hedged in the shape of loan signings.<\/p>\n
This approach may seem sensible to some, but my take on it is that loan signings neither provide surety in the long to medium term (those players may only be around for a few months and inhibit the managers ability to form a team mentality) and in this day and age of mercenary footballers, do not give any short term conclusions other than you either dodged a bullet or have provided a platform for someone to perform and move back to their club for first team place or, as in the case of Celtic, inflate the transfer fee or wages of said player as the fans demand the player be signed. Loan signings need to be thought about carefully as the \u201chere today, gone tomorrow\u201d nature of them will impact team ethos and spirit \u2013 in particular if the going gets tough. Ronny\u2019s inability to appoint his own management team with genuine freedom instead of picking from the beauty parade provided for his \u201cbenefit\u201d is strongly suggestive to me of coercive leadership from the CEO (hence the often used term \u201cde facto football director\u201d to describe Peter Lawwell), and is widely regarded as being a negative in terms of impact on environment and indeed motivation. It looks like every form of assistance short of actual help from the CEO, who I am sure would not tolerate his finance director or management team being either shortlisted or cherry picked for him.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s open to speculation if the decision to appoint Ronny was not taken exclusively for football reasons. No one should have a difficulty in other factors being taken into consideration, but should have a problem with the weight and influence those other factors may have, in particular if the other priorities are born of personal agendas which conflict or threaten with the success of the football team. Few people, of which the CEO is one, will ever know the reality, but if that is a risk they have taken and it ultimately fails, then that is all the more reason that a change of CEO should be actioned by the Board.<\/p>\n
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