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Speakman gone


TheBlackCat said:
Beale was absolutely unforgivable like.
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I've forgiven and forgotten about Beale. He was just part of the process.

Speakman has played a big part in getting us back to where we are now. Even I hold my hands up and admit that I was wrong to be critical of him at times.

Ironically, the tight budget he worked with and got us promoted on was a big part of the reason we could go out and spend so much in the summer on the players we did.

I will always be grateful for his contribution now and good luck to him.
 
Barry Quizshow said:
🇫🇷 Speakman continued in his role despite the arrival of Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi in the summer — but the club have decided to continue with solely the Frenchman.
✍🏼 Ghisolfi has led player recruitment since he arrived in July, and on the back of a successful summer £150m spend, will be handed full reign to continue his strong start…
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I had it in my head that he was Italian. :eek:

Probably because he came to us from Roma.
 
stevie-wonder said:
Mmm dunno about this like, the Ghisolfi fella seems a bit of a grifter to me.
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I’m not a massive fan of him as a person like. No real rhyme or reason around it but he’s far too involved with the first team for my liking. Team bus every match and high fives outside the changing room shouldn’t be his job. Absolutely cannot argue with the signings in the summer (aside from one or two) but FG has a massive amount to prove when it comes to academy focus and hg players - that we will 100% need to nail if we want to have continued PL success.

On Speakman, we simply wouldn’t be where we are without his input. Didn’t nail everything of course, but made the right decisions overall - and stayed true to his beliefs - that became foundational to our current moment. He will get a job super quick I’m sure.
 
Mad Max said:
Strange timing, you'd expect he's been offered another job so wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Birmingham now they have mega money.

Very good for us though, some downs but plenty more ups and we definitely wouldn't be in the premier league now without the foundations he's built.
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Won't be Birmingham, they appointed Craig Gardner as DoF (yes, that fella who used to play for us...)
 
Lewis_MLF said:
Polite sacking.
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Reads that way doesn't it.


When you think about it, when you read up on a number of our most recent moves, KLD has had direct involvement. Things like appointing Le Bris, bringing in Xhaka (and by extension of that Mukiele). Obviously Ghisolfi as well who's basically taken over, and is a very visible presence around the players on a matchday.

I suspect his card's been marked since Michael Beale.
 
Mad Max said:
Strange timing, you'd expect he's been offered another job so wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Birmingham now they have mega money.

Very good for us though, some downs but plenty more ups and we definitely wouldn't be in the premier league now without the foundations he's built.
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Timing seems normal to me. Transfer window has just finished and the relationship has run it's course.
 
chriswallace85 said:
Reads that way doesn't it.


When you think about it, when you read up on a number of our most recent moves, KLD has had direct involvement. Things like appointing Le Bris, bringing in Xhaka (and by extension of that Mukiele). Obviously Ghisolfi as well who's basically taken over, and is a very visible presence around the players on a matchday.

I suspect his card's been marked since Michael Beale.
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There's a name I didn't need reminding of mind.
 
Thank you and good luck . From his perspective no matter the circumstances, his stock couldn’t be any higher.

So many clubs wish to implement our style of recruitment management. He will have suitors vying for his services.

The second behind the scenes departure in weeks, the club are ruthless and seemingly without sentiment.
 
Sea to Shining Sea said:
I’d say professionally respectful rather than glowing.
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Well, whichever term you use, the article on the website certainly doesn't even hint at him having "done or said something he shouldn't". Says he's been a key figure during a significant period of our history, led a comprehensive rebuild to restore competitive momentum, established strong foundations and praised his commitment and professionalism. You might not call that glowing. I'd be pretty happy if my work wrote a piece like that when I left, I'd say it's as near to a "well done, you've been mint" as you're going to get. But like I say, either way it's certainly not something I'd read and think "hmm, think he's maybe done something wrong here"
 
The Cabbage said:
I’m not a massive fan of him as a person like. No real rhyme or reason around it but he’s far too involved with the first team for my liking. Team bus every match and high fives outside the changing room shouldn’t be his job. Absolutely cannot argue with the signings in the summer (aside from one or two) but FG has a massive amount to prove when it comes to academy focus and hg players - that we will 100% need to nail if we want to have continued PL success.

On Speakman, we simply wouldn’t be where we are without his input. Didn’t nail everything of course, but made the right decisions overall - and stayed true to his beliefs - that became foundational to our current moment. He will get a job super quick I’m sure.
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I suppose there's every possibility he's been poached for something bigger in the summer, and this is how we've spun it. Effectively on gardening leave 'til the end of the season.
 
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Summary.

A man has left his job.

Posters on a message board post meaningless speculation as none of them have the first idea how this has transpired.

Down with this type of thing!

Someone out!
 
chriswallace85 said:
I suppose there's every possibility he's been poached for something bigger in the summer, and this is how we've spun it. Effectively on gardening leave 'til the end of the summer.
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Nah from what I’ve heard it was quite the opposite, he was approached with a “Sunderland-esque” project last summer but we have kept him around during the transition period with the new fella and promotion. There’s always the possibility we could have been keeping him due to the fear of needing him if we were to drop as well I bet.

Ultimately though, we have progressed as a club under him and are now onto the next phase of progression with a better man, just like has happened with almost all of the playing staff from the last few years too.

Thank you and good luck in your next venture.
 
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