Vincent Tan & Co is that they just don't understand football

Paul Evans Cardiff City column: The problem with Vincent Tan and Co is that they just don't understand football
18 Dec 2013



No doubting the Malaysian's business acumen, but this is about far more, argues our Cardiff City fans' columnist


They just don’t “get” football. For a couple of days Cardiff City felt like a ‘normal’ club to support. An invaluable, if hardly awe-inspiring, win over West Bromwich Albion had eased the pressure and negativity which had been building up since the Arsenal match.

Better still, a more positive selection and tactical approach suggested a confidence and purpose within the camp which would bode well for the tests, particularly at Cardiff City Stadium, ahead.

Normal service was resumed however when a statement by chief executive Simon Lim, on behalf of owner Vincent Tan, revealed that ‘not a single penny will be made available in January’ following manager Malky Mackay’s revelation that he was hoping to add three more players to his squad during next month’s transfer window.

Now I should nail my colours to the mast straight away here. I’m firmly on the side of Malky Mackay in the whole Iain Moody/transfer budget row, but the statement which has caused this latest furore did at least contain a confirmation that the former Cardiff head of recruitment had been dismissed for an overspend on this summer’s transfer budget.

In the interests of fairness, it seems that the belief from Messrs Tan and Lim that there has been a substantial overspend is a genuine one. Also, let’s be honest, whether the transfer spend was £30 million or £50 million, it is a very substantial amount and if Mr Tan says enough is enough as regards January spending, it’s hard for me to be too critical of him on that score.

Let’s not forget, either, how much was spent last season.



On the other hand, both Mackay and Moody have claimed the club’s transfer spending during the summer was within the budget set and it’s hard to understand why they would say this if it was obvious to the CEO and owner that this wasn’t the case.

Therefore, although you would have thought something might have come to light last year when around a third of the outlay this summer was spent, I would hazard a guess that a genuine misunderstanding has taken place between the two parties and, if I’m right in that, then it makes the current mess all the more frustrating.

The trouble is, though, even if that ‘glass half full’ assessment is correct, then questions need to be asked as to why it happened and it is in this regard that I find it impossible not to be critical of Messrs Tan and Lim.

Vincent Tan's Cardiff City reign: A timeline of controversy, triumph and turmoil

The clear implication behind the claim that Moody was dismissed for spending too much on new players is that the owner and CEO didn’t know about this at the time it took place. On the other hand, there have been stories in the media, with quotes from people who tend to get called ‘club insiders’, ‘sources close to the club’ etc. that Lim had signed the deals off.

Now, neither of these versions of events does the senior management at the club any favours in my opinion.

If the head of recruitment was, effectively, given carte blanche to spend what he liked on new players then questions have to be asked of his seniors for allowing this. Such an approach would, surely, be contrary to how other clubs at all levels of the game operate as well.

If however, the CEO did sign off the deals, then why is Moody held to be responsible for the overspend?

No, it seems to me that the whole episode only tends to confirm an impression that while our owner and CEO might be well qualified in the field of commerce, their knowledge of football finance, football business management and procedures and, in Mr Tan’s case especially, football culture, heritage and history leaves a lot to be desired.

This Paul Evans fella needs to stick to writing about what goes on the pitch because clearly he writes some drivel, but then it is the Echo after all, too skint to employ decent writers these days. That's not having a dig just a massive fact as the paper struggles to survive in business terms. This is shown when messer Evans writes about " genuine misunderstandings ". You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds.

Stick to the football Mr Evans you may make more sense.

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

There are no 'misunderstandings'. Tan, and Malky, know exactly what's happening.

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

Hi steve merry Xmas to you

You are correct in your assumption of Malky the overspend is a myth and was used to remove moody in the hopes Malky would walk.
All these shenanigans are purely because tan ala abramovich before him thinks the fans should be chanting his name and not malkys as it was his money that got us promoted.
Therefore Malky must go and it really is as simple as that. Tans trouble though is that malkys given target for this season was to finish seventeenth and whilst he floats about a couple of places above that it makes it difficult for tan to do without losing face.
But rest assured if we hit the bottom three he will act straight away

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

Hi steve merry Xmas to you

You are correct in your assumption of Malky the overspend is a myth and was used to remove moody in the hopes Malky would walk.
All these shenanigans are purely because tan ala abramovich before him thinks the fans should be chanting his name and not malkys as it was his money that got us promoted.
Therefore Malky must go and it really is as simple as that. Tans trouble though is that malkys given target for this season was to finish seventeenth and whilst he floats about a couple of places above that it makes it difficult for tan to do without losing face.
But rest assured if we hit the bottom three he will act straight away

Hi Steve , hope you well mate , shame really for Cardiff but I'm afraid that's the Far eastern attitude in many instances .

Yes - MM keeps proving them wrong results wise and not giving them the opportunity to pull the trigger , who you got after Liverpool ? Can't see you hitting bottom 3 for a while yet , we face Man U and arsenal next

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

Hi steve merry Xmas to you

You are correct in your assumption of Malky the overspend is a myth and was used to remove moody in the hopes Malky would walk.
All these shenanigans are purely because tan ala abramovich before him thinks the fans should be chanting his name and not malkys as it was his money that got us promoted.
Therefore Malky must go and it really is as simple as that. Tans trouble though is that malkys given target for this season was to finish seventeenth and whilst he floats about a couple of places above that it makes it difficult for tan to do without losing face.
But rest assured if we hit the bottom three he will act straight away

Hi Steve , hope you well mate , shame really for Cardiff but I'm afraid that's the Far eastern attitude in many instances .

Yes - MM keeps proving them wrong results wise and not giving them the opportunity to pull the trigger , who you got after Liverpool ? Can't see you hitting bottom 3 for a while yet , we face Man U and arsenal next

January will be the crunch month steve man utd, man city and arsenal away

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

Hi steve merry Xmas to you

You are correct in your assumption of Malky the overspend is a myth and was used to remove moody in the hopes Malky would walk.
All these shenanigans are purely because tan ala abramovich before him thinks the fans should be chanting his name and not malkys as it was his money that got us promoted.
Therefore Malky must go and it really is as simple as that. Tans trouble though is that malkys given target for this season was to finish seventeenth and whilst he floats about a couple of places above that it makes it difficult for tan to do without losing face.
But rest assured if we hit the bottom three he will act straight away

Hi Steve , hope you well mate , shame really for Cardiff but I'm afraid that's the Far eastern attitude in many instances .

Yes - MM keeps proving them wrong results wise and not giving them the opportunity to pull the trigger , who you got after Liverpool ? Can't see you hitting bottom 3 for a while yet , we face Man U and arsenal next

January will be the crunch month steve man utd, man city and arsenal away

Got a " feeling " he will fired in the next 5-7 days. After Saturday then ? You can have BFS then !

'You simply don't get genuine misunderstandings when it comes to millions of pounds'

That Mr Day, is the most accurate statement you will have made on this messageboard.

Thank you Rombie. I would think you will find that Tans financial employed Company to prepare the stock market floatation have advised the summer spend will affect the timing of the floatation and why it's now seen as a hinderance . Somebody of course needs to be blamed.

If you read previous Echo interviews you will see that Malky worked in the financial industry , I doubt very much he forgot since his Watford days to budget and read spread sheets. He's Scottish FFS they don't come with a reputation of over spending

I know Malky worked in a bank and is more educated than many football managers. I am also aware that his time at Watford will have thrown him on a sharp learning curve on the financial aspects of running a football club.

As far as Mr Tan is concerned, I doubt he sees much detail (unless he wants to)but will have people running spreadsheets and he will have regular headline reports. I know that it in the presentation/press conference he gave with Dahlman back in April(?) he quoted £30/£35 million or thereabouts as his transfer spend and this leads me to believe this is what he thought he had spent -until someone brought him up to date that is. Perhaps the add-ons weren't included initially(these are what seem to constitute the overspend as Tan sees it)as the inputter missed them or they were put in as future payments and weren't picked up in the initial cash flow period.Maybe he was told in a meeting that £35m was the (headline) spend and he thinks the £15m add ons was a deceit.Hence Moody leaving.

In said presser Mr Tan also stated he expected success from his spend and perhaps he thinks the results aren't what they might be. Perhaps he also wonders about some of the buys.Hence Moody leaving and a change of attitude to Malky.

I don't see why the summer spend will affect the timing of a flotation as Mr Tan will have known he had an initial spend and player budget (£30/£35m)in his business plan. A perceived £15M overspend a.k.a. a £15M hit might affect his projected return but I can't see why it would be any more than that. What would f**k things up is no Premiership football in 2014/15 and if all Mr Tan sees ahead is uncertainty for the rest of 2013/14 he will be very nervous and perhaps a little tetchy.

As far as Mr Tan is concerned, I doubt he sees much detail (unless he wants to)but will have people running spreadsheets and he will have regular headline reports. I know that it in the presentation/press conference he gave with Dahlman back in April(?) he quoted £30/£35 million or thereabouts as his transfer spend and this leads me to believe this is what he thought he had spent -until someone brought him up to date that is. Perhaps the add-ons weren't included initially(these are what seem to constitute the overspend as Tan sees it)as the inputter missed them or they were put in as future payments and weren't picked up in the initial cash flow period.Maybe he was told in a meeting that £35m was the (headline) spend and he thinks the £15m add ons was a deceit.Hence Moody leaving.

Sounds like you are describing a misunderstanding there to me.

£15 is a misunderstanding.
£15M is a major f**k up and heads usually roll.