LATEST NEWS ON " VINCENT TAN/RUSSELL SLADE "

The inside track on what happened when Cardiff City boss Russell Slade held talks with Vincent Tan in Bosnia

2 June 2015

by Steve Tucker

Cardiff manager Russell Slade insists Tan has his eye fully on the Bluebirds ball after face to face talks in Sarajevo

Cardiff City boss Russell Slade insisted Vincent Tan’s commitment to the Bluebirds is as great as always despite a UEFA Champions League adventure being on the horizon for the Malaysian billionaire.

Slade was in Bosnia to witness the ‘incredible’ reception given to the Bluebirds owner as FK Sarajevo clinched the League title to book a spot amongst next season’s European elite.

Tan, who has invested £2million in the Bosnian club, was mobbed by fans as he walked around the ground wearing a Sarajevo replica shirt following the side’s victory over rivals Zeljeznicar... the type of reception he used to receive from Cardiff supporters before his popularity in the Welsh capital waned.

Slade, who is busy working to prepare the Bluebirds for their next Championship campaign, said the warmth and generosity he and Tan encountered in the Balkan state had overwhelmed him.

But he also maintained that Tan’s eye had not come off the Cardiff ball and that the owner’s ambition for the Bluebirds was still high.

The two men broke off the celebrations in Sarajevo to have a rare face-to-face meeting to discuss investment and strategies for the Bluebirds’ forthcoming 2015-16 season.

They had a frank exchange with Slade saying talks were positive. The manager is also due to fly out to Tan’s native Malaysia on Thursday for further discussions and promotional work.

Asked about the trip to Sarajevo, Slade said: “The people were great to us, very welcoming and hospitable, it was incredible really.

“I think the club and that whole region has lacked investment and so Vincent got a really good welcome for what he is doing there.

“It’s no surprise. The club is moving on with a new training ground being built. It is very positive and that is a big thing for everyone there.

“It was a good game to be at and a great opportunity to judge the standard of the league. It was very good. The atmosphere at the stadium was fantastic, there’s a lot of passion for their club.

“It was nice to see Sarajevo take the title and make it to the Champions League.”

The Bluebirds may have been Tan’s first club, but he has a growing portfolio of teams around the globe under his stewardship.

As well as Sarajevo, he recently paid 5million euros to buy Belgian outfit KV Kortrijk, while he also has a stake in an MLS franchise.

Some might surmise that this expansion of his football empire could indicate the billionaire businessman was set to take his eye off the ball when it came to Cardiff. The cost-cutting measures Slade is having to implement at the Bluebirds are seen by many as a sign of a scaling down of Tan’s investment.

But following his conversations with Tan in Bosnia, Slade maintained that was not the case.

“I can see why people might say that, but I don’t think it is like that,” said Slade.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

“His involvement in it is deepening and that applies just as much at Cardiff as anywhere else.

“It started at Cardiff and it is deepening. We had very good talks. We spoke about next season and the ambition is very much still there.

“In many ways it was good to speak with him in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the coal-face of the football itself if you like.

“He knows we are looking to bring in three maybe four quality signings and we looked at that. Vincent is intent on ensuring that is exactly what we are going to be able to do during the summer.

“The appetite for Cardiff is very much there and the aim is to get stronger over the close season.”

Tan himself has spoken of his hopes that links might be forged between the Bluebirds and Sarajevo, with the idea of players being exchanged between the two clubs being suggested.

Slade himself though is not so sure that might be feasible, pointing out that the fact Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently not a member of the European Union makes such opportunities difficult.

The Cardiff boss said: “There might be passport and work permit issues there, but it is something to be looked at of course.

“Sarajevo is a fine club and it was a very worthwhile, not to mention enjoyable, trip to be a part of.”

Same old Slade,
Always creeping.

Same old Slade,
Always creeping.

Human slug

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Hi Annis, sometimes I feel i'm alone in summarising what I have seen/read as embarrassing.

Transfer policies being set at the HQ of ANOTHER CLUB

Our owner celebrating a championship victory and wearing the colours/crest of another club. Completely bonkers and i'm sure an element of the fan-bases of other clubs would not accept it, and they'd be right not to.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Hi Annis, sometimes I feel i'm alone in summarising what I have seen/read as embarrassing.

Transfer policies being set at the HQ of ANOTHER CLUB

Our owner celebrating a championship victory and wearing the colours/crest of another club. Completely bonkers and i'm sure an element of the fan-bases of other clubs would not accept it, and they'd be right not to.

Hi Thomas, Your not alone, Your sadly dead right to be upset.

I honestly despise Tan running our club,he has destroyed the heart and soul of it and hurt fans like you and I badly.

From FB


Sion LeShoes Holt
Like Slade knows about coal faces...or even will ever know metaphorically with his lack of skill and knowledge of seeing our academy in its raw basic football....insulting arse licker to tan!

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Hi Annis, sometimes I feel i'm alone in summarising what I have seen/read as embarrassing.

Transfer policies being set at the HQ of ANOTHER CLUB

Our owner celebrating a championship victory and wearing the colours/crest of another club. Completely bonkers and i'm sure an element of the fan-bases of other clubs would not accept it, and they'd be right not to.

Hi Thomas, Your not alone, Your sadly dead right to be upset.

I honestly despise Tan running our club,he has destroyed the heart and soul of it and hurt fans like you and I badly.

without any real progress at Cardiff next season, I will predict the successes of FK Sarajevo and KV Kortjik will begin to irritate en masse the City fans as it has me.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Hi Annis, sometimes I feel i'm alone in summarising what I have seen/read as embarrassing.

Transfer policies being set at the HQ of ANOTHER CLUB

Our owner celebrating a championship victory and wearing the colours/crest of another club. Completely bonkers and i'm sure an element of the fan-bases of other clubs would not accept it, and they'd be right not to.

Fear not ....
You are not alone!!

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Hi Annis, sometimes I feel i'm alone in summarising what I have seen/read as embarrassing.

Transfer policies being set at the HQ of ANOTHER CLUB

Our owner celebrating a championship victory and wearing the colours/crest of another club. Completely bonkers and i'm sure an element of the fan-bases of other clubs would not accept it, and they'd be right not to.

Fear not ....
You are not alone!!

Our adrenaline junkie Owner will have 3 matches to choose from at the end of season to ensure he gets his fix (adulation of fans). What a turncoat

Slade says alot without saying anything meaningful.

waste of space.

Yup

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Thomas, Tan has No real love for the game its,just more toys for him to control.
Sadly he controls Slade like a puppet.

Tan has left Sarajevo alone, just invested money and let the football guys do what they do, they've got a league and cup double.
His Belgian side has just appointed the Belgium U21 maager, not exactly toys are they

I just don't get it a football fan to me is loyal to his or her club thats it .

To see are owner wearing colours of another team or I should say other teams is awkward and bizarre to say the least.

Tan changed us to red changed us back to blue totally messed up the club .
Along the way hes bought into two other football clubs.

Hes learnt nothing about football has he .how does he gain the respect in football or anyone at these clubs when hes supporting one club one minute and the other two the next.

He turns it off and on like a light switch. My conclusion was change us back to blue and everything will be fine I am wrong. The problem goes deeper than that and tan just keeps digging the hole deaper.
A once proud club styfeled by tan.
We have a heavy weight hanging on all are necks that weight is tan.

I actually respected him for changing us back to blue but the truth is the man doesn't and never will understand football what so ever and thats weighing heavy on us fans and the club .

Its a mess and it needs fixing trust us to end up with a multi million aire thats a bloody idiot.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Can you explain your stance on Manchester City's ownership of Melbourne City and New York City?

When have foreign owners ever really been loyal to their clubs? It's all about money for them, they don't care if they look like prats by owning 2 or 3 clubs. It's outrageous to us to see him wearing other clubs kits, but to him it's just publicity and money!

Tan is not the first to do it, Man City owners do it and I'm positive that Tan and the Arabs won't be the last. It'll be a common theme soon and sadly that's what football is these days. So I wouldn't really let it bug you, foreign owners will never in it for 'their love of the club'

When have foreign owners ever really been loyal to their clubs? It's all about money for them, they don't care if they look like prats by owning 2 or 3 clubs. It's outrageous to us to see him wearing other clubs kits, but to him it's just publicity and money!

Tan is not the first to do it, Man City owners do it and I'm positive that Tan and the Arabs won't be the last. It'll be a common theme soon and sadly that's what football is these days. So I wouldn't really let it bug you, foreign owners will never in it for 'their love of the club'

To be honest, "foreign" isn't the issue. It's ownership. And I don't mean who legally owns the club, rather who feels the own the club and its day-to-day running.

Tan is typical in dabbling a bit with new business areas. He camouflages his failures by investing elsewhere so he has a club to cheer and praise. Cardiff was a mistake on his part, but he won't admit it. He will just carry on regardless as long as the overall balance is positive.

I dread next season. He's just intent on starving the club of money.

“The increasing investment Vincent is making in the game, the growing portfolio of clubs, shows that his passion for the game is growing too.

Does this mean the more clubs you own, the more 'passion' you have for football ?

I'm confused

Can you explain your stance on Manchester City's ownership of Melbourne City and New York City?

Yea I can, the forementioned clubs do not belong to the same football association, rather UEFA, CONCAF & AFC (Asain Football Confederation)

Conflict of interest is limited to a possible showdown in the FIFA World Club Championships. I believe conflict of interest is just around the corner at some stage in a UEFA competition or a FIFA one. It will bring the game into disrepute

I just don't get it a football fan to me is loyal to his or her club thats it .

To see are owner wearing colours of another team or I should say other teams is awkward and bizarre to say the least.

Tan changed us to red changed us back to blue totally messed up the club .
Along the way hes bought into two other football clubs.

Hes learnt nothing about football has he .how does he gain the respect in football or anyone at these clubs when hes supporting one club one minute and the other two the next.

He turns it off and on like a light switch. My conclusion was change us back to blue and everything will be fine I am wrong. The problem goes deeper than that and tan just keeps digging the hole deaper.
A once proud club styfeled by tan.
We have a heavy weight hanging on all are necks that weight is tan.

I actually respected him for changing us back to blue but the truth is the man doesn't and never will understand football what so ever and thats weighing heavy on us fans and the club .

Its a mess and it needs fixing trust us to end up with a multi million aire thats a bloody idiot.

Agree with the points. I think it's disgraceful behaviour to be prancing around in club colours of different clubs from an owner of CCFC!

I am sure the Pozzo family are more discreet, do not go prancing around London in Watford tops, they officially acknowledge Udinese as they're no1 club. However, Udine fans must be questioning that now with the riches on offer for Watford in the EPL if they stay up. The Pozzo family are in for a huge cash windfall so one can consider Watford being the priority this summer. Football is more insane than ever

When have foreign owners ever really been loyal to their clubs? It's all about money for them, they don't care if they look like prats by owning 2 or 3 clubs. It's outrageous to us to see him wearing other clubs kits, but to him it's just publicity and money!

Tan is not the first to do it, Man City owners do it and I'm positive that Tan and the Arabs won't be the last. It'll be a common theme soon and sadly that's what football is these days. So I wouldn't really let it bug you, foreign owners will never in it for 'their love of the club'

To be honest, "foreign" isn't the issue. It's ownership. And I don't mean who legally owns the club, rather who feels the own the club and its day-to-day running.

Tan is typical in dabbling a bit with new business areas. He camouflages his failures by investing elsewhere so he has a club to cheer and praise. Cardiff was a mistake on his part, but he won't admit it. He will just carry on regardless as long as the overall balance is positive.

I dread next season. He's just intent on starving the club of money.

I like that angle, I do agree We are constantly told how respectful and amazing the fans are of his other clubs. Tan also keeps his ego inflated by investing in a cash starved league where a minimal investment is enough to compete for a league title.