Someone's having a real laugh - shitcoat to Utd.

[Mark M]

Also if you look at this current Utd side which are shite apart from the keeper and had an average manager at best under LVG they managed to win the FA Cup and just missed out on a top 4 finish in the league. 

Shitcoat will have a bucket load of cash to buy first team players.

They'll improve the points tally from last season easily with him and that will put them back in the top 4 at least.

[Trumo]

That last line is the main reason they've gone for him. He is good enough to enable them to win enough points to regain a Champions League place. Their Adidas deal is something like £75m a year but there is a massive contingency that would see the amount drop significantly (by something like a third according to one report) if they fail to get into the Champions League for 2 seasons in a row.

[Xherdan]

Who was Shankley's official watch partner? Had a quick look on google there but no luck.

[Section_31]

His signing echoes that of people like Schwiensteiger, a 'name' rather than someone who might actually be right for the role.

 

That's how the mancs roll now, they're like an ageing page there model whose tits and behaviour a becoming more and more outrageous the less attention they get.

 

[Tony Moanero]

Who was Shankley's official watch partner? Had a quick look on google there but no luck.

Shankly.

[BCM]

Who was Shankley's official watch partner? Had a quick look on google there but no luck.

 

Who's He

[KMD7]

This is the crux of it for me. He's considered the safe choice for winning trophies in the short term, but he's the absolute antithesis of what the fans there consider to be their attacking style. He's got almost no chance of pleasing everyone and uniting a now divided fanbase, the older members of which couldn't even get on board when LvG had a good string of results.

 

He'll definitely win trophies, but there's something pleasing about Utd supporters slowly realising their flair was nothing more than continued winning due to one manager who had the league - and the FA - by the testicles, and attacking isn't something they inherently do no matter what. It also speaks of a weak CEO, Woodward has continually fucked up and now little Ian Hislop has gone cap in hand to someone that should be held up as an example of everything their fans think they're not.

 

I'm not expecting a wonderful festival of schadenfreude like the Moyes era. I don't expect to see it end in tears until he's won them a cup in the first year amid a top four finish, then the league in the second, followed by a couple of Jorge Mendes' disabled ex-players on a bazillion a week and a mid-season flounce in the third. The real pay off, for me, will be their fans' acceptance that they're not special, they're not an attacking side, they have no footballing ideals; they're awash with fickle supporters who sing for silverware, nothing else, and will sell their souls - and their club - to the devil for a taste of it again.

 

They've crawled over broken glass with their flies unzipped, in order to grovel in front of a man deemed too classless even for Madrid. Bravo.

Bravo. Great post

[Caramac]

This is the crux of it for me. He's considered the safe choice for winning trophies in the short term, but he's the absolute antithesis of what the fans there consider to be their attacking style. He's got almost no chance of pleasing everyone and uniting a now divided fanbase, the older members of which couldn't even get on board when LvG had a good string of results.

 

He'll definitely win trophies, but there's something pleasing about Utd supporters slowly realising their flair was nothing more than continued winning due to one manager who had the league - and the FA - by the testicles, and attacking isn't something they inherently do no matter what. It also speaks of a weak CEO, Woodward has continually fucked up and now little Ian Hislop has gone cap in hand to someone that should be held up as an example of everything their fans think they're not.

 

I'm not expecting a wonderful festival of schadenfreude like the Moyes era. I don't expect to see it end in tears until he's won them a cup in the first year amid a top four finish, then the league in the second, followed by a couple of Jorge Mendes' disabled ex-players on a bazillion a week and a mid-season flounce in the third. The real pay off, for me, will be their fans' acceptance that they're not special, they're not an attacking side, they have no footballing ideals; they're awash with fickle supporters who sing for silverware, nothing else, and will sell their souls - and their club - to the devil for a taste of it again.

 

They've crawled over broken glass with their flies unzipped, in order to grovel in front of a man deemed too classless even for Madrid. Bravo.

 

 

Just to add, after several years of Ronaldo spouting about how he would like to maybe return to the mancs one day, its now being reported that he wants a new contract at Madrid and would like to stay until he calls it a day.

 

Wonder why?

[Anubis]

So it turns out Chelsea hold the trademark on Mourinho's name until 2025, which means that United are about to get screwed by their rivals on merchandising.

[Captain]

But what about Shitcoat, does that register as a Tom R trademark?

[Dr Nowt]

And it was ex-United Chief Executive slimeball Peter Kenyon who put it in place, after Chelsea poached him from them.

 

If I'm a grinning mobster and don't have to worry about money ever again, I'm putting Cunty McCuntface's desperation for the United job fully to the test and making him beg in public.

 

Find out for sure if those stories about him crying when Moyes was appointed are true.

[Xherdan]

Who was Shankley's official watch partner? Had a quick look on google there but no luck.

 

Outrageous carry on on my part.

[Tony Moanero]

Some red for a fellow red.

[RoboRiise]

Football, 2016.

 

José Mourinho move to Manchester United held up by image rights

 

José Mourinho’s appointment as Manchester United manager is being held up by Chelsea’s ownership of the rights to his name and image, with the west London club thought to be seeking a sizeable payment for their release.

 

Chelsea stand to earn a seven-figure sum from the manager they sacked in December even as he takes over at one of their major rivals. Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, was locked in negotiations until late on Wednesday night with Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s agent, and Chelsea, along with lawyers for the three parties.

 

It is understood Chelsea bought the rights to Mourinho’s name and image in 2005, a year into the first of his two tenures at Stamford Bridge.

 

Despite being sacked to end his second spell in charge of Chelsea, the club continue to sell an array of products bearing his name and image, including mugs, phone cases and posters. Given Mourinho’s global profile, Chelsea can be expected to still earn considerable money from those rights.

 

There is no suggestion from United this could prevent Mourinho becoming Louis van Gaal’s successor. But Woodward is intent on acquiring the rights, or failing that may consider leveraging them by paying a licence fee to Chelsea, since they will provide lucrative income. The issue is expected to be resolved and Mourinho should sign a three-year deal with United worth in excess of the £7.5m he earned annually while at Stamford Bridge.

 

While Thursday is now the earliest the 53-year-old could be officially announced as manager, Paul Scholes has warned Mourinho he will have to provide entertaining football to please supporters once he is appointed.

 

“The fans at Man United demand entertaining football and I’m sure Mourinho will come and try and give it,” Scholes told BBC Surrey. “He’s a top manager, he’s proven that before and hopefully he can do that again.”

 

Ryan Giggs, the No2 under Van Gaal, is on holiday in Dubai considering whether to accept an offer from Mourinho to be a member of his backroom staff. While it is not known how senior a role this is, Scholes, a close friend, said: “I think it’s important that there’s some form of continuity. Hopefully he’ll still be at the club, hopefully still working with the first team. He knows the club inside out, he’s been there for nearly 30 years now.”

 

Mourinho could have to face a public employment tribunal next month if the case with Chelsea’s former first-team doctor, Eva Carneiro, is not settled by then.

 

Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and has a separate personal legal action against Mourinho. The case is set to be heard at the Croydon Employment Tribunal some time during the period of 6 to 24 June, the hearing to be no longer than 10 days. Carneiro and the Chelsea physiotherapist, Jon Fearn, were criticised by Mourinho following the draw with Swansea City on last season’s opening day, each going on to the pitch to help Eden Hazard.

 

Carneiro left the club but Fearn has since returned to first-team duties.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/25/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-move-image-rights

 

Image rights. Of the manager.

 

The rest of it reads like one of those weekly summaries of Eastenders that you see in the Sunday papers.

 

Hateful stuff.

[RoboRiise]

Has anybody said cunt him in the bastard yet?  If not, cunt him.  In the bastard.

[thegreatelephant]

And it was ex-United Chief Executive slimeball Peter Kenyon who put it in place, after Chelsea poached him from them.

 

If I'm a grinning mobster and don't have to worry about money ever again, I'm putting Cunty McCuntface's desperation for the United job fully to the test and making him beg in public.

 

Find out for sure if those stories about him crying when Moyes was appointed are true.

ha ha ha

[Ne Moe Imya]

I understand the thing about Chelsea owning the image rights, that part makes a certain kind of sense that they want to be able to sell stuff with his face on it.  Although it would make a lot more sense if part of sacking him was that they lost those rights, but I suppose that's modern football for you.

 

But how on earth have they trademarked his name?  Can you really register someone's name as a trademark and then prevent them from using it?  I would imagine that part of the agreement would get tossed out by any reasonable court, though maybe I'd be surprised.

[kalasoma]

Along with Jurgen, Guardiola, Conte and Pochettino seem like decent fellas. They're also quality managers, not arse-faced former Manchester United players or Ferguson sycophants who are just delighted to be in a top level job.

 

I can see a certain diminutive Portuguese being called out early on his bullshit this time around.

 

'Sycophants' might be pushing it, but, well..

 

[A_S]

Also if you look at this current Utd side which are shite apart from the keeper and had an average manager at best under LVG they managed to win the FA Cup and just missed out on a top 4 finish in the league. 

Shitcoat will have a bucket load of cash to buy first team players.

They'll improve the points tally from last season easily with him and that will put them back in the top 4 at least.

 

Keeping De Gea is critical for them, really. If he leaves (please let it happen), any improvements made elsewhere will first have to make up the points he would gain for them. Which going by the last couple of seasons is a considerable amount. 

[Ginny]

Just shows what a clueless WANKER you have to be to give your image name and rights to a football club. Obviously he never intended on leaving and joining another club or he just saw the cash involved. Either way he's come out laughing and Chelsea too. Man Utd shafted again. Long my it continue.

[Paulie Dangerously]

Just give him an Pro Evo name like Jese Morinyo

[Babb'sBurstNad]

So it turns out Chelsea hold the trademark on Mourinho's name until 2025, which means that United are about to get screwed by their rivals on merchandising.

 

Sod that, make him change his name to something else.

 

I bet Prince isn't using his symbol these days.

[JagSquared]

Sod that, make him change his name to something else.

 

I bet Prince isn't using his symbol these days.

The manager formerly knows as "the cunt"

[Mark M]

Just give him an Pro Evo name like Jese Morinyo

HaHa of Cunty McCuntface either works really.

[Denny Crane]

Interesting write-up, if you can't win trophys make sure you get clicks and hits.

 

I guess it's the reason we brief about our transfers it's all a soap opera.

 

 

Mourinho and United a perfect match in ratings game

 

 

On Saturday Manchester United won the FA Cup, but that was the second-biggest story about the club in the world’s media, behind the news that Jose Mourinho is about to replace Louis van Gaal as manager.

 

Some saw this as an example of everything that’s wrong with modern football and the media that cover it. But it’s also a graphic illustration of why the logic of appointing Mourinho proved so beguiling to the decision-makers at Old Trafford.

 

To the people who control United – the Glazer family and their executives Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold – the purpose of the club is to make money. And the way it makes money has changed.

 

Until the Premier League era, United’s income chiefly derived from the crowds who turned up every other week at Old Trafford. Gate receipts were closely tied to football performance. United first became England’s best-supported club in the late 1950s, thanks to the fame of the Busby Babes. After sliding down the attendance charts in the early 1960s, they regained top spot when the second great Busby side won the league and European Cup. The better United played, the more money they made.

In the 1990s a new stream of money started to flow in from television, first via the Premier League’s deal with Sky, and then through the Champions League television pool. Television income was also broadly performance-related. The higher United finished in the league, the more they earned from Sky, and they had to finish at or near the top of the league to access the European television money.

 

The year 2016 is projected to be the first in which more than 50 per cent of United’s income derives from commercial sources – sponsorship deals, merchandising and the new growth area of “mobile and content”.

 

 

 

This is a significant tipping point. For the first time, United’s income is not primarily derived from their own business activity, but from their usefulness as an advertising platform for other businesses.

Manchester United started as a football club that made most of its money by selling football matches to a paying audience. That is now a secondary part of the business. United’s most important customers are no longer the audiences that pay to watch the football, they are the corporate partners who pay to be associated with the brand. And the most valuable thing that United sells – the company’s primary product – is no longer the football. It is the audience itself.

 

 

Richard Arnold has described the club as “the biggest TV show in the world.” The analogy of a television show is useful in grasping United’s metamorphosis. You can think of “the football side” as the content of the show, the soap opera plot points and storylines. Will Deirdre choose Ken or Mike? Will they find Trevor Jordache under the patio? Who shot JR?

These questions are what interest the viewers, but the producers think about the show from a different angle. The question they’re interested in is: will it get the ratings? Because the producers aren’t selling content – that’s what actors and writers and directors do. The producers are selling ratings.

 

Now that United are in the business of delivering ratings rather than trophies, questions such as “Shouldn’t we be slightly worried about the way Jose Mourinho’s last two jobs have ended?” or “Does Mourinho’s reactive football really fit with the Manchester United Way?” or “Does Mourinho’s reluctance to trust young players make him a bad choice for a club that has always taken pride in developing its own players?” no longer really matter.

 

The only question that counts is: will people around the world tune in to watch a Jose Mourinho-managed Manchester United? And the answer is clearly yes. A majority of United fans are pleased with the appointment, and even the ones who dislike Mourinho will find themselves irresistibly drawn to hate-watch.

 

Once everyone is tuning in, questions of philosophy and principle pale into insignificance. It doesn’t matter that Mourinho’s teams play on the counter. They also usually score a lot of goals. A lot of people these days don’t even watch full games, they watch the clips – in Arnold’s phrase, “consumable chunks of content that fans can engage with on the go.” Mourinho’s teams have always generated enough of those consumable chunks for his supporters to argue that they play the game the right way. If people noisily disagree over it, all the better for ratings.

 

Youth development

Likewise, youth development must be seen in its proper commercial perspective. United could, for instance, decide not to buy a new centre forward, betting that Marcus Rashford will develop into a top striker. But what would be the point of that? They’ve hired Mourinho, who comes with his agent Jorge Mendes, globally renowned master of the transfer market. They can hardly be expected to refrain from flexing their new club’s financial muscle. That would be the kind of thing Arsene Wenger would do, and we know what Mourinho thinks of him.

 

As Mendes could explain, spending millions on players is part of the counterintuitive commercial dynamic of modern football. What is more exciting than a superstar signing? Spending in and of itself has become integral to the spectacle, part of what generates the buzz, the clicks, the shares, the likes, and the follows that sponsors trust the Manchester United brand to deliver. Such spending is also good for agents, but who could begrudge them a consideration for their role in keeping the dream factory running?

 

United is no longer the club that was built by Busby and Ferguson according to the sort of principles that would have been made sense to any 19th-century Scottish industrialist: thrift, efficiency, hard-work, long-term planning. The game has changed, and in Mourinho they will be appointing the perfect coach for their new purposes.

Topics:

 

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/mourinho-and-united-a-perfect-match-in-ratings-game-1.2656918