' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:13 am
' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN '
Neil Warnock and Vincent Tan finally had that meeting to sort out the future and it was held in a curry house
By Chris Wathan
Sunday 18th June 2017
Manager Neil Warnock had been scheduled to fly to south-east Asia to meet owner Vincent Tan to finalise transfer plans for the coming season.
But, instead, Tan travelled to the UK to meet Warnock and other Cardiff officials – bringing a flavour of his homeland with him.
The meeting, held in the days after the Champions League final in Cardiff that Tan attended, saw Warnock and Tan meet in person for what is thought to be only the second time since the Yorkshireman's appointment last October.
Warnock had received some assurances about Cardiff's direction – not to mention Tan's support – before agreeing to sign a new contract with the Bluebirds in March.
But the 68-year-old had hinted he was waiting on really pushing on with plans until after meeting Malaysian moneyman Tan.
It left fans eager to know that the overwhelmingly popular Warnock would be backed – and now Ken Choo has revealed how the meeting “exceeding expectations”.
Choo, Cardiff's executive director and CEO, was present along with other members of the club's “transfer committee” including chairman Mehmet Dalman and director Steve Borely, and he said: “It went very well. We were supposed to go to Malaysia but Vincent was flying in anyway and he was keen that, rather than waste days travelling when we could be working on transfers, he flew to us.
Ken Choo:
“It's good for the two men to be eye-to-eye when they talk. There are lots of things Neil can explain to Vincent much better in person than over the phone or text. Face-to-face is good, that personal touch adds to the relationship they have.
“It was a good meeting; Neil was enjoying the Malaysian curry after Vincent had made some dishes for him, and they were sharing jokes.
“They are similar characters in many ways and Neil was very happy with everything; he was smiling walking out. It exceeded my expectations in terms of the outcome and it is clear the relationship is very good. I think they are good for each other and I know Neil has got quite a lot of support from Vincent.”
Support that Warnock was keen to reaffirm, just as Cardiff fans have been keen to be re-assured of.
Far from the high profile role he once took in South Wales, Tan has been a far more hands-off figure in recent years. Though it's said he still follows matches and developments closely – not to mention still being involved in discussions on key decisions – his greater detachment has brought questions over his long-term commitment.
Yet it's appeared that Warnock's drive, experience and enthusiasm has not only seen Tan hand over his trust in letting the manager and the British-based board get on with things, it seems the veteran manager – three years Tan's elder – has revitalised the owner.
“Things are extremely smooth at the club, and you can see that with the business we have done,” said Choo after new deals for Junior Hoilett, Kadeem Harris, Lee Peltier and one close to agreement on Bruno Manga, as well as four Bosman arrivals in the shape of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Callum Paterson, Neil Etheridge and Lee Camp.
“Neil is very happy and things are going in the right direction, while the transfer committee and the board here is actively speaking to Vincent on where the club is going, and he is very supportive. We have to give credit to Vincent for that for allowing us to continue with the good work.”
Good work that includes recognising the club's wage structure had to be reduced as the impending end of parachute payments, a couple of seasons of below-average attendances and the need to comply with Football League Financial Fair Play rules all come into effect.
“The transfer committee is happy that Neil understands the financial situation and he is working closely with us on getting the right balance of doing the business we need and conforming with the FFP rules,” Choo adds.
“Because some of the deals and signings we have made are not just about next season, but about protecting the longer term interest of the club. For instance, the wages we are now paying for some of our signings are very reasonable, especially when you compare with what we were paying when we were relegated from the Premier League.
“Neil has helped with this, his understanding, and with Vincent. Russell (Slade) did quite a bit of good for the club, he cleared a lot of things for us, and I think if we had brought Neil in at that time it would have been difficult for him as well, but Neil has definitely helped. We have the right man to take this club forward.
“I think the club has benefited from Neil's experience and character in this, as well as in things like fan engagement and we are also looking to have him involved on a commercial angle too.
“He does need to sleep at some point though and it is important he can focus on football, but we speak almost every day, keeping ourselves updated, and he is very knowledgeable and Vincent sees this.
“Neil's plans have been very consistent, even before the end of last season. He knew exactly the positions he wanted to strengthen and he was very up front with us. It's why we have been able to get a lot of business done because the committee and Vincent have been very aware of what is happening. I think you can see the club is very harmonious now.”
There are laughs when it is suggested this is almost un-Cardiff-like, that there is not a rush at the end of the campaign or big-money splurge that more often than not have proved to be big-money flops. Warnock's ability to get more out of players was seen last term with his work on the existing team, while his bargain-hunting was proven with the addition of Sol Bamba on a free.
The talk is of younger, “hungry” players as opposed to high-profile, something associated with Bluebirds in the past, and that “one or two more would get it done”.
But what if Cardiff do find themselves in a position where they can challenge? Will Warnock be backed further by Tan come January if a dream promotion is on?
“You never know in football,” answers Choo. “Of course we want to give it a go, so the answer would be yes, but it depends on the position we are.
“But Vincent has been strong. Look at the offer we had for Sean Morrison. It was a good offer but what is our goal? Vincent was strong, saying we wanted to have a go, that we have already spent a lot of money and if we were not going to have a go he wouldn't be here. It would have been easy to take the cheque but he is quite calm and focused and strong on what we want to do.”
Neil Warnock and Vincent Tan finally had that meeting to sort out the future and it was held in a curry house
By Chris Wathan
Sunday 18th June 2017
Manager Neil Warnock had been scheduled to fly to south-east Asia to meet owner Vincent Tan to finalise transfer plans for the coming season.
But, instead, Tan travelled to the UK to meet Warnock and other Cardiff officials – bringing a flavour of his homeland with him.
The meeting, held in the days after the Champions League final in Cardiff that Tan attended, saw Warnock and Tan meet in person for what is thought to be only the second time since the Yorkshireman's appointment last October.
Warnock had received some assurances about Cardiff's direction – not to mention Tan's support – before agreeing to sign a new contract with the Bluebirds in March.
But the 68-year-old had hinted he was waiting on really pushing on with plans until after meeting Malaysian moneyman Tan.
It left fans eager to know that the overwhelmingly popular Warnock would be backed – and now Ken Choo has revealed how the meeting “exceeding expectations”.
Choo, Cardiff's executive director and CEO, was present along with other members of the club's “transfer committee” including chairman Mehmet Dalman and director Steve Borely, and he said: “It went very well. We were supposed to go to Malaysia but Vincent was flying in anyway and he was keen that, rather than waste days travelling when we could be working on transfers, he flew to us.
Ken Choo:
“It's good for the two men to be eye-to-eye when they talk. There are lots of things Neil can explain to Vincent much better in person than over the phone or text. Face-to-face is good, that personal touch adds to the relationship they have.
“It was a good meeting; Neil was enjoying the Malaysian curry after Vincent had made some dishes for him, and they were sharing jokes.
“They are similar characters in many ways and Neil was very happy with everything; he was smiling walking out. It exceeded my expectations in terms of the outcome and it is clear the relationship is very good. I think they are good for each other and I know Neil has got quite a lot of support from Vincent.”
Support that Warnock was keen to reaffirm, just as Cardiff fans have been keen to be re-assured of.
Far from the high profile role he once took in South Wales, Tan has been a far more hands-off figure in recent years. Though it's said he still follows matches and developments closely – not to mention still being involved in discussions on key decisions – his greater detachment has brought questions over his long-term commitment.
Yet it's appeared that Warnock's drive, experience and enthusiasm has not only seen Tan hand over his trust in letting the manager and the British-based board get on with things, it seems the veteran manager – three years Tan's elder – has revitalised the owner.
“Things are extremely smooth at the club, and you can see that with the business we have done,” said Choo after new deals for Junior Hoilett, Kadeem Harris, Lee Peltier and one close to agreement on Bruno Manga, as well as four Bosman arrivals in the shape of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Callum Paterson, Neil Etheridge and Lee Camp.
“Neil is very happy and things are going in the right direction, while the transfer committee and the board here is actively speaking to Vincent on where the club is going, and he is very supportive. We have to give credit to Vincent for that for allowing us to continue with the good work.”
Good work that includes recognising the club's wage structure had to be reduced as the impending end of parachute payments, a couple of seasons of below-average attendances and the need to comply with Football League Financial Fair Play rules all come into effect.
“The transfer committee is happy that Neil understands the financial situation and he is working closely with us on getting the right balance of doing the business we need and conforming with the FFP rules,” Choo adds.
“Because some of the deals and signings we have made are not just about next season, but about protecting the longer term interest of the club. For instance, the wages we are now paying for some of our signings are very reasonable, especially when you compare with what we were paying when we were relegated from the Premier League.
“Neil has helped with this, his understanding, and with Vincent. Russell (Slade) did quite a bit of good for the club, he cleared a lot of things for us, and I think if we had brought Neil in at that time it would have been difficult for him as well, but Neil has definitely helped. We have the right man to take this club forward.
“I think the club has benefited from Neil's experience and character in this, as well as in things like fan engagement and we are also looking to have him involved on a commercial angle too.
“He does need to sleep at some point though and it is important he can focus on football, but we speak almost every day, keeping ourselves updated, and he is very knowledgeable and Vincent sees this.
“Neil's plans have been very consistent, even before the end of last season. He knew exactly the positions he wanted to strengthen and he was very up front with us. It's why we have been able to get a lot of business done because the committee and Vincent have been very aware of what is happening. I think you can see the club is very harmonious now.”
There are laughs when it is suggested this is almost un-Cardiff-like, that there is not a rush at the end of the campaign or big-money splurge that more often than not have proved to be big-money flops. Warnock's ability to get more out of players was seen last term with his work on the existing team, while his bargain-hunting was proven with the addition of Sol Bamba on a free.
The talk is of younger, “hungry” players as opposed to high-profile, something associated with Bluebirds in the past, and that “one or two more would get it done”.
But what if Cardiff do find themselves in a position where they can challenge? Will Warnock be backed further by Tan come January if a dream promotion is on?
“You never know in football,” answers Choo. “Of course we want to give it a go, so the answer would be yes, but it depends on the position we are.
“But Vincent has been strong. Look at the offer we had for Sean Morrison. It was a good offer but what is our goal? Vincent was strong, saying we wanted to have a go, that we have already spent a lot of money and if we were not going to have a go he wouldn't be here. It would have been easy to take the cheque but he is quite calm and focused and strong on what we want to do.”
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Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:22 am
Good news ,the club seems to be a lot more stable last couple of years
Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:40 am
Sounds promising. Don't quite understand how some might interpret VTs distance as disinterest, especially when we were all crying out for him to leave the football side of the business to those who know about football!
Looking forward to the new season with high expectations
Looking forward to the new season with high expectations
Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:32 am
Lots of words spoken but now it's time for action,I never judge anyone on what they say,that includes Tan and Warnock but on what they do,and to be honest the recent signings have not shown me any real ambition to get to the Premiership,and yes I know it's early days but I need to see intent with some real quality signings being made,not waiting till January for it to happen
Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:21 am
Sounds to me as if things are exactly as many predicted. Neil is aware of the financial situation/ if we find ourselves challenging, are an indication of the problem this club has with it's massive debt, and once again FFP has also been mentioned. I don't expect any marquee signings, more likely to be lesser known hard working players. We will have our work cut out to reach the play offs, but we have a manager who may just be able to work some magic. I am not expecting miracles, and realise that our debts have to be the top priority right now.
Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:10 pm
Seems we are still paying the price for the free and easy spending days, Too many big signings in too short a period.
Re: ' NEIL WARNOCK & VINCENT TAN FINALLY '
Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:39 pm
Jules wrote:Seems we are still paying the price for the free and easy spending days, Too many big signings in too short a period.
It wasn't so much the buying as it was the on-field failures and poor management from top to bottom after Malky went. I'll never condone Malky's off-field actions but I do believe we had a fighting chance of staying up, if Mr Tan had had the foresight to wait until the end of the season before rocking the proverbial boat!
Cost us any chance we had IMHO!
