Rudkin needs to be measured on his success over a rolling 5 period, that's typically how businesses work.
The league title was a good starting point as this magic moment of madness (with that squad, that finished 12th the following season) gave us access to the top table for a period.
At that moment the squad had a wage bill of 20 million? So roll forward 5 years and our wage bill sits at 80+ million, with two maybe 3 players who are worth 50+ million, my conclusion is we have been far to loose in what we pay and have a squad of good overpaid players, and a lot of average very overpaid players.
Looking at these players, our two main sellable assets in Maddision and Tielemans are about to walk either for zero or no where near their value as we have completely failed from a business perspective to secure a resale either through a contract negotiations or selling on when we knew this was not happening.
Looking at squad, we have 7/8 walking for free with no resale, all need replacing at the cost of 100s of millions. It thankfully gives us a chance to reset the mess.
The club has secured loans against future TV money several years in advance to free up cash flow, which tells me we are struggling to pay our bills based on the current structure.
Our academy (although it takes time) is yet to produce a player of real quality, a gem. What I see is currently producing at crop of Championship level/league one level players, no gems at all.
All these are connected to the first team squad, acdemey off the pitch and falls at the DOFs door.
So in my opinion since the title perhaps not a complete failure but where we stand now it looks that way.
The next 5 years are going to take something really special to sort it out (of course I hope it does and its possible), but based on decisions and current situation in the last 5 years with what Rudkin has precided over do we want him to manage the next 5? For me I think it needs a fresh face with fresh ideas.