davieG Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 Milan Mandaric believes Leicester City are in a far better position than when he first took over as owner almost exactly three years ago. Saturday's victory over S****horpe United at the Walkers Stadium coincided with the official unveiling of the Serbian businessman as City's new owner in 2007 and Mandaric admits it has been a roller-coaster ride ever since. Mandaric said he spent his first year discovering the full extent of the task he had taken on, and relegation to League One in his first full season was the lowest point. However, Mandaric believes the club now has sound foundations in place and is building towards an eventual return to the Premier League. "Today we are a stable club, on and off the field, and I think the club needed that stability for a long time," he said. "I didn't realise a lot of things when I took over. "It was a lot easier for me at Portsmouth because the club was in administration so there was a clean sheet and I could build it up from scratch. "Here it was not quite organised off the field and not strong enough on the field. I had to do a lot of work and the first year did not go as well as I thought. "I was so desperate to do well that I gave my manager all the tools he wanted. But it was a disaster year for us although, in a way, we probably needed to hit rock-bottom and build from there up. That is what we have done. "When I took over there was a lot of money to be paid and I had to try to learn all about the club, and find out what was going on. That took me about a year. "It wasn't stable. You just don't know where you are coming from until you find out everything. "What I found right away were tremendously loyal supporters, a good football community and a good sports community. Leicestershire is a good, solid sporting community with very loyal people. "That was the most refreshing thing. They realise that it was hard for me to step up and put a lot of money in. "When you are relegated you lose a lot of income, but everyone pitched in and they showed a lot of loyalty to support the club, and I respect and appreciate that. "There have been a lot of ups and downs but I am happier now. The expectation levels are now rising. We have stabilised the club on and off the field and, although there are still areas for improvement, we are building now. "Instead of just thinking about being able to stay up, we are thinking about building and investing. "Today we are working hard. We have a good manager in Nigel Pearson and he is surrounded by good people. He has a good solid team which is well balanced. "There is always room for improvement, but that improvement is coming and we are building rather than surviving." The current economic climate has certainly not helped Mandaric in his task to transform City into a viable footballing force again, and he admits he has had to make a lot of personal sacrifices. However, he admits his love of English football has been his motivation. "It has been a hard three years because of what has happened in the financial world," he said. "My investment is back in America and Slovenia, and my family are in a different part of the world when I am here. So I have sacrificed a lot but it is all for the love of the game, and I have fallen in love with the club. "I still get a lot of enjoyment and, if I didn't, I would find a way to get out of it. I am still here and I am happy. "I would be lying if I said it has all been good because there has been a lot of pressure. I have been away from my family and there has been the world financial crisis we have all experienced, especially in America. "The club has needed a lot of investment as well and it is not simple. You have to be organised and respond to everything. It is a serious business. "But I believe we are now on the right track."
Fox in a Box Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 Good marketing words Milan, and I do hope your right me owed!
Jon the Hat Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 Things are certainly more stable, and we have a good manager and half decent squad. However, we appear to be pretty much dependent on Milan to fund our operating cash flow, and that is a worrying position. The next worrying thing is the propect of the training ground being sold, which would leave the club with no tangible assets. If we are selling this when times are "good" what the hell do we do when they get bad?
CKB Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 what the hell do we do when they get bad? What do we do? we think ahhhhh how lovely that we have nicely planted bushes around the enterance to the training ground
Rich Fox Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 Why are old people bothered about money as he will probably be dead in 10 years time.
eleven points Posted 19 February 2010 Posted 19 February 2010 Why are old people bothered about money as he will probably be dead in 10 years time. Milan's not in it for the money
ozleicester Posted 20 February 2010 Posted 20 February 2010 Milan Mandaric believes Leicester City are in a far better position than when he first took over as owner almost exactly three years ago.Saturday's victory over S****horpe United at the Walkers Stadium coincided with the official unveiling of the Serbian businessman as City's new owner in 2007 and Mandaric admits it has been a roller-coaster ride ever since. Mandaric said he spent his first year discovering the full extent of the task he had taken on, and relegation to League One in his first full season was the lowest point. However, Mandaric believes the club now has sound foundations in place and is building towards an eventual return to the Premier League. "Today we are a stable club, on and off the field, and I think the club needed that stability for a long time," he said. "I didn't realise a lot of things when I took over. "It was a lot easier for me at Portsmouth because the club was in administration so there was a clean sheet and I could build it up from scratch. "Here it was not quite organised off the field and not strong enough on the field. I had to do a lot of work and the first year did not go as well as I thought. "I was so desperate to do well that I gave my manager all the tools he wanted. But it was a disaster year for us although, in a way, we probably needed to hit rock-bottom and build from there up. That is what we have done. "When I took over there was a lot of money to be paid and I had to try to learn all about the club, and find out what was going on. That took me about a year. "It wasn't stable. You just don't know where you are coming from until you find out everything. "What I found right away were tremendously loyal supporters, a good football community and a good sports community. Leicestershire is a good, solid sporting community with very loyal people. "That was the most refreshing thing. They realise that it was hard for me to step up and put a lot of money in. "When you are relegated you lose a lot of income, but everyone pitched in and they showed a lot of loyalty to support the club, and I respect and appreciate that. "There have been a lot of ups and downs but I am happier now. The expectation levels are now rising. We have stabilised the club on and off the field and, although there are still areas for improvement, we are building now. "Instead of just thinking about being able to stay up, we are thinking about building and investing. "Today we are working hard. We have a good manager in Nigel Pearson and he is surrounded by good people. He has a good solid team which is well balanced. "There is always room for improvement, but that improvement is coming and we are building rather than surviving." The current economic climate has certainly not helped Mandaric in his task to transform City into a viable footballing force again, and he admits he has had to make a lot of personal sacrifices. However, he admits his love of English football has been his motivation. "It has been a hard three years because of what has happened in the financial world," he said. "My investment is back in America and Slovenia, and my family are in a different part of the world when I am here. So I have sacrificed a lot but it is all for the love of the game, and I have fallen in love with the club. "I still get a lot of enjoyment and, if I didn't, I would find a way to get out of it. I am still here and I am happy. "I would be lying if I said it has all been good because there has been a lot of pressure. I have been away from my family and there has been the world financial crisis we have all experienced, especially in America. "The club has needed a lot of investment as well and it is not simple. You have to be organised and respond to everything. It is a serious business. "But I believe we are now on the right track." Is it just me that gets pissed off by this phrase? which in turn prevented me from reading the rest of the story
Zingari Posted 20 February 2010 Posted 20 February 2010 Is it just me that gets pissed off by this phrase? which in turn prevented me from reading the rest of the story then there's a definite possibility that you missed a good article (actually you didn't , it's just the same old guff )
Corky Posted 20 February 2010 Posted 20 February 2010 "Today we are a stable club, on and off the field, and I think the club needed that stability for a long time," he said. You said it Milan, now listen to it. We have a good manager who knows what's he doing, a decent group of players so let's hope we have long-term stability as well as short.
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