Interesting....

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

"All eight took part in extensive interviews and none of them withdrew from the process," said the chief executive, who added that the job was the most attractive in world football.
"We were in a fortunate position to name our first choice."


...and by interesting, I mean TMI for the press to pick apart.

[MickeyPearce]

I took the minutes for the meetings and I can tell you why the others didn’t get the job:

1. Allegri – A gentleman and would’ve fitted in well but his long term strategy was to cherry pick Juventus and other top clubs in Europe. He showed us what his preferred starting XI for the 2018-19 would be and there was only 2 players from the current team in it – Kolasinac and PEA. The leadership group felt the one thing the club needed was stability so he was passed over.

2. Arteta – Was the biggest disappointment. All candidates were extremely well briefed on the role but for some reason he wanted full control of the club similar to what Arsene enjoyed. He actually had two interviews because the leadership group felt maybe it’s because he’s new to management & high level negotiations but he pretty much double downed on his initial demands the 2nd time.

3. Luis Enrique – Reports of his wage demands were inaccurate. He did not want double what Arsene was earning. He wanted x3. And that’s net so the taxes would’ve covered by the club. Arsene got paid that money because he did everything. Luis would only be handling the coach so the demands were not warranted. His attitude stunk the place out – All he talked about was how much he wanted and how grateful we should be for having him.

4. Vieira – Never showed up for his interview. I repeat never showed up for the interview. Josh Kroenke and myself even flew out to New York to meet with him and to try to set up a skype meeting but he was nowhere to be found. By the way – Air Kroenke is the bomb. Dude be all like all Air Force One up in the b it ch.

5. Eddie Howe – The leadership group were extremely keen to meet with Eddie. Ivan has kept in touch with him for several years and surprisingly he was also on Raul’s radar when he was working at Barcelona. He was an easy choice for the final list. Unfortunately Eddie is far too in love in Bournemouth. Like a teenager and his first love. The leadership group felt that he should broaden his horizons a bit more before taking on job like this but if something happens to Unai he will be one of the first people the club calls. The leadership group will certainly keep monitoring his progress.

6. Leo Jardim – He was by far the most impressive of the candidates that didn’t get the job. Absolutely astute and genuine pleasure to listen too. You could tell he cares about his profession. Attention to detail was spot on. It was a genuine tossup between him and Unai but where he lost out was that Unai knows every single Arsenal player (senior and youth) in incredible detail. It wasn’t so much their strengths. It’s their weaknesses he was able to point out and he was able to offer a plan on how they can all improve. Obviously he’ll get funds to spend but it was Unai just pulled ahead with his extra knowledge. It was clear out of the two Unai can start the job today, right now, this minute and start getting stuff done.

7. Thierry Henry – I would say Thierry finished 3rd on the list behind Leo and Eddie. From the very first moment of his interview you knew you were talking to an Arsenal legend and this is exactly the sort of command and leadership the group were looking for. Unfortunately Thierry wanted to still combine the job with his role at Sky. He was also not impressed with the £50m budget.

[MickeyPearce]

Kind Regards,

Your Best Mate

Mickey Pearce

[Sir C]

Kind Regards,

Your Best Mate

Mickey Pearce

Well played Mickey

Unai's statement watch - is it a Panerai? I can't get a decent look.

[Burney]

Well played Mickey

Unai's statement watch - is it a Panerai? I can't get a decent look.

What in God's name is 'a statement watch'? Have you been reading old copies of GQ while you wait to get your hair cut again?

[Luis Anaconda]

"All eight took part in extensive interviews and none of them withdrew from the process," said the chief executive, who added that the job was the most attractive in world football.
"We were in a fortunate position to name our first choice."


...and by interesting, I mean TMI for the press to pick apart.

In what way? Seems just the right amount to me. Made some of the dickheads who were calling the process a mess look exactly what they were

[Luis Anaconda]

What in God's name is 'a statement watch'? Have you been reading old copies of GQ while you wait to get your hair cut again?

:hide: We've had whole pages on them before - I'm still not entirely sure what it means

[Sir C]

What in God's name is 'a statement watch'? Have you been reading old copies of GQ while you wait to get your hair cut again?

Gosh no. I just meant that it's a huge fúcker and obviously meant to be obvious. Watches are becoming much bigger, of course. My Breitlings are both 42mm, but the smallest they make now is 48 and most are up in the 50s. I can't carry such bulky timepieces since I have the wrists of a ballerina.

[MickeyPearce]

It is a Ullyses Nardin.

He also has a beautiful FP Journe.

Kind Regards,

Mickey Pearce

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

What in God's name is 'a statement watch'? Have you been reading old copies of GQ while you wait to get your hair cut again?

It is how an estate agent or double glazing salesman signals his success. A gentlemen would have nothing to do with them and I'm a little disappointed that c shows even the slightest interest.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Gosh no. I just meant that it's a huge fúcker and obviously meant to be obvious. Watches are becoming much bigger, of course. My Breitlings are both 42mm, but the smallest they make now is 48 and most are up in the 50s. I can't carry such bulky timepieces since I have the wrists of a ballerina.

And the arse'ole of a fish wife

[Sir C]

It is a Ullyses Nardin.

He also has a beautiful FP Journe.

Kind Regards,

Mickey Pearce

Cheers Mickey.

[Sir C]

It is how an estate agent or double glazing salesman signals his success. A gentlemen would have nothing to do with them and I'm a little disappointed that c shows even the slightest interest.

A gentleman's watch collection, like his car collection, should encompass different varieties of watch, suitable for different occasions.

One wouldn't drive a Ferrari to the supermarket, would one? One would take, perhaps, a G Wagon or M5. In the same way, one wouldn't countenance wearing an IWC Portofino to the beach. That would be madness. One would choose an Omega Seamaster, perhaps.

[Burney]

Gosh no. I just meant that it's a huge fúcker and obviously meant to be obvious. Watches are becoming much bigger, of course. My Breitlings are both 42mm, but the smallest they make now is 48 and most are up in the 50s. I can't carry such bulky timepieces since I have the wrists of a ballerina.

I have to admit I find such monsters rather ugly and silly-looking. When did we decide that a bulky watch was a good idea?

[Sir C]

I have to admit I find such monsters rather ugly and silly-looking. When did we decide that a bulky watch was a good idea?

I suspect that the bulking iup happened when watchmakers began to chase the emergence of money amongst vulgarians. The Yanqui 100 years ago, then the Arab, then the Russians and the Chinese. These people, who like to holiday in Dubai, are interested only in show, not quality.

[Burney]

I suspect that the bulking iup happened when watchmakers began to chase the emergence of money amongst vulgarians. The Yanqui 100 years ago, then the Arab, then the Russians and the Chinese. These people, who like to holiday in Dubai, are interested only in show, not quality.

Personally, as you know, I prefer a Breguet Repeater on a discreet silver chain.

[Sir C]

Personally, as you know, I prefer a Breguet Repeater on a discreet silver chain.

:hehe: I have my father's pocket watch, which my mother bought for him in the mid-70s. It is a Jaeger Lecoultre, suggesting to me that the business must have had a very good year :hehe:

Unfortunately, it is very 1970s indeed. Extremely 1970s. :-(

[PSRB]

A gentleman's watch collection, like his car collection, should encompass different varieties of watch, suitable for different occasions.

One wouldn't drive a Ferrari to the supermarket, would one? One would take, perhaps, a G Wagon or M5. In the same way, one wouldn't countenance wearing an IWC Portofino to the beach. That would be madness. One would choose an Omega Seamaster, perhaps.

So I need to move to the beach?

[redgunamo]

I have to admit I find such monsters rather ugly and silly-looking. When did we decide that a bulky watch was a good idea?

Blame Flavor Flav, imo.

[Burney]

:hehe: I have my father's pocket watch, which my mother bought for him in the mid-70s. It is a Jaeger Lecoultre, suggesting to me that the business must have had a very good year :hehe:

Unfortunately, it is very 1970s indeed. Extremely 1970s. :-(

:hehe: Nice. I think you ought to revive it.

Listening to all the O'Brians one after the other is affecting my mind and vocabulary. I have to stop myself calling bread 'soft tack' and telling people to 'belay that'.

[Sir C]

:hehe: Nice. I think you ought to revive it.

Listening to all the O'Brians one after the other is affecting my mind and vocabulary. I have to stop myself calling bread 'soft tack' and telling people to 'belay that'.

:hehe: "Which it's coming ain't it?" is a phrase often heard round my gaff.

[Burney]

:hehe: "Which it's coming ain't it?" is a phrase often heard round my gaff.

The other day, I couldn't get 'Spanish Ladies' out of my head and had no idea why until I started listening again and realised I'd fallen asleep the night before while listening to a passage where they'd sung it.

[Sir C]

So I need to move to the beach?

The beauty of the Seamaster is its versatility. Indeed, I wear mine as my 'every day' watch.

I would go so far as to say that a gentleman who has fallen on hard times could theoretically restrict himself just to a Seamaster and consider himself adequately equipped in the horological department.

[Burney]

The beauty of the Seamaster is its versatility. Indeed, I wear mine as my 'every day' watch.

I would go so far as to say that a gentleman who has fallen on hard times could theoretically restrict himself just to a Seamaster and consider himself adequately equipped in the horological department.

That's lucky. It is my everyday watch. Also, my only watch.

[Tony C]

Sir C...was unaware there was fellow watch collector on here.

Any nice pieces in your collection?

My last purchase was a 1970s Enicar day date. Literally one of the last before the quartz revolution shut them down. Got it for £300 from a collector buddy in Austria.

It’s untouched but I’ve seen polished ones go for 3x as much on Chrono24.

Happy with my old time piece.

When I’m in Basel I go with my Omega Seamaster 40th Bond Anniversary special edition with the scope dial and 007 counterweight on the seconds hand and my rose gold Oris Big Crown day date pointer.

But it’s Basel so you get Uber drivers with Rolex GMTs :clap:

[IUFG]

The beauty of the Seamaster is its versatility. Indeed, I wear mine as my 'every day' watch.

I would go so far as to say that a gentleman who has fallen on hard times could theoretically restrict himself just to a Seamaster and consider himself adequately equipped in the horological department.

Did you go for the mid-size Seamaster?

What with you having girl's wrists, and that...

[IUFG]

Blame Flavor Flav, imo.

https://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjM2NDcyNjkyNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTY4MDEzMjE@._ V1_.jpg

yeah boy!

[Sir C]

Sir C...was unaware there was fellow watch collector on here.

Any nice pieces in your collection?

My last purchase was a 1970s Enicar day date. Literally one of the last before the quartz revolution shut them down. Got it for £300 from a collector buddy in Austria.

It’s untouched but I’ve seen polished ones go for 3x as much on Chrono24.

Happy with my old time piece.

When I’m in Basel I go with my Omega Seamaster 40th Bond Anniversary special edition with the scope dial and 007 counterweight on the seconds hand and my rose gold Oris Big Crown day date pointer.

But it’s Basel so you get Uber drivers with Rolex GMTs :clap:

When I bought my Seamaster the chap tried to upsell me to the James Bond special edition, which I declined. I see that they are now worth all sorts of fortunes :-(

I have a Breitling Navitimer ll SE, Breitling Aerospace, the Seamaster obviously, IWC Portofino, Tag Monaco Calibre 12 (my favourite watch), a Bremont, my father's ugly 1970s Jaeger Lecoultre fob watch and my grandfather's 1920s Longines dress watch.

There are just two that I would like to add: an IWC Portuguese Chrono and, one day with God's blessing, a Patek Phillipe.

[Burney]

When I bought my Seamaster the chap tried to upsell me to the James Bond special edition, which I declined. I see that they are now worth all sorts of fortunes :-(

I have a Breitling Navitimer ll SE, Breitling Aerospace, the Seamaster obviously, IWC Portofino, Tag Monaco Calibre 12 (my favourite watch), a Bremont, my father's ugly 1970s Jaeger Lecoultre fob watch and my grandfather's 1920s Longines dress watch.

There are just two that I would like to add: an IWC Portuguese Chrono and, one day with God's blessing, a Patek Phillipe.


Well I guess it's a choice between those and actually ever retiring.

[Luis Anaconda]

When I bought my Seamaster the chap tried to upsell me to the James Bond special edition, which I declined. I see that they are now worth all sorts of fortunes :-(

I have a Breitling Navitimer ll SE, Breitling Aerospace, the Seamaster obviously, IWC Portofino, Tag Monaco Calibre 12 (my favourite watch), a Bremont, my father's ugly 1970s Jaeger Lecoultre fob watch and my grandfather's 1920s Longines dress watch.

There are just two that I would like to add: an IWC Portuguese Chrono and, one day with God's blessing, a Patek Phillipe.
But you never own a Patek Phillipe you just look after it for the next generation :puke: :puke: :puke:

[Sir C]

[/B]

Well I guess it's a choice between those and actually ever retiring.

Quite. Indeed, when the time comes, the collection might provide a useful boost to the fund.

[Sir C]

But you never own a Patek Phillipe you just look after it for the next generation :puke: :puke: :puke:

If I ever get to buy one I'm owning that fúcker, trust me.

[Burney]

If I ever get to buy one I'm owning that fúcker, trust me.

Pawning your watches? :yikes: Good heavens. Why not just live off cat food and be done with it?

[PSRB]

That's lucky. It is my everyday watch. Also, my only watch.

:nod: Probably due a service.....that'll be cheap :-(

[Tony C]

But you never own a Patek Phillipe you just look after it for the next generation :puke: :puke: :puke:

I thought that was really good marketing from them.

Smitten with the JLC Master Ultra Thin Perpetual

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/en/watches/master/master-ultra-thin-perpetual/130842J.html

Glorious imo

[Sir C]

Did you go for the mid-size Seamaster?

What with you having girl's wrists, and that...

Yes, absolutely. Anything over 45 mm looks silly on me.

Except the Monaco :cloud9:

[Sir C]

Pawning your watches? :yikes: Good heavens. Why not just live off cat food and be done with it?

Not pawning, no. If anything, selling. They are an asset and, in some cases, an appreciating asset. The wise man cuts his suit according to his cloth. :shrug:

[Burney]

:nod: Probably due a service.....that'll be cheap :-(

Believe me, it's not. :cry:

Indeed, you get the bill and ask yourself why you didn't just buy another fvcking watch. :-(

[Burney]

Not pawning, no. If anything, selling. They are an asset and, in some cases, an appreciating asset. The wise man cuts his suit according to his cloth. :shrug:

You've changed, man. :hehe:

[Sir C]

You've changed, man. :hehe:

No, I haven't. :shrug:

[Burney]

No, I haven't. :shrug:

I'm only messsing, of course. This is eminently sensible.

However, would it not hurt a little to part with them? I know how you treasure them.

[Sir C]

I'm only messsing, of course. This is eminently sensible.

However, would it not hurt a little to part with them? I know how you treasure them.

I speak only theoretically. There will be lots of decisions and crunching of numbers to do; I'm just being pragmatic about it really. The reality is, if I do actually go through with getting off the treadmill at 55ish, I won't have the same income I have now, but I don't yet know what that might mean exactly.

[Burney]

I speak only theoretically. There will be lots of decisions and crunching of numbers to do; I'm just being pragmatic about it really. The reality is, if I do actually go through with getting off the treadmill at 55ish, I won't have the same income I have now, but I don't yet know what that might mean exactly.

You could always become a cat sitter. We're off to Paris next week and have engaged one. Basically, he's a old retired chap who toddles about feeding cats, watering plants and turning lights on and off. It struck me as very sensible.

I am a bit worried about what happens if the cvnt drops dead while people are away on holiday, though. Will our cats simply go un-fed?

[Sir C]

You could always become a cat sitter. We're off to Paris next week and have engaged one. Basically, he's a old retired chap who toddles about feeding cats, watering plants and turning lights on and off. It struck me as very sensible.

I am a bit worried about what happens if the cvnt drops dead while people are away on holiday, though. Will our cats simply go un-fed?

The cats will eat hi. Easy.

I'm more and more interested in the B&B idea. 2 en suite bedrooms should easily return you £25k a year. That's enough to spend January in Asia and have something left over for christmas. And I can offer Eggs Benedict.

[Burney]

The cats will eat hi. Easy.

I'm more and more interested in the B&B idea. 2 en suite bedrooms should easily return you £25k a year. That's enough to spend January in Asia and have something left over for christmas. And I can offer Eggs Benedict.

:hehe: Initially, I read 'Asia' as 'Asda' and was very confused.

I do just worry that your innate misanthropy will be a problem, but I can see the attraction. You'll just have to get your head back into business mode.

[Sir C]

:hehe: Initially, I read 'Asia' as 'Asda' and was very confused.

I do just worry that your innate misanthropy will be a problem, but I can see the attraction. You'll just have to get your head back into business mode.

I definitely wouldn't do it if it meant going into business mode. I'd only do it for the pocket money and the fun. It would simply be a cosy family endeavour. I do dislike people, but I am naturally hospitable, so I suspect my delight in offering comfort and generosity will override my natural antipathy to individuals.

Any gobshíte would simply be ejected from the premises. :shrug:

[Burney]

I definitely wouldn't do it if it meant going into business mode. I'd only do it for the pocket money and the fun. It would simply be a cosy family endeavour. I do dislike people, but I am naturally hospitable, so I suspect my delight in offering comfort and generosity will override my natural antipathy to individuals.

Any gobshíte would simply be ejected from the premises. :shrug:

That's the problem, though. You can't be sure that whoever you invite won't be a gobsh1te, can you? And your simple dislike of them for being ugly/northern/ignorant/graceless isn't reason enough to kick them out. You may have to endure the presence of people you actively dislike in YOUR house for long-ish periods of time. I think you underestimate the toll that would take on you.

[Pokster]

That's the problem, though. You can't be sure that whoever you invite won't be a gobsh1te, can you? And your simple dislike of them for being ugly/northern/ignorant/graceless isn't reason enough to kick them out. You may have to endure the presence of people you actively dislike in YOUR house for long-ish periods of time. I think you underestimate the toll that would take on you.

A bit like when the in-laws visit?

[Burney]

A bit like when the in-laws visit?

Exactly, p. Exactly.

[Viva Prat Vegas]

Sir C "A gentleman's watch collection, like his car collection, should encompass different varieties of watch, suitable for different occasions."

:nod:

My Dad never wears his Rolex with short-sleeve weather

[Burney]

Sir C "A gentleman's watch collection, like his car collection, should encompass different varieties of watch, suitable for different occasions."

:nod:

My Dad never wears his Rolex with short-sleeve weather

Very wise. He'd probably have sulphuric acid sprayed on him and have it nicked by one of Sadiq Khan's little mates if he did.

[Viva Prat Vegas]

True

Additionally - I never cease to be amazed at the number of idiots who leave mobile phones within grabbing distance on tables outside eateries, cafeterias, pubs etc.
I half feel like giving them a polite warning

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

In what way? Seems just the right amount to me. Made some of the dickheads who were calling the process a mess look exactly what they were


TMI in that I now want to know who the other 7 actually were. I would never have expected Gazidis to reveal that level of detail.

[Luis Anaconda]

TMI in that I now want to know who the other 7 actually were. I would never have expected Gazidis to reveal that level of detail.
He hasn't really revealed anything other than that we interviewed other candidates, which was already known. The other seven are irrelevant now :shrug;