| |
Saints' saviour Liebherr passes away
The shocking and untimely death of Southampton owner Markus Liebherr will be a devastating blow to everyone associated with the club; having appeared from nowhere in their darkest hour, the Swiss businessman was the Saints very own saviour.
Southampton were teetering on the brink of extinction when administrators announced they had found a buyer for the financially crippled club in 2009, and though Liebherr’s first act was to axe current manager Mark Wotte, fans soon warmed to the uncompromising proprietor with the arrival of Alan Pardew just eight days later. Nicola Corteses was brought in to look after the club’s business interests on Mr Leibherr’s behalf and suddenly, Saints growing entourage of personnel had a certain swagger and quality to it. League One mediocrity was not high on the renewed club’s agenda and a strategic plan of action was already being implemented to improve every operation within St Mary’s, both on and off the field. Prolific forward Rickie Lambert was signed for a fee in the region of £1m and though mere pocket change to the multi-billionaires at Manchester City, it was deemed a massive investment in the club and regarded as a clear statement of intent from Liebherr.
Southampton went on the lift the JPT last season and if not for a 10-point deduction for entering administration, would have comfortably made the play-offs. Despite what most fans considered a massive triumph for a club that was still fighting its way back from the edge of existence, Pardew’s position come into question and rumours soon ran wild that Cortese was hugely dissatisfied with the side’s failure to escape the division. The ex-West Ham manager held onto his job thanks to the undeniable backing of fans and supporters groups but with the tragic news of their owner’s death still sinking in, Saints may discover that this is just the tip of the ice-berg.
For Liebherr was the hinge upon which all Southampton’s prayers, hopes and aspirations swung. He had the money, he had the personnel, he had the plan, but above all - and this cannot be understated – he had the time. Nowadays, billionaires in charge of the Premier League’s elite will throw their wealth behind an already successful club and perch themselves in the executive box, rejoicing in success that is not theirs and unfairly seething in defeat. Liebherr was involved in the club – he had a vision, and that vision was to see Southampton back in the top-flight, playing attractive football whilst managing finances responsibly in the process.
Without their commanding leader at the helm, St Mary’s faces a potential exodus. Unless the club can attract new and plentiful investment to a team that currently resides in the third tier of English football, then the reportedly forlorn Cortese may walk away from the Saints. Without high profile investment and hierarchy, rivals teams from higher division will swiftly move to dislodge Pardew from his post and with the influential manager departed, key names and young talent may become disillusioned with life on the south coast. Saints would be exactly where they were just over a year ago with fans clinging to the minute possibility that another white knight is on his way to save their beloved club, and though his fortunes may stay with Southampton, his dream may never be recaptured.
Under Liebherr, Southampton had genuine direction and consistency throughout. What happens now remains to be seen – even success at St Marys this season may not be enough to save the club that never seems to catch a break. One thing is for certain, Saints will always remember the man who saved them from oblivion, even if he was merely postponing the inevitable.
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
Related Articles
| |