Chelsea exec looks silly two months after lobbying for continuity

Over the last few months, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has taken every opportunity possible to publicly back Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But anyone thinking Kenyon’s apparent loyalty stemmed from the realisation that they might be doing better if he hadn’t botched their summer attempts to sign Robinho was wrong. After all, this is the same man who expressed “absolute confidence” in Avram Grant two months before he was sacked.

Gunners hoping to fill chief executive role with MLS man

Earlier this year, Arsenal welcomed Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke to the board, and the club also appear to be poaching their new chief executive from the MLS.

Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis (pictured above) joined the American league in 1994, two years before anyone had ever kicked a soccerball, and has been instrumental in developing the game in the big country.

According to the Daily Mail, the South African-born lawyer  - a known supporter of Game 39 - could be north London-bound:

Gazidis, an Oxford University football Blue, has the credentials for the Arsenal role, having joined the MLS in 1994 as part of their founding management team. Now he oversees all aspects of the competition, as well as being involved in running football organisation CONCACAF.

Arsenal will have a problem attracting Gazidis, whose proposed move to the Premier League with Manchester City fell through when he was reticent to relocate to England.

What should be a greater problem for the Gunners, however, is how much he looks like Daniel Levy…

Boro and B’ham head honchos inspire debate via slanging match

The powers-that-be at Middlesbrough and Birmingham have been having a bit of a ding-dong of late. First, Birmingham chairman David Gold said that it was better to experience constant promotion and relegation than to float around mid-table like Middlesbrough. Yet now, Boro’s chief executive Keith Lamb has responded.

“I seriously doubt Boro fans would swap our recent histories. Since moving to the Riverside in 1995, we have achieved five major cup finals, are the only English side outside of the so-called big four to have played in a European final, have enjoyed successive seasons of UEFA Cup football, won our first major trophy and enjoyed 11 consecutive years in the Premier League.”

Rumours that he added that his daddy was tougher than Gold’s are unsubstantiated, but nevertheless Lamb raises an important issue for football fans: would you rather enjoy the financial benefits and consistency of mid-table obscurity, or experience the highs and lows of alternating promotion/ relegation campaigns.

Let us know what you think with a vote and comment below…

Keith Wyness has mysteriously disappeared into the Mersey night

In December 2004, a few months after Chief Exec of Aberdeen FC Keith Wyness was poached by Everton, the blue side of Mersey reinvigorated their plans to leave Goodison Park for a 50,000 out-of-town stadium complex in Kirkby.

The rotund Scot, who also voiced approval over the 39th Premier League game, was instrumental in the controversial relocation plans, but last night he caught Everton off guard and handed in his resignation. Obviously still in shock, the Toffees’ official site was only capable of mustering a single sentence on the subject:

Everton Football Club wishes to announce that Keith Wyness has resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer and director of the Club.

Many fans fear that his resignation indicates the plush Kirkby stadium, which could be used in the World Cup 2018 (should we be chosen to host), will no longer happen. Others who have been speculating on Everton’s deathly silence in the transfer market and who support the ‘Keep Everton In Our City’ will no doubt be delighted that Wyness has waddled off into the sunset.