SOS speak out again...

[RedBaros]

The bits I've bolded are drama queen, the bits in red smack of self importance and a desire to be involved in the running of the club, even if it's on a consultation level. SOS have no place in asking to be involved with the club's affairs at such a busy and sensitive time where decisions must be kept behind closed doors.
All the points raised are already currently being worked on, there's no need to be demanding instant answers.
They have to be patient and see what happens. Questions can be asked later if FSG **** it up. If they do I'll ask them myself. For now, leave them the **** alone to get on with their work in peace.




“We are writing to you as we are concerned about the current situation that our football club finds itself in,” it reads.

“It is a time of worry for supporters, not just because of the huge changes and the transformation that is happening in such a short time frame but the manner in which it is happening.

“It may be that yourselves and the board of Liverpool Football Club have a vision you are working towards. It may be that you have implemented a strategy to deliver that vision and decisions are being made to work towards this.

“However, from the outside where supporters find themselves once again, it looks like a football club in disarray. Confusion and chaos seems to reign and no-one is coming out of this with much credit, particularly the football club’s image and brand.

“We need clear and pro-active communication, a confident message about the club’s plans that breeds confidence amongst supporters that we are moving in the right direction. Instead, we have silence and a lack of information or understanding on decisions being made.

“Today we find ourselves with key positions at the football club vacant. Most notably, the position of manager and the lack of a footballing man on the board. There has been much speculation, along with emails sent to supporters groups, on who is providing advice to yourselves.

“It may well be the case that this is speculation; however, it is understandable that there is speculation given the lack of clarity and information on who is deciding on matters, why and the timing of them.

“It is the firm belief of Spirit of Shankly that footballing decisions should be made by footballing men who are appropriately qualified. We know all too well of the mistakes that follow if this simple mantra is not adhered to. Are suitably qualified individuals making these decisions?”

Ayre explained last week that not even winning the FA Cup would have saved Dalglish as his future depended on the Reds’ Premier League form.

In their letter SOS expressed fears that cash generated from Champions League qualification has now surpassed clinching silverware in importance.

“The quote from Ian Ayre would lead us to believe that our focus is no longer on winning trophies but making money,” it continued.

“In a season that has seen us end with one trophy out of the three available and narrowly miss out on a second, it is somewhat disrespectful to suggest to supporters that winning another trophy would not be good enough.

"Is it now the strategy of Liverpool FC to place greater importance upon generating revenues above winning trophies?

“Communication and leadership is vital. As supporters we have seen all too clearly what a lack of communication from absentee owners leads to.

“There has been very limited dialogue through the supporters committee which is still in its infancy, but this has been mainly used by the club to get messages out, rather than the dialogue promised with supporters at the time of your takeover.

“At a time when a clear message is needed, it is somewhat embarrassing for supporters and the football club to see Twitter messages on who supporters think should be the next manager. We are Liverpool FC. We are better than that.

“Ultimately, supporters remain in the dark once again about the plans for this football club moving forward. We find ourselves experiencing deja vu, where boardroom decisions lead to more questions than they answer. If we all want to pull in the same direction, transparency is needed. This bit here is awful, makes me cringe a LOT.

“As supporters we often offer blind devotion to our football team. Due to our history, we do not afford the same luxury to the football club. It is equally as important for you to trust in supporters, so that we can work together for the betterment of the football club, as it is for us to trust in you.

“We ask that you speak with supporters – engage with a true representative cross section of supporters and work with supporters to provide solutions to our current problems. This will enable communication with supporters to take place in an open and accountable manner.”

[TheDanishFanClub]

“We are writing to you as we are concerned about the current situation that our football club finds itself in,” it reads.

“It is a time of worry for supporters, not just because of the huge changes and the transformation that is happening in such a short time frame but the manner in which it is happening.

“It may be that yourselves and the board of Liverpool Football Club have a vision you are working towards. It may be that you have implemented a strategy to deliver that vision and decisions are being made to work towards this.

“However, from the outside where supporters find themselves once again, it looks like a football club in disarray. Confusion and chaos seems to reign and no-one is coming out of this with much credit, particularly the football club’s image and brand.

“We need clear and pro-active communication, a confident message about the club’s plans that breeds confidence amongst supporters that we are moving in the right direction. Instead, we have silence and a lack of information or understanding on decisions being made.

“Today we find ourselves with key positions at the football club vacant. Most notably, the position of manager and the lack of a footballing man on the board. There has been much speculation, along with emails sent to supporters groups, on who is providing advice to yourselves.

“It may well be the case that this is speculation; however, it is understandable that there is speculation given the lack of clarity and information on who is deciding on matters, why and the timing of them.

“It is the firm belief of Spirit of Shankly that footballing decisions should be made by footballing men who are appropriately qualified. We know all too well of the mistakes that follow if this simple mantra is not adhered to. Are suitably qualified individuals making these decisions?”

Ayre explained last week that not even winning the FA Cup would have saved Dalglish as his future depended on the Reds’ Premier League form.

In their letter SOS expressed fears that cash generated from Champions League qualification has now surpassed clinching silverware in importance.

“The quote from Ian Ayre would lead us to believe that our focus is no longer on winning trophies but making money,” it continued.

“In a season that has seen us end with one trophy out of the three available and narrowly miss out on a second, it is somewhat disrespectful to suggest to supporters that winning another trophy would not be good enough.

"Is it now the strategy of Liverpool FC to place greater importance upon generating revenues above winning trophies?

“Communication and leadership is vital. As supporters we have seen all too clearly what a lack of communication from absentee owners leads to.

“There has been very limited dialogue through the supporters committee which is still in its infancy, but this has been mainly used by the club to get messages out, rather than the dialogue promised with supporters at the time of your takeover.

“At a time when a clear message is needed, it is somewhat embarrassing for supporters and the football club to see Twitter messages on who supporters think should be the next manager. We are Liverpool FC. We are better than that.

“Ultimately, supporters remain in the dark once again about the plans for this football club moving forward. We find ourselves experiencing deja vu, where boardroom decisions lead to more questions than they answer. If we all want to pull in the same direction, transparency is needed.

“As supporters we often offer blind devotion to our football team. Due to our history, we do not afford the same luxury to the football club. It is equally as important for you to trust in supporters, so that we can work together for the betterment of the football club, as it is for us to trust in you.

“We ask that you speak with supporters – engage with a true representative cross section of supporters and work with supporters to provide solutions to our current problems. This will enable communication with supporters to take place in an open and accountable manner.”


[U]The bits I've bolded are drama queen, the bits in red smack of self importance and a desire to be involved in the running of the club, even if it's on a consultation level. SOS have no place in asking to be involved with the club's affairs at such a busy and sensitive time where decisions must be kept behind closed doors.
All the points raised are already currently being worked on, there's no need to be demanding instant answers.
They have to be patient and see what happens. Questions can be asked later if FSG **** it up. If they do I'll ask them myself. For now, leave them the **** alone to get on with their work in peace.[/U]

Put that at the beginning of your post.

[Obi-Red Kenobi]

They raise some good points, quite frankly Ayre's comments about Kenny not surviving even if thr fA cup was won were quite unfortunate to say the least.
They come across as complete amateurs, hope they know what they are doing cause i dont get that impression.

1) sentence one, at least hes honest. we need to progress in the league. we regressed, which is not acceptable.
2) sentence two, why are they acting as amateurs, give me factual specifics?

[RedBaros]

So tell them.

Speak out.

It's what you pay your money for.

If you keep quiet then what's the point?

Yes quite right, I will now. I read the email but never got round to sending them a message, I just facepalmed and talked about it here now.
I made a thread about it actually 2 days ago but it never turned up.

[RedBaros]

Put that at the beginning of your post.

Done.

[theamerican00]

Agree with you, I'm a member of SOS and I wish they'd pipe down over this, totally unnecessary.

I would guess that even SOS as a group are not all in this together, its way OTT and to be comparing ths to the H&G situation is bizzare.

[block204IB]

I'm a member of of SoS but I am not in agreement with this action. 'Fans on the outside looking in' same as it ever was and particularly when LFC was managed by English owners. It appears that because the owners reside in the U.S and have followed the perceived wisdom of LFC of doing things behind closed doors that they appear directionless. SoS are responding to a press perception and some fans hysteria regarding the process of appointing a manager. To turn it on its head, which fans should be informed regarding the process underway? What information should be divulged? Is this to the clubs benefit or for the fans benefit? To my mind its of mutual benefit for the owners to keep the decision 'in house'.

Fenway may have made a calculated decision in dismissing Kenny which has upset fans but to suggest that action has resulted in a questionable approach to the search for a new manager is reaching imo. Yes -twitter, what was that about?-was amateurish and painted the club in a poor light but one error of judgement by somebody in the press office does not mean all else is at fault.

SoS letter could be construed by the press as being divisive and that our club is fractured along many lines, living on past successes. Fans no longer trusting an owner. I don't think we are at the stage and sincerely hope we never return to that point.

I posted yesterday that we don't know the owners and this appointment will begin to unveil their ambitions for the club. To date they have done nothing to suggest that we are back from whence we came under G&H. Kenny-and I think he should have had more time-was dismissed because of our league performance after investment. We can say it was folly but don't tell me that Werner and Henry didn't think carefully before executing this action. They must be afforded time and trust until that time that expectations are not being met.
I know its a more controversial opinion I have put forward but supporters will have their say when decisions are made and the wisdom of Henry and Werners action is more evident.

[Destry]

SOS, please shut up. You are helping create the illusion that the greatest fanbase in the world is in disarray. That we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. And you're doing yourself no favors by appearing full of yourselves. We don't live in the eighties anymore but despite the 24/7 media world we now do live in we have try to have some of the patience fans had in the eighties. So SOS, pleas shut up.

[theamerican00]

i dont get the lack of communication comments, or the apparrent concern against making money. of course its about making money, thats football. but when youre in football and you make money, as long as you then spend it on the club, ie players, facilites etc theres not a problem. are these the same people who would be happy if we spent 100 million on players this summer? i bet they would, but where do they think this money comes from, trees? we also. before long, with the financial fair play rules come in to play need to work within our means. this means generating more money, and dur, thats what champions league football means.

in relation to how things have been communicated, i think is been pretty clear and for all to see. FSG appointed Kenny, but were not happy with where we finished in the league. they then sacked him, and they had also sacked comolli. since then ian ayre has said they are looking for a new manager and FSG have also said they are looking for a new manager, but are after the best. they have also said they are looking appoint the successful candidate asap.

these things take time people. get a grip and show some patience. like others i appreciate what sos did when butch and sundance were ousted, which to be fair was equally down to financial deadlines and broughton and the bank of scotland, but they did bring the issues to light in a fantastic, high profile manner. but this is a different situation. let FSG make a decision on the manager and support them like any other owner. they are progressing the club off the field, and are taking decisive action to improve on it.

in some ways there is a potential conflict of interests here, on one hand sos have made no secret of their wish to one day run/own the club, and the cynical side of me feels they could use the 'fans best interests' to progress this by undermining the owners. just a thought..

tin hat time...

Yup, its like they are climbing up the walls trying to see in the boardroom window and are frustrated to find the curtains drawn and so are just lashing out rather than actually being constructive which they were during the H&G saga.

[cooky26monster]

I'd rather they take their time, find the right team to take us forward and more importantly do it all in private. Too much of our clubs business is done in the press these days and although I can understand SOS worries statements like this just make it all the more public.

Have to agree with this. I understand SOS' concerns and appreciate what they have done for us in the past, but this latest letter seems a little over the top to me.

[tumtong]

This all getting a bit militant.
Just let FSG do the business.
Prospective candidates will get cold feet if they read this stuff.
FFS.

[Sneets]

I respect SOS generally.

But correct me if I'm wrong, it's been less than 2 weeks since Kenny left, clear reasons for which were given publicly (whether you agree or not)... The search for a new manager is clearly already underway and will probably be completed within the next 2 weeks.

As for lack of communication, what was that long debate about what Ayre said about? I was under the impression he gave a pretty clear picture of where the club is being taken (again, you might disagree with it, but a strategy was laid out nonetheless)

Hardly time to panic. I think SOS are getting ahead of themselves here.

All this talk about "disarray" is dangerous if you ask me - watch it doesn't become a self fulfilling prophecy....

I think what is of most concern is the fact that the manager has been sacked but no replacement seems to have been lined up and even worse our knowledge of the potential managers who could take the job appears to be minimal as why would we have this messy process if you knew the individual that is wanted. All it points out to me is that we don't know the market, we don't know the managers who might be available and we are thrashing about trying to find the right person but we are not sure who he is or what attributes he should have. It really does appear incredibly amateurish and indicates a serious lack of knowledge of the sport.

[LiverpoolOne]

There seems to be a bit of self publicising going on?

[RedBaros]

I would guess that even SOS as a group are not all in this together, its way OTT and to be comparing ths to the H&G situation is bizzare.

I wouldn't expect everyone to agree on everything all of the time. It's good that SOS are concerned and are there for the club should it need help, it's just that right now it's not needed. A few people have lost their jobs but it doesn't mean work grinds to a halt. Ian Ayre said these jobs should be filled in the next couple of weeks so I've no idea why SOS need to send this letter now instead of waiting until that couple of weeks have passed.

So what happens next is that these jobs get filled, we have a new manager, new executives in place, and we begin work on signing new players. The new momentum Ian spoke of is underway. Then this SOS letter looks as inappropriate as it does to me now.

[BearWithMe]

SOS have turned into a "look at me look at me" outfit. wont be renewing my membership.

[Seanosdelgardo]

I think what is of most concern is the fact that the manager has been sacked but no replacement seems to have been lined up and even worse our knowledge of the potential managers who could take the job appears to be minimal as why would we have this messy process if you knew the individual that is wanted. All it points out to me is that we don't know the market, we don't know the managers who might be available and we are thrashing about trying to find the right person but we are not sure who he is or what attributes he should have. It really does appear incredibly amateurish and indicates a serious lack of knowledge of the sport.

Sticky this up for those who think some of us are "over reacting".

[RedGedinLA]

SOS really needs to pipe down.

This. The level of self absorption being shown by SOS is nauseating. KK has only just gone and we are in the process of finding a new boss and these guys want a full briefing on the club's direction. How 'bout waiting until the new guy is in and then we can talk about the future.
STFU!

[aylesbyred]

Why don't the SOS just shut up, they're in the same position as the rest of us and what gives them the right to make demands and issue ridiculous statements

Way too far up their own arses IMO

[theamerican00]

I think what is of most concern is the fact that the manager has been sacked but no replacement seems to have been lined up and even worse our knowledge of the potential managers who could take the job appears to be minimal as why would we have this messy process if you knew the individual that is wanted. All it points out to me is that we don't know the market, we don't know the managers who might be available and we are thrashing about trying to find the right person but we are not sure who he is or what attributes he should have. It really does appear incredibly amateurish and indicates a serious lack of knowledge of the sport.

In fairness, we don't know what is happening, everything has merely been media generated and now SOS are, if you ask me, jumping on the media bandwagon - something some of them on here sneer at. If you think this process is messy thats a point of view, but it also has to be considered that there is a lot of benefits to talking to various candidates before settling on one.

[CincinnatiReds]

Not sure what the hell SOS want here. Ayre has come out as a senior Club official and explained they have a process and are working it to identify and hire a manager and several other open positions. Why on earth is he going to give more detail than that. And why do people assume lists and purported candidates in paper articles are accurate?? Not one club quote to any of them. So the press comes up with lists, names, rejections, etc and people assume they're all fact and therefore the situation is is disarray. So because the press insinuate that things must not be going well barely a week after firing Kenny we don't have a replacement hired, therefore the whole thing is in disarray and the owners are inept. Good lord that's tortured logic by supposedly smart supporters.

The only thing that is concerning to me is if Ayre's statement is true and the Club was going to sack Kenny regardless of the FA cup result, and it was based on league position, they've known the likely league position for the last 4-8 weeks. It would have been better to have had the replacement sounded out and ready to hire if that's the case.

[NYscouser]

Basically SOS want to be ITK's. Its the Liverpool way to keep quiet and let things happen behind closed doors, yet that is not good enough for them....they want everything out in the open and the press having a field day.

[RedBaros]

Sticky this up for those who think some of us are "over reacting".

If they'd decided Kenny was to leave then there wasn't much point pretending he was staying until they found someone to replace him.
There are plenty of available managers as has been seen in what's been called this "scattergun approach".

From all the names I've seen, none are worse than Hodgson, some don't really have the experience, some do and one or two are pipe dreams, but they're all possibilities.
FSG want to talk to them, deliberate and make careful decisions which aren't rushed or made under outside pressure. If they did you'd get SOS complaining about that too, so why they're putting this pressure on them now is unknown to me.

It would also be disrespectful to Kenny to keep him on as manager and talk to others behind his back. H&G were protested against for doing just that with Klinsmann.

Just let them do their work, be patient, see what they come up with , think of it as their first big test as owners, complain/protest if they screw it up.

[The Riedle]

I admire the SOS but I feel this is OTT at the moment.

[QeSmithy]

SOS, this isn't the Liverpool Way.

Backing FSG in to a corner serves no purpose, it just shows a continued lack of class.

I'm quite glad that they're doing all their business behind closed doors for that reason, the media keep speculating and our fans then go in to overdrive.

Its their decision, let them make it in peace. Its less than a week since Kenny left, hardly a long recruitment process.

I'd rather they take their time. And get the right man, than rush (or listen to the fans) and get the wrong one.

[Red-Dawn-Rising]

Couldn't agree more with SOS. Everyone here should be a member.

[Sneets]

In fairness, we don't know what is happening, everything has merely been media generated and now SOS are, if you ask me, jumping on the media bandwagon - something some of them on here sneer at. If you think this process is messy thats a point of view, but it also has to be considered that there is a lot of benefits to talking to various candidates before settling on one.

All talking to a lot of candidates indicates is a lack of knowledge of the market and the respective managers that may be available. Most boards of PL clubs would have a clear idea of whom to approach should their current manager leave, there would be no more than a dozen possibilities and probably even less when you take individual circumstances into account. The way this has been handled just asks for criticism.

[TheDanishFanClub]

All talking to a lot of candidates indicates is a lack of knowledge of the market and the respective managers that may be available. Most boards of PL clubs would have a clear idea of whom to approach should their current manager leave, there would be no more than a dozen possibilities and probably even less when you take individual circumstances into account. The way this has been handled just asks for criticism.

Implying.

[phuzz]

SOS are spot on. It's an absolutely disgrace that a manager who was close to winning 2 trophies in one season has been sacked. Not only that they are no closer to finding a worthy replacement.


Maybe we should let FSG do their business in the same way we let H&G do theirs.

[Dousty]

SOS, this isn't the Liverpool Way.

Backing FSG in to a corner serves no purpose, it just shows a continued lack of class.

I'm quite glad that they're doing all their business behind closed doors for that reason, the media keep speculating and our fans then go in to overdrive.

Its their decision, let them make it in peace. Its less than a week since Kenny left, hardly a long recruitment process.

I'd rather they take their time. And get the right man, than rush (or listen to the fans) and get the wrong one.

^^ well put.

[bagaante]

There are some valid points and causes for concern right now, im more worried about what the owners have and will do than what sos (made of passionate fans who inspite of sometimes being wrong undoubtedly care about the club) say

The jury is very much out on the owners, honeymoons over its time to start our own evaluation of how far they are taking us, and how they have done, and what they intend to do