Thaksin Completes Man City Buyout

[Martin]

Milton had it sussed, long, long ago.

"Fame is the spur......."

Carry on riding, chaps.

[mrtoad]

I agree with that and would extend it to most players in team sports. What separates these players are they being used as pawns in a political game with far-reaching consequences for an entire nation and thus is quite different than the typical pawn/king relationship of other players/owners.

Yes, they maybe being used as political pawns but i'm pretty sure they are well aware of that and quite frankly don't give a sh1t.

It would seem Suree is completely oblivious as to his role in this political stunt.... or at least his words indicate that he is.

Again, I don't wish to knock him personally as a player, but he's being totally toyed with as a political pawn and, apparently, he isn't aware of it in the least......

City signing not a Thai political ploy, Suree says

BANGKOK - New Manchester City signing Suree Sukha insists he was recruited by the English team for his ability and not for the political gain of the club's controversial owner.

Suree said City's chairman, ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had not persuaded manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to make the signing, which took place in Bangkok amid huge fanfare just weeks before a Thai general election. *that's almost unparalleled naivety*

"I believe in myself, I believe I can make it, this doesn't have anything to do with politics," Suree told Reuters, fighting off hoards of excited autograph hunters after Thailand's 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Yemen on Sunday.

"It's great that Thai players have this chance. I want to do a good job at City.

"Thaksin is the owner, and he says he wants to improve Thai football -- there's nothing wrong with that."

Full back Suree, centre half Kiatprawut Saiwaeo and striker Teerasil Dangda agreed three-year contracts with City during a glitzy signing ceremony that included a video address by the exiled Thaksin, who took a thinly-veiled swipe at the generals who ousted him in a coup last year.

Thai National Team coach Charnwit Polcheewin said the signings appeared to be a ploy to win support for Thaksin's proxies, but insisted the three Thais, particularly Suree, should not be underestimated.

- Reuters

Laughable.

I wonder how many games the three will actually play for City, and why hardly any mention of these signings anywhere other than in the Thai media? I am assuming that if Suree does get his WP, then he will be iluminating the lights of the Pontins league and the other two are heading of to either Switzerland or Australia to play for Perth Glory of Grasshopers as they have about as much chance of getting a WP, as me playing for Man City.

I don't know how many (if any) games they will play for City, Toady. How many did the likes of Forlan and many other failed signings, play for United? Nobody can second guess that.

But what i do know, is the lads will benefit immensley from training at this level and hopefully it will lead to the Thai national team getting better. I honestly don't know what is wrong with that strategy and why so many people are opposed to it. Thaksin is Thai, it's his money and if he wants to use it to better the national team, i don't see the problem.

Whilst it is difficult to second guess how many games they will play, I don't think you cfan compare Forlan with any of th three players. Forlan was a 7.5 million pound player, who had a little bit f suuccess at United. In fact he was already playing for Uraguay, who are one of the higher ranked nations, and had played in the Argentine league, which is a fully professional league of a decent standard. As you know, Forlan may have failed to establish himself at United, but he has since gone on to have a great deal of success in the Spanish Premiera Liga, so he's certainly no slouch. In fact, maybe if Forlan had been given more opportunities he may well have been a success. In the end thosa two goals against Liverpool were still pretty priceless.

I hear what you are saying, Mrboj, but my little bug bear here, is that whilst the influx of quality players into the EPL is great, signing 3RD rate players from 3rd rate international teams (ranked 107, and without any proper professional league) for political or marketing reeasons is not good for the game in the UK in the the long run. I really couldn't give a <deleted> about the Thai national team getting better 9for reasons not related to politics, but walking off the pitch last year). That is why there are rules and regulations required for Visa and WP, and if Toxin circumvents it then they might as well just scrap the rules altogether.

[Plus]

Thailand had players at Everton before, nothing good came out of it.

Do you know who they where? I don't remember any, i only know of Chinese going to Everton.

What would playing for Premier League clubs achieve anyway?

That's a no brainer. It's an undisputed fact that the Premier League is one of (if not THE) best league's in the world. Therefore if they train day in, day out with some of the world's most elite footballers, their knowledge and skill will rub off.

Three Thais were sent on trials as a part of Chang sponsorshipt deal. I think they were loaned to some Championship outfit in the end where they spent three miserable months and returned home with their tails between the legs.

Surely the kids will pick up knowledge and skills, but who are they going to rub them on to if they hope never to play in Thailand again? Even if they did, problems in Thai football come from lack of proper management and FAT itself, not the players.

Having a professional football league is more important than sending a couple of players overseas once every few years.

Without serious management changes the benefits would not justify the fanfare. Thais should be honest, by cheering these signings they just want to massage their egos rather than develop local football. They hope that if they send three players to EPL they can sit back and watch Thai football grow in leaps. Just another excuse not to do their own work.

Self-delusion.

[mrtoad]

Thailand had players at Everton before, nothing good came out of it.

Do you know who they where? I don't remember any, i only know of Chinese going to Everton.

What would playing for Premier League clubs achieve anyway?

That's a no brainer. It's an undisputed fact that the Premier League is one of (if not THE) best league's in the world. Therefore if they train day in, day out with some of the world's most elite footballers, their knowledge and skill will rub off.

Three Thais were sent on trials as a part of Chang sponsorshipt deal. I think they were loaned to some Championship outfit in the end where they spent three miserable months and returned home with their tails between the legs.

Surely the kids will pick up knowledge and skills, but who are they going to rub them on to if they hope never to play in Thailand again? Even if they did, problems in Thai football come from lack of proper management and FAT itself, not the players.

Having a professional football league is more important than sending a couple of players overseas once every few years.

Without serious management changes the benefits would not justify the fanfare. Thais should be honest, by cheering these signings they just want to massage their egos rather than develop local football. They hope that if they send three players to EPL they can sit back and watch Thai football grow in leaps. Just another excuse not to do their own work.

Self-delusion.

The three that went back a coupe of years ago included Leesaw Winothai. My understanding is that they ended up training at Crystal Palace after being fired out of Everton for continued whinging about not plating for the 1st team. They faired no better thre either.

Going back qa bit futher "Zico" (Thailands top scorer) also had a spell in the UK playing for Huddersfield Reserves in league 2. He never got anywhenre near the 1st team.

Plus, you have hit the nail on the head in respect of the FAT, they need to get their house in order and do something that actually develops Thai soccer. This PR stunt on its own will do little for the long term development of the game in Thailand.

[Tony Clifton]

To begin with, has Frank ever done anything valuable for local Thai football in previous years?

[sriracha john]

I defer to the posters with far superior knowledge of football than I, but Sven says Suree is going to be a first-squad Man City player next year in this rather scathing and oh-so-honest, Sven's words notwithstanding, report from the UK...

How Sven brought a load of baggage back from Bangkok

Manchester City's signing of three Thai footballers points to dark days ahead for English football

While Steve McClaren was grappling with the task of getting England to the Euro 2008 finals at the weekend, his former boss was flying off to spend a couple of days in Bangkok. And you can stop sniggering in the back row: the reason for Sven-Goran Eriksson's trip to the Thai capital had nothing to do with sex tourism, although some may think that, in its way, it was every bit as obscene.

Eriksson returned from Bangkok not with a blushing Thai bride but with three Thai footballers, or at least the contracts binding them to Manchester City for the next three years. The deals were announced at a high-profile press conference in a Bangkok hotel, featuring a video message from Thaksin Shinawatra, City's new owner, who was removed from his post as Thailand's prime minister in a military coup a year ago and is in exile in Britain, one of the few politicians in the world to be simultaneously reviled by both a military dictatorship and Amnesty International.

Democratic elections are promised for next month, and Eriksson's trip has been widely seen as part of Thaksin's attempt to renew his popularity within the country. Unable to stand for election while facing charges of financial impropriety, he is believed to have been financing the campaign of the People Power Party, and his successful takeover of City has kept his profile high with Thailand's millions of Premier League fans. The recruitment of the trio of Thai international players - Suree Sukha, a right-back, Kiatprawut Saiwaeo, a centre-back, and Teerasilp Dangda, a striker - is being seen in the same light. Should his party succeed in the polls, the charges against Thaksin would be dropped and the way cleared for his return.

"I'm glad democracy is returning to Thailand and it's a pity that I couldn't be there," Thaksin said in the video message. "My aims are to make a good reputation for Thailand, both in managing the club and creating new talented players." Plans were also announced for City to set up a football academy in Bangkok.

In between autographing City shirts which had been handed to guests by Thaksin's daughters, Eriksson said the signings were not a direct order from City's new owner. "We're a football team, and the players are footballers. We never discuss politics," he said. He added that he expected Sukha to appear in City's first-team squad next year while the other two would be sent to feeder clubs, probably in Belgium and Switzerland, to await work permits.

"We know this is political, but that is not the only reason," the head coach of the Thai national team, Charnwit Polcheewin, remarked with disarming honesty. Well, presumably the three new signings can actually play football. But the primary purpose of the transfers is as plain as the nose on Eriksson's face, and it makes a mockery of everyone, from Richard Scudamore to David Dein, who tries to pretend that the Premier League's new foreign owners are motivated solely by a lifelong love affair with English football - and also, incidentally, of anyone who believes that the wholesale influx of foreign players is not hampering the opportunities for young English footballers.

Eriksson's instant success in reviving City's fortunes has given pleasure even to some who have no intrinsic affection for the club, partly thanks to the quality of their football but also through a widespread feeling that the supporters of a fine old club had suffered enough. It could be said, too, that they are not the only club to sign players for reasons that have little to do with football - the arrival of Dong Fan-Zhuo at Old Trafford was another glaring example, albeit impelled by commercial rather than political considerations.

But the shenanigans in Bangkok last weekend were a sign of a pernicious and unnatural twist in the evolution of English football. Somewhere down the line, it can only end in tears.

- Guardian (UK)

Edited November 20, 2007 by sriracha john

[mrbojangles]

Whilst it is difficult to second guess how many games they will play, I don't think you cfan compare Forlan with any of th three players. Forlan was a 7.5 million pound player, who had a little bit f suuccess at United. In fact he was already playing for Uraguay, who are one of the higher ranked nations, and had played in the Argentine league, which is a fully professional league of a decent standard. As you know, Forlan may have failed to establish himself at United, but he has since gone on to have a great deal of success in the Spanish Premiera Liga, so he's certainly no slouch. In fact, maybe if Forlan had been given more opportunities he may well have been a success. In the end thosa two goals against Liverpool were still pretty priceless.

Toady, i wasn't comparing Forlan with the Thai lads. What i was saying, was that many English clubs have bought players who turned out to not fit in and eventually become what is known as "flops". It's no different here. If they do well they will get a place, if they don't, they won't. Simple as that really.

I hear what you are saying, Mrboj, but my little bug bear here, is that whilst the influx of quality players into the EPL is great, signing 3RD rate players from 3rd rate international teams (ranked 107, and without any proper professional league) for political or marketing reeasons is not good for the game in the UK in the the long run. I really couldn't give a <deleted> about the Thai national team getting better 9for reasons not related to politics, but walking off the pitch last year). That is why there are rules and regulations required for Visa and WP, and if Toxin circumvents it then they might as well just scrap the rules altogether.

Don't worry about it buddy. If they turn out to be 3rd rate, Sven won't give them a start. Others on here can say he will because Thaksin will make him play them. But i believe Sven would walk before being told who to play. He won't be short of offers.

[mrbojangles]

From the Official Man City web site via a Daily Mail report:-

MANCHESTER CITY owner Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated he wants to take more of a back seat at Eastlands by starting a job search for an executive chairman. Former Thai PM Thaksin, whose son and daughter have been on City's trip to Thailand to forge new commercial links, would be arrested by the military junta if he set foot in his homeland. But he wants to clear his name over corruption allegations and fight another election, which means spending less time at City. The job search is being handled by sports specialist headhunters Nolan Partners, who have recently filled top jobs for the League Managers' Association, Honda F1, Spurs and British Horseracing.

So it looks like he is going to be leaving Sven to pick the team

[mrtoad]

From the Official Man City web site via a Daily Mail report:-

MANCHESTER CITY owner Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated he wants to take more of a back seat at Eastlands by starting a job search for an executive chairman. Former Thai PM Thaksin, whose son and daughter have been on City's trip to Thailand to forge new commercial links, would be arrested by the military junta if he set foot in his homeland. But he wants to clear his name over corruption allegations and fight another election, which means spending less time at City. The job search is being handled by sports specialist headhunters Nolan Partners, who have recently filled top jobs for the League Managers' Association, Honda F1, Spurs and British Horseracing.

So it looks like he is going to be leaving Sven to pick the team

Peter Ridsdale is being lined up.

Thaksin's now becoming the Dictator of Football.

[mrbojangles]

Peter Ridsdale is being lined up.

We're doomed, doomed i tell you

[mrtoad]

Peter Ridsdale is being lined up.

We're doomed, doomed i tell you

Oh come on mnr Boj, he's only bought threee clubs to their Knees - Leeds, Barnsley and Cardiff. Everyone deserves another chance I'm sure he's learnt from his mistakes.

[mrbojangles]

Peter Ridsdale is being lined up.

We're doomed, doomed i tell you

Oh come on mnr Boj, he's only bought threee clubs to their Knees - Leeds, Barnsley and Cardiff. Everyone deserves another chance I'm sure he's learnt from his mistakes.

Don't even joke about that prospect Toady

[sriracha john]

From the Official Man City web site via a Daily Mail report:-

MANCHESTER CITY owner Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated he wants to take more of a back seat at Eastlands by starting a job search for an executive chairman. Former Thai PM Thaksin, whose son and daughter have been on City's trip to Thailand to forge new commercial links, would be arrested by the military junta if he set foot in his homeland. But he wants to clear his name over corruption allegations and fight another election, which means spending less time at City. The job search is being handled by sports specialist headhunters Nolan Partners, who have recently filled top jobs for the League Managers' Association, Honda F1, Spurs and British Horseracing.

So it looks like he is going to be leaving Sven to pick the team

Also looks like he's lying again....

when considering...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=104517&hl=

Former Thai PM Thaksin: "I'm Calling It Quits"

[John K]

From the Official Man City web site via a Daily Mail report:-

MANCHESTER CITY owner Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated he wants to take more of a back seat at Eastlands by starting a job search for an executive chairman. Former Thai PM Thaksin, whose son and daughter have been on City's trip to Thailand to forge new commercial links, would be arrested by the military junta if he set foot in his homeland. But he wants to clear his name over corruption allegations and fight another election, which means spending less time at City. The job search is being handled by sports specialist headhunters Nolan Partners, who have recently filled top jobs for the League Managers' Association, Honda F1, Spurs and British Horseracing.

So it looks like he is going to be leaving Sven to pick the team

No he is getting ready to be PM again. This was predicted a few pages ago.

[mrbojangles]

From the Official Man City web site via a Daily Mail report:-

MANCHESTER CITY owner Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated he wants to take more of a back seat at Eastlands by starting a job search for an executive chairman. Former Thai PM Thaksin, whose son and daughter have been on City's trip to Thailand to forge new commercial links, would be arrested by the military junta if he set foot in his homeland. But he wants to clear his name over corruption allegations and fight another election, which means spending less time at City. The job search is being handled by sports specialist headhunters Nolan Partners, who have recently filled top jobs for the League Managers' Association, Honda F1, Spurs and British Horseracing.

So it looks like he is going to be leaving Sven to pick the team

No he is getting ready to be PM again. This was predicted a few pages ago.

Sorry John but "no" what? Do you mean "No" he isn't going to leave Sven to pick the team? Because apart from that statement, i can't see anything else for you to say "no" too

[John K]

What I am trying to say is Thaksin’s primary objective is to become PM again and properly punish everyone who went against him. Up until about 48 hours ago that was increasingly looking like a possibility and he was looking for a executive chairman (puppet) to run Manchester while he was dispensing punishment in Thailand. Then the EC set some rules.

When Thaksin disappears from the news he is up to something and he can’t be bothered with football. The latest announcement from the EC has shot a few big holes in the PPP boat and he is doing damage control and re-posturing trying to figure out a way around this. I have a good feeling he called Chaturon to stop rocking the already leaking PPP boat and that is why Chaturon crying speech was put off.

Keep in mind this thread has nothing to do with sports, it is all about politics with just another name.

[mrbojangles]

What I am trying to say is Thaksin’s primary objective is to become PM again and properly punish everyone who went against him. Up until about 48 hours ago that was increasingly looking like a possibility and he was looking for a executive chairman (puppet) to run Manchester while he was dispensing punishment in Thailand. Then the EC set some rules.

All Executive Chairman's are "Puppets" if that is the term you wish to use. That's their job, they run the club in the manner and direction the owner wants them too. Nothing new there and there's no need to try and put spin on it, as if it is ONLY Thaksin who does it.

I won't dwell on the "Manchester" bit, but there is another big club in Manchester who might oppose the Exec Chairman of Man City poking his nose into their club.

Keep in mind this thread has nothing to do with sports, it is all about politics with just another name.

Sorry, i didn't know you had a new Mod status that enables you to dictate what a thread consists of.

In my view, this thread is about Thaksin buying a Football club, it says so in the title, so therefore the discussion is about anything to do with that topic, be it sports OR politics, or anything else related. If you want to talk solely on the political aspects, i suggest you start a topic entitled something like "Thaksin buys Man City, what are the Political implications".

[mrtoad]

Sorry, i didn't know you had a new Mod status that enables you to dictate what a thread consists of.

In my view, this thread is about Thaksin buying a Football club, it says so in the title, so therefore the discussion is about anything to do with that topic, be it sports OR politics, or anything else related. If you want to talk solely on the political aspects, i suggest you start a topic entitled something like "Thaksin buys Man City, what are the Political implications".

This thread has it all, football, politics,human rights breaches, power struggles lies, bent money. It could be the next blockbuster.

Jackie Chan to play Thaksin. Ben Kingsley as SGE and maybe Vinny Jones as Thaksin's enforcer.

[mrbojangles]

Sorry, i didn't know you had a new Mod status that enables you to dictate what a thread consists of.

In my view, this thread is about Thaksin buying a Football club, it says so in the title, so therefore the discussion is about anything to do with that topic, be it sports OR politics, or anything else related. If you want to talk solely on the political aspects, i suggest you start a topic entitled something like "Thaksin buys Man City, what are the Political implications".

This thread has it all, football, politics,human rights breaches, power struggles lies, bent money. It could be the next blockbuster.

Jackie Chan to play Thaksin. Ben Kingsley as SGE and maybe Vinny Jones as Thaksin's enforcer.

And Mr Bean as, well anybody on the board of the FA

[mrtoad]

And Mr Bean as, well anybody on the board of the FA

MrBoj, be fair to Bean, thats really not nice comparing him with them.

[nickynomates]

This is all going to end in tears for everyone concerned at City

Taksain is a master its as if we are watching David Blane you see it but cant quite belive it. What he is doing at city is giving alot of people in power in the LOS the big finger.

Who could have wrote this story 12 months ago. You could almost entitle it catch me if you can.

Man city are doing well and Sven will buy wisely if given the money promised who knows Europe next season if it carries on as it has for the next 2/3rds of the show.

My real worry is what will happen after 23rd next month. City could become one giant puppet show like Thailand when he was here.

[mrbojangles]

This is all going to end in tears for everyone concerned at City

City have won sweet <deleted> all, nothing, nowt, squiddly dip in the last 31 years. So i've no more tears to shed, my tear glands are all dried up, so how can it get any worse. We have achieved a better start to a season this year, than ever before and if we win something soon, it'll make it all worthwhile

[John K]

Actually mrtoad could be right about this thread being multitasking. This may require the services of one of the world’s top investigators to get to the bottom of it all.

[Martin]

Oh, dear. All these ramifications make me feel so naive for thinking that it was about whether 11 grown men would do a better job of kicking a pig's bladder encased in a cow's hide.

[mrbojangles]

Oh, dear. All these ramifications make me feel so naive for thinking that it was about whether 11 grown men would do a better job of kicking a pig's bladder encased in a cow's hide.

[nickynomates]

They play some of the most flowing football in england at the moment.

Still third after winning again last night but not much of a mention on the local news papers here.

Looking back Thasin has been very very cleaver with this.

Shirt deal with sponsorship will be interesting an interesting one.

[mrbojangles]

From the Nation online:-

Ousted PM to help Thai World Cup campaign

Manchester City's billionaire Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra will pay for his country's national team squad to train with his club to help their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, the Guardian online reported Tuesday.

Thaksin, a deposed Thai premier, said he will bring the entire Thai squad to Manchester for 11 days next month and will foot the lion's share of the bill, Thailand's soccer president said on Tuesday.

"If we want to go to the World Cup, this is what we have to do," Worawi Makudi said, according to the online.

"Manchester City are keen to help us, they signed some of our players and they are happy to pay for our preparation."

Thailand, who have never reached the World Cup finals, have been drawn with Japan, Oman and Bahrain in the third round of Asian qualifiers.

Thaksin's critics say his $164 million takeover and his club's sudden interest in Thai players -- three of which they recently signed -- are attempts to maintain a high profile in soccer-mad Thailand with a view to returning to office.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ready, steady.....GO

[mrbojangles]

From MCFC web site.

Me and the Mrs are going to this

City reserves primed for game against Thailand on Sunday

Sven-Goran Eriksson has spoken about a second game for the Blues over the weekend as the reserve side take on the Thailand national team at the Manchester Regional Arena (formerly the Regional Athletics Arena) on Sunday.

The Blues boss confirmed: “We are playing with our reserves against the Thailand national team on Sunday at one o’clock.

“I'm glad that we are the hosts for the national team. I saw them training yesterday afternoon and the quality is very good.

“Technically they are excellent, they are not the biggest squad in the world, but technically good.

“If you want to see quick, technical football it will be a good game to watch.”

[Tony Clifton]

What's the real purpose behind this game scheduled exactly seven days prior to Thailand's elections?

Even in exile, the Little Emperor still enjoys manipulating his peasants without shame.

Must be Eriksson's last contract ever and he doesn't care about being used by his boss in exchange of a hefty contract and secret bonuses,or, maybe he's totally ignorant on the political front? I doubt it.

Edited December 14, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[mrbojangles]

What's the real purpose behind this game scheduled exactly seven days prior to Thailand's elections?

Even in exile, the Little Emperor still enjoys manipulating his peasants without shame.

Would it have been better for it to have been scheduled exactly 264 days prior to Thailand's elections, or 33 days, or 59 days or.............

Back in August when he took over, he stated then, that he also wished to use this as a means to improving the Thai National team. He has brought them over to train with the City team for 10 or 11 days.

Has this game even been highly publicised in Thailand? I've not seen anything and this article was only off the city web site. They are only playing the reserve team, not the first team, so how you can say he is minipulating his peasants i do not know. I think it is you Tony, who is attempting to try to manipulate the readers of TV

Must be Eriksson's last contract ever and he doesn't care about being used by his boss in exchange of a hefty contract and secret bonuses,or, maybe he's totally ignorant on the political front? I doubt it.

Probably the daftest thing i've heard on this thread. Why should this have any effect whatsoever on Eriksson and his career. Do you really think that anyone in the UK or Europe for that matter, care or even know, what has gone on and is still going on, in Thailand ? I'll tell you then, NO they don't. Jeez, even all the hype about Burma has been forgotten about and people are now more interested in the letters Princess Diana sent to Prince Phillip And on the football front it's Cappello, Cappello, Cappello

Edited December 14, 2007 by mrbojangles