24 Nov 2016 13:23:27
Long-time lurker here with an open question to the Ed's or anyone in the know.

There was much talk on here some time back about what would happen to the club in 2017. Some thought the Glazers would sell, other things about certain loans etc. Well, 2017 is nearly upon us and I was wondering what 2017 does indeed have in store.

I think it was Ed002 who mentioned the plan was for LVG to see out his 3 years, then the club would be in a perfect place for a take over. Now with LVG gone and sponsors etc concerned about certain toxic elements around the club, what is the Glazer plan for next year?

I have tried Google, but I could only really find something about a bond or loan maturing on 1st of February, and another about the Glazers taking £15m a year out, so why would they sell up (it is their club to do so, am just pointing out what a Google search brings up) .

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - The plan was for LvG to see out his contract and then for another manager to take over in 2017 and end in 2022 when he retires. The 2016/2017 season also sees an increase in income from the broadcasters and this will increase further in 2018. The plans for further floating part or all of the club will be an issue with the exchange rate at present - the impact of which is already being felt as the costs of the payments towards the debt are hitting the club (as the debt is in US$). Right now it is a wait and see situation.}

1.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 14:40:59
That was a Great question E_S and thanks for the insightful answer Ed.

2.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 14:53:41
Thaks Edd002 for taking the time to reply, much appreciated as ever. So the plan was for LVG to retire at the end of this season, then another, older, manager to do another 4 or 5 years until he retired? was this just a plan of action or was it more concrete?

I know football finance is beyond most of us, but the exchange rate against the dollar and now brexitt and the fallout with that, would this impact then on any plans to further float shares? you say it's impacting the existing loan payment (much like my mortgage going up! ) and further, to any, even small inkling, that the glazers may have looked to sell?

Again, thanks for your reply and knowledge.

Queue some random idiot to but in know with some insult. Please don't rise to them.

{Ed002's Note - Not an older manager, but one who had agreed in principle to take on a 5 year deal with the club up until his planned early retirement. Right now the club would be an attractive purchase in GBP but not in US$ which is what a floatation would eventually yield - perhaps via a Far Easter stock exchange - probably Hong Kong. There are advisers to the business who are responsible for the exit strategy although they have, under some pressure from The AP, said that they have no plans to release control in 2017. This was taken by The AP not to exclude further sales of part of the club - but this was before the £/$ rate was skewed by Brexit.

Someone will still be doing the sums on a regular basis though and will be aware that any flotation will need to be strategically managed by location and any move back toward difficult financial times. The oil sector is going to be struggling for a few years - we already know that. Is there going to be a global financial down turn? How will the world react to having Trump as President? Is it viable for the Glazers to sell a percentage of the business (yes)? Could they sell the entire business to Far Eastern institutional investors (eventually a real and frightening option)? What input do Robert Leitão and Manu Sawhney have? Hedging their bets for the future would ESPN be interested in buying a club to leverage future benefits from a pan-European breakaway league (not disimilar to the Murdoch question answered earlier)?}

3.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 15:15:14
Wow ed002, most insightful and informative. So uncertain times ahead then. It's funny that in our little world we see the green and gold and LVG out brigade etc, but in reality Trump coming to power, Brexit even the rise of the Chinese economy (could they be the new 2020's what the 00's were to russian / arab oil money, a face in the west) . So much more to it all than we could ever know.

Thanks again for your prompt and knowledgeable reply.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

4.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 17:25:01
Very pertinent, regarding the future of our world economy and the possible turmoil Trump could bring ed002!

5.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 18:42:41
Interesting reading ed002. Please keep the interesting information coming. We're always interested in any news about our club. Good or bad.
Also, I fully agree about your call on the fixtures and fittings inside the club looking shabby and old fashioned. I think it is a problem we've had for a long time since our owners took over.
Have a good evening.

6.) 25 Nov 2016
25 Nov 2016 16:48:13
Was the manager allegri ed? If you don't mind me asking.

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}