IN THE business world, it’s a well known fact that organisations can fail if they appoint the wrong chief executive, particularly if that executive has a poor understanding of the business domain in which they operate.

What is generally required for a good chief executive is business understanding, a strong empathy with the customer base and the ability to direct the organisation using plain English with minimal gobbledegook and jargon.

Looking at the interview from Ralph Krueger, it’s clear to me that he fails on all these requirements, a fact which represents a high risk to the club as shown by events over the last two years

Examples from your interviews include:

  • Stating how surprised he was about the difficulties of staying in the Premier League. A 12-year-old brought up on football could probably tell you that.

  • Constantly reiterating that SFC is a "small club". This, despite claiming to be a motivational speaker. Ralph may actually believe this but should never voice it to his paying customers

  • Stating how good it was to see players such as Mane using Saints as a stepping stone to reach a higher level. Is that how he wants to sell the club to prospective future players rather than as a great and long established club?

  • Stating that keeping Pellegrino for so long was the correct thing to do. This flies in the face of every knowledgeable football pundit in the country. Also stating that after the Newcastle game, it was a major challenge to bring in a new manager as if this was the first time it had been considered.

  • Completely ignoring the miserable fare that has been served up for the last two years to the supporters and confusing the strong support given when Hughes arrived to the fact that the fans are now happy.

  • Using management speak and jargon in place of clear English. Just one example being: “The reason there is so much pain in the heart of the season was because of the ambition we have developed here over the last years”

All in all, I believe that Southampton FC needs and deserves better leadership. It’s time for a change at the top.

Colin Moon

Hayling Island