[Albion] Paul Barber to Saudi?

[Horses Arse]

great news. he also said that Liverpool are joining the race for MOises. FFS.

Now the second part of that is great news. Would be hilarious to see chelsea miss out

 

[Husty]

Barber obviously read this thread and noshed one out over everyone saying what a loss he'd be before making his decision - good job all.

 

[dazzer6666]

No one would really care about or believe those empty words.

It would be about cash in the bank.

Whoosh

 

[Krafty]

Just because we have over 100 years of traditions in football, does that mean nobody else is allowed to try and start their own tradition? Unlike China / Qatar etc the Saudis do at least have some footballing history- they got to the round of 16 in the World Cup 30 years ago.

Finally someone who understands
I've been protesting that North Korea should encourage foreign players to their own football league - I mean they reached the quarter-finals in the 1966 World Cup.
I don't really know what the problem is?

 

[Bridcutt]

I think he'd take the 'opportunity' to be honest

 

[Diablo]

I don't know why he would want to go there. or why anyone would. He's made for life as it is.

Same reason Potter went.........MONEY.

 

[JBizzle]

Yeah the English setup is exactly the same with its over a hundred years of history and traditions and all the fantastic clubs and supporters of the 90 league clubs. The world famous and established competitions are similar to a nothing league with no similar tradition that is directly financed by a state. Yes very similar.

Eurgh, fine. I'll simplfy it for you. The Saudi League was formed in 1976, so older than the J-League (1992), the A-League (2004), MLS (1993) and the Premier League (1992) and is one of the historically strongest Asian leagues. The team with the most Asian Champions League titles? Saudi club Al-Hilal (also runners up 5 times). Saudi clubs are also the 3rd most successful in that competition behind Japan and South Korea, but ahead of Australia and China.

Just because they're newer and you don't know much about then doesn't diminish the league's history. The similarities are that the Premier League created it's own niche in the 90s and bought up almost every good player, manager and administrator for thirty years with out people like you raising a peep, now that the Saudi League are doing it, that somehow erases the fact that they have a legitimate heritage and history and tradition of their own? You sound like a Leeds fan when they talk about Brighton.

To be clear, I don't like it, and obviously there's no comparison with regimes, but it was also not the point I was making. Merely that calling for sanctions when a new, rich, bigger boy comes along and buys your toys is somewhat hypocritical.

 

[ozzygull]

Because he may view the job here as complete, or as complete as it's ever going to be. As you say, he came into a Championship club and took it all the way to European football. Maybe, he'll feel that the club is now finally bumping its head up against that glass ceiling that Gus Poyet spoke about 10 years ago, and a new challenge could prove tempting.

Let's not forget he previously gave up the Premier League for a relative footballing backwater.

If I was given an opportunity to live and work in Vancouver Canada for a few years I would definiently consider it, even if it was for a simular salary as I have now, but if I was asked to got to Saudi for even for a month for a million pounds I would say no. Obviously being a women who has opinions, plays a part in that dicission.

 

[willalbion]

Doubt they will be light years ahead of us as a place to live. I looked at the weather there and it's 46 every single day. What will it be in a few years 50+ every day during the summer?

That is unbearable. I wouldn't want to live inside for 4 months of the year.

Can’t imagine the attitudes to homosexuality, gender & capital punishment will be light years ahead of us either. Dry state as well I believe, and I do
Like a drink;

 

[FatSuperman]

This. He's been very active and vocal supporting and working in women's football; for this alone I cannot see him taking a job out there.

Exactly. Anyone who has spent time with Paul, or listened to him talk about his career and passions, and his children - particularly his daughter, will know that it is incredibly unlikely that he would take the money from the Saudi regime. His morals would easily transcend whatever the financial reward is.

If he was sturggling financially, with huge debts to service and no way out, then maybe he'd crumble. but money is very clearly not his motivation. I think Paul will be the next Chairman of the FA at some point, and he like David Davis will be an incredible force for progression and good in football.

We are lucky to have him, and when we lose him, it won't be to some evil regime.

 

[CHAPPERS]

great news. he also said that Liverpool are joining the race for MOises. FFS.

If they get 40 million for Fabinho from the Saudis then it akes massive sense. Henderson also on the way.

 

[willalbion]

Out of interest, would people rather Saudi Arabia stayed as some medieval backwater that cuts of people's heads and doesn't allow women to drive? Or would they rather they slowly modernised, bringing in more Western influence and gradually bringing in more women's rights and modernising and trying to host global elite level global sporting events?

That place is going to be unrecognisable in 20 years time. How else would you persuade people to go and help build the project other than with money?

This is a rosy view and I hope you’re right, I’m far from an expert on the regime, but the noises coming from Qatar during the World Cup, couldn’t have been further from wanting to embrace liberal values. I’d imagine there has to be desire for change from within. The articles I read around that time did not suggest there was any. Sports washing seems to be about normalising a regime and increasing its cultural (political) influence. Not about changing that regime or it’s values (in my very limited understanding of it)

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Can anyone name an occasion, where an oppressive regime, has encouraged (ie bought) sport and the sport has led to an opening up and the improvement of human rights?

Because I can name several occasions when human rights have subsequently got much much worse.

 

[JBizzle]

Can anyone name an occasion, where an oppressive regime, has encouraged (ie bought) sport and the sport has led to an opening up and the improvement of human rights?

Because I can name several occasions when human rights have subsequently got much much worse.

Absolutely, the UK has got a lot worse since London 2012

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Just because we have over 100 years of traditions in football, does that mean nobody else is allowed to try and start their own tradition? Unlike China / Qatar etc the Saudis do at least have some footballing history- they got to the round of 16 in the World Cup 30 years ago.

Nope and not the only point. Our tradition gave us strength in numbers, many fine clubs and fans around the country. The league was already followed around the world when the PL took off. Even if the PL hadn't come along, almost certainly the league would have developed similarly. It was a natural progression that is far more organic than the state fuelled buying spree that's going on in Saudi. I don't agree with any comments suggesting the situations are similar. Saudi football may have a fine tradition but it is disingenuous to suggest it's in any way shape or form comparable.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

If I was given an opportunity to live and work in Vancouver Canada for a few years I would definiently consider it, even if it was for a simular salary as I have now, but if I was asked to got to Saudi for even for a month for a million pounds I would say no. Obviously being a women who has opinions, plays a part in that dicission.

Women aren't even allowed to go shopping without a male relative accompanying them.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Eurgh, fine. I'll simplfy it for you. The Saudi League was formed in 1976, so older than the J-League (1992), the A-League (2004), MLS (1993) and the Premier League (1992) and is one of the historically strongest Asian leagues. The team with the most Asian Champions League titles? Saudi club Al-Hilal (also runners up 5 times). Saudi clubs are also the 3rd most successful in that competition behind Japan and South Korea, but ahead of Australia and China.

Just because they're newer and you don't know much about then doesn't diminish the league's history. The similarities are that the Premier League created it's own niche in the 90s and bought up almost every good player, manager and administrator for thirty years with out people like you raising a peep, now that the Saudi League are doing it, that somehow erases the fact that they have a legitimate heritage and history and tradition of their own? You sound like a Leeds fan when they talk about Brighton.

To be clear, I don't like it, and obviously there's no comparison with regimes, but it was also not the point I was making. Merely that calling for sanctions when a new, rich, bigger boy comes along and buys your toys is somewhat hypocritical.

'people like you'

Hahaha! That's a pretty poor response. I respect the Saudi tradition but much like another poster said, I don't care. I do not think the two are remotely comparable. And I am not a huge fan of the PL in any case.

 

[Eeyore]

If I was given an opportunity to live and work in Vancouver Canada for a few years I would definiently consider it, even if it was for a simular salary as I have now, but if I was asked to got to Saudi for even for a month for a million pounds I would say no. Obviously being a women who has opinions, plays a part in that dicission.

The lady has attempted to join the conversation with a wild and dangerous opinion of her own..

 

[swindonseagull]

great news. he also said that Liverpool are joining the race for MOises. FFS.

That will just start a bidding war with Chelsea

Bring it on

 

[swindonseagull]

Finally someone who understands
I've been protesting that North Korea should encourage foreign players to their own football league - I mean they reached the quarter-finals in the 1966 World Cup.
I don't really know what the problem is?

I think you will find the people in North Korea believe they have won the last 3 World cups with Kim Fat boy scoring a hat trick in each game.