Of all the players we've lost in recent years, this one I'm saddest about. But I understand and it was always going to happen one day.
He'll leave on good terms with the club and the fans, after signing a contract that brings something to the club in return, which he didn't have to do. It may be below his 'value' to us, but that isn't how it works.
It's also not what this club is about. Some people (see twitter comments) think because we regularly do good business, that we're a 'selling club', or our main priority is to make as much profit as possible. It isn't. The main thing is always the club and its DNA.
A sustainable business model is part of that, absolutely. So is the football, so is our history, so is our community work, so is keeping the fans happy(ish), so is looking after, respecting and rewarding the people who contribute to the club's successes, top to bottom. Groß has contributed so much, it wouldn't matter to me whether he left for twice that amount or for nothing. He deserves to go where he wants*, with our blessing.
And with head rather than heart, 1) it's better business than a free, and 2) the way we treat our loyal professionals, both while they're here and how they leave, is absolutely how to be sustainable - it's one of the reasons good players still come to a low-ish wages, mid table team with an empty trophy cabinet, some way from London.
I know most people on here get this already.
I will miss him massively, be grateful for what he's done for us, and wish him every happiness.
(*except Chelsea, obvs)
He'll leave on good terms with the club and the fans, after signing a contract that brings something to the club in return, which he didn't have to do. It may be below his 'value' to us, but that isn't how it works.
It's also not what this club is about. Some people (see twitter comments) think because we regularly do good business, that we're a 'selling club', or our main priority is to make as much profit as possible. It isn't. The main thing is always the club and its DNA.
A sustainable business model is part of that, absolutely. So is the football, so is our history, so is our community work, so is keeping the fans happy(ish), so is looking after, respecting and rewarding the people who contribute to the club's successes, top to bottom. Groß has contributed so much, it wouldn't matter to me whether he left for twice that amount or for nothing. He deserves to go where he wants*, with our blessing.
And with head rather than heart, 1) it's better business than a free, and 2) the way we treat our loyal professionals, both while they're here and how they leave, is absolutely how to be sustainable - it's one of the reasons good players still come to a low-ish wages, mid table team with an empty trophy cabinet, some way from London.
I know most people on here get this already.
I will miss him massively, be grateful for what he's done for us, and wish him every happiness.
(*except Chelsea, obvs)
