[Albion] Paul Barber to Saudi?

[Peter Grummit]

He'd be trading a huge reputation and very decent salary in English football for mega petrodollars, a very odd lifestyle and association with a nasty regime. Personally, I would find it impossible to empathise if he went for it, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Edit: maybe better to delete this.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I’d be very surprised if PB went for that. He does not come across at all like it’s the sort of thing he would do, is unlikely to be seduced by the millions, and has far higher morals than many might think.

He is bound to be one of the first names on the list, but I think he’d say “thank you but I’m not interested”

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.

 

[Clive Walker]

I’d be very surprised if PB went for that. He does not come across at all like it’s the sort of thing he would do, is unlikely to be seduced by the millions, and has far higher morals than many might think.

He is bound to be one of the first names on the list, but I think he’d say “thank you but I’m not interested”

I’d be surprised if he wasn’t very tempted. 10+years at Brighton and a man who has one last challenge left in him. His family are now independent and I imagine the money on offer may well swing it.

This could be a very big moment for us.

 

[Rookie]

Would be a huge jump in income but I’d still be very surprised. Very close to Bloom and the vice chair role is a big deal

 

[Baldseagull]

Yep, I can see this happening. The sanctions horse has bolted with allowing the takeover of Newcastle and they can’t be sanctioned for being the worlds highest payers. I can see football being bought just like horse racing and Golf has been by Arab states, in fact it is already happening here.

We SHOULD be very worried imo, they could decimate European football couldn’t they? Might make the English League a lower quality but more competitive in the long term? I guess the idea is to build Saudi teams into the best in the world. What then for City and Newcastle?

They are certainly trying, but I dont think they will succeed. Even if they did, I am not worried, I don't like it, but considering the numbers of foreign players in the PL, I don't think we can moan about our league being plundered by a foreign one.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Have a hunch this will happen.

 

[dazzer6666]

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.

They are growing the women’s game massively as well (just look at the recruits announced by Al-Ittihad ladies recently for example) - he‘d be exactly the kind of mouthpiece/validation hire they would want. Anyone is going to be tempted by maybe 10 or 20 times their current salary, tax-free.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Apparently PBOBE has issued a response to the Saudi offer. They're only about halfway through reading it

 

[Mancgull]

Doesn’t he have shares in the Albion?
Doesn’t mean he can’t leave I suppose but may make it trickier.
Couple of things;
Bloom would want a very high compensation sum for Barber to leave.
Everyone is replaceable and Barber has had 10 years here.

 

[Taybha]

Ali Baba out

 

[sparkie]

£££'s in his bank account or a vice chairmanship of a PL club ?

This could go either way.

We'll see what his decision and his priority is.

 

[dazzer6666]

Doesn’t he have shares in the Albion?
Doesn’t mean he can’t leave I suppose but may make it trickier.
Couple of things;
Bloom would want a very high compensation sum for Barber to leave.
Everyone is replaceable and Barber has had 10 years here.

‘Very high’ to anyone other than the Saudis is pocket money to them.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

They are growing the women’s game massively as well (just look at the recruits announced by Al-Ittihad ladies recently for example) - he‘d be exactly the kind of mouthpiece/validation hire they would want. Anyone is going to be tempted by maybe 10 or 20 times their current salary, tax-free.

Really? I thought they were still quite backward with women and their rights and roles.

 

[Surf's Up]

Irrespective of the moral argument, the loyalty argument, the nasty regime argument and a million and one other arguments in favour of him staying, the eye watering amount of dosh he will be offered will make it incredibly hard to refuse.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Paul is already a wealthy man if he takes this job I’ll lose all respect for him. Barber imo is the best ceo out there and any major club worth its salt would want to recruit him. Saudi Arabia is the antithesis of everything that our club and city stands for, i‘d consider taking their money as a big F You to our club and values of openness and inclusivity.

Spare me the generational money BS these are people are millionaires already, the cash takers are just greedy

 

[dwayne]

Wouldn't begrudge him taking it. Hes had 10 years here. Time for a new challenge and maybe time we brought in some fresh ideas.

 

[Clive Walker]

Irrespective of the moral argument, the loyalty argument, the nasty regime argument and a million and one other arguments in favour of him staying, the eye watering amount of dosh he will be offered will make it incredibly hard to refuse.

This.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

I'd be surprised if he turns the 'project' and the money down, to be honest.

Obviously it could be an opportunity for someone slightly more open minded to fan consultation to come in, which is where most of the (relatively minor) gripes with him come from. But ultimately it will be a massive massive loss to the football club as it seems as though Barbs runs the show most of the time, hence he's Deputy Chair. Big test for Tony Bloom and for all the noise about our succession planning

 

[Questions]

The 40 thieves