Luka Modric / Signs for Real Madrid
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Off course not.
That some of you think that Levy made such a rookie mistake is quite amusing. Modric and his agent fecked up badly and now when the sulky player smells a sudden pay rise and the agent see's a huge fee who rewards him some extra degos then suddenly it's a vague "gentlemen agreement" involved in a contract worth 10 mill. Can't beat that Hector Selector.
It's not often but I back Levy all they way in this. It would be refreshing to see a club learn a greedy player and a stupid agent a lesson and at the same time send out a strong statement on intention. In my books it's something to admire.
I know that some of you don't believe in a miracle but despite my age I'm still optimistic and believe there are hope's for the future. Let the sunshine in!
Do you really think it's purely about money? Nothing to do with Champion's League? You are making a hell of a lot of assumptions in one post, and who knows about the gentleman's agreement, Levy sure as hell isn't going to admit it.
I was sorry to hear that Levy got raunchy with Modric. 
The way I see it is that City, Chelsea, Arsenal and us are all after central midfielders and there's not a great deal out there, especially premiership 'proven' players.
As the deadline gets closer, somebody will get desperate and overpay drastically for Modric.
As the deadline gets closer, somebody will get desperate and overpay drastically for Modric.
Chelsea certainly thought Modric had an agreement to leave if a suitable offer was made. ( not that Chelsea's original offer was a suitable one) Though there may have had a different understand of what that agreement entitled by all parties.
I was told a couple of months ago that Modric to Chelsea was a done deal. The same source is also saying that Redknapp has been speaking privately that he knew the contract extension was signed with the agreement if a club came in for him he could go.
I was told a couple of months ago that Modric to Chelsea was a done deal. The same source is also saying that Redknapp has been speaking privately that he knew the contract extension was signed with the agreement if a club came in for him he could go.
I wonder what changed little Luka? People have been whispering in his ear no doubt.
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that this agreement between Levy and Modric never existed. This is a PR war now and Modric has been trying to soften the fans up from the beginning. Firstly, it was 'if a club makes an offer, the chairman will consider it and then I will consider it'. Then it was 'I want to go to Chelsea to win stuff, I hope the fans understand'. 'I won't hand in a transfer request' and 'There was an agreement between us!'.
Jog on Luka, none of us are buying it, there's only one legally binding agreement between you and Levy and there's five years yet to run on that one. You want to go to a 'bigger' club, don't spit in our faces by wanting to go to a city rival and mouthing off in the media.
In all honesty, all of us can completely understand his reasons for moving. And if he'd had a bit of dignity and asked to move abroad, we'd probably all have said fair play and goodbye. Instead he agitates for a move to a city rival and is seemingly collaborating with them to remove other bidders and reduce the price.
I'm torn between the principle of keeping him and accepting an offer from elsewhere. Not Chelsea.
Is there really that much of a local rivalry between Chelsea and Spurs?
I always thought they kept their enmity for West Ham and Arsenal, respectively.
I always thought they kept their enmity for West Ham and Arsenal, respectively.
How about the fact that Spurs didn't make the CL and the fact that is that he wants to play in the CL.. Also the team that has bid for him are in the CL.. He said (in that quote) that he was happy to remain at Spurs as at that time.. You lot were in the CL and all looked bright and well.. 1 year on the situation has changed.. United, Chelsea, Arsenal, City & to a stretch even Liverpool are the teams that stand between you and the CL..
Also like he said there were probably enquiries from other clubs back then and he probably told Levy I know about the interest but I want to stay as things are.. and am willing to sign a new contract (thus increasing his wages and Spurs position transfer fee wise) However if we happen to not qualify for the CL and a big CL playing team comes in for me.. I hope you shall at the very least look into it and consider it.. As it would not be best served for my career to remain on the same level or drop a level as I grow older.. Also one must not forget (I am sure you know & its been mentioned in this thread too) that he signed a 10 year contract with Dynamo Zagreb even though he knew he wouldn't be there forever.. Its just a way to secure his and his clubs long term interests.. Footballers have ambitions and that IMO is what is making Modric do what he is doing.. Rather than the ridiculous comments stating that he wants a move for the money..
Levy also needs to realise that he cannot hold a player against his will.. Also if this reported treatment is true and that Levy treated him badly I too would be pissed off.. Who the feck is he to mis-treat a player and not even give him a chance to be heard? Anyway this is all merely based on what we have read in the media and we know how much bollocks they come up with..
The older generation hate each other with a passion. The older Chelsea fans I know see us as their biggest rivals and the spurs fans see them as just behind Arsenal. Don't really care about West Ham, actually had quite a bit of respect for them before they took such joy at denying us a champions league place.
As for the newer fans, especially the Chelsea ones, I'm not so sure. I'm sure they see Liverpool, Man utd and Barcelona as bigger rivals now. Don't think they're all enamoured with what Abrahmovich has done to football though.
Spurs are on the driving seat regarding Modric. He has just signed a long term contract and there is little he can do to go to somewhere else. However one must see the benefits of keeping a player against his will. I certainly wouldn't want an unhappy player at my club.
I'm not saying you've treated him like shit since you've got him, if you read what I put I said after he made it clear he wanted to leave.
Players who join you are more likely to look at it from Modrics point of view rather than from the clubs, afterall they could potentially be in the very same position as him. I agree that Modric signed his contract foolishly but it still looks bad to potential players that you're refusing to sell him no matter how badly he wants to leave.
As Mike said clubs like Spurs are more of a stepping stone to bigger things, so if you're going to be aiming to buy great talents it's likely this same situation could crop up again.
Chirag, that would all be great mate.. if he hadn't made such comments after our departure from the champions league places had been confirmed. Like I said, had he wanted to move to play CL, we'd all understand it if he moved abroad. But he wants to move to Chelsea.
Tell me, were Man utd to drop out of the CL for a few seasons and Fabio or Pogba or whoever wants to play CL football. How would you feel if they demanded a move specifically to Liverpool or Man City? And if the offer was nowhere near market value?
Tell me, were Man utd to drop out of the CL for a few seasons and Fabio or Pogba or whoever wants to play CL football. How would you feel if they demanded a move specifically to Liverpool or Man City? And if the offer was nowhere near market value?
He wants to play in the CL.. The only club that have bid for him happen to be your city rivals.. I am sure had Man Utd/City and to a stretch possibly even Arsenal come in for him he would have done exactly the same thing..
I agree on the market value and trying to leave for a rival bit.. But if a club are well and truly not capable of competing for the CL I don't think they would have much choice but to accept such a transfer unless they agree to sell for cheaper to another club that the player doesn't mind joining either e.g Heinze.. Players have a stronger hold on their future rather than clubs nowadays.. Look at Ronaldo and how he got his transfer to Real Madrid.. Cesc will force his way to Barcelona.. Sooner rather than later.. Clubs cannot possibly force players to stay put unless they come to a mutual agreement etc.. Such as the one with Ronaldo.. In which we promised him a transfer to Real Madrid if he stayed on with us for another year..
Tell me guys how can a club like Tottenham build a successful team for the future if they can't rely on long term contracts?
When SAF come to us he also tried to tie up good player with long term contracts. He has also, several times, give credit to other managers who do the same.
Tottenham bought Modric for a quite high fee, and after a year or two they rewarded him with a better long term contract. At that time both parties where satisfied with the deal. There is always good and bad things with signing a long term contract but that's the risk both parties was willing to take. Let's say Modric got a long term injury (similar to Essien or Hargreaves), then he would be quite happy with his long tern contract. Imagine Levy said he want to terminate because he things Modric is not useful to the club any longer.
In all negotiations there are upside's and downside's. But when you put a pen to the paper then you have to live with your decision.
Luca Modric only want's to accept the upside of his contract, to protect him from facing the downside he talk's about "gentlemen agreements". Well that's a nice way to see a legal deal.
Convince Chelsea to pay what Levy want's or shout up and honor your contract. That's how it's work for the rest of us in the real world.
When SAF come to us he also tried to tie up good player with long term contracts. He has also, several times, give credit to other managers who do the same.
Tottenham bought Modric for a quite high fee, and after a year or two they rewarded him with a better long term contract. At that time both parties where satisfied with the deal. There is always good and bad things with signing a long term contract but that's the risk both parties was willing to take. Let's say Modric got a long term injury (similar to Essien or Hargreaves), then he would be quite happy with his long tern contract. Imagine Levy said he want to terminate because he things Modric is not useful to the club any longer.
In all negotiations there are upside's and downside's. But when you put a pen to the paper then you have to live with your decision.
Luca Modric only want's to accept the upside of his contract, to protect him from facing the downside he talk's about "gentlemen agreements". Well that's a nice way to see a legal deal.
Convince Chelsea to pay what Levy want's or shout up and honor your contract. That's how it's work for the rest of us in the real world.
In the world all work we can move at will, only having to see out a notice period. Why should it be different for footballers?
Are you still at the same company where you started work?
Are you still at the same company where you started work?
Yes. Just remember ''the 3 point lane''. Plus how Spurs celebrated a victory over Chelsea in the EPL like they had won the league or something...
Not as bad as it would look if they see our best player(s) being sold, weakening us and strengthening others.
This is obviously untrue. The signed contract means that he very much CAN hold Modric against his will.
And then, when the window has closed and the season kicks off, I've no doubt that Modric will knuckle down and play as best he can ... because (a) it'll be in his blood to play well and (b) it's in his best interests to do so, since it'll either help Spurs gain a CL place again (in which case he may not want to move next summer) or else it will generate even more interest from other clubs and thus increase his chances of getting a move that he wants.
It's interesting that before the meeting with Levy he was saying we wouldn't submit a transfer request and since the meeting he is now saying that he would.
That really isn't true. Valued members of staff (usually directors/senior staff) are often tied down to fixed term contracts. Not only so that the company are remunerated if they jump ship, but often also to prevent them joining their rivals (as you would then not only be losing a key member of staff, but your competition gaining one).
In fact it's also quite common for directors to have clauses saying that they cannot work for their competition for a period of time regardless.
I do love an optimist.
Levy would be foolish to keep a problem in the dressing room. Think Berba!!
Levy will grab the cash, this is just Levy style posturing that will lay the blame totally at the feet of the player.
He has already denied the verbal agreement he had with the player, which shows him to be the horrible weasel we all believe him to be.
Thank God it is Chelsea and not us, in for Modric.
You are taking about a tiny minority though. I haven't come across any fixed term contracts (other then for temporary staff or project work) in any places I've audited or worked at. Gardening leave is also incredibly rare apart from at the highest levels.
I think you're making stuff up. No matter how senior the member of staff, there's no such thing as a permanent contract that can prevent someone leaving the company if they want to. You can get temporary employment contracts, of a fixed duration but even these allow both parties the chance to withdraw - provided reasonable notice is given.
The only protection the company is is the duration of notice they need to work before they can start working for a different employer (usually a few months, at most). The clause you refer to in your last para is called "gardening leave", which means that they leave the company as soon as they hand in their notice and spend the notice period at home, rather than in the pffoce (this is done for confidentiality reasons, in case they join a competitor)
I agree with what your saying but what if Modric puts in a Transfer Request.. What can Levy do? Bench him? Really? I doubt that will ever happen.. In Theory many say they will resort to such things but has it ever happened?
Yup. There is a clause in my contract preventing me from setting up my own business to operate in the same client catchment area as my current firm, and also from taking clients with me. Nothing about joining existing competing firms though. Thankfully, seeing as I'm doing just that next month. I doubt very much that you could enforce such a clause under EU law.
Levy's a sly dog, wouldn't put it past him to give Modric his 'word' only to renege on it using some pigshit excuse. Modric is also looking a bit of a cnut in this saga, his priority should be looking to start the season for Spurs. There weren't any crocodile tears when he signed that contract not too long ago.
Levy should force him to see it out. Shouldn't have signed it if you wanted to jump ship at the first opportunity, should you..
Luka Modric said:
Levy should force him to see it out. Shouldn't have signed it if you wanted to jump ship at the first opportunity, should you..
Did your company pay 16.5 million to secure your services?
If you actually think it through, football contracts aren't comparable to those we receive as doctors, businessmen, lawyers, architects..... Once you start exchanging such huge sums of money, the players become more like assets the company owns, a piece of land or cargo or something.
Ronaldo for example. Real Madrid spent 80 million on 'just another employee'. He's exactly like the tea ladies. So Ronaldo decides he's a bit bored of Real. Hands in his notice, they agree he can't play for someone else for 6 months and then he goes and signs for Barcelona.
Do you have an example in the business world then where a company loses an 80 million pound asset? Did you also have these feelings for Rooney as well? How about when Heinze's free will was to move to Liverpool?
That was really more for the fact it seemed like the last time we beat Chelsea was before the war.
It is a tiny minority, but this is because only a tiny minority of staff are seen to be valuable enough to warrant it. Like footballers, if there is a member of staff (such as an investment banker) that personally gains a company a substantial profit, they cannot afford to leave his contract to chance.
You think wrong. If you sign a fixed term contract which doesn't state a notice period, the only way to legally leave before the end is to mutually agree to leave with your employer. If you refuse to work your company would almost certainly win a breach of contract claim. As I said above this would only happen to a very highly paid person (It is common in business acquisitions, as the person buying the company will want the top people secured post-acquisition and will want to prevent them from jumping ship, rendering the company less valuable)
Also my last para was not to do with gardening leave at all, it is a restraint of trade clause. Provided the duration of time is reasonable and the location of competition is defined and reasonable it is quite common.
Ie: "You cannot work for (or set up) any company in England in the contruction trade for 30 years" would be unreasonable and unenforceable by law. Conversely "You cannot work for anyone (or set up a company) who distributes kitchen appliances within 10 miles of XYZ Kitchens Ltd for 5 years", would generally be deemed reasonable.
/Edit: if it is impossible to "tie someone down" via a fixed contract in law, how would football teams be able to do it?
He does and like I said, if that was his desire and he wanted to move abroad, then it would be fine. To agitate for a move to Chelsea or Arsenal is not acceptable. And I'm not one of those idiots who foolishly believes all our players bleed lilywhite. And I believe 99.5% of players will move if someone offers them more money or if their club becomes crap. I'm not a silly optimist by any means.
Those were special cases though. Both of those players had their minds set on one club and one club only, from a young age. Other clubs knew that there really wasn't much point in bidding for them. That certainly isn't the case with Modric. I don't think he'd be crying if he were to go to Milan or Barcelona or Madrid or Bayern etc.
As I said, I don't really care about poor Modric's feelings in all this. Either we force him to stay and he can sulk all he wants, he'll come round once the season starts again. Or we sell him abroad.
The crux of the matter is though, 22 million is a laughable bid.
I'd love to see Levy stick to his word (this time) and put Modric in the reserves. Lets see what they achieve without him playing and without the money to replace him in the lineup
That'll show they mean business, trying to become a top club... Whilst dropping down into the europa league, maybe worse and having several other players asking to leave in the process.
That'll show they mean business, trying to become a top club... Whilst dropping down into the europa league, maybe worse and having several other players asking to leave in the process.
While putting off potential signings that considered joining Spurs as a stepping stone to a bigger club
That would be a great comment if it weren't for the logistical problems we would have in dropping down Modric down to the reserves. For one thing, we don't have a reserve team anymore.
If that's quoted in an interview, either Modric is lying or the journalist is. Either way, Levy won't have said it.
As for sitting in the stands or bench, that would be Redknapp's call if he were to stay, not Levy's. He isn't the manager.
"what if Modric puts in a Transfer Request.. What can Levy do?"
It's simple: he'll just say "request denied, now please close the office door on your way out".
Ultimately Modric can do nothing except refuse to train or play, in which case he'll be in obvious breach of contract and so won't get paid. How many weeks would he keep that up for? Not many, I'll warrant.
Modric will squeal and shout, but the window will close and he'll just accept that he's got no good option except to knuckle down and get on with playing as best he can.
He'll be sold. For about £30m.
Roll up, roll up, my bet offer still stands ...
I dont understand why he signed for a small club like Spurs in the first place, its his won fault...
You need to really read the post I was replying to.
I've maintained the whole time that the value of the player is protected by the contract.
Re Heinze, I would have gladly let him go to the Scousers as he was becoming a liability.
If Rooney went to city I would give him stick, but it's his career to mess up, not mine, or the Chairman's.