***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[Slapdash]

Vidal is (kind of a bust) with Bayern, right?

Aleix, not Autoro

 

[Native]

Brazilian striker Fred receives one year ban for doping

No, its not the Fred we know and love. But its still Fred.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Mou reaching Trump-ian levels of public self delusion now.

I think his interview has largely been misinterpreted. In the context of the interview he sounded humbled and perplexed. Some of the quotes read a lot worse outside of context (and without remembering that although Mourinho speaks excellent English, he is not a native speaker).

One example is where he's quoted as saying that he coached the players to the championship last season and that they performed beyond their capabilities last year. But it was clear to me that he was phrasing that as a question. He was asked if the players were not performing up to their capabilities this year. And his response was essentially, "well if not, does that mean that I coached them so well last year that they actually all played better than they were capable?" I don't think Mourinho was subscribing to that hypothesis (as he's not doing anything different). He said several times that he's been happy with the way the team has trained. He thinks they're putting in the work. Which is why I think his quote about the players "betraying his work" was meant to mean that he felt the players in-game performances were betraying the work they all did in training.

He was dead right about the Leicester goals. You have to think that Zouma has been drilled countless times about not letting a forward get across his face like that. And Dave failing to show Mahrez onto his weak foot was pretty much the most un-Dave defending I can think of. Azpilicueta used to never make those types of simple mistakes.

Some of the quips I saw on twitter seemed to suggest many folks were commenting without watching the interview, and were reacting to the published soundbites, often taken out of context. It seems to me he's taking full responsibility and is being very realistic about his situation, as one would expect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVm6N5YEMD8&feature=youtu.be

 

[berndog]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

I know Swansea regrets not selling Michu after his break out season.

 

[shader]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

I know Swansea regrets not selling Michu after his break out season.

Tough decision for Leicester. I guess much will depend on whether they actually do get blown away with offers.

As much as I'd like to see Liverpool get it together and grab one of those top four spots, it would be a shame if Leicester got broken up mid-season for financial reasons.

 

[Sebowski]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

Michu

Salud

 

[GoFishTN]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

I know Swansea regrets not selling Michu after his break out season.

Tough decision for Leicester. I guess much will depend on whether they actually do get blown away with offers.

As much as I'd like to see Liverpool get it together and grab one of those top four spots, it would be a shame if Leicester got broken up mid-season for financial reasons.

Around £20M for 4th place or higher and at least £12M for making the CL group stages. They should go for the glory.

 

[shader]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

I know Swansea regrets not selling Michu after his break out season.

Tough decision for Leicester. I guess much will depend on whether they actually do get blown away with offers.

As much as I'd like to see Liverpool get it together and grab one of those top four spots, it would be a shame if Leicester got broken up mid-season for financial reasons.

Around £20M for 4th place or higher and at least £12M for making the CL group stages. They should go for the glory.

I think they will. They caught a perfect storm. Ride it for all you can.

 

[Autumn Wind]

This whole transfer thing is still something I can't wrap my mind around as someone who grew up on the American Big 4 sports. Sucks that all but the handful of largest teams are almost obligated to get rid of great players.

 

[bentley]

This whole transfer thing is still something I can't wrap my mind around as someone who grew up on the American Big 4 sports. Sucks that all but the handful of largest teams are almost obligated to get rid of great players.

Clearly not a baseball guy.

 

[Eephus]

This whole transfer thing is still something I can't wrap my mind around as someone who grew up on the American Big 4 sports. Sucks that all but the handful of largest teams are almost obligated to get rid of great players.

This trade off brings a fascinating planet of player movement involving hundreds of teams. The US sports are closed shops by comparison. The financial might of the big clubs is essential to driving this marketplace.

And I'm a guy who loves the minnows.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Mark Berman‏@MarkBermanFox26https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26

MLS sources: Transaction complete. Gabriel Brener new majority owner of the @HoustonDynamo. Story coming http://FOX26HOUSTON.com

======================================================

I believe this marks the last remnant of St Phil putting MLS on his back. At one point, Anschutz owned 60% of MLS as he refused to let it fail when by all rights it should have gone under.

With this sale of his 50% ownership of Houston, he now owns 5% of MLS (just the Galaxy, 1 out of 20 teams).

 

[JMon348]

Pep is going to City isn't he.

 

[Sammy3469]

Pep is going to City isn't he.

or Chelsea or ManU. It's incredible to me that LVG and Mourinho may not make it to the new year.

(and yes I realize he's going to City...just more shocked by the Chelsea and ManU situations....either of them would be smart to swoop in for Pelligrini if he wants to coach again)

 

[roadkill1292]

This whole transfer thing is still something I can't wrap my mind around as someone who grew up on the American Big 4 sports. Sucks that all but the handful of largest teams are almost obligated to get rid of great players.

This trade off brings a fascinating planet of player movement involving hundreds of teams. The US sports are closed shops by comparison. The financial might of the big clubs is essential to driving this marketplace.

And I'm a guy who loves the minnows.

I love the fact that there's a million clubs and the top tiers can't close ranks to keep deserving teams out and hog all the benefits for themselves.

 

[shader]

This whole transfer thing is still something I can't wrap my mind around as someone who grew up on the American Big 4 sports. Sucks that all but the handful of largest teams are almost obligated to get rid of great players.

It took me awhile too. You have to look at it from a business point of view. In soccer, great players want to play on the best teams. So they are going to go at some point. The job of a "Leicester" is to get the most that they can for them. A huge windfall means a lot of money for a club. Imagine if Leicester got 50M. That could be the first step to them breaking free of the relegation zone permanently, and becoming a real force.

I actually think things are getting better for the "minnows". I posted this before the year started, because it only makes sense. There are only a fixed number of superstars that one sport can have. We are seeing big money buy more and more big teams. But at this point, there aren't enough superstars to go along with the money. As proof of this, look at the ridiculous sums of money spent for Sterling, Martial, Memphis, Firmino....

Those guys weren't superstars, but young guys with potential and limited success. ManU spent an enormous amount of money on two young guys, and neither have really set the world on fire. Memphis has been utter crap.

So the "minnows" actually have more of a chance, as they are also swimming with cash due to the TV deals. Now they may not come close to Barcelona/RM/BM type of cash, but they still have more than enough to go out and buy a competitive club.

Then you throw in the fact that teams like Leicester and Watford don't have to play midweek games and you see why they are able to soar up the table.

Again, I could be wrong, but in the EPL i think this is the way it will be for the next five years. The top teams will likely be around the top four for most of the season, but each year there will be a team or two with the potential to sneak in. Ultimately, however, it's the marathon-style of the EPL that ends up hurting the thinner teams.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Pelligrini got canned?!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Yeah...not following this at all.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Been thinking more about the Leicester City decision that is forthcoming.

If you think about it, it's very risky for Leicester City to NOT sell Mahrez if they get a huge offer. Imagine they get a 40-60M offer. Doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. He's basically been the best premier league player, you can see his skills, and he's 24. Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely salivating and Barcelona is coming off of a year in which they couldn't sign anyone.

How does Leicester City NOT sell a guy if his price is that high? It's all about selling at peak value and his value is skyhigh.

Best-case scenario: Leicester City keeps both, gets champions league and the 30M, and then sells Mahrez or Vardy or both in summer. Seems the logical idea.

Worst-case scenario: Mahrez tears ACL or plays really poorly, Leicester slips out of top into mid-table, and Barcelona/Real Madrid move on.

Can any organization afford to pass up a payday like they could possibly get for Mahrez? If the entire team is worth 50M and Mahrez commands that much, can they afford to pass on selling him? Tough decision I'd say. Their resolve will be tested in a few weeks.

I know Swansea regrets not selling Michu after his break out season.

Tough decision for Leicester. I guess much will depend on whether they actually do get blown away with offers.

As much as I'd like to see Liverpool get it together and grab one of those top four spots, it would be a shame if Leicester got broken up mid-season for financial reasons.

The tv money allows smaller clubs to acquire and keep players, but if there are really 20m Euro offers for the player, that likely means at least 5x salary increase, and that's very hard for any professional to leave on the table. So LC can perhaps afford to put off a sale and the massive profit that would come with it, but they'd likely have to pay him to keep him.

 

[Sammy3469]

Yeah...not following this at all.

If Pep is going to end up at City, he will be.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Man City fans having some fun with United. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUW82WLC58k&feature=youtu.be

 

[The Gator]

http://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/677119376844279808/photo/1

 

[CletiusMaximus]

http://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/677119376844279808/photo/1

It was only a few years ago that Bayern went two seasons in a row without any trophies, following that uncertain Klinsmann-Van Gaal period. Then Heynckes, who always seemed somewhat temporary, caught lightning and had that historic, record-breaking 4 trophy season. The current attitude seems to be that anything short of a treble is a disappointment, which is a very harsh situation for a manager.

 

[jonessed]

http://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/677119376844279808/photo/1

It was only a few years ago that Bayern went two seasons in a row without any trophies, following that uncertain Klinsmann-Van Gaal period. Then Heynckes, who always seemed somewhat temporary, caught lightning and had that historic, record-breaking 4 trophy season. The current attitude seems to be that anything short of a treble is a disappointment, which is a very harsh situation for a manager.

Two seasons? In a row? Madness.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Carlo -->

 

[B Maverick]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

 

[Slapdash]

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win

Yes

 

[The Gator]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

Yes

Mentioned it a few pages back...as long as Chelsea are in a free fall in league into relegation, I will be rooting for them to win the CL

 

[El Floppo]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

IIRC, portsmouth made the CL or Europa and got relegated in the same year.

 

[B Maverick]

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win

Yes

Good Point

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

Yes

Mentioned it a few pages back...as long as Chelsea are in a free fall in league into relegation, I will be rooting for them to win the CL

Sorry, must have missed it. I considered it, but its still Chelsea and hard to root for.

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

IIRC, portsmouth made the CL or Europa and got relegated in the same year.

Interesting.

 

[Mjolnirs]

http://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/677119376844279808/photo/1

It was only a few years ago that Bayern went two seasons in a row without any trophies, following that uncertain Klinsmann-Van Gaal period. Then Heynckes, who always seemed somewhat temporary, caught lightning and had that historic, record-breaking 4 trophy season. The current attitude seems to be that anything short of a treble is a disappointment, which is a very harsh situation for a manager.

Oh the horror indeed!

2011 3rd in BL, out in round of 16 in the CL, lost in the semis of DFB Pokal

2012 2nd BL, 2nd in the CL and 2nd in the DFB Pokal

Prior to that it was a three year run of '91, '92, '93.

Since Bayern's first season in the Bundesliga ('65-'66) Bayern have won at least one trophy in 33 of 50 seasons.

24 Bundesliga titles

16 DFB Pokal titles

5 EC1 Champions League/Champion Club's Cup

1 EC2 Cup winners' Cup

1 EC3 UEFA Cup

It does create very high expectations.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

IIRC, portsmouth made the CL or Europa and got relegated in the same year.

Portsmouth and Wigan both won the FA cup the year they were relegated. Which got them into the Europa League. As I recall, the Wigan chairman said that the EL would cost Wigan more than it earned them and they punted the competition.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

 

[GoFishTN]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

This would screw Spurs, somehow.

 

[roadkill1292]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

 

[roadkill1292]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

This would screw Spurs, somehow.

Double win!

 

[Slapdash]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

 

[GoFishTN]

Does the CL winner get an automatic birth into next year's cl like the Europa winner does?

Is it wrong to root for Chelsea to win the CL AND get relegated in England just to see what happens?

Could you imagine?

This would screw Spurs, somehow.

Double win!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

Success breeds economic resources that are extremely difficult to overcome.

But it's also my understanding that the Bundesliga's financial model pretty much precludes teams from accruing debt because the "50+1" model eliminates the possibility of takeovers by private investors (who generally raise the money for takeovers by leveraging a lot of debt the way the Glazers have). The Bundesliga has also required teams to submit budget reports similar to those required by Financial Fair Play for many years. Just as many of us in this thread have pointed out that Financial Fair Play protects the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" the Bundesliga's rules really protect Bayern. They have a huge revenue lead on Dortmund and Schalke and those clubs have no way to grow through debt. And Bayern, of course never has to face debt payments coming home to roost.

 

[roadkill1292]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

Success breeds economic resources that are extremely difficult to overcome.

But it's also my understanding that the Bundesliga's financial model pretty much precludes teams from accruing debt because the "50+1" model eliminates the possibility of takeovers by private investors (who generally raise the money for takeovers by leveraging a lot of debt the way the Glazers have). The Bundesliga has also required teams to submit budget reports similar to those required by Financial Fair Play for many years. Just as many of us in this thread have pointed out that Financial Fair Play protects the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" the Bundesliga's rules really protect Bayern. They have a huge revenue lead on Dortmund and Schalke and those clubs have no way to grow through debt. And Bayern, of course never has to face debt payments coming home to roost.

So they've built up the biggest supporter base over the years which means the biggest revenue base, and winning means more supporters keep coming on board.

You know, I don't know if I trust people who latch onto one of the big clubs right out of the gate. That's a sign of character weakness..............................shader.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

If I had to name Bayern's rivals, based on my years living in Germany and longtime friendship with a Bayern fanatic, I would say Real Madrid and Man United. Domestically, they have a little thing with Dortmund just in recent years, but the historic rivals are TSV 1860 Munich, who hasn't spent much time in the bundesliga over the past 30 years or so, and FC Nurnberg. I kind of agree with Ancelottis statement, there really isn't much interest in watching Bayern's domestic games for a neutral.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Yeah I hate to say it, but they flicked Dortmund aside pretty easily in their first matchup.

 

[GoFishTN]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

Success breeds economic resources that are extremely difficult to overcome.

But it's also my understanding that the Bundesliga's financial model pretty much precludes teams from accruing debt because the "50+1" model eliminates the possibility of takeovers by private investors (who generally raise the money for takeovers by leveraging a lot of debt the way the Glazers have). The Bundesliga has also required teams to submit budget reports similar to those required by Financial Fair Play for many years. Just as many of us in this thread have pointed out that Financial Fair Play protects the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" the Bundesliga's rules really protect Bayern. They have a huge revenue lead on Dortmund and Schalke and those clubs have no way to grow through debt. And Bayern, of course never has to face debt payments coming home to roost.

Red Bull Leipzig and Hoffenheim?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

Success breeds economic resources that are extremely difficult to overcome.

But it's also my understanding that the Bundesliga's financial model pretty much precludes teams from accruing debt because the "50+1" model eliminates the possibility of takeovers by private investors (who generally raise the money for takeovers by leveraging a lot of debt the way the Glazers have). The Bundesliga has also required teams to submit budget reports similar to those required by Financial Fair Play for many years. Just as many of us in this thread have pointed out that Financial Fair Play protects the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" the Bundesliga's rules really protect Bayern. They have a huge revenue lead on Dortmund and Schalke and those clubs have no way to grow through debt. And Bayern, of course never has to face debt payments coming home to roost.

Red Bull Leipzig and Hoffenheim?

Red Bull purchased a team in the 5th division in Germany and has worked their way up the chain to the second division. I don't think Scooby is talking about that model.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yeah, I think being a Bayern fan almost invariably makes you follow the Champions League more than the Bundesliga. At least as long at there's not a team that looks like an insurgent likely to stay (as Dortmund appeared to be). I don't think Bayern are going to measure themselves against Wolfsburg. They're going to measure themselves against Barcelona and Madrid.

What exactly is Bayern's advantage over the other Bundesliga clubs? More supporters? Or is there really nothing specific and they are just out-managing everybody else?

Success breeds economic resources that are extremely difficult to overcome.

But it's also my understanding that the Bundesliga's financial model pretty much precludes teams from accruing debt because the "50+1" model eliminates the possibility of takeovers by private investors (who generally raise the money for takeovers by leveraging a lot of debt the way the Glazers have). The Bundesliga has also required teams to submit budget reports similar to those required by Financial Fair Play for many years. Just as many of us in this thread have pointed out that Financial Fair Play protects the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" the Bundesliga's rules really protect Bayern. They have a huge revenue lead on Dortmund and Schalke and those clubs have no way to grow through debt. And Bayern, of course never has to face debt payments coming home to roost.

Red Bull Leipzig and Hoffenheim?

Red Bull purchased a team in the 5th division in Germany and has worked their way up the chain to the second division. I don't think Scooby is talking about that model.

My understanding is that neither Red Bull, Volkswagon, or Dietmar Hopp were really free to pour their own funds into their football teams under the Bundesliga Fair Play rules. Not the extent that Abramovich, Sheikh Monsour, and the Qataris did with Chelsea, City, and PSG before the UEFA regulations kicked in.

 

[Ned]

So being a n00b trying to learn the ropes (all of these damn leagues are overwhelming).

What's with the apparent Chelsea hate in here?

 

[roadkill1292]

So being a n00b trying to learn the ropes (all of these damn leagues are overwhelming).

What's with the apparent Chelsea hate in here?

The veterans here will have the truest perspective, as it probably goes back decades. I think Chelsea used to have some of the most violent supporters in the bad old days of the hooligans but, again, I'll defer to the guys here who have been following for a long time. In my short time of observation, it's mostly because their manager was ungracious and not humble when he was on top. Show a little class when you win all the time, for pete's sake.

 

[Sammy3469]

So being a n00b trying to learn the ropes (all of these damn leagues are overwhelming).

What's with the apparent Chelsea hate in here?

They're run by a Russian oligarch. What more do you need?

 

[Jaysus]

So being a n00b trying to learn the ropes (all of these damn leagues are overwhelming).

What's with the apparent Chelsea hate in here?

They're run by a Russian oligarch. What more do you need?

That's a much bigger reason than the Chelsea Smile

 

[roadkill1292]

So being a n00b trying to learn the ropes (all of these damn leagues are overwhelming).

What's with the apparent Chelsea hate in here?

They're run by a Russian oligarch. What more do you need?

Meh. Every big club has an owner of some kind and I don't like any of them. The American owners are more likely to infect PL with the crappy systems we use here than any Russki mobster.