Behind the scenes shake-up at Leicester City could lead to success on the pitch……
Leicester City announced today that Lee Hoos had been replaced as Chief Executive Officer of the club after a three year spell with the Foxes. Susan Whelan, the Senior Executive Vice-President of King Power, will replace Hoos, while Simon Capper replaces Mark Johnson as Finance Director as part of a ‘management restructure’.
What does this all mean? Well, all this may not seem as exciting as the speculation surrounding potential big name targets for Leicester City, but these changes off the pitch are just as significant in providing the best possible opportunity for a successful season on it.
The changes at the top could have been forecasted; when Vichai Raksriaksorn became club chairman in August last year following the takeover by Asia Football Investments, it seemed inevitable that King Power would eventually bring in their own backroom staff. The departure of former chairman Milan Mandaric at the end of 2010 was the beginning of the end of these adjustments, and now that the Raksriaksorns have their chosen personnel, it should provide stability – which is what Leicester City needs after a season of adjustments on and off the pitch.
Fans need not be concerned. The restructure is taking place at the most appropriate time. This scenario means that everybody involved in running the club behind the scenes at the Walkers Stadium should be on the same page when it comes down to making decisions that affect the club on the pitch. It also provides Leicester City with a solid level of experience amongst its backroom staff. It is a wise decision made at the right time.
Of course, although it puts Leicester in a good position, it does not ensure anything during the 2011/2012 season. Susan Whelan believes there is still work to be done, telling LCFC.com that ‘[the club has] the foundations set in place for success, but it is now important that everyone continues to work hard?to deliver success as we enter an exciting new era at Leicester City’. It should also avoid any potential mid-season shake-up as experienced last season with Paolo Sousa, Milan Mandaric and even Chris Powell leaving the club in a short space of time.
All of this, combined with Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager of Leicester City, gives Foxes fans a reason to be optimistic. With the preseason fast approaching, the speculation over summer signings is likely to continue. But now, at least, the groundwork has definitely been laid down.
No real surprise to see them bringing in their own people really. We had continuity before somewhat with the old guard so too many changes didn’t take place at once, now the behind scenes elements are all in place and presumably on the same page to take us even further forward.