LATEST SPORTS NEWS

Vadim Vasilyev made Monaco the model of a sustainable, profitable club. But he has paid for their disastrous season

By Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French Football News

Until recently, mistakes were rare at Monaco. In just five years, the Russian duo of billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev and vice president Vadim Vasilyev led the club from the second tier to the Ligue 1 title. But the club collapsed this season and the owner has now acted, sacking Vasilyev. “Now it is time for change,” said Rybolovlev in a statement on Valentine’s Day. “I have made a personally very difficult decision to release Vadim Vasilyev from his post as vice president and CEO of the club.”

Initially appointed as an advisor in January 2013, Vasilyev was quickly promoted to CEO and vice president, becoming the club’s spokesperson and spearhead. His strategy centred on realism, revenue and hardball negotiating. He knew Monaco were working within certain restraints and that copying PSG’s model simply wasn’t sustainable. “You need more than money and ambition,” he explained. “You need to be in a big town, to have a population around you, play in a big league. There are several elements which just don’t exist [here].” With a population of just 40,000 and the smallest crowds in Ligue 1, Monaco would have to do things differently.

Continue reading...

from Football | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2NaDgLQ