ARNESEN AND KENYON

By dixon9
November 8 2008

Frank Arnesen has almost been a slightly mysterious figure for some Chelsea fans – never seen and hardly ever heard from. Thanks to a Danish fan who has kindly translated most of the interview, we get some confirmation on his responsibilities – past and future - and his influence at Chelsea. Part 2 here:

"Developments here at Chelsea are now such that 80% of the changes I wanted to help implement are finished and there is no way back. The structures are firmly in place and even though the financial crisis has caused Roman to pull the handbrake and he has asked us to make big spending cuts we're still at the same level as Real Madrid and Man United. And we're getting close to a time where the club can compete successfully while turning a profit."

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 Signing Suggestions for Scolari

Arnesen claims he is solely responsible for providing Scolari with a list of possible signings, although it seems doubtful that he had any influence over the arrival of Brazilian Mineiro on a free transfer.'If Scolari says he needs a centre forward then it is my job to come up with a list of targets.” 

 

Arnesen as a player for Denmark 

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So why has Arnesen chosen now to give such an interview?  There is a rumour that he has put the feelers out with regard to taking the helm of the Danish national team – or maybe it’s just the fact that there is less internal intensity at Stamford Bridge these days and he feels freer to speak?

Certainly, there are some interesting points;

(a)   Despite the media controversy at the time of his move from Spurs to Chelsea, it turns out that Levy was well aware of what was happening from some time before.

(b)   Arnesen´s responsibilities did change in 2006 from not just signing kids but also senior players – hence the tension with Mourinho at the time.  Nevertheless, Arnesen did go on record at the time that he was NOT responsible for signing senior players when the media first began alleging internal problems between the two.  It’s possible that when Mourinho first became irked this was unrelated to Arnesen?

(c)   Mourinho did have A LOT of autonomy during his first 2 seasons at the club (coincidentally, these were the most successful).

(d)   Youth development would appear to being carried out very seriously and professionally.

(e)   His remarks on “putting the brake on finance” I don’t believe are necessarily accurate. I don’t believe any “cut backs” are due to the recession or that cash for signings will be restricted.  Kenyon and Buck have said from the very beginning that transfer spending would be progressively reduced but that if the right player was available we would bid for him – but refuse to get ripped off.  This is borne out with the attempted signings of Alves and more recently Robinho.

Origonal Interview

http://www.weekendavisen.dk/artikler/interview/fodboldrektoren