Duchâtelet's empire

Big in Brasov · July 2018

Unrest throughout the colonies it seems

http://www.hungarianfootball.com/2018/07/24/the-duchatelet-familys-international-football-empire/

soapy_jones · July 2018

The Decline and Fall of the RD Empire...

Blucher · July 2018

Thanks for posting @Big in Brasov.

Roland spreading his joy far and wide. In fact, far from “not doing failure” (per our former, unloved chief executive), the man has been a 100% failure at every football club he’s been involved at.

Reading about the Újpest players’ skinflint travel arrangements for their Europa Cup tie neatly encapsulates his penchant for false economies, given that it could have cost the team a lucrative tie against Seville.

At least the lucky Hungarians got sarnies for their trip abroad, whereas our Academy players have now had to forgo their breakfasts as part of the latest austerity drive.

MuttleyCAFC · July 2018

it is a very good article which captures the essence that is Duchatelet very well. The fact is, when it comes to football, he clearly isn't a good businessman as his approach loses him money. He can blame whoever he likes, but even a village idiot could tell you it is Roland's fault! I look back at his ownership and can see many opportunities to keep fans onboard that simply didn't trouble him - even if it was just attempting to bullshit us. Yes, Meire and her ego may have played a big part in this, but she was working under him to his plan.

hoof_it_up_to_benty · July 2018

A good summary of his activities in football. He really is a nasty, arrogant, short-sighted and mean man.

SE7toSG3 · July 2018

Thats an excellent article and an interesting if obvious view of our club from the outside looking in.

Big in Brasov · July 2018

Note that Duchâtelet bought STVV for €700k, not €31m, as reported in the article.

He did later invest something in the region of €30m - €40m in the stadium of course, but that was a commercial venture by his property company NV Stayen.

When Duchâtelet became chairman of the Sint-Truiden Municipal Council in 2006, Staaien (the stadium) was council owned. Somehow he was allowed to buy the stadium for just €551,500 and then gift it to his property company NV Stayen, (despite his previous claims that he bought it for the football club).

There was opposition to the purchase from a handful of councillors, most notably from Socialist Filip Moers, who suggested a price of around €2.5m would be more appropriate.

On the open market, at that time, the commercial value of the real estate was reckoned to be approximately €3.5m

MuttleyCAFC · July 2018

One thing that is noticeable is that he often promises managers support, but it is always in the next window, and then there are always excuses for him not delivering it!

25May98 · July 2018

MuttleyCAFC said:
One thing that is noticeable is that he often promises managers support, but it is always in the next window, and then there are always excuses for him not delivering it!

You're right, and the excuse is usually that it is a different manager for the next window.

N01R4M · July 2018

An interesting and thought-provoking article; thanks for posting the link.

I wonder what use ROT might make of this?

MuttleyCAFC · July 2018

25May98 said:

MuttleyCAFC said:
One thing that is noticeable is that he often promises managers support, but it is always in the next window, and then there are always excuses for him not delivering it!
You're right, and the excuse is usually that it is a different manager for the next window.

Or, we were about to sign somebody but it/they fell through at the last minute, or I am looking to sell the club so have changed my mind, or there is a different manager as you say. Whatever the reason, he gets out of doing what was anticipated, either by the manager, the fans or both.

What I found incredible is how many transfer windows we needed to realise that the next one was going to be no better than the last one!