News that the man reported to be arriving as Director of Football at West Ham has been placed on gardening leave by Manchester City will beg two question from some Hammers fans: “What’s that and why??”
They are good questions and certainly back the report that Rob Newman is in such a position means he is certain to eventually arrive as the new man in charge.
Gardening leave is a strategic tactic used by firms, often when their employee is planning to move to a competing business.
It ensures they can’t take privileged information with them or learning of the club’s latest plans..
Thus whilst it’s pretty obvious he’s on his s way to the Hammers sadly it could even be a matter of months before he makes it.
And it seems certain that City will ensure that he is unavailable for this transfer window as they process their own plans.
As a result their current position is likely to be unhelpful and it could even mean Newman is not available until the winter window.
In these circumstances David Sullivan will be forced to do the deals but out of necessity not choice .
After 28 years he has tired of the stressful business of dealing with agents – a job which becomes harder and harder with every window.
Welcome back Hugh, I hope you enjoyed your break.
Personally I could care tuppence about who gets the players through the door as long as they are the managers choice and are “oven ready” for the prem.
Personally I don’t see anything subterfuge or cloak and dagger about the use of gardening leave. When someone hands there notice in they then have to take any leave owing to them before they start their new job. Same would apply to anyone. And if he wanted to bring any so called priveleged information with him before now who was to stop him? I’m sure he’s already got his own private copies of any scouting data he wants.
The word subterfuge is not involved Clive…simply explaining how gardening leave works mate