Former CEO ‘GG’ has kindly agreed to come on next Tuesday for us. Not quite sure how to phrase ’keep things positive’ for this one, but the more questions in advance from you guys the easier it is for me.
How did he find the difference between working for PC and current board? As in what was biggest difference in the way they work. There’s a lot been said about comparisons between us and Nice, were both clubs ran on the same premise? If not what was biggest difference? What happened with the McBurnie transfer?
What was yours and Paul Heckingbottoms working relationship like? Reading between the lines, the latter found it difficult at times. Especially in reference to transfers.
1. Are Nice fans as passionate about their club as Barnsley fans in theirs. 2. Which club if any, did you grow up supporting. 3. No disrespect to Dane but if he was to move on. Would you consider returning given the impression that you appeared to take Barnsley to your heart as a fan. Not just CEO.
What were your goals when you took over as CEO at Oakwell & in the time you had in the role how far do you think you got in achieving them? What were the biggest problems that you encountered in that time & would you have done anything differently in hindsight? Would you consider returning to England if another job became available?
The fans want to win games. The Chief Coach wants to win games. The owners and directors want to win games. In order to win games, the club has to have better players, but better players demand higher pay. As CEO, it was your job to reconcile those different self-interested groups of individuals. How is that possible whilst remaining solvent and within a budget, and how is it possible to remain sane whilst attempting to do so. When you signed your contract to be CEO of BFC, you will have signed a confidentiality agreement. Exactly what does that allow you to answer questions about, and what is out of bounds. Furthermore, you will presumably still be interested in getting another job within the industry. How much pressure does that put upon you to keep quiet about some of the more interesting events of your time in football. Just how was it that you washed up at Barnsley? I think this has been explained before, but I have forgotten.
Perfect. Exactly the kind of questions we need. Also thinking of asking what preparations are like for games like Wembley for a CEO compared to a Head Coach, what support a CEO has to give to the Head Coach in a promotion run in outside of a transfer window, details on Nice, joining Barnsley, etc.
Hi loko , not got a particular question for Gauthier tbh but one to yourself . These interviews have been brilliant imo and hopefully archived for posterity. Is their any chance of interviews with Allan Clarke or Mel Machin for us old ones ? I think most managers before them have sadly passed ,not sure if it would be possible but imo would be great .
How much control did he actually have at the club and how much was he following instructions from Patrick? Did he ever feel that he was being unfairly criticised by supporters for things that were out of his control? And at any point did he wish he could tell the fans that he was doing as he was told?
HI Mate. I think the technology is a challenge for some of the older ones and with the lock down it isn't as simple as a family member going round and setting it up for them. We are working on it where possible though. There's genuine upset about Norman Hunter too so we're not chasing any of the players from that era too much right now.
I haven't really started my day yet. Isn't 1pm the new 10am? Anyway, GG wasn't at the club when we went to Wembley!
Hi Ben,no real questions for you, just a general appreciation for the work he did for the club,sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Also, how are his family and have they moved back to the UK?