These are not the only instances over the summer though, with Manchester City’s new boss Mark Hughes considering leaving his post just weeks into employment after feeling he had little control over transfer policy, with Vedran Corluka’s protracted move to Spurs the major worry.
Even with Corluka heading to White Hart Lane, Hughes spoke on Friday saying that he expects new owners Abu Dhabi United Group to “respect” him to choose who his team consists of, which he obviously felt wasn’t entirely guaranteed under the ruling of Thaksin Shinawatra.
As more and more foreign owners takeover Premiership it looks as if a more continental approach to backroom organisation may become common, with managers concentrating solely on coaching and transfers dealt with in the boardroom.
This has prompted Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp to declare British-style management will be “dead” within the next decade.
It's no coincedence that all four managers so far showing concern are some of the best, but also some of the most traditional British managers. Had Ronaldo left for Real would we be talking about five?
Is the influx of money and the promise of the world’s greatest players playing on your doorstep really worth the possible demise of the oldest football culture there is?
And is the chance – thinking of Newcastle when I say chance – of an international superstar lighting up dreary draws in January worth the constant fear of managers going AWOL or your club becoming a frozen asset because of your owner committing fraud in half of Eastern Europe?
It seems to me seeing bank balances of billions aren’t what they used to be. “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems” never seemed so apt...
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