It's a lottery with owners. And not always clear cut. Take the lot up the road from me, Cardiff. Tan thought he could buy their way to the PL (which they did) and then buy their way to survival in the PL (which they didn't in quite spectacular fashion). And change the playing colours of the club into the bargain. And if that wasn't nuts enough he also thought he could advise the manager on players, including apparently seeming to criticise the keeper for not scoring enough goals (although that might be an urban myth). A complete basket case, similar to QPR. But then he finally twigged, stepped back, got a better handle on the finances, appointed Colin and let him get on with the job. They had the best success at arguably the time when they were most prudent. I think owners with no history in football are at great risk of not 'getting it'. Running a football club is more than running just a business. Business decisions don't bring success, footballing ones do. Some understand that, some don't. Some are able to change (like Tan). It's not unique to foreign owners (the Oystons anyone?), but adjusting to a new culture can't make getting to grips with football any easier. Conversely a foreign owner with football management experience (e.g. at Watford) can be highly successful. | |