Former Sunderland executive Charlie Methven has hit the nail on the head with Dermot Desmond’s stewardship of Celtic.
It feels like we are in a critical moment for the future of Celtic’s upper management, with the Parkhead hierarchy under more scrutiny than ever.
The Celtic Fans Collective has mobilised Hoops fans to an extent unseen in the 21st century, whilst Willie Haughey has pledged to force a shake-up that would see match-going fans given more of a say.
For Methven – who many Hoops fans may recognise from Sunderland Til I Die on Netflix – supporters are right to be growing tired of Desmond’s stewardship of the club.
What would you say to Dermot Desmond about Celtic’s transfer model now?
Charlie Methven on Dermot Desmond’s Celtic model
On the Business of Sport Podcast, Methven simply said ‘yes’ when asked if the club had become complacent in their position.
He went onto say: “For the last 20 years, Dermot Desmond has effectively controlled Celtic – despite only owning 34% of it.
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“And also, contrary to other owners in football – not that he is the owner, he’s the biggest minority shareholder, of course – he just owns the shareholding, and the club makes a profit every year.
“So there’s no need for anyone to be putting money in, because the club is simply profitable…
“Bear in mind, there’s this 90 million quid that’s sat in the bank. Meanwhile, Ajax and Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, and so on, Porto, et cetera, are spending everything that they’ve got.
“Mostly pretty responsibly, but they’re spending everything that they’ve got to try and keep pace with the European top table… and Celtic are putting all their money into their biscuit tin over here.
“[The unhappy fans] are right! They’re totally right. Because unlike other clubs… you know I can be quite dismissive of some fans, like ‘Oh, the owners should spend more money’.
“In this case, they’re not asking any owner to spend more money. They’re saying: ‘The money that we, the fans, generate, we want to see that money put on the pitch… or the stadium.
“‘Because at the moment, we’re spending all the money, and it’s being stuck in the biscuit tin! Why?'”
As an expert on business on football, Methven articulates a truly bleak situation excellently – Desmond has one of the easiest money-making jobs on planet earth.
Do you think Dermot Desmond would really consider selling his Celtic shares?
A bleak season for Dermot Desmond at Celtic
Desmond and the Celtic board are facing unprecedented backlash from a fanbase increasingly vocal in its demand for reform.
While the Collective has mobilised to push for deep-rooted change, high-profile departures like Peter Lawwell’s resignation as chairman have already begun, whilst Desmond’s son Ross’ extraordinary monologue at Celtic’s AGM has damaged his own reputation irreparably.
Many supporters believe true progress requires a total change in ownership. Alan Brazil has frequently suggested that Desmond may finally be ready to sell his shares in the club, but until now, he has been alone in sharing this rumour.
Given the mounting pressure and current instability, it seems inevitable that a major structural breaking point is approaching.
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