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Posts tagged ‘Standard Liege’

Jan 4

Finally. Good riddance

Good riddance to old fruit loop rubbish. 6 years to the day that Roland Duchatelet added Charlton to his football club collection, we are rid of the old scroat after the EFL finally ratified East Street Investments purchase for a sum guessed to be in the £50m range.

After the narcissist ownership of Tony Jimenez and Michael Slater backed by the secretive and shall we say complicated assets of Kevin Cash, we were very glad then to see a new owner with fresh ideas take the club on in January 2014. Especially after Cash cut Jimenez’s credit card up and for the longest time the club survived on a shoestring.

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Jun 13

No end to this nightmare

There were some not pleasant stories coming out of SE7 today. Roland Duchatelet has been at the The Valley this week and Rich Cawley has just confirmed that the Belgium is making plans for the new season as if he is still the owner. His first decision was to offload Ezri Konsa to Brentford yesterday with other cost saving plans to come shortly involving player sales and staff cuts.

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Jan 18

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Will we ever learn?

Charlton have said to bid £380,000 for Standard Leige defender Jorge Teixeira according to Belgium newspaper Le Soir.

The 29 year old from Portugal who came through Sporting’s youth system is available for transfer and the more cynical amongst us would say that Roland needs to pay his old club some money as the Tony Watt transfer fee won’t be initially forthcoming.

Teixeira will be the 4th centre half that the club has signed (under three head coaches) as they attempt to find someone half as good as Michael Morrison!
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Sep 14

Travelogue – Brussels

My only ever visit to Belgium had been a day trip to Ostende to break up a drunken boys weekend in Ramsgate many moons ago. My Mum’s bucket list had for the longest time had a trip on the Eurostar listed on it, so I decided this was one she should tick off and my son and I took her to Brussels in August for an overnight trip.

The only way to get the Eurostar from their home near Eastbourne was to get up at the crack of dawn and drive the country roads to Ashford International. The one Brussels train of the day departed at 7.28am, but we hardly saw another car and took our window seats and were soon in the tunnel and on our way to Calais.

Noticeably in both directions the train was 15 minutes late arriving as it slowed through Calais due we suspected to the illegal immigration problems at the French side of the tunnel, but despite bouncing forward an hour we were in Brussels at just after 10am.
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Jun 24

Duchâtelet sells Standard Liege

Standard Liege announced that Roland Duchâtelet has sold the club today for, you’ve guessed it, an undisclosed fee. What this means for Charlton is any bodies guess.

Bruno Venanzi, who owns Belgium utility company Lampiris and is a life-long fan, has taken over Standard with immediate effect.

The Standard fans unsurprisingly are rejoicing at the sudden news of Duchâtelet’s departure, brought on if I got the translation correct of his difficult relationship with the supporters and the fact that the 68-year old is not getting any younger. “The quality of my life, my personal happiness play an important role in my life” Duchâtelet said.
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May 6

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The season in one post

9 months ago 1,600 Addicks welcomed Bob Peeters’ new look team with 7 new signings at Griffin Park, and most left with a positive feeling. It was a gritty Charlton performance that Charlton fans could relate to. Yet the biggest reservations pre-season were over the unknown head coach and the lack of obvious goals in the side. Roland Duchatelet had added some much needed quality, but on the face of it, Peeters’ squad was thin and lacking in Championship experience.

Nonetheless by the time pre-season promotion favourites Derby came to The Valley we were three games unbeaten and Peeters had warmed the Addicks’ fans with his over enthusiastic tête-à-tête with then Wigan boss Uwe Rosler the game before.

The Derby game was a little surreal if we are honest. Peeters’ passing game, still a work in progress, was some of the best I had seen for a long time, but the Valley crowd came across as unsure to what they were witnessing. However it was a great 3 points won at a spruced up Valley and with two away draws following we sat happily in 6th place at the end of the opening month. Please click for more

Mar 6

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Luzon – from Manuel to Mourinho?

I watched Guy Luzon’s press conference yesterday and noticed how he had morphed from a rabbit caught in the headlines to an assured and relaxed football head coach.

It is amazing what a couple of wins can do, good ones at that, and three in front of your own public, a public that were screaming “you don’t know what you’re doing” just a few weeks back.

The bitterness of Luzon’s arrival may still be lingering but the man himself, clearly at the first interview a combination of uneasy and unprepared, can afford to smile and he does, quite often.

Interesting also how his accent and command of the English language has gone from Manuel to Mourinho, at least in our perception anyway.
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Feb 19

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Thoughts post CAST meeting

I heard a lot of good things about last night. The fan’s meeting was expertly arranged by CAST and it sounded constructive and, importantly, respectful, with the overriding agreement from those present that we need much more engagement from the owner.

My hope was that a plan of intention was scoped out by the end, but that was probably asking for too much, and I support the view that we need to be ready for the long game by being organized, smart, rational and lucid. We also need to separate results from fan actions and back Luzon and the team.

I won’t dwell on the meeting because I wasn’t there, but these people were – Dave, Kyle, Blackheath and Ted. Video’s of the opening speeches are on VOTV, including Rick Everitt’s impassioned address to the 400 or so that were at the Woolwich Grand Theatre, a very impressive number that tells it’s own story.
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Feb 12

7 Comments

Luzon the will to live

I have no idea if Guy Luzon is a good coach/manager or not, and I have already made my mind up that I don’t want to find out. Harsh on the Israeli I know, but when one gives up professional pride and nails their colours to a mast of a man, so clearly bonkers, then what are you to expect.

Equally there is no evidence in the month since he was been appointed that he has any man-management skills, an ounce of tactical invention or an actual game plan. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on his ludicrous rabbit in the headlights press conferences because he is not speaking in his first language.

Unfortunately in the dressing room only Tal Ben Haim speaks in the same tongue and the centre back hates him.
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Feb 4

3 Comments

Duchâtelet to increase network

It really is no wonder Charlton were not within a sniff of buying a player on transfer deadline day, our industrious leader was doing something else. Not only did he replace the manager at Standard, he also entered into negotiations to buy Ligue 1 club RC Lens.

France has long been on Roland Duchâtelet list, and after a dalliance with Tours, he may well have turned his attention to Lens. Just like with Tours, it was a potential transfer target that turned the conversation onto something bigger. Duchâtelet was attempting to buy Lens’ young midfielder Wylan Cyprien for Standard, just like Andy Delort and Charlton, Standard didn’t reach agreement on Cyprien, but it now appears the Belgian may have ended up with a bigger fish.
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Feb 2

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Beyond parody

If only the makers of Spitting Image were still about, they would have an absolute field day with Roland Duchatelet and his crazy network of puppets characters…. actually I think I was right first time….

Is this really for real? Someone please wake me from this very strange dream I am having.

Standard, who won yesterday in an eventful game at bottom place Lierse, have already fired Guy Luzon and Duchatelet appointed his number two Ivan Vukomanovic in November.
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Jan 15

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Penny for a Guy

He may well not turn out to be the next Alex Ferguson, but perhaps we have a budding Ronald Koeman on our hands, or Marc Wilmots, or a young Avram Grant. Hey, a young José Riga would satisfy me.

Known by Standard fans and most of the Belgium sports media as a clown, who brought some strange touch-line antics and the long ball to the Belgium’s Jupiler League that had along with the Belgium FA developed some excellent academies and talented young players in less than a decade, we will find out soon enough whether keeping Guy Luzon on the payroll was one of Roland Duchâtelet’s more insightful decisions or one of that of a madman.

The name Guy Luzon first came into our sightline when he was sacked by Standard Liege in October, and I wrote then with an element of surprise that Luzon would remain in the network.
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Oct 20

Guy Luzon to remain in network

As expected Standard’s Guy Luzon stood down as head coach this morning after the debacle of yesterday. Standard sit in the bottom half of the Jupiler League 3 points above the relegation zone. Remember Standard fans have the expectations of a Man Utd fan.

Interesting that the official Standard announcement said “Luzon is no longer head coach of Standard, but will remain active inside the network of partner clubs.” Quite what that means I am unsure.
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Oct 19

Trouble brews in Liège

Whilst Addicks grow to accept, maybe even like Roland Duchâtelet, mostly I would say due to the industry of Katrien Meire, over in Belgium sister club Standard Liege are having a few problems, and Roland is getting the blame.

Today in the Jupiler League bottom-placed Zulte Waregem, who had not won all season, went 2-0 up away at Standard Liege sparking near riots in the stands that forced the referee to abandon the match on 79 minutes, incidentally just after Standard had pulled a goal back.
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Jul 14

4 Comments

George Țucudean

André Bikey-Amougou plays the ball into Reza Ghoochannejhad, who lays the ball out wide to Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson, who crosses for Igor Vetekole to head back across the goal for George Țucudean to fire home.

Who’d be a commentator eh? Poor old Peter Finch must be waking up in cold sweats!

The reliable Doctor Kish has posted that the striker Bob Peeters mysteriously talked about yesterday after losing to Welling for the first time since 2006, was George Țucudean (pronounced zz-ucu-dean).
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Jul 4

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Remember Jean-Francois De Sart?

Little has been written about the departure of Standard Liege’s Technical Director Jean-François De Sart. It was thought that De Sart was a close ally of Roland Duchâtelet, but the Charlton owner has failed to renew De Sart’s contract and he left the club this week.

Addicks will remember that De-Sart was the guy that announced in a television interview that Standard’s players not deemed good enough will come to Charlton and the Addicks best players will go to Belgium.
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Jul 3

4 Comments

Fruity welcome in Sint-Truiden

Anyone else notice how the three Charlton shirts when stood together resemble the Belgium flag? They are not just all waffles and mussels you know.

Being a grown up, the design of a football shirt shouldn’t really bother me, but I’m sorry these three from Nike this season are atrocious and £61 for kids who want the full kit.

Actually I think my aversion to them stems from the Sunday league font used for Greenwich University. Anyway the wrapping doesn’t matter, it’s what’s inside that counts.
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May 18

Standard Liege fail to win title

On the final day of the Belgium football season Roland Duchâtelet’s Standard Liege lost out on the Jupiler League title to Anderlecht, the team they finished 10 points clear of at the end of the regular league season. Those 10 months of grind all means nothing as the clubs enter a crackpot Play-Off system, that could only have been thought up by an American.

Standard’s Technical Director Jean-Francois de Sart called the Belgian Play-Off system “stupid, a failure and unique in the football world.” De Sart isn’t always as perceptive as Addicks may remember.
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May 14

2 Comments

Who is Amaury Gerard?

Roland Duchatelet’s newly appointed Network Media Manager for Standard Liège, Charlton Athletic, Ujpest FC, AD Alcorcòn and Carl Zeiss Jena according to Gerard’s profile.

A Belgium, with a background in telecommunications, sales, marketing and product management most recently working for one of Belgium’s main sports broadcasters. It would appear Roland Duchatelet has employed Gerard to oversee the media and communication output at a network level. He will be based in Budapest, the home of Ujpest.
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May 13

2 Comments

Dervite to leave

Dorian Dervite, one of the stand-outs of Jose Riga’s reign looks set to sign for Bolton.

The Frenchman has said previously that he would like to stay on a long term deal, but I have heard nothing of an offer from the club. There was a ‘Dervite to Bolton’ rumour a month or so back, and knowing what Sordell was earning, it is clear that Bolton have a much higher wage bar, this despite the club’s huge debt.

One would think that Riga would like to keep Dervite, but we still know nothing on Duchatelet’s plans for the head coach. However this interview with a Belgium journal makes it pretty obvious that Riga wants to stay and that he has made his wishes clear to Duchatelet.
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Mar 30

25 Comments

Meire’s statement just drives division and not unity

My two-pennies worth on Katrien Meire’s statement this past week.

Firstly compared to the old lot, it has been quite refreshing to see the new owners attempt to communicate with the supporters. Katrien appears to be happier in front of fans and her plain speaking and openness has impressed those that have met her.
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Mar 11

9 Comments

José Riga

José Riga has 20 years experience developing IT systems, the modern day manager eh? He also helped develop the CogiTraining concept, which he introduced at AC Milan. We will no doubt be hearing more about this, but here is the science bit:

‘Modern football goes all about rhythm, timing, spacing and exceptional technical and mental skills. The CogiTraining Method allows initially “normal” players to internalise the essential ingredient of modern football, that is: speed of vision, speed of decision-making, speed of execution.’

Riga’s innovative approach got him working with managers such as Gerard Houllier and Eric Gerets as well as with UEFA and then the Belgium FA. A former player in the lower leagues his first coaching job was with C.S. Visé in the Belgium 3rd Division, twice getting them promoted to Division 2 in two different spells.

He was first team coach at Sprimont-Comblain, who from what I see look like they play in a park. Nonetheless Riga was obviously getting noticed because in 2003 he got a coaching job at Standard Liege.
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Mar 3

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Powell fights on, in despite of help

BBC’s Late Kick Off shown in London and the South East focuses on Roland Duchatelet’s ownership of Standard Liege and Charlton tonight. Video clip here. The programme begins at 11.20pm.

A lot of what I have seen is frankly no more than we know already, although the BBC journalist appears positively thrilled when Standard’s Jean-Francois de Sart (photo), who oversees their youth academy, happily announces that Standard’s players not deemed good enough will come to Charlton and the Addicks best players will go to Belgium.

We perhaps should forgive de Sart talking not in his mother tongue, but hearing that will have Charlton fans fuming, just as Duchatelet confirming that our best players could be sold. What’s new some of you ask, but I don’t get what benefit selling, say Poyet to Standard has over say Tottenham? It’s like your missus going to the bank to get you out a tenner. In many ways that was your tenner anyway. Wives, please don’t write in and complain, you get my point.
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Feb 19

Presser

Anyone else notice the growing articles on Roland Duchâtelet’s ownership of the club? I don’t know if our stop-start FA Cup run has brought it to the media’s attention or whether he has a press secretary pushing it to the forefront of journalist’s subconscious. Not forgetting that tomorrow Roland faces the British media, and if nothing else it will be interesting to see which national media outlets deign to show up.

In a Guardian article Duchâtelet says he regrets what happened between fans and himself at Standard because “I am the one who caused it.” (more)
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Feb 12

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Standard Liège to be sold?

Belgium newspaper ‘Le Soir‘ is reporting that Roland Duchâtelet is in possession of a €50m bid from a foreign investment fund for Standard Liege.

Duchatelet is said to want €60m, particularly since Standard’s stock is currently so high. Nevertheless after buying the club for €40m in 2011, €50m would still represent a 25% profit.

Duchâtelet threatened to sell the club last summer after Standard fans interrupted a board meeting and invaded his office, this followed the sacking of popular manager Mircea Rednic.

Things have calmed down though in Liege, as they ride high at the top of the Belgium Pro League 10 points clear of nearest rivals Club Brugge and although Les Rouches have to navigate an end of season play-off system, one would have to think that a Champions League spot beckons.
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Feb 11

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Steve Claridge faux pas

Does anyone listen to 5 Live’s Monday Night Club? I am a regular podcast listener and the show accompanies me to and from work in the early part of the week and it is usually a very enjoyable indepth conversation. It’s just that last night, the studio which included regular host Mark Chapman, Ian Dennis and Steve Claridge broke away from banging on about Leeds’ woes for a minute and started talking about the Addicks.

Claridge mentioned that “someone got a text from Chris Powell the other day and said that he and the people that are bringing the players in are not in complete harmony.” Claridge has a big mouth although he patently stops himself from continuing the story. Clearly CP needs to be careful who he texts, then again if he fears for his job, which he must do, what does it really matter?
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Jan 29

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Worrying similarities between Standard Liege and Charlton

It is looking increasingly like both Kermorgant and Stephens will be gone by the end of the week. According to witnesses Yann’s forlorn clapping of the travelling support last night at Doncaster told them all they needed to know.

Sky Sports are reporting that a fee has been agreed between Bournemouth and Charlton and Wyn understands it to be £500,000.

Yann is a huge loss to the side and it’s supporters. Alongside Johnnie Jackson, Yann has stood for everything that has been good about Chris Powell’s reign as manager. Google any range of Charlton highlights from the past couple of years and there he will be stood, chest puffed, steely grin, arm raised, our Breton warrior. But not for much longer it would seem.
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Jan 18

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Middlesbrough 1 Charlton Athletic 0

Nothing lacking in effort or team spirit today but it’s a team that is desperately calling for some investment, especially in the attacking third.

There is a lot of wariness amongst Addicks at the moment and when news came through that Yohann Thuram would start in goal and there was no Hamer or Alnwick, Addicks collectively shook their heads.
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Jan 17

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What the papers say

Today both Chris Powell and Michael Slater took to the media to tell their stories. Slater turned again to his pet, the South London Press and like his partner, Tony Jimenez, Michael decided now was a good time to write his own fairytale chronicle of their time at The Valley.

“People may complain about the management style and the staff overhaul. But sometimes, tough decisions have to be made. There is no getting away from it – there is a real need to drag the club, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century.”

He wouldn’t remember of course what happened at the turn of the century because Slater was busily watching Manchester City brushed aside by a tatty old Charlton as we lifted the Division One trophy aloft.
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Jan 13

Four keepers and counting

Confusing signals in Addickland today.

Sure, it was no suprise that we signed goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien on loan from Standard Liege, as it has been talked about ever since Duchâtelet took us over and the Belgium press had confirmed a done deal for most of last week.

Confusing in that I question why we need another goalkeeper, and whether or not Thuram has been foisted upon Powell. Duchâtelet will want Thuram to play games, because he cost him €2m and under Liege manager Guy Luzon he has only played 3 Pro League games and 3 times in the Europa Cup.

On the flip side, this may just be the beginning of a Duchatelet/Powell rebuilding process and this may just be the start of a plan to strengthen the squad.
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Jan 9

Stewart moves to Leeds

I think Roland Duchatelet’s takeover came a little too late to prevent Chris Powell changing Cameron Stewart’s mind.

Leeds were in for him in while back and today he finally signed for them on loan until the end of the season, with the lure of a 3-year contract at the end of it when his Hull contract expires. A promotion battle over a relegation one and the security of a three and a half deal I am sure swung it for the Manchester born winger.

I liked Stewart, he was direct, could take a player on and scored a couple of great goals. It does give Harriott a chance to re-establish himself, but I think that leaves quite a big hole in our already thin squad.
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Jan 3

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Astrit Ajdarevic signs on loan

That didn’t take long, the first Belgian arrives with a crate of Stella at the training ground this afternoon. Ajdarevic is a left footed midfielder signed on loan from Standard Liege for 6 months.

In fact Ajdarevic is anything but a Belgian. Born in Serbia he moved aged two to Sweden with his parents, a country that he has adopted and has represented at various levels. He started his career at Falkenbergs, who play in the top tier of Swedish football before getting a dream move to Liverpool.
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