four divisions, there were 63 managerial changes. This meant at the end of 2013 the average tenure of a Premier League manager was just over one season. This can have a disruptive influence on
travel plans and something both buyer and TMC must be aware of, as TMG’s Dun- woody explains: “If a manager is sacked then everything changes. A new manager will sometimes have their own dining plans and nutrition teams, so all the work liaising with certain hotels could all be for nothing. Sometimes, on pre-season tours, if the weather is not right the manager will cancel training and we will have to re-arrange transfers and find alternative venues.” Dunwoody says that as a TMC they aren’t privy to any extra information, so the first they hear of a manager’s sacking is when the rest of the world does.
SIGNING OF THE TIMES For everyone connected with football, from players to fans, January 31 and August 31 are special days: Twice a year, ‘deadline day’ is when Sky Sports’ ostentatious reporting
A lot of companies pride themselves on low staff turnover – something that is rare now at the highest echelons of football
goes into overdrive. Managers are desperate to get last-minute multi-million pound deals done before midnight, which can mean last-minute travel for players from abroad. Deadline day can provide plenty of challenges for travel teams, as Suddards explains: “A footballer rarely travels alone and so travel for a new player signing is almost always very last minute and needs to be managed with a high level of discretion.
“The diversity of nationalities in a
Premier League team now means that managing the time-window for visa appli- cations inbetween foreign travel is difficult. We recommend that additional passports are obtained for each player and the club holds at least one in their possession at all times.” After the player’s signature is secured, the club wants to ensure its £5 million new asset is properly integrated into the club and city he is staying in as quickly as possible, something Swansea FC’s Young helps deal with.
“Earlier this season we signed Ecuador- ian international Jefferson Montero, who arrived from Ecuador to Swansea – a big culture shock. He arrived with his family, so we helped them find a place to live and with schooling. We ensured their homelife was stable as quickly as possible, which will enhance his performance on the pitch. “We even go with some players to the
local Ikea to help them pick furniture out – it’s that level of detail in football manage- ment that makes the job so important.”
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
BBT MAY/JUNE 2015 47
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