leftcoastkicks Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 He's gone end of Feb. 2012 http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011/12/vancouver-whitecaps-fc-ceo-paul-barber-step-down-end-february-2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Quite surprising. His role as CEO is primarily bottom line driven and with the success at the gate, you would have to think his tenure would have been viewed a success. So i dont get it. To resign after one year it must be either or: 1) he has something else lined up 2) got caught up in politics or internal conflict 3) ticket renewal targets are way off Of course thats a very wide net that i am casting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_Gagne Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Re: ^... A couple of points: 1) his resignation is effective February 29th, 2012, so he's not gone yet. With the actual date of his departure being so far off I would suspect this was either (a) 100% on Barber's terms (i.e. option 1 above), or ( according to the organization's plan from day one. It is possible that from the outset Barber's mission from the club's (and his) perspective was to manage the team through their transition process to MLS. I've spoken to several MBA's that enjoy most/specialize in defined "project" management... e.g. start-ups, setting up new divisions/foreign operations, post takeover transitions, etc... It's possible that Barber's role with the Caps' was purposefully finite to begin with. When they poached him from Spurs two years ago he would often talk about being inspired to come here by the challenge of bringing a team into a new league, and at the starting of the season was several times (by my memory anyways) quoted as likening their transition to a company start up, thus I wouldn't be surprised if it was exactly this specific challenge that appealed to him in the first place. Now the job is done and the man can move on to his next endeavor. Good luck to him. 2) The last sentence of the press release caught my attention: Moving forward, these responsibilities will be assumed by chief operating officer Rachel Lewis, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC president, Bob Lenarduzzi. It doesn't mention anything about Lewis and Lenarduzzi's ascension being a temporary one. If that is the case I think it would also point to Barber’s departure being by design. I.e. Barber recruited for a specific task and bringing a specific skill set; after which Lenarduzzi re-positioned as top club man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Re: ^... A couple of points: 1) his resignation is effective February 29th, 2012, so he's not gone yet. With the actual date of his departure being so far off I would suspect this was either (a) 100% on Barber's terms (i.e. option 1 above), or ( according to the organization's plan from day one. It is possible that from the outset Barber's mission from the club's (and his) perspective was to manage the team through their transition process to MLS. I've spoken to several MBA's that enjoy most/specialize in defined "project" management... e.g. start-ups, setting up new divisions/foreign operations, post takeover transitions, etc... It's possible that Barber's role with the Caps' was purposefully finite to begin with. When they poached him from Spurs two years ago he would often talk about being inspired to come here by the challenge of bringing a team into a new league, and at the starting of the season was several times (by my memory anyways) quoted as likening their transition to a company start up, thus I wouldn't be surprised if it was exactly this specific challenge that appealed to him in the first place. Now the job is done and the man can move on to his next endeavor. Good luck to him. 2) The last sentence of the press release caught my attention: It doesn't mention anything about Lewis and Lenarduzzi's ascension being a temporary one. If that is the case I think it would also point to Barber’s departure being by design. I.e. Barber recruited for a specific task and bringing a specific skill set; after which Lenarduzzi re-positioned as top club man. Good analysis. its possible that he was brought in to manage the start up aspect. But usually that would hinted at at the the time of hiring. I would if that were the case, that way people dont speculate ( like we are doing now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 I don't like the sounds of this... something didn't sit right with Barber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razcle Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 ^ He couldn't understand playing this game on a pitch without grass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 He had achieved what he set out to in Vancouver, proved himself and got an offer from a Premier League club he couldn't refuse. Probably part of his personal career plan all along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 yeah, with the date being so far away it definitely seems like a plan that was set tentatively a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThiKu Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 @Richard - which premier league club? link to support this claim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 If he was going to a Premier League club the end of February would be an awkward time to leave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Who says that he goes to the Prem. He could stay abroad. He seems to like the work in progress teams, so he would have a good pool of teams that would take him I'd assume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 @Richard - which premier league club? link to support this claim?No link, I am joining the crowd and doing most people do here - speculating ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 If he was going to a Premier League club the end of February would be an awkward time to leaveMy suspicion is his decision to leave was not his alone. Supported by Jeff Malett's rather cool, dispassionate comment to the media that CEOs come and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Brown Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 He has other opportunities lined up. Furthermore, Jeff Mallett is disappointed seeing him go as he is the one that brought him to Vancouver. I'm sure it's simply an opportunity Paul Barber can't pass up. There is NO WAY this decision was not his alone. He did so much for this club in terms of sponsorship and getting commercial revenue. Top class man and I'm sorry to see him leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 His resume that was posted on the southsiders board shows him changing jobs every 2-5 years so this is about right if somewhat at the low end of the range. He did a great job finishing the deals for sponsors. I'm sure he is off up the ladder somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Interesting Footy Show podcast with an interview with former Whitecap Chris Williams. They touch a bit on Paul Barber's resignation. It's here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Interesting Footy Show podcast with an interview with former Whitecap Chris Williams. They touch a bit on Paul Barber's resignation. It's here. Great interview. Thanks. He dreamed of playing for Canada since he was 11 years old. Sweet. We need more of that! Great character and nice to hear behind the scenes views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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