It?s impossible to feel any sympathy for David Dein in his current situation if you are a Chelsea fan, but I?m going to have a go and if it turns into a gloat almost immediately it will be proof positive that the man is truly insufferable, even when you try to be generous towards him and his twenty three years of one club loyalty?
I?m guessing that this mover and shaker has been between a rock and a ?60m hard place for most of the season and his business instincts, let alone his many contacts both here and within G14, tell him that the Gunners are going nowhere under the Hill-Wood old school philosophy, despite what close friend Arsene has recently said on the subject of ownership.
Let?s face it, Wenger?s liking for British ownership of British clubs is fine when that club is winning and the trophy cabinet is full, but, when it ain?t happening on the park, you can?t expect someone called Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith to be best pleased when asked politely to stump up the reddies for a new ?30m striker - it?s just not on, don?t you know.
To my mind the fiercely ambitious David Dein only ever wanted one thing at Arsenal - complete control of the running of the club - and the pieces kept falling into place right up until the moment Roman came along for us and Chelsea started spoiling things big time. Who can blame him for feeling, in the words of Lady B-S, a touch miffed?
Worse followed when, albeit against his better judgement and after years basking in the glory of marble-halled tradition, the decision was made to saddle themselves with new stadium debt rather than take his preferred option of an alliance with the new Wembley. Further undermined by the England manager fiasco, Dein?s power base starts looking decidedly shaky in every direction except G14 where he gets given greater influence and some solace. Feeling any sympathy for him yet?
No, well I didn?t either until it dawned on me that the prospect of him making millions from an association with Stan Kroenke brooks comparison with the vast amount of dosh that came Roman?s way many moons ago. Except, of course, the amount, though large in itself, is infinitely smaller and in Dein?s situation, he will become a Faustian character to many if, after selling his shares, he is installed as Kroenke?s man on the Arsenal board.
For Chelsea, Roman simply became our Saviour and we?ve all seen and enjoyed what has happened since. There will be no guarantees of success for David Dein should he return via the back door. No legacy, no total control and probably no Wenger either, if the remaining shareholders stick to their gunners and keep hold of their shares for a year. Peter Hill-Wood, Lady B-S et al are from good British stock and they won?t let the side down (?) They went through this sort of thing in the War Years, you know, and appreciate a stiff upper lip when they see one.
Feeling any sympathy for him yet? Nah, I suppose your right, the lounge lizard had it coming and no mistake.