Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer respond to criticism from club legend Gary Neville
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer has responded to criticism from club legend Gary Neville.
The former United skipper is a vocal critic of the American owners and has often spoken his mind against their leadership. This has only increased since they aligned themselves with the doomed European Super League proposals.
Neville often used his platform as a Sky Sports pundit to attack the ESL. He openly criticised Joel Glazer for signing the club up to the project, as well as the way the Glazers have run the club in their 16 years as owners.
“Gary did so much for this club. Gary has good ideas, good thoughts. And they’re heard.”
The United owner was asked about it during the fans’ forum earlier this month. Joel went on to answer that he has no issues with the view put forward and has taken it in his stride.
“I know Gary has been, to say the least, pretty hard on us, and it’s okay. Everybody has their views.”
He goes on to add that it is always better to take in criticism than dismiss it out of hand. While Joel’s words hint at a welcoming of free speech, it will matter for little unless he takes active measures to address these concerns.
“There’s two ways to look at it; you can just shut the person out because they’re not saying something nice about you and ignore it. Or you can pause, you can listen.”
As someone who has given his life to United, Neville is a club legend who has the organization’s best interests at heart. Joel recognizes that and admits that the former star’s concerns have been heard loud and clear.
The further went on to add that it is important to listen to others and take criticism with an open mind. Whether he truly means it or was just playing to the masses remains to be seen.
“People always have good points, good ideas and you have to take them to heart. You can’t ignore people. We can’t ignore things, we have got to listen.”
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The Glazer family have taken heavy criticism from supporters during their 16-year ownership. This after they paid out more than £1billion to finance the debt created by their leveraged buy-out in 2005. The Americans have also taken out more than £100million in dividend payments since. (h/t ESPN)
The Glazers have never been popular owners at Old Trafford. While Glazer can promis us the moon, it matters for little unless he can back his words with actions.