retired_thoiyaba

Personal Thoughts, November 25, 2017.

Okay. So the secret is out. I'd love to know who that "source" is. Truthfully, I'm getting a little frustrated with the way negotiations are going.

I went over on the 20th, and spent a couple days. I had a look at the roster and realized that they've got something good, but that their defense will need to be re-built a bit and a couple of players will need to be sold. Their coaching staff is also VERY second rate.

After the first day of negotiating a contract, I realized that we were about 2 years and about €30,000 per year apart on a deal. I wanted a five year deal. I needed the stability, and plus I'd be leaving the comfort of my home country and a job that I'd had for eight and a half years. I was asking for €250,000.00 p/a (around $360,000 Canadian, or around $320,000.00 US). They wanted to sign me to a three year deal at €220,000 p/a.

I got back to the hotel and immediately called Ante Razov, my trusted assistant manager with Canada. I asked him if he'd ever thought about managing in Europe and how it would feel to him if he went as my assistant manager to Luton, if a deal could be struck. He immediately said yes. He'd only ever worked as a scout, previously, at the club level, but I felt that a promotion was absolutely warranted. I then got to asking him what it would take. "Not much", was his reply. "I've done well for myself working as a scout for DC United. I've got some investments that I've done well on and could cash in. I'd come over for about €20,000 a year, on the same duration of contract you're on."

I was pleased. I hadn't expected him to actually throw a number at me, and I was careful to warn him about that because technically, negotiating a deal like that without myself actually having signed a contract would look bad.

I've got a meeting with the chairman at 9 tomorrow morning. I've got to get some sleep, but I feel like I know where to head with these negotiations. And then we've got a press conference, one way or the other, on the 1st of November. It's an anxious time. I've also got to call my bosses at the FA in Canada. They'll need to know what's going on.

retired_thoiyaba

The Negotiations Continue - November 26, 2017

It was officially announced last night that Luton had fired manager Nick Hanford. The statement that the club released gave no indication of what is currently taking place behind the scenes, only that they are searching for a new manager.

I met with the chairman and his negotiating team again at 9am this morning, and I feel like we're close to getting something done. They presented an offer of a three year deal, at €250,000 p/a, which is what I'd asked for, over a four or five year deal. So, we essentially reached an agreement on yearly compensation. However, there are still a number of issues to be resolved before I can officially agree to terms, not the least of which is the length of the contract. That seems to be our biggest sticking point. They seem stuck on a three year deal, when I don't know if I can sign anything other than a four or a five year deal.

In addition, I want assurances that I will be able to take time away to attend the Gold Cup in January/February of next year, without penalty. I also told them that I needed to have total autonomy in terms of the selection of the roster and my staff. I told their negotiating team this morning that I will be resigning from Team Canada immediately upon completion of the World Cup in June and July of next year, and they said they understood the situation I was facing, which is nice.

Truthfully, sitting here now, I'm stressed. It's moments like this that I wish I'd have hired an agent to take care of this stuff. But then again, I don't want anyone other than the government stealing a percentage of my income, so it's best that I swallow the stress and do the negotiations myself. I'm stressed about Team Canada back home, stressed about the news conference and what the reaction back home within the press will be.

I called the FA in Edmonton this afternoon after I left the meeting with Luton and I told them of my intent, as far as resigning when the World Cup ends. It was more a re-iteration than anything. They knew it was coming and they supported this decision but they made it clear that they didn't want this to interfere with what was left of my duties with the National team. I told them not to worry.

I need to sleep on the events of today. I honestly have a feeling that we'll have a deal by the end of tomorrow. I suspect that I'll probably sign the deal tomorrow evening, have a VERY brief news conference to announce it, and then fly back to Edmonton on a red-eye to get a day or so of rest and then do our already-scheduled news conference on November 1st. I need sleep. I'm stressed and I feel a chill coming on because of it.

retired_thoiyaba

Talks Stalled Again...November 27, 2017

This is getting frustrating. We're SO close to a deal. I woke up this morning, and decided that I'd take their three year deal, but that there were a few things I wanted to discuss before we finalized anything.

Just as I was about to leave the hotel, Bill Tomlins called me and said that he had urgent business to attend to and that he would have to put negotiations on hold until the 29th, because he would be unavailable until that point. I asked him if his negotiating team could finalize the deal without him there, and he said no, that he wanted to be there to do it himself. I understood his position, but I hate sitting around in a town I don't know, doing nothing for another couple of days.

I raised the issue of the timing of the announcement, should a deal be reached. I know there won't be alot of time for us to make the announcement here, especially if finalizing the deal takse until the early morning hours of the 30th and I have to fly back home that day. What I suggested was that we work a conference call setup into the Edmonton press conference on November 1st, which he agreed to.

Some might question that, some might wonder why I don't just hang around in Luton and patch Edmonton in here via conference call. Quite frankly, I want to do this in Edmonton. It just seems right to do it that way, in my mind. The international job is really still my first priority, until the World Cup ends. I will manage Luton to the best of my ability, but Luton needs to understand, and I think they do understand, that they won't have me full time until sometime in early July of 2018.

So, I'm stuck in Luton with nothing to do for a couple of days. I wish this thing would just get done already.

retired_thoiyaba

November 30, 2017. Contract Signed - Eckstein Joining Luton, Will Stay On As Manager Of Canada Through 2018 World Cup

(Reuters) - Current Canadian national team manager Ian Eckstein has agreed to terms on a three year contract to manage the Luton Hatters, sources for both sides indicated today. While no official announcement was made, the deal is believed to be a three year deal at €250,000 per year. An official announcement is expected to come at a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, tomorrow. Eckstein, who has been at his current post for just over eight seasons, will be leading his Canadian squad into their third consecutive World Cup, the draw for which will be held in a few weeks time.

Personal Thoughts - November 30, 2017

Well, thank God that's done. It actually went very very quickly. I phoned Mr. Tomlins at 9 this morning from the hotel and told him that I would sign the three year deal that he had proposed. I told him that I felt that this was the best opportunity for both sides, and that I was excited to be making this official. When I got into his office, the only things that needed settling were just confirming that I would be allowed the required time off for the Gold Cup and The World Cup, neither of which seemed any sort of issue, which I was pleased about.

I signed the contract, and he surprised me by saying that he would have a private jet fly me from London to Edmonton and back, and that I would be given a car by the team to use until I got settled. I knew things would be VERY rushed because we had our first game on December 2nd, so I appreciated everything he was doing to make this happen easily. I then went and met with the players and told them a little bit about who I was and what I was about and the kind of tactics we'd be running. They seemed excited when I told them of the potential for offensive fireworks. I then met quickly with the guys who, at least temporarily, would be my assistants. I told them I was happy to have a chance to work with them, but that I'll be evaluating everyone's performance and those situations will be dealt with accordingly. We ran through a very quick full-squad practice scrimmage, for maybe an hour or so, just so I could get a feeling for everyone's level of athletisism and so that I could introduce everyone to what I'm certain is a tactic which almost nobody has played in, in their career. I was impressed by our forwards and midfielders, the defense will need some work and my keepers are very much up in the air, but that will all be sorted out.

Anyway, I've gotta wrap this up, I have a plane to catch to get back home. I'm nervous about meeting the media, which doesn't often happen. I don't mind the media at all, but tomorrow's going to be interesting to say the least.

retired_steffani

Good luck with the Hatters (Y)

retired_thoiyaba

Eckstein Holds News Conference To Discuss His Future - December 1st, 2017

Moderator: - Thank you everyone for coming today. We will try to allow for as much time for questions as we possibly can, considering we have two different sites joining us today. I believe we have the Luton linkup ready....
Voice over speakerphone from Luton: We're here.

- Alright. Welcome to the press from Luton and to the press gathered here in Edmonton. Ian will have some comments for you, and then he'll take questions. Ian?

IE: Thank you. Well, I think most of you know why we're here. I'm announcing today that I have accepted the job to manage the Luton Hatters in the English Championship league, and will officially resign my post as manager of Team Canada on July 10th, 2018.

By the time my resignation becomes official, I will have been with Team Canada for longer than I will have been with any other club. In my time here, we have seen a tremendous growth at all levels within our program, from our Under 20 squad to the senior squad. We have qualified for three consecutive World Cup championships, and have had considerable tournament and friendly-match success throughout our time here.

I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with an incredible staff, and I want to thank them for helping to take our program to heights which have been previously unheard of.

That being said, I feel as though it is time to move on. Nine years is a long time to work in one place, especially in a business where employment is as volatile as it is in ours. I want to thank the Canadian Soccer Association for this opportunity and for their patience with me and with us as we attempt to build this nation into a worldwide soccer powerhouse. I can only hope to have as lengthy and successful a tenure with Luton as I have had here. With that, I'll take questions.

Q: - Ian, there's been a rumour that you were asked to step down. Can you confirm or deny that?

A: This was a mutual decision, but I was the one who came to them first to let them know of the opportunity with Luton. So, no, they didn't ask me to step down. Both sides have been very supportive in allowing me to do the work I need to do for either side - Luton with the Canada situation and vice versa.

Q: What's Andrea Lombardo's situation? He was pretty seriously injured recently in a friendly match.

A: I haven't talked to the doctor's recently, but from what I understand it's an injury to the spine. A bruise. He has all feeling in his limbs, and now it's just a matter of seeing if he can get his strength back in time for the World Cup. Obviously, his health and quality of life come before any potential soccer decisions. I want to be assured that if he plays in the World Cup that it won't effect his quality of life afterward. If I can't get that assurance, he won't play, and he knows that and is okay with that.

Moderator: Okay, I think we have a question from Luton, now...

Question from Luton: Ian, welcome to Luton. Talk, if you will, about how you plan to deploy your tactics, and will you attempt to aquire any of your current Canadian players, if you have sufficient funds?

A: I only know one way to coach football, and that's to attack and score as many goals as we can score. That's what I've done everywhere I've been and I don't see that changing. I do realize that the defense needs to be re-built and that will be my first priority, outside of determining who our keepers will be.

As to whether or not I'll attempt to aquire anyone from Canada? It's too early yet - I don't want to say yes, because people will accuse me of trying to stock the team with "my" players. I don't honestly know. I've only had one practice with these guys. We'll see.

Question from Luton: Ian, the coaching staff has been something that has been criticized in the media even before you arrived - do you think you'll try to improve on it?

A: Again - it's too early. I met with the staff for probably an hour before I boarded the plane to come over here. I told them that I'd be evaluating every aspect of the organization as we went forward. They know where they stand.

Moderator: okay, we'll come back to Edmonton for a question or two...

Q: Ian, is there any truth to the rumour that Ante Razov will be your assistant manager in Luton?

A: Any speculation about staffing is just that. It's speculation. I'll say it again. I've spent about one hour total with the staff that's there currently. There's no way anyone can appropriately evaluate an entire staff in an hour. We'll make decisions when and if they need to be made.

Q: Will Kid Master be in goal when you open The World Cup?

A: Yes, barring injury he's been selected to start.[/I]

Moderator: Okay, one final question from Edmonton, and then we'll go back to Luton for one more and then we'll wrap this up...


Q: Can you fill us in on any of your other starters for The World Cup?

A: The vast majority of starters will remain unchanged from the Qualifiers, but apart from folks like Kid Master and Marc Bucic I still haven't finalized everything. We'll get you that information when it's final.

Moderator: and one final question from Luton:

Q: Your first game is tomorrow. Can we expect you to be with the team?

A: Yes. Thankfully the folks at Luton have allowed me the use of their private jet, so I'll be leaving for the airport in just a few minutes, I'll be selecting my roster on the plane, maybe grabbing an hour or two of sleep...but yeah, I'll be there tomorrow.

Moderator: Okay. Ian has to leave immediately for the airport so we'll wrap this up. He won't be answering one on one questions with any media outlets, but I believe he plans to make himself available as his time allows in the coming weeks and months. Thank you everyone for coming.

retired_steffani

Nice read Hereford kutgw

retired_thoiyaba

Hi folks. I've started to realize over the past while that keeping up a really good, detailed story and balancing that with wanting to move forward in the FM game is very difficult. As such, what I think I'll be doing from here on is giving occasional "reports" which will cover periods of six to eight to twelve months, and more often if events require. To recap, I've left Team Canada, we went winless in the world cup for the first time in my tenure. We were grouped with Sierra Leone, Finland and Colombia. Luton was relegated back to the league one. I'll pick it up from there...

Personal Thoughts - November 20, 2018

What a whirlwind this has been. When I originally signed with Luton, I felt very good about the situation, although I knew we would be in tough to remain in the English Championship, I felt it was a possibility. Unfortunately, that possibility wasn't meant to be.

Let me go back just a bit further. Almost immediately after I was hired, I did agree to terms with Ante Razov on a three year deal to be my assistant manager. His salary was alot more than we had negotiated initially, and that was entirely my doing. He was unpaid as my assistant manager with Canada (just as I was unpaid as manager), and I figured that since my agreement was valued at €250,000 p/a, it would only be fair if I gave him close to half of that as my assistant. It was a loyalty deal, I admit that, but he's done a great job so far. I ended up offering him a deal of €120,000 p/a through June of 2020 (which would be the same time my contract expired) which he immediately accepted.

We filled out the coaching staff from there, with Patrick Oppong being the most promiment assistant, from my time with Canada. He coaches our keepers, and quite frankly this is still the one area that's been incredibly disappointing.

I believe, if memory serves me correctly, when I arrived at Luton they had won a total of two games all year up to that point (out of a total of 13 or so). We ended up winning eight all year. I brought in Andrea Lombardo, as my "big splash" player signing within the first couple of months of my hiring.

Why would I bring an injured Lombardo in?? Simple. It was before the World Cup, and I felt like if I had control over how much he played at the club level and what kind of training schedule he had, it would give him the best chance to a) be ready for Team Canada and b) get healthy and be a valuable contributor to Luton. Five days after he signed the contract he came into my office very frustrated and said "I don't think I can handle this. My back isn't getting any better, and I don't know how much I have left in me". He told me that he wanted to retire, that he was sorry that he even bothered signing a contract. Not that he was sorry that he wanted to join Luton, but he felt like he was wasting my time. I told him "take time off. I'll give you a month, just reconsider it". He took off until the middle of March of 2018 and came back with the same indication. He wanted to retire. He said he felt stronger, but that he didn't want to risk anything more severe in the future. I told him that he'd be a backup for Canada during the World Cup but that I'd make absolutely certain he saw the pitch, and I know he appreciated that. He scored a goal for Canada against Finland, which I was pleased with, and he contributed with a couple of tallies for us during his time with Luton.

The bottom line, though, is wins and losses, and we were relegated to the league one, which meant massive expectations. Bill Tomlinson met with me at the end of the season and told me flat out "You have one job now. No more of this dual-manager business. You have to get us back into the Championship League. We expect it this year." What could I say? I told him that I'd make sure we were as competitive as we could possibly be and that I would make sure we had the best chance we could possibly have.

Apparently the schedule makers have a bit of a wicked sense of humour because our first match of this season was against...Hereford. It was in Hereford, which was a little bit strange (actually it was a LOT strange. I don't think I'd ever seen the inside of the visitor's dressing room more than once or twice in my four years managing there). I just remember walking into the stadium before the game and thinking "I know every game is important, but I want this one more than any other". We ended up winning 3-1. I was hoping that would be a springboard for the rest of the season, but, up to this point, all we've been is inconsistent. We're currently in 12th, 19 games into the season, with a record of six wins, six losses and seven draws. We were expected to be much better. I know injuries have been a problem, but we've been inconsistent in all the areas that my teams are noted for being great in, namely scoring and, to a lesser extent, goalkeeping. If you can't score and you can't stop others from scoring, there will be problems, and there have been problems.

As it sits right now, I'm around thirteen and a half years into my career, if you count my time with Hereford, Canada and Luton. I've had two weeks off in that time. I'm starting to feel stresses and pressures and regrets that I've never felt in any job. I'm starting to need a break.

retired_thoiyaba

BREAKING NEWS! ECKSTEIN RESIGNS FROM LUTON. ROW WITH CHAIRMAN BELIEVED TO BE MAIN REASON - November 21, 2018

Just one year into his contract, Luton manager Ian Eckstein has resigned. It is believed that he had been pushed into it by chairman Bill Tomlinson after reports surfaced over the past 24 hours that he expressed interest in a potential job opening with Parma in Italy.

Eckstein's tenure with Luton has largely been viewed as a failure by local media. He could not keep Luton in the Champions league and has struggled to keep them competitive in the League One. They currently sit in 12th place, with a record of six wins, six losses and seven draws. This morning, Eckstein released the following statement through his personal assistant:

"Over the past 24 hours, certain comments that I had made to a member of the media have resulted in the development of friction between myself and Bill Tomlinson, as well as the rest of the Luton board of directors. Unfortunately, comments that I had made about potentially being interested in a job in Parma, Italy were taken completely out of context. This business is one which is founded on trust. I met with Mr. Tomlinson this morning to discuss what had gone on within the media and during the course of that meeting, it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to remove myself as Luton's manager, effective immediately. I attempted to explain my position and let him know that my commitment was full and complete to Luton, but, he felt ultimately that this would be the best course of action. I want to thank Mr. Tomlinson, the Luton Board of Directors, all the fans and supporters and the media for allowing me to have the chance to be a part of the community".

"I do want to also state categorically that I am not leaving this job to take another, immediately. I have absolutely no plans other than to rest. I've been doing this for a long time, and have never truly known what it's like to have an extended break. If I find my way back into football management, it will not be before June of 2019, at the very earliest. This will be my only statement on this subject. As soon as possible, I will be flying back to my home in Edmonton to relax and regroup and we'll see what the future holds from there. Thank you."

No replacement has yet been named for Eckstein, although Martin Foyle is believed to be the favorite.

Personal Thoughts, November 21, 2018

I had to do it. I really had no other choice. It really started yesterday. Someone in the media came up to me and, for whatever reason, asked me if I'd be interested in joining Parma if their managerial job opened up (apparently there's some pressure on the current manager to resign). I made it clear (I thought) that I loved the job I had here, but that at the same time I said that Italy is a beautiful country and that I'd be honored to have the opportunity to manage there SOMEDAY. I certainly didn't mean now. Unfortunately, the media, being what they are, decided that they would run a story about how I was set to join Parma the minute the job opened up.

Unfortunately, Bill Tomlinson got ahold of the story before I had a chance to explain myself and countered with a media statement of his own condemning me for being "unprofessional". I took offense to that, I went into his office and attempted to explain myself. I said that I didn't want to leave, that I have a very good contract, but that I certainly didn't want to compromise the team's future success, and that I would resign without question if he felt that would be best. He said that it would be. We agreed on a fairly substantial buyout on my contract, and that was that.

So, it's home to Edmonton, where I've kept a home since I was with Team Canada, and then I'll probably go back to my hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan to truly rest and regroup and see where life takes me. Do I want to be back in football management? Absolutely. Hindsight being what it is, however, I realize now that there were many things about the Luton job which were probably not the best for me. It was the fact that I jumped right into it from team Canada. It was the fact that I (basically, and honestly) signed a big money contract, FOR the money, and for no other reason but the money. I was burned out going into the 2018 World Cup and should have thought twice about doing anything else beyond that. Money's a huge motivator, though.

If and when I do get back into it, I will do exactly what I did with Hereford, when I first started. I would do a ton of research before the fact, and make absolutely certain that I'm taking a job for the people involved and for the opportunity, and not just for a bunch of dollar signs.

Speaking of ye olde Hereford Bulls, they're languishing near last place so far in the league one. For some reason, I've always had an affection for that organization and for the people there. I know for a certainty that if I was to be offered THAT job in June of next year, there would be no question that I would take it. Hereford's as much a home for me as Edmonton is, at this point, from a football standpoint. I've got ties there, even though it's been ten years since I left. We'll see what life brings though.

retired_thoiyaba

I Changed My Mind, And Wouldn't Change A Thing...

Personal Thoughts - March 30, 2018

Alright, this had to be the shortest semi-retirement in the history of sport. Hell, at the moment I don't even know why I said I'd wait til June of next year to look at another job opportunity. I was going nuts after two weeks. Then I became linked to a job in Genoa, Italy.

Hah. Fate. I was chastized in the media (and by a former, shall-remain-nameless boss) for indicating interest in a job with Parma, which forced me to resign from Luton. One month later, I was on an airplane headed for Genoa Italy and ready to sign a three year €500,000 p/a contract.

For a guy who really is only known on a very limited basis worldwide, it's an astounding sum of money. I talked at a fairly good length with chairman Enrico Preziosi and was very impressed. Yes, there's a language and a cultural barrier, but that's actually something I found (and still find) appealing. I'd managed in North America and England in my life. The differences are pretty minimal when you get right down to it. I was excited about being in an entirely different place with a young, energetic group of people, and that excitement hasn't faded a bit.

The only additional thing I needed before I signed the deal was an upgrade in training facilities. For the quality of team I plan to build, we'll need to do better, and they agreed with me. That construction will begin immediately in the offseason.

The best part of all of this? We haven't lost a game yet and find ourselves in first in the Italian Serie B. We were mid-table when I arrived which is what the board and fans were expecting, but we're undefeated in twelve (9 wins, three draws). The fans are taking to this team like nothing I've ever experienced. The players are having fun with our tactics. I was given the money to hire a worldwide soccer legend for my assistant manager, and for that hire, I brought on board Brazillian legend Adriano. He's been great. Again, there's some language barriers, but we're on the same page in many ways.

I said at my introductory press conference that I wanted to win my 300th game overall as a manager with Genoa. I'm currently somewhere around 165. You do the math on that. I'll be here for awhile, and I'm loving every second of it. This experience already has made Luton look and feel like the worst decision I've ever made in my life. But, live and learn and move forward, and that's what I'm doing.