Dermot Desmond is the man who helped resolve one of the most infamous spats that Sir Alex Ferguson got involved in – the majority investor at Celtic has that much power, as Brendan Rodgers has now found out
Brendan Rodgers picked a fight he could never win. Just like Sir Alex Ferguson did more than two decades ago.
Because those who take on Irish businessman Dermot Desmond, tend to finish on the losing side. Just like Rodgers has now, having left Celtic with his managerial reputation in ruins.
But no-one should be surprised how Desmond, the most powerful figure at Celtic, decided to unleash a brutal character assassination on Rodgers. Because Desmond doesn’t suffer fools. Back in the Noughties, Desmond was a significant shareholder at Manchester United when he found himself embroiled in what became an infamous row between Fergie and fellow Irishman businessman John Magnier.
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The protracted and public dispute was over the ownership of stallion ‘Rock Of Gibraltar’. Fergie had been given a half share of the horse, which went on to become a champion one.
Fergie believed his share was worth more than what Magnier, and his Coolmore bloodstock empire, were willing to give him. The dispute, which started in 2003 when Fergie was managing United, resulted in Magnier putting pressure on the club, by questioning some of their past transfer dealings and agents involved in them.
These included Fergie’s son, Jason Ferguson. Ferguson launched legal proceedings, while United supporters protested against Magnier, and threatened to disrupt the Cheltenham Festival.
But the dispute was resolved once Desmond agreed to act as peacemaker. Which resulted in Fergie getting a settlement much lower than what he had asked for. With help from Desmond, Magnier had won.
Desmond gets what he wants, in the end. A fact Rodgers is now coming to realise.
Desmond operates in the margins, with stealth. He is someone who believes business should be done with discretion. He makes all the big calls – and doesn’t feel the need to have to explain them.
But he has taken the unusual step of making an exception for Rodgers. Accusing the former Liverpool manager of speaking words which “have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club, fuelling “hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.”
In short, whatever Rodgers has done, it has persuaded Desmond to go nuclear on him. It’s difficult to see where Rodgers goes from here.
He might even feel like taking legal action himself, just like Fergie did all those years ago. But then again, he might want to think long and hard about that.
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