Measuring success by results alone – the downfall of Ranieri

I’m intrigued by the recruitment discussions that the board at Leicester City Football Club executive must find themselves in today.

 Recruitment that’s required because they just sacked the manager who won the premier league in his first season, described on their own website as their ‘greatest triumph in 133 years’.

 

“We need to find a great manager, one who can lead us forward to success!”

“Yes, someone with warmth, and charisma”

 “A skilled manager who has rich experience”

 Someone who has a measured approach and the power to motivate”

                                                                                              

As all these words were used in the club statement to describe Ranieri on his departure, it’s a pretty big ask to find someone better placed to fill this role. 

 

So it appears the impetus for the decision has been made on a linear measure of success – the club’s ability to remain in the Premier League (a status which is currently under threat), and surpass last year’s achievements.

 

I wonder if Ranieri hadn’t been so successful in his first year, and had solidified in a middle table position (the best most commentators and fans were hoping for at the start), would his tenure have been so much longer?

 

I can’t think of many other organisations where the determination of leadership capability hinges so entirely on the ‘results’. 

 

To me it suggests one dimensional thinking, a focus that suggests little is valued of community, service, principle, vision and long term focus.  It smacks of short termism, of an unrelenting ambition that will be hard to satisfy. 

 

I wonder who will brave enough to take on the role and try to fill Ranieri’s leadership boots?

 

 

 

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