This is Keith Dickens' reply to my email asking him for clarification about Patterson's reasons for turning us down;
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Thanks Alex, I note your comment re “I would also like to take this opportunity to reassure you that there are still, despite the continued negativity of a few, a great many Brentford fans who are realistic about the situation we are currently in, and the constraints it imposes on us in every sense”.
You’re probably aware that BIAS asked me a similar question in their open letter and I’m due to be meeting/talking with Phil, Tony et al sometime this week. Therefore, if you don’t mind, I’ll just take that opportunity to more fully explain and they can make it broadly available, as they deem appropriate. Meanwhile, in response to the specific point re Job Offer, a quick reply:
The limits of the package I could offer were pre agreed by the BFC Board, mindful of our Club’s situation. This included no contract offer with more than a 6 months’ notice period.
I had pre-checked with the League Managers’ Association what was reasonable re notice period and they said; “Generally, longer than 6 months notice periods are only made available for proven managers in the Premier and, a 6 months notice period is reasonable in the Football League”
The candidate you mentioned wanted a 12 month notice period. This (we were told) was the critical point.
As an aside, regarding the risk a club takes when appointing any manager (experienced, proven, tried & tested, a rescue-specialist, up and coming – that is, any profile), I am informed by the League Managers’ Association of the following interesting fact: “ Since the formation of the Premier League, any Football League Manager starting a new season in the Football League has a 67% likelihood of being dismissed by the following March” – so you could say that appointing any profile of manager is more likely to fail and it’s prudent for clubs not to over-commit scarce resources.
Best, Keith