An Open Letter to Uli Hoeness
Dear Uli,
I understand that culturally things are a little different in Germany. Your employee protection laws make it difficult for anyone to be sacked from their job, giving a lot of protection to the working public. I understand this cultural difference is what makes employment contracts so important to you.
But you have an employee who wishes to leave your club. He's worked hard for you in the past, but he'd like to move on to new pastures.
Before now, you have been offered £5m for Owen Hargreaves. After a great World Cup performance, his 'stock' has risen and you're now being offered up to £17m for a player who no longer wishes to work for you. Not bad.
Unfortunately, you continue to value the 'contract' over and above the desire of the player or the revenue generation opportunity for the club. You also place the 'contract' higher than the confusion and morale damage such a desire to move causes.
If Owen Hargreaves continues to hold press conferences stating his wish to leave the club, you'll eventually lose out because he'll have enough 'just cause' to terminate his contract without sanction with you under article 14 of the FIFA transfer regulations.
If you decide not to play him in the future, you'll lose out because he'll be able to terminate his contract with you without sanction for 'sporting reasons' under article 15 of the FIFA transfer regulations.
I'm sure you are considering action against Manchester United under article 17 paragraph 5 of the FIFA transfer regulations, but you'll have to prove that they were acting in such a way that they caused Owen Hargreaves to breach his contract - and action he has not yet performed and considering he instigated the move by stating his intention to play for Manchester United, a difficult and costly road for you to travel.
So, cut your losses now. There's £17m waiting for you and your club and all you need do is understand and acknowledge Hargreaves' right to want to leave your organisation in order to bring this matter to a close.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen... Stewart.
