If anyone can't watch the full interview here's a rough transcript:
General intro
Believes that replacing a manager is the most expensive thing a club can do. Even if the manager is only average you should avoid replacing them.
Generally believes that recruitment should be owned by the club, not the manager because the club has a longer term view. However, made an exception for Wilder.
Recognised Wilder's success at the club and did three things:
- Offered him a new contract last year on very good terms (substantially more than £2.5m a year)(later on it's suggested it was almost £4m a year)
- Contract had a £50m breakout clause if Wilder wanted to go to another club
- Offered Wilder 1% ownership of 'United World' if he kept us in the PL for five years
Southampton
In December 'Steven' (presumably Bettis) told the Prince Wilder was thinking about resigning
Met Wilder in person before Soton game. Told him:
He wouldn't be fired regardless of results for the rest of the season, thought he was the best man to get us back up.
He wanted to speak at the end of the season about recruitment because it could have been done better.
Raised concern with some of Wilder's comments to the media ("I can't make cake out of sand" and "I only have Championship players to work with"). Concerned that these comments hurt the club's image with sponsors.
"I'm ok with Chris taking all the credit when we win, but please take some responsibility when we lose".
Also talked about January transfer window (detail about this later).
Felt the conversation with Wilder had gone well.
Palace
After Palace match 'Steven' calls Prince, says Wilder wants to leave again.
Felt disappointed about this.
Says he felt conflicted about having backed Wilder's transfer policy with its significant net outlays. "We recruited the way Chris wanted to recruit"
Didn't want to speak to Wilder at this time, the Vice-Chairman spoke to him instead on the phone.
Wilder explained why he wanted to resign - "There was no talk about a Director of Football, or a leaking roof at the training ground" - Wilder just felt the team needed change and a new voice (adds a bit later this was the sole reason - he hadn't been tapped up etc, just thought he'd done everything he could).
There was a conversation about compensation and it was made clear to Wilder the club didn't want to fire him and he wouldn't get the same compensation if he resigned.
Wilder's representatives then e-mailed asking for a £4m payoff.
Club made it clear they wouldn't pay £4m. Prince also wanted to delay on making a decision hoping results may improve/Wilder may change his mind. Also suggests that the club didn't have a plan for if Wilder were to resign because it was a shock.
Some other people on the board felt strongly that Wilder was abandoning the club.
Prince still hoped Wilder would stay. However he felt there had been a breach of trust, and was reflecting on whether if he could risk backing Wilder significantly in the summer if he might just turn around and threaten to quit again.
"I don't blame him from resigning.. I'm sure the pressure is not easy"
Wages
"I would never accuse Chris of leaking things to the media. He is a person of integrity. Maybe some of the people around him..."
Wages: "We have players above £40k, around £50k"
Besic, Ampadu, Brewster, Ramsdale, Mousset all got either the same wage or an increase from their previous PL salary. None of them are the highest paid player.
Transfers
Feels that Brewster and Ramsdale will turn out to be very good signings, but worried that we needed more plays with an immediate impact.
Says the board suggested some 'reasonably valued' players who are having great seasons in the PL/Germany, that were not signed.
Felt the transfer strategy was limited in terms of target market.
Wanted Wilder in the future to suggest options rather than demand a single player - justifies this saying this puts you in a weaker negotiating position.
Wasn't happy Wilder talked about Brewster before we signed him.
"When it comes to recruitment it can't be my way or the highway every time"
"Chris did wonderful things for the club, but when it comes to recruitment we have to be more flexible".
January Transfer Window
"How could I sign players when I didn't know if the coach would be there in a few weeks?"
Felt we had a very poor January window last year (for those not keeping track we signed Rodwell, Robinson and Berge)
Felt there was very little chance we would stay up, so buying players wasn't necessarily wise.
Wilder was asking for a defensive midfielder, Prince felt what was needed was someone who could create chances.
Wilder leaving
Shortly before he left Wilder requested a meeting with the board.
Three zoom video calls were scheduled.
"We told him we wanted him to be the coach next year. But we told him some of the things we did not like". "I thought the call went very well".
After that Wilder's agent said he didn't want to participate in the subsequent meetings. "I was shocked".
Wilder turned up to the second meeting, said he didn't want to talk and would send a letter outlining the things he was unhappy about.
(There's a bit here where it seems the Prince is going to go into detail about what he felt were unreasonable demands, but he pulls back and instead says he has great respect and gratitude for Wilder).
This letter included things like the complaint about the leaking roof.
Price says it's ridiculous to suggest these were things that weren't going to be resolved, suggests Covid and short pre-season were behind some delays.
Seems clear Prince felt the letter & Wilder's approach at this time was very disrespectful.
After this communication broke down.
"We replied to Chris' letter with a letter. I think Chris didn't like the tone of the letter"
Wilder then insisted on resigning again and the board felt it was in the best interests of the club due to the breakdown in the relationship.
What happens next?
Priority to get back to the PL.
All options are open
"Will look at how we end the season"
Expect to sign someone who will be involved in recruitment "but we have to learn from our mistakes"
Some players have minimum fee release clauses in their contracts
"If we sell a player we'll bring in a replacement" but looking to keep the core team
