Kieran Maguire lambasts ‘spectacular arrogance’ as Arsenal chief Mark Gonnella quits
It is no surprise to see Arsenal spin doctor Mark Gonnella step down given the widespread disgust among the Big Six’s PR departments about how the Super League project was handled.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the ongoing fallout from last April’s “spectacularly arrogant” aborted breakaway plot.
The media departments of the Premier League clubs who signed up for the Super League were blindsided by the announcement.
The Daily Mail reported last Sunday (9 October) that almost 18 months on, Liverpool’s Susan Black is the only remaining PR chief from the saga after Arsenal’s Mark Gonnella recently stepped down.
Gonnella had been with the Gunners for almost 12 years.
Maguire aruges that is no surprise to see mass departures given the Super League’s appalling PR strategy.
“There was no PR strategy for the Super League franchise project,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“It was a spectacular example of arrogance from the people who set it up. They thought they knew better and that everyone would fall into line and accept the decisions that had been made.
“Remember, the Super League was a project that was three or four years in the making and the Big Six are still shareholders as far as the company is concerned. It is not dead.
“It was managed appallingly. Huge credit has to go to those in the media for getting the troops in order and rallying against this.
“So, you can understand why those with a PR background were absolutely appalled at the way this strategy was handled.“
In other news, pundit tells Arsenal to give Gabriel Martinelli “what he wants” after source’s reveal.