Vincent Tan has already drawn comparisons by many as a bond villain masquerading as a Premier League owner, amongst several other undesirable titles.
But the man who changed Cardiff City’s famous blue colors to red, to reportedly boost shirt sales in his native land of Malaysia, has now got another great idea from his homeland: players who have the number eight in their birthdates should be the ones Cardiff go after in the January transfer window.
I’ve heard it all now...
Tan has enraged almost every single Cardiff City fan on the planet, by first changing their kit color, then ridiculing much-loved manager Malky Mackay publicly and eventually sacking him. Then on Sunday he was seen live on TV booing his own players off the pitch after they let a 2-0 lead slip against Sunderland, drawing 2-2 late in the game. Prior to their last few home matches protest marches against Cardiff’s Malaysian owner have been occurring in and around the stadium, while banners reading “Tan Out” have been displayed by Bluebirds fans for quite some time.
(MORE: Did Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan boo his own players?)
Cardiff are still managerless, with David Kerslake in caretaker charge until a new manager is appointed. But right now who would want to work for Tan? He meddles in team matters, when in all seriousness he should just provide the manager with the support and funds he needs to run the football club accordingly. But with Tan around, that’s never likely to happen.
This latest ‘bright idea’ was revealed to directors at a recent board meeting and comes from the number eight being linked to good fortune in many Malaysian communities. In Cantonese eight is pronounced “baat” which sounds similar to “fatt” which means prosperity. In Mandarin eight is pronounced as “ba” which sounds similar to “fa” which means to prosper. This probably isn’t the first time in the world the owner of a soccer team has gone with a lucky superstition... but in this case it’s not exactly the best idea. It seems as though Tan is taking this superstition stuff a little too literally.
But good news if you’re a player out there looking for a new club and your were born on August 8, 1988... you’re in luck. A man called Tan will surely get you on board for a pro deal in the PL. After all, he calls all the shots at Cardiff City.