terrific read,I think the early years were rellativly easy for him, tons of money saw off any challenge from the east end and nobody else could match it, that lot were in turmoil most of the 90's,and I'm not alone in knowing [not thinking] that then was a lost oppertunity to leave them in our wake.
However as you pointed out mate, we went for the big one [CL] and forgot to look over our shoulder and failed to see them coming up on the inside rail. don't get me wrong I enjoyed the ride, but if we were privy to the finacial ramifications,I wonder if we[the support] would have been happy to keep up with the spending spree,12M for Flo for heavens sake,Though I suspect in all honesty I would have said yes, but then I'm a fan, he was supposed to look after the business side of things for me [us].
It was OK when things were going well but lhe last 10 yrs. have seen them overtake us, and to me, when the chips are down thats when you find out what you are made of.
To his credit he has backed all his managers and allowed them, for the most part to get on with with the job in hand PLG being the exception, and IMO he would have allowed him to continue if the frenchman could have given a reasonable plan on how to get out of the mess he had created. he has also looked after the players,[maybe to much] but as I said in another post last week I just don't think he's one of US, he has aleinated the support to often for my liking,
I do believe he has the interest of the club at heart and I also believe he is looking for the correct buyer I hope it happens soon as I don't think he has the stomach for the fight left in him, however recent events may prove me to be wrong, don't think so though.
My answer to the question you posed, the dominance is over but it's not failure yet, as our history will tell we will be back.
No surrender because WATP