As interim chairman of Burton Albion, Wouter Gudde is trying to bring order to a club that is stuck in an investment wave full of chaos. After leaving FC Groningen, he ended up in the English League One, where he found a selection with 23 newcomers, millions in losses and the threat of relegation. “It was Mislintat-XL here,” he says about the disastrous purchasing policy Football International.
The transition from Groningen to the modest Pirelli Stadium in England marks a rigorous turn in Gudde’s career. His mission: to bring stability after the arrival of a Scandinavian investor group. He wanted to play attacking football, but mainly bought small technical players in a physical competition. “An Excelsior that wants to dominate in the Eredivisie, that doesn’t work here.”
Gudde previously worked at CD Castellón, where a gambling millionaire based transfers on algorithms. He recognizes that model at clubs such as Brighton and Union. “Their data systems are so good that they dare to trust them blindly.” According to him, people in the Netherlands are lagging behind. “Buying a foreign club is difficult, but once inside you can do anything. Then you get situations like at Vitesse.”
At FC Groningen, Gudde ran aground on municipal influence. A serious investment was blocked at the last minute. “The club is a cash cow for the municipality. You cannot pursue policy like that.” In England the financial problems are at least as great, but there is room to build. “Burton lost nine million euros last year. That is almost normal here.”
Yet Gudde was already taking steps. There was a new gym, a corporate identity in consultation with supporters and a successful ‘clean-up campaign’ in the selection. “When I came, we had to lose eighteen players. They had long contracts, for more money than they were worth. It was Mislintat-XL here.”
For the time being, Gudde will stay until the end of the season. His mission: limit the damage and lay a foundation. “A few million extra does not make you a champion here. But if you invest in scouting, facilities and the community, then you really build something.”
