SPANISH INQUEST

Within the last 24 hours, two crowns were lost in Spain. Firstly, the King of Spain deservingly abdicated his throne for his son and the former great Spanish football team surrendered their world cup crown. Finally, the famous football philosophy fondly called tiki- taka was laid to rest yesterday by a more purposeful direct football approach. Do not get me wrong, we all enjoyed the tiki taka while it lasted, but the truth is that nothing lasts forever. Del Bosque looked more like a wasted and pensioned chef who has no idea of what to do with his old culinary ideas.

Two quick lessons to be learnt here and we are back on our hospitality business. Taking hard decisions is crucial to the success of any human endeavour. Spanish coach came with to town with an aging team, a single game plan and his past glory that counted for nothing on the field of play. The Netherland ran them ragged, repeatedly splited their defense and violated them at will. For Bosque to present same humiliated team with same tired legs and failed approach is an invitation to further chaos. And that was exactly what they got from the inspired, daring and younger Chileans.

They forgot energetic Negredo and creative Navas at home; left young Fabregas and vibrant Cazorla on the bench- more for loyalty to the old order than any technical reason. A leader must know when to transit, when to call hard decision and most importantly when to leave. Waiting for injury time may be injurious. I hope when Keshi is not irritatingly chewing gum, he should read this.

Lesson two will be drawn from the political landscape of Spain. In the midst of so many scandals and controversy surrounding the life and times of former king of Spain, he finally abdicated the throne for his son as promised yesterday. Let it be on record that the ‘crimes’ of the former king will pale into insignificance at the allegations against lesser mortals and public figures in Nigeria. Whether it was out of pressure or free will, the humbling truth is that the former king took a bow. For better or worse, history has been made.

Nigeria is a federal republic and not a monarchy state but the tremendous support and resources enjoy by the kings in their fake kingdoms from both the constitution and their surrogates in power are sickening. The writer is not averse to the kings and their fantasies, provided such is not funded by tax payers’ money.

Lastly, if you have read this piece understandingly, it’s time to do a reality check on your hotel. Do you keep staff out of emotions more than merit? Are your human resources trainable and amiable? Are you living on past resume and goodwill? Is the leadership capable of taking you to the next level? Who is supposed to be on the bench? Who is not fit? Who among your staff needs to be on loan? Who is supposed to be on free transfer?And who among the leadership like Del Bosque should not be present at his own funeral?