ScepticalRoyal I hold no blame to the man. If I was in a workplace and got another job offer of course I would want to see the situation. He's decided the situation is better here and has decided to further commit to Reading FC. What's the issue? We're not Liverpool fans; are we?!?
Let us imagine you are the owner and MD of a small company. You receive a phone call from one of your closest rivals.
Your Rival : " Oh hi ScepticRoyal, things good with you today? Listen, we'd like your permission to speak with your MostValuedEmployee [MVP] about joining us to head up our organisation and take us forward. Is that OK with you?
ScepticRoyal : " Well that's a bit of a cheek mate! He's got 18 months of his contract left. Not happy with this at all, but tell you what. We'll tell him of your interest, but if he does join you, you pay us the full wack of compensation in his current contract?"
YR : "Sounds fair enough chap"
So a few minutes later, you call your MVP
SR : "Hi MVP. Cut to the chase - I've had YR on the blower. He wants you to go over to his place and discuss the possibility of you leaving us in the lurch and running their operation!! You heard anything so preposterous?!
MVP : "oxf*rd me Boss, I'd like a piece of that!! They may be offering a shed load more dosh, and the freedom to do as I please!!! Yeah, what's his number!
SR : "What the oxf*rd?!? You oxf*rd shitless oxf*rd Scottish pcunt! After all we've done for you here! Here's his oxf*rd number you oxf*rd pcunt!
MVP meets with YR and after fannying around a bit decides the grass isn't greener over there, so calls his boss back
MVP : "Hi Boss, yeah, had a deco at what was on offer at YR, and I think I'll stay with you a bit longer.
There are 2 possible responses you give to your MVP:
1. SR : "Great mate, good to have you back on board - until the next time a rival comes sniffing round you like a dog on heat."
OR
2. SR : " oxf*rd you you traitorous oxf*rd Scottish pcunt. You are summarily dismissed for gross misconduct and we've replaced you with someone who gives a oxf*rd.
Being a successful small business owner, I can tell you exactly which answer would be used in such a scenario. Here's a clue - it ain't answer 1.