Seems like he’s been relegated to the back bench. That could be all his doing or his incompetence but it’s reasonable to suspect he’s been put there by the people with the real power at the club. From the start he’s alway been guarded about what he says like he’s had to fall in line with the established mindset at the top.
Is it so unreasonable to see it that way?
yes. Honestly it is.
what you describe is not a normal relationship between board and CEO.
There should be at least some evidence before offering him that lifeline