Didnt back him that heavily. or he would have had the player meeting before sacking him. Seems a good way to undermine him if you want to get rid. Remember how AVB said certain things were not true, but he couldnt say because he was forced to sign a non disclosure? Makes you wonder.
The Alex/Anelka situation happened at a time when AVB was doing reasonably well so there is no reason for the club to use that situation as a ploy to undermine him to make it easier to let him go
Roman did back AVB heavily mate. Went against the wishes of the board and paid a lot of money to get him from Porto. Worked solely with him on transfers. Was more patient with AVB than he was with any of the previous managers