Considering Ancelotti was appointed by Usmanov I agree.
I only really believe Usmanov started to get more involved with us from when he left Arsenal - he did that Forbes interview saying he would like to get involved with EFC if Moshiri asks him then weeks later he meets with Ancelotti and we appoint him...
My suspicions have always been Usmanov was always involved but it would take him time to get out of his agreements with Arsenal, so had to be quite cautious initially. Conversely I also don't think he will ever become more involved than he is,I don't think he wants the scrutiny or accountability that comes from being the public face.
I do not know of a single business that would allow someone who is a sponsor to meet and have input in a decision to make a major appointment before the decision is made. Sure they may get to spend an afternoon with someone as a perk- but before they are appointed it's not a perk, and oddly I don't think he's ever really met someone after they're appointed (which would be more typical).
I know it's not certain, but in all likelihood it will be that he is the one with the (substantial) cash, he is the one funding it, and he will have the "grown up" chat with the manager before appointment.
I'll be honest, I don't think Brands has a significant say in it at all. He might have hoped to be able to give a shortlist of 2-3 to Moshiri/Usmanov but I doubt that's even happened. It seems like Mendes has given him Nuno's name and potentially Moshiri/Kenwright have given them Benitez's name.
All this 4-5 meeting stuff makes me think he is meeting the different parts of the process- so probably the Chairman, Moshiri, Usnamov and Brands.