I have been in similar situations. Code can be fixed, but people sometimes can't be. You need to break down the "resistance to change" somehow. Trying to convi

I have been in similar situations. Code can be fixed, but people sometimes can't be. You need to break down the "resistance to change" somehow. Trying to convince people can burn a lot of time and effort on its own. If you can't easily convince them, and you can't overrule them to dictate the direction, don't even bother. You need people and you need budget. The business doesn't understand bad code, but you should find a way to make them feel fear. They have been drinking poison for years without feeling ill. Make them understand how easily the house of cards could come crashing down.