So who's going to buy the club?

[Guest johnson293]

Metro radio "understand Kevin Keegan has spoke to 3 of the groups looking to takeover Newcastle United"

 

Metro Radio have been reading The Sun.

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1757702.ece

[TRon]

South African group in pole position to get Newcastle

 

Jewellery billionare Johann Rupert changes mind on owning British club

 

Those hoping for clarity at Newcastle United thought they found some yesterday. It is 18 days since Mike Ashley put the club up for sale and there have been almost as many theoretical buyers in that period, but that is because there are several credible interested parties and some names were put on the South African consortium yesterday.

 

It appears to be ahead of others in rivalling unknown groups in China and America in completing a purchase that Ashley hopes could be done within six weeks.

 

In sporting terms, and perhaps economically, Johann Rupert is the most significant figure to have emerged. Rupert has been described as South Africa's richest man. Two other names that have surfaced are Brian Joffe and Vivian Imerman. It was claimed yesterday that a bid of £280m has been lodged already by the collective and that their first aim would be to restore Kevin Keegan to his post as manager and offer him a share in the club, much as the five percent shareholding Peter Reid had at Sunderland.

 

But Keegan, just returned from a break in America, has not yet received even third party contact from this group, whereas it is understood the Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel have been in touch with Keegan and those close to him. Partly due to the noise they have created, the Nigerians are not being treated as seriously as the South Africans. If Rupert is a key player, then that would explain why.

 

A 58-year-old billionaire based in Stellenbosch, Rupert has made his fortune from jewellery and telecommunications among other things. He was linked to a possible £50m purchase of Blackburn Rovers last June but rejected any connection emphatically, saying at the time: "You can never, ever show a return on a football/soccer team in the UK."

 

However, that was in regard to being a sole purchaser whereas the mooted South African consortium offers shared financial responsibility. Rupert is known in British sport via his background ownership of rugby club Saracens – in March one of his companies, VenFin, purchased a stake in the holding company that owns Saracens, Premier Team Holdings – and also because four years ago he and other South African businessmen and rugby players proposed the creation of a new club that would represent South Africans in London.

 

The Rugby Football Union were unwilling to allow the "London Tribe" immediate access to the top divisions of English rugby and so the idea withered. A spokesman for Saracens said he was unaware of which or any games Rupert has attended at Vicarage Road, where Saracens share Watford's ground.

 

One of Saracens' players is Michael Owen and at Newcastle it would be the same. Newcastle Owen's contract is sure to be different though, and is in need of extending or he will leave for nothing next summer.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/south-african-group-in-pole-position-to-get-newcastle-948465.html

 

Sounds like South Africa's answer to Mike Ashley.

[NJS]

Lets hope they don't make the mistake Ashley did and appoint a manager with little interest in developing youth players if that is the way they want to move the club forward.

 

Keegan abolished the reserves because he didn't give a shit about youth players and only cared about big money signings.

 

 

12 years on and the same fucking bullshit is typed and believed.

 

 

[Guest torontoon]

Frankly I don't a rat's arse about the youth system right now. Whoever comes in to buy the club had better be prepared to lay out serious moolah in January to get this club to a safe position in the premiership. A youth system is great for the long term but not right now.

[Guest torontoon]

South Africans look good. But who knows, bringing in Clifford would be a fantastic start, would be harsh on Money and Joyce, maybe both will have a place in the new system both have alot of experience and quality to add if the roles are right.

Be careful what you wish for - this Clifford character has already been booted by Harry Redknapp so he can't be all that hot. I sometimes think that people who keep on and on about a youth system fully expect these youths to be ready for prime time in about two months. It takes years and in the meantime if we don't get the first team sorted out smartish we'll be in the second division!

[SUPERTOON]

Joe Kinnear has just said Ashley is in talks with eight groups about a takeover

[Guest Gallowgate Mag]

Joe Kinnear has just said Ashley is in talks with eight groups about a takeover

 

Where did you get that from?

[Nicky]

South African group in pole position to get Newcastle

 

Jewellery billionare Johann Rupert changes mind on owning British club

 

Those hoping for clarity at Newcastle United thought they found some yesterday. It is 18 days since Mike Ashley put the club up for sale and there have been almost as many theoretical buyers in that period, but that is because there are several credible interested parties and some names were put on the South African consortium yesterday.

 

It appears to be ahead of others in rivalling unknown groups in China and America in completing a purchase that Ashley hopes could be done within six weeks.

 

In sporting terms, and perhaps economically, Johann Rupert is the most significant figure to have emerged. Rupert has been described as South Africa's richest man. Two other names that have surfaced are Brian Joffe and Vivian Imerman. It was claimed yesterday that a bid of £280m has been lodged already by the collective and that their first aim would be to restore Kevin Keegan to his post as manager and offer him a share in the club, much as the five percent shareholding Peter Reid had at Sunderland.

 

But Keegan, just returned from a break in America, has not yet received even third party contact from this group, whereas it is understood the Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel have been in touch with Keegan and those close to him. Partly due to the noise they have created, the Nigerians are not being treated as seriously as the South Africans. If Rupert is a key player, then that would explain why.

 

A 58-year-old billionaire based in Stellenbosch, Rupert has made his fortune from jewellery and telecommunications among other things. He was linked to a possible £50m purchase of Blackburn Rovers last June but rejected any connection emphatically, saying at the time: "You can never, ever show a return on a football/soccer team in the UK."

 

However, that was in regard to being a sole purchaser whereas the mooted South African consortium offers shared financial responsibility. Rupert is known in British sport via his background ownership of rugby club Saracens – in March one of his companies, VenFin, purchased a stake in the holding company that owns Saracens, Premier Team Holdings – and also because four years ago he and other South African businessmen and rugby players proposed the creation of a new club that would represent South Africans in London.

 

The Rugby Football Union were unwilling to allow the "London Tribe" immediate access to the top divisions of English rugby and so the idea withered. A spokesman for Saracens said he was unaware of which or any games Rupert has attended at Vicarage Road, where Saracens share Watford's ground.

 

One of Saracens' players is Michael Owen and at Newcastle it would be the same. Newcastle Owen's contract is sure to be different though, and is in need of extending or he will leave for nothing next summer.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/south-african-group-in-pole-position-to-get-newcastle-948465.html

 

 

Just wanna add,  I think this guy would be very good for us.  I'm a Saracens season ticket holder,  and since he got involved things have certainly looked good.  He's got Eddie Jones in as manager (Former Austrailia manager when we beat them in the final),  and signed England captain Steve Borthwick,  former Wales captain Michael Owen and a big named South African (Van Heerdan).  Talk of 2 of the biggest players in South Africa coming in next season too.

 

Seems like he knows he has to invest heavily at the playing level to get results,  anyway.  Not so much the youth approach that Ashley has gone for.

[TRon]

South African group in pole position to get Newcastle

 

Jewellery billionare Johann Rupert changes mind on owning British club

 

Those hoping for clarity at Newcastle United thought they found some yesterday. It is 18 days since Mike Ashley put the club up for sale and there have been almost as many theoretical buyers in that period, but that is because there are several credible interested parties and some names were put on the South African consortium yesterday.

 

It appears to be ahead of others in rivalling unknown groups in China and America in completing a purchase that Ashley hopes could be done within six weeks.

 

In sporting terms, and perhaps economically, Johann Rupert is the most significant figure to have emerged. Rupert has been described as South Africa's richest man. Two other names that have surfaced are Brian Joffe and Vivian Imerman. It was claimed yesterday that a bid of £280m has been lodged already by the collective and that their first aim would be to restore Kevin Keegan to his post as manager and offer him a share in the club, much as the five percent shareholding Peter Reid had at Sunderland.

 

But Keegan, just returned from a break in America, has not yet received even third party contact from this group, whereas it is understood the Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel have been in touch with Keegan and those close to him. Partly due to the noise they have created, the Nigerians are not being treated as seriously as the South Africans. If Rupert is a key player, then that would explain why.

 

A 58-year-old billionaire based in Stellenbosch, Rupert has made his fortune from jewellery and telecommunications among other things. He was linked to a possible £50m purchase of Blackburn Rovers last June but rejected any connection emphatically, saying at the time: "You can never, ever show a return on a football/soccer team in the UK."

 

However, that was in regard to being a sole purchaser whereas the mooted South African consortium offers shared financial responsibility. Rupert is known in British sport via his background ownership of rugby club Saracens – in March one of his companies, VenFin, purchased a stake in the holding company that owns Saracens, Premier Team Holdings – and also because four years ago he and other South African businessmen and rugby players proposed the creation of a new club that would represent South Africans in London.

 

The Rugby Football Union were unwilling to allow the "London Tribe" immediate access to the top divisions of English rugby and so the idea withered. A spokesman for Saracens said he was unaware of which or any games Rupert has attended at Vicarage Road, where Saracens share Watford's ground.

 

One of Saracens' players is Michael Owen and at Newcastle it would be the same. Newcastle Owen's contract is sure to be different though, and is in need of extending or he will leave for nothing next summer.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/south-african-group-in-pole-position-to-get-newcastle-948465.html

 

 

Just wanna add,  I think this guy would be very good for us.  I'm a Saracens season ticket holder,  and since he got involved things have certainly looked good.  He's got Eddie Jones in as manager (Former Austrailia manager when we beat them in the final),  and signed England captain Steve Borthwick,  former Wales captain Michael Owen and a big named South African (Van Heerdan).  Talk of 2 of the biggest players in South Africa coming in next season too.

 

Seems like he knows he has to invest heavily at the playing level to get results,  anyway.  Not so much the youth approach that Ashley has gone for.

 

Hope you are right then

[SUPERTOON]

Joe Kinnear has just said Ashley is in talks with eight groups about a takeover

 

Where did you get that from?

 

BBC Breaking news bar

[SUPERTOON]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4235526,00.html

[Baggio]

Lets hope they don't make the mistake Ashley did and appoint a manager with little interest in developing youth players if that is the way they want to move the club forward.

 

Keegan abolished the reserves because he didn't give a shit about youth players and only cared about big money signings.

 

 

12 years on and the same fucking bullshit is typed and believed.

 

 

 

I wasn't even thinking about the reserves but thanks for reminding me.

 

 

[PRL]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4235526,00.html

 

Strange how even Joe Kinnear knows about due diligence...

[James]

I've just bought the club.

[Cronky]

South African group in pole position to get Newcastle

 

Jewellery billionare Johann Rupert changes mind on owning British club

 

Those hoping for clarity at Newcastle United thought they found some yesterday. It is 18 days since Mike Ashley put the club up for sale and there have been almost as many theoretical buyers in that period, but that is because there are several credible interested parties and some names were put on the South African consortium yesterday.

 

It appears to be ahead of others in rivalling unknown groups in China and America in completing a purchase that Ashley hopes could be done within six weeks.

 

In sporting terms, and perhaps economically, Johann Rupert is the most significant figure to have emerged. Rupert has been described as South Africa's richest man. Two other names that have surfaced are Brian Joffe and Vivian Imerman. It was claimed yesterday that a bid of £280m has been lodged already by the collective and that their first aim would be to restore Kevin Keegan to his post as manager and offer him a share in the club, much as the five percent shareholding Peter Reid had at Sunderland.

 

But Keegan, just returned from a break in America, has not yet received even third party contact from this group, whereas it is understood the Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel have been in touch with Keegan and those close to him. Partly due to the noise they have created, the Nigerians are not being treated as seriously as the South Africans. If Rupert is a key player, then that would explain why.

 

A 58-year-old billionaire based in Stellenbosch, Rupert has made his fortune from jewellery and telecommunications among other things. He was linked to a possible £50m purchase of Blackburn Rovers last June but rejected any connection emphatically, saying at the time: "You can never, ever show a return on a football/soccer team in the UK."

 

However, that was in regard to being a sole purchaser whereas the mooted South African consortium offers shared financial responsibility. Rupert is known in British sport via his background ownership of rugby club Saracens in March one of his companies, VenFin, purchased a stake in the holding company that owns Saracens, Premier Team Holdings and also because four years ago he and other South African businessmen and rugby players proposed the creation of a new club that would represent South Africans in London.

 

The Rugby Football Union were unwilling to allow the "London Tribe" immediate access to the top divisions of English rugby and so the idea withered. A spokesman for Saracens said he was unaware of which or any games Rupert has attended at Vicarage Road, where Saracens share Watford's ground.

 

One of Saracens' players is Michael Owen and at Newcastle it would be the same. Newcastle Owen's contract is sure to be different though, and is in need of extending or he will leave for nothing next summer.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/south-african-group-in-pole-position-to-get-newcastle-948465.html

 

 

Just wanna add,  I think this guy would be very good for us.  I'm a Saracens season ticket holder,  and since he got involved things have certainly looked good.  He's got Eddie Jones in as manager (Former Austrailia manager when we beat them in the final),  and signed England captain Steve Borthwick,  former Wales captain Michael Owen and a big named South African (Van Heerdan).  Talk of 2 of the biggest players in South Africa coming in next season too.

 

Seems like he knows he has to invest heavily at the playing level to get results,  anyway.  Not so much the youth approach that Ashley has gone for.

 

Hope you are right then

 

Investing big in rugby and investing big in football are different propositions. The guy seems to recognise that himself.

[Dr Venkman]

God I cant fucking wait for someone to buy the club and get our new  manager in[or hopefully Keegan back]!Im drained with all this speculation shit

 

its been utterly relentless for months hasnt it. who we gonna buy? why haven't we signed more already? is keegan gone? no he hasnt, yes he has. who's coming in next? its poyet, no it isnt. is ashley going? yes he is. who's buying us?

 

fucking hell man i'm exhausted, and the football's been dreadful.

[Willow]

I've just bought the club.

 

Great, how much are you giving for transfer funds and what manager do you want?

[Guest Phil K]

EIGHT groups in for the club....

I'm sure the "Racist shouters" would prefer the scammers, me personally, I'm hoping for SERIOUS arab money.

And as far as I'm concerned, a TOP manager - Hiddink etc - but drama queens need not apply.

[Baggio]

A bit more info about Simon Clifford, the bloke the South Africans want to put in charge of our youth set up.

 

Sir Clive Woodward's bad week got worse yesterday when Southampton's manager Harry Redknapp poured scorn on the training methods introduced by Woodward's former right-hand man Simon Clifford. Redknapp was commenting on Tuesday's resignation of Clifford and was dismissive of the former primary school teacher's suggestions that he and Woodward could change the face of football.

 

"We are always open to learning but it's easy to come in and say they should train four times a day, but you are not going to get senior players in - you have got to prepare for a Saturday," said Redknapp. "Maybe Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho are all fools; maybe they don't know what they are doing and that's the problem. Maybe the managers of Real Madrid and Barcelona and everyone else are all idiots; maybe Simon is the only man who knows what we should all be doing.

 

"I let him get on with it. He came and took a group of kids; I watched what he did and there was nothing that was any different to what I've ever seen anywhere else. There was nothing wrong with what he was doing; it was OK, just OK."

 

Clifford's appointment was Woodward's first major decision in football after he became Southampton's performance director in July and they worked closely together in introducing optional extra training sessions for reserve and academy players. There had been talk of a 15-year partnership but Clifford lasted less than three months after a falling-out with members of the backroom coaching staff.

 

Redknapp said he had seen nothing to alter his fundamental outlook on football. "I'm not such old school," he said. "Maybe I was 25 or 30 years ahead of my time because we were doing stuff like this then. We were doing this type of stuff with Ron Greenwood 35 or 40 years ago so don't let's kid ourselves we have suddenly found a load of geniuses who have changed the face of the game. It's still about people who can go out and pass the ball to their own team, people who can see a pass, people who can tackle, people who can head the ball. It's about good players and it's never going to be any different."

 

Redknapp's remarks will place added strain on his relationship with Woodward and are also likely to set him on a collision course with the chairman Rupert Lowe, who has been determined to push through radical changes in the coaching structure at Southampton.

 

Redknapp, though, has distanced himself from virtually every decision regarding Woodward and he added: "I never offered an opinion about him [Clifford] to anybody; he wasn't my department at all. Other people brought him in; other people paid his wages. I wish him well. He seemed a decent enough guy to me; I didn't have any problems with him. I've got enough on my plate worrying about the results of the first team.

 

Southampton's Championship rivals Norwich City have signed Wigan's defender David Wright on a one-month loan. The 25-year-old right-back goes into the squad to face Luton tomorrow.

 

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/nov/18/newsstory.southampton

 

[Guest Gallowgate Mag]

Ronny:

 

THE man heading a South African consortium is on Tyneside in a bid to push through their takeover of Newcastle United.

 

Jonathan Cleland arrived in Newcastle from his Scottish base on Tuesday night and is set to meet Mike Ashley’s representatives and visit club facilities.

 

They have now officially lodged their bid, thought to be around £300m, with Seymour Pierce, the company Ashley has brought in to handle the sale.

 

And if successful, the five-strong consortium plans to bring Kevin Keegan back as manager, as well as offering him a 5% stake in the club, worth more than £10m.

Simon Clifford

 

They also want to install Brazilian soccer expert Simon Clifford as technical director and he could also be given a share of the Magpies.

 

Eight different groups have each been issued with a prospectus outlining the club’s financial position and have signed non-disclosure agreements preventing them from releasing details.

 

But the Chronicle understands it values the club’s playing squad at £100m and shows Ashley paid an initial £134m to buy United from the Shepherd and Hall families, before investing £110m in wiping out debt.

 

It also reveals the Toon earns annual revenue of £90m, making a profit of £3.5m. There is currently a £50m overdraft facility and apart from that, the club is essentially debt-free.

 

More cash is owed to the Magpies for transfer deals than is still to be paid out and the extent to which the overdraft facility is used depends on weekly gate receipts.

 

Out of the seven potential buyers, the South Africans are viewed as the front-runners after Mr Cleland’s arrival on Tyneside.

 

The South African-raised Scot has built a career around developing major brands and fronts the consortium that is also understood to include Brian Gilbertson, Brian Joffe, Johan Rupert and Vivian Imerman, despite the latter two previously denying any involvement.

 

Mr Rupert, 58, fronts Swiss luxury goods firm Richemont, which owns brands such as Cartier and Dunhill. He has previously invested in Saracens rugby club, was linked with a buy-out of Blackburn Rovers and is said to be worth £3.8bn.

 

Mr Imerman, 53, was an owner of Del Monte before buying into Scottish whisky firm Whyte and Mackay, which he sold for £595m last year. He runs investment firm Vasari Global Ltd in London with fellow South African Gerald Katzeff, 61. Mr Imerman is married to Lisa Tchenguiz, 43, sister of Robert Tchenguiz, who was a co-owner of Whyte and Mackay with him.

 

Brian Joffe, 61, founded investment holding firm Bidvest and is chief executive of South African football team Bidvest Wit. The father-of-two has a reputation for buying failing companies and turning their fortunes around, which tallies with the way the consortium interested in United are said to have amassed their wealth.

 

Clifford, who runs the International Confederation of Futebol de Salao and is manager of Garforth Town, is understood to be central to the South African’s plans and has played a key role in developing the bid over the last seven days.

 

The Middlesbrough-born former teacher brought Brazilian methods of coaching to the UK and stars such as Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards have gone through his Brazilian Soccer Schools, which have more than two million members.

 

Keegan was approached by the consortium as early as last Friday and the businessmen are also keen to find a role for Alan Shearer.

[Guest elbee909]

EIGHT groups in for the club....

I'm sure the "Racist shouters" would prefer the scammers, me personally, I'm hoping for SERIOUS arab money.

And as far as I'm concerned, a TOP manager - Hiddink etc - but drama queens need not apply.

 

So all Arabs are seriously rich are they?  Racist.

 

Agreed on the manager front though, Hiddink would be a class above, which is what we need, let's face it.

[Guest TheKingOfNewcastle]

I wonder if they're so keen to get Keegan on board so that they can merge his Soccer Circus with this Futebol de Salao and use the name of NUFC to promote it worldwide?

[Guest johnson293]

Ronny:

 

THE man heading a South African consortium is on Tyneside in a bid to push through their takeover of Newcastle United.

 

Jonathan Cleland arrived in Newcastle from his Scottish base on Tuesday night and is set to meet Mike Ashley’s representatives and visit club facilities.

 

They have now officially lodged their bid, thought to be around £300m, with Seymour Pierce, the company Ashley has brought in to handle the sale.

 

And if successful, the five-strong consortium plans to bring Kevin Keegan back as manager, as well as offering him a 5% stake in the club, worth more than £10m.

Simon Clifford

 

They also want to install Brazilian soccer expert Simon Clifford as technical director and he could also be given a share of the Magpies.

 

Eight different groups have each been issued with a prospectus outlining the club’s financial position and have signed non-disclosure agreements preventing them from releasing details.

 

But the Chronicle understands it values the club’s playing squad at £100m and shows Ashley paid an initial £134m to buy United from the Shepherd and Hall families, before investing £110m in wiping out debt.

 

It also reveals the Toon earns annual revenue of £90m, making a profit of £3.5m. There is currently a £50m overdraft facility and apart from that, the club is essentially debt-free.

 

More cash is owed to the Magpies for transfer deals than is still to be paid out and the extent to which the overdraft facility is used depends on weekly gate receipts.

 

Out of the seven potential buyers, the South Africans are viewed as the front-runners after Mr Cleland’s arrival on Tyneside.

 

The South African-raised Scot has built a career around developing major brands and fronts the consortium that is also understood to include Brian Gilbertson, Brian Joffe, Johan Rupert and Vivian Imerman, despite the latter two previously denying any involvement.

 

Mr Rupert, 58, fronts Swiss luxury goods firm Richemont, which owns brands such as Cartier and Dunhill. He has previously invested in Saracens rugby club, was linked with a buy-out of Blackburn Rovers and is said to be worth £3.8bn.

 

Mr Imerman, 53, was an owner of Del Monte before buying into Scottish whisky firm Whyte and Mackay, which he sold for £595m last year. He runs investment firm Vasari Global Ltd in London with fellow South African Gerald Katzeff, 61. Mr Imerman is married to Lisa Tchenguiz, 43, sister of Robert Tchenguiz, who was a co-owner of Whyte and Mackay with him.

 

Brian Joffe, 61, founded investment holding firm Bidvest and is chief executive of South African football team Bidvest Wit. The father-of-two has a reputation for buying failing companies and turning their fortunes around, which tallies with the way the consortium interested in United are said to have amassed their wealth.

 

Clifford, who runs the International Confederation of Futebol de Salao and is manager of Garforth Town, is understood to be central to the South African’s plans and has played a key role in developing the bid over the last seven days.

 

The Middlesbrough-born former teacher brought Brazilian methods of coaching to the UK and stars such as Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards have gone through his Brazilian Soccer Schools, which have more than two million members.

 

Keegan was approached by the consortium as early as last Friday and the businessmen are also keen to find a role for Alan Shearer.

 

"The Chronicle Understand..." ??

 

90% of that article is cobbled together from the Telegraph article yesterday, and Sky Sports today.

 

They only seem to have added the bit about Jonathon Cleland allegedly travelling into Newcastle for talks.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Nobody has a clue, I'm not paying any attention to the ownership issue until a deal is done. Until then it's just a pointless discussion - we've had too much mindless speculation over the last few weeks.

[BONTEMPI]

Think we'd sell the club quicker if we offered a free copy of fifa 09!