Sheffield Wednesday: Hafiz Mammadov takeover breaks down
Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov's proposed takeover of Championship club Sheffield Wednesday has broken down. The Owls announced the change of ownership had gone through on 10 June, but chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed the deal is no longer on. "Our supporters were extremely excited when the takeover was announced," Mandaric told the club website. "Like me they believed Mammadov offered a great opportunity for the club." He added: "In hindsight my desire to please our supporters probably clouded my decision to grant further time for him to complete the process." Mammadov, founder of the Baghlan Group, also owns Azerbaijan side FC Baku and French top-flight club Lens. Former Portsmouth and Leicester owner Mandaric, who took over in December 2010, had been openly looking for someone to buy him out for some time, but always insisted he would only sell to someone who could invest in the team. "Whilst I hope that Mammadov will very quickly overcome his difficulties in Azerbaijan, I cannot allow this continued speculation to continue." Mandaric will now continue his three-and-a-half-year spell as Owls owner but will still be on the lookout for a potential investor. "The club as always will attract people who are interested in acquiring a top English football club. "I will explore every serious possibility and if I believe that there is someone who can accelerate our plans to return this club to the Premier League then I will do all in my power to welcome them to Sheffield."
The breakdown of this takeover probably forced Wednesday into selling Antonio to Forest in order to fund their new signings.
As we well know from our own experience, uncertainty is bad for any club. At least, from Wednesday's point of view, Mandaric has the means to continue funding the operation (unlike our erstwhile friend, Tone).
As tempting as it would be to laugh (I mean, who wouldn't want to own the world's biggest football club!) I wont as these things can quickly come back to bite you on the bum. We have already been there. Too many false dawns in football these days and some god awful people looking to get involved in clubs. It might be a blessing in disguise for the Massives
I don't mind OP , he's quite funny , i'm sure he will be crying in his stout a little tonight, don't worry OP, you'll get there in the end, they're not about to go into admin are they?
Clearly not the best of days for Sheffield Wednesday - but hopefully this won't sound the death knell for them. Fingers crossed that a deal which secures their future more firmly is found. Wouldn't like to lose decent opposition through financial problems.
Feel for the Wednesday fans, to be honest. We know what it's like to be buggered about by boardroom shenanigans and I wouldn't wish that on anyone - except for our scummy and stripey neighbours of course.
Feel for the Wednesday fans, to be honest. We know what it's like to be buggered about by boardroom shenanigans and I wouldn't wish that on anyone - except for our scummy and stripey neighbours of course.
I don't feel for any Wednesday fans who go on another teams forum and start a thread in a desperate bid at gloating.
Sheffield Wednesday: Hafiz Mammadov takeover breaks down
Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov's proposed takeover of Championship club Sheffield Wednesday has broken down. The Owls announced the change of ownership had gone through on 10 June, but chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed the deal is no longer on. "Our supporters were extremely excited when the takeover was announced," Mandaric told the club website. "Like me they believed Mammadov offered a great opportunity for the club." He added: "In hindsight my desire to please our supporters probably clouded my decision to grant further time for him to complete the process." Mammadov, founder of the Baghlan Group, also owns Azerbaijan side FC Baku and French top-flight club Lens. Former Portsmouth and Leicester owner Mandaric, who took over in December 2010, had been openly looking for someone to buy him out for some time, but always insisted he would only sell to someone who could invest in the team. "Whilst I hope that Mammadov will very quickly overcome his difficulties in Azerbaijan, I cannot allow this continued speculation to continue." Mandaric will now continue his three-and-a-half-year spell as Owls owner but will still be on the lookout for a potential investor. "The club as always will attract people who are interested in acquiring a top English football club, but who cant afford one and so will settle for a two-bit, second-tier northern cowboy outfit with overblown delusions of adequacy. "I will explore every serious possibility and if I believe that there is someone who can accelerate our plans to return this club to the Premier League then I will do all in my power to welcome them to Sheffield."
Is the club just too big for one owner? Surely a stock market float is on the cards.
At least they are not in danger of going under and have signed some decent players.
This was the preferred options but none of the worlds major financial districts would be geared for the demand.
They are so massive pehaps they could join the EEC as a country in their own right and claim subsidies to build a team capable of winning the World Cup.
Is the club just too big for one owner? Surely a stock market float is on the cards.
At least they are not in danger of going under and have signed some decent players.
This was the preferred options but none of the worlds major financial districts would be geared for the demand.
They are so massive pehaps they could join the EEC as a country in their own right and claim subsidies to build a team capable of winning the World Cup.
That's actually a fair point. They're clearly bigger than Scotland so in the very least they should be allowed a referendum on independence.
It's all change up here, Milan looks set to leave and Wednesday set for a 50m takeover.
'Sheffield Wednesday have set their sights on winning promotion to the PL as top priority as the take over with billionaire tycoon Hafiz Mammadov nears completion'.
Interesting times at Hillsborough.
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Opening post on the Shef Wed set sights on promotion to the Premier League
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Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov's proposed takeover of Championship club Sheffield Wednesday has broken down.
The Owls announced the change of ownership had gone through on 10 June, but chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed the deal is no longer on.
"Our supporters were extremely excited when the takeover was announced," Mandaric told the club website.
"Like me they believed Mammadov offered a great opportunity for the club."
He added: "In hindsight my desire to please our supporters probably clouded my decision to grant further time for him to complete the process."
Mammadov, founder of the Baghlan Group, also owns Azerbaijan side FC Baku and French top-flight club Lens.
Former Portsmouth and Leicester owner Mandaric, who took over in December 2010, had been openly looking for someone to buy him out for some time, but always insisted he would only sell to someone who could invest in the team.
"Whilst I hope that Mammadov will very quickly overcome his difficulties in Azerbaijan, I cannot allow this continued speculation to continue."
Mandaric will now continue his three-and-a-half-year spell as Owls owner but will still be on the lookout for a potential investor.
"The club as always will attract people who are interested in acquiring a top English football club.
"I will explore every serious possibility and if I believe that there is someone who can accelerate our plans to return this club to the Premier League then I will do all in my power to welcome them to Sheffield."
As we well know from our own experience, uncertainty is bad for any club. At least, from Wednesday's point of view, Mandaric has the means to continue funding the operation (unlike our erstwhile friend, Tone).
Clearly not the best of days for Sheffield Wednesday - but hopefully this won't sound the death knell for them. Fingers crossed that a deal which secures their future more firmly is found. Wouldn't like to lose decent opposition through financial problems.
I'll take 01:00 to 02:00 - will be asleep but never mind
It's bloody funny though!!
At least they are not in danger of going under and have signed some decent players.
Who hid the cutlery, there's a lot of that in Sheffield allegedly?
RC Lens is the subject of a transfer ban right now.
This is why they could not sign a striker so coveted that everyone from Atletico Madrid to Brentford were falling over themselves to sign him.
But the striker went on Twitter to tell the Lens fans that he promises, he will play for them one day.
And that is the story of how the cunning plan to bring Andy Delort to the Massives, a marriage made in heaven, fell apart.
June 3 edited June 4 in Other Football and Sports
It's all change up here, Milan looks set to leave and Wednesday set for a 50m takeover.
'Sheffield Wednesday have set their sights on winning promotion to the PL as top priority as the take over with billionaire tycoon Hafiz Mammadov nears completion'.
Interesting times at Hillsborough.
1Flag Quote · Like 12LOL
Opening post on the Shef Wed set sights on promotion to the Premier League
Lest we forget........sorry piggy