Per Mertesacker: Arsenal academy boss on his 11-year friendship with Mikel Arteta, producing the next Bukayo Saka and new docuseries Inside Hale End September 6, 2022 It was one of their worst ever defeats, but the recent histories of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker and the club’s Hale End academy would look very different had Arsene Wenger’s team not lost 8-2 at Manchester United in August 2011. That setback prompted a transfer deadline-day trolley dash for five new signings, the most [...]
Club Wembley chief on why fans still want personalised experiences September 5, 2022 After a sensational tribute to Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins on Saturday night, sold out Coldplay and Ed Sheeran concerts throughout July and August, not to mention the iconic Lionesses win, all at Wembley Stadium, demand for hospitality shows no signs of slowing down. We know this generation prioritises experiences over luxury goods, and that is [...]
Manchester United slip out of Premier League rich list top two for first time September 4, 2022 Manchester United’s on-field decline has seen them fall out of the top two revenue-generating teams in the Premier League for the first time, according to a new report. United, who were named the world’s richest football club just five years ago, have now slipped behind their traditional rivals Liverpool as well as neighbours Manchester City, [...]
Premier League clubs splurge record £1.9bn in transfer window September 2, 2022 Premier League clubs spent a record £1.9bn in the recent transfer window, representing 49 per cent of spending among the continent’s top leagues. The English top flight was responsible for 49 per cent of spending in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues (England, France, Germany, Spain and Italy), and it was 67 per cent higher than the [...]
Private equity influx in rugby will not save entire club game August 31, 2022 It’s no new phenomenon to see sports clubs, which tend to be at the heart of the community they serve, face financial challenges and ultimately go under. But why is this happening in rugby when the sport has benefited from a flurry of private equity investment which is shaping the future of the oval-balled game? [...]
Decoding football’s transfer market: How can clubs reach objective player valuations? August 23, 2022 As football’s transfer window enters its final few days, one question certain to be at the centre of discussion is: how do you arrive at a fair and accurate valuation for a player? Is Everton’s young attacker Anthony Gordon, for example, worth the £60m that Chelsea are said to be willing to spend on him? [...]
Manchester United fans set to protest against Glazers before Liverpool match August 22, 2022 A Manchester United fans’ group is planning a protest against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, before tonight’s match with Liverpool. The move comes amid heightened speculation that the Glazers could sell some or all of United, which they have held since 2005. Supporters’ group The 1958 called on likeminded fans to join their March [...]
Trevor Steven: Eddie Howe and Newcastle can gatecrash the Premier League’s top six August 22, 2022 Pep Guardiola’s reaction to his Manchester City team dropping points on Sunday spoke volumes about the great strides Newcastle United have made. Far from being upset or concerned by the end of his team’s 100 per cent start to their Premier League title defence, Guardiola instead could only praise the Magpies. The City boss might [...]
Manchester United takeover could cost $8bn (£6.7bn) but minority sale more likely August 18, 2022 Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, are more likely to sanction the sale of a minority stake but such a deal could pave the way for a full buyout costing as much as $8bn (£6.7m). That is the view of sports business experts following a surge in speculation that the Glazers could be persuaded to [...]
Pandemic widened gap between Premier League and European rivals, says Deloitte August 18, 2022 The pandemic saw the Premier League increase its financial advantage over its rivals in European football, according to a report published today by Deloitte. Despite the almost total absence of ticket revenue as supporters remained locked out of stadiums, Premier League clubs grew revenue during the 2020-21 season and, unlike their competitors, reported improved operating [...]