Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr has strengthened her commitment to the club with an additional 20m loan. We searched the world for good people with the ambition and resources to lead us into the next era and I am happy to confirm we have found them. 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets. Markus Liebherr (30 March 1948[1] 10 August 2010[2]) was a German-born Swiss businessman and a member of one of Europe's top family business dynasties. Gao spent around 210m acquiring the stake in the club, making the purchase from Katharina Liebherr, who inherited control of Saints from her late father, Markus, in 2010. Joined Saints in January 2018 as Research and Insights Executive. Watch the manager speak ahead of Wednesday's cup clash. We were attracted to Southampton because it is already a well-run club that follows a clearly defined strategy. His last role there was as Director of Performance Solutions. Saints Chairman "delighted" with interim CEO, Gareth Rogers "pleased to be able to help" Saints, Gareth Rogers appointed interim Chief Exec at Saints, Owner & non-executive chairman sets out plan, Vigil held for victims of Reading terror attack, Khairi Saadallah charged with three counts of murder after Reading stabbings, 'Tidal wave' of tourists leave record amount of rubbish in Brighton, People urged to stay away from South's beaches following major clear-up, Fire rips through roof of flats in Southsea, Increase in litter found in region's rivers and canals, "I'm not about to risk it": Concern over eased shielding rules. However, the way they were developed after that was completely different, as former Brighton Academy Manager John Morling tells TGG. Katharina Liebherr, the Premier League club's Swiss owner, confirmed that a deal with Mr Gao, who controls Chinese real estate group Lander Holdings, and his daughter Nelly, had been. United Groups media arm, United Media, is a leading media company with five national broadcasters, more than 50 pay TV channels, a very successful digital portfolio of 28 web portals, eight newspapers and magazines and five radio stations, producing in excess of 20,000 hours of original content annually whilst it also operates a global streaming TV service. Liebherr had previously equipped some Schlter tractors with Liebherr engines. She has done this to keep the club moving forward, albeit I suspect in a measured way, not with a sudden splashing of cash. "I am pleased to confirm talks to bring in a new partner to our club have been concluded," she said in a . [17] References [ edit] One of the companies is CRT Common Rail Technologies AG based in Beringen, Switzerland a business concerning the research and design of common rail systems. Chairman: Ralph Krueger. Dragan olak is the Lead Investor of Sport Republic. Mr Gao, Nelly and I have full trust in Ralph Krueger and his management team. Liebherr: New Saints directors a priority. Mary Earps almost quit, now she could be named the best goalkeeper in the world, The VAR Review: Ziyech red card explained, disallowed Arsenal goal, Saka penalty, Tottenham lead Newcastle, Liverpool in Champions League race, but the verdict is far from clear, Liga MX: Chivas look legit; 'Tuca' wins Cruz Azul debut post-smoke break, Brazil great Ronaldinho fails to dazzle as the latest to take to Pique's Kings League, From axing Ronaldo to key signings, how Ten Hag transformed Man United. Sounds like a takeover to me! Commenting on the agreement, the Lead Investor of Sport Republic, Dragan Solak, said: My partners and I have experience in long-term investments in the sports and entertainment industry and Sport Republic has been founded to combine this expertise and deliver something unique to the market. The subsequent success of Cortese's bold decisions to dispense with first Alan Pardew and then Nigel Adkins, together with the continued success of Southampton's feted academy, fed Cortese's belief in his "project". Which teams are in which group?Group AEngland, Austria, Norway, Northern IrelandGroup BGermany, Denmark, Spain, FinlandGroup CNetherlands, Sweden, Russia, SwitzerlandGroup DFrance, Italy, Belgium, Iceland. On 28 March 2010, Southampton won the Football League Trophy at Wembley Stadium.[16]. Markus had an estimated fortune of 3bn when he died, bequeathing Katharina not only his companies and wealth but a football club to which she has little connection save for the cranes in the harbour that carry her family name. Mr Jisheng Gao and his daughter, Mrs Nelly Gao, with whom I have built a close relationship, share our values and ambitions. Who voted for Messi, Mbappe, Putellas in The Best FIFA Awards? Loans of 38m were ploughed into the club and later converted to equity. 9y PA Sports. Read about our approach to external linking. We use cookies to optimise website functionality and give you the best possible experience. However, the company was not satisfied with the tried-and-tested transmissions, so the project was initially put on hold.[8][9]. The 45-year-old has yet to make a. Jisheng Gao has finally sealed his investment in Premier League outfit Southampton. Gareth has been the Club's CFO since March 2011. While Saints owner Katharina Liebherr has described this new investment as a partnership, the reality is that the Gao family - father Jisheng and daughter Nelly - are now 80% majority owners. To use comments you will need to have JavaScript enabled. Liebherr also gave the board permission to reinvest transfer income gained. Was an S&C coach at West Brom from 2010 to 2013 and rose through the ranks during 14 years with the EIS. Copyright 2023 Southampton Football Club. Joined the club in September 2020 and uses machine learning techniques to assess the performance of players. Semmens said Southampton had found the perfect solution for the club. "Therefore she showed that commitment by adding an additional 20m to pay for things such as the legacy of the training ground, past transfer fees - all the things you cannot avoid.". Copa del Rey semifinal: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid preview, key players, prediction. One employee at Wifag was quoted saying: "With the death of the patron, the chicken has lost its head. Previous majority owner Katharina Liebherr looks forward to 'new chapter' . Whilst Southampton is Sport Republics first acquisition, we expect more investments to follow over the coming years. In 2017, Markus Liebherr's daughter Katharina Liebherr sold an 80 stake in the club for GBP 210 million to Chinese Lander Sports Investment company owned by the Gao family. Previously Head of Academy Goalkeeping at Swansea and is very well-travelled, having worked for New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg. The Gao family have an incredible platform from which to build. Sport Republic aims to apply proprietary intelligence and data analytics to help sports businesses and sports technology companies reach their full potential. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. I hope you enjoy what will be a brilliant day for our club and look forward to a successful future together. "She had decisions to make in the summer. The former majority owner, Katharina Liebherr, retains her 20% stake and the chief executive, Martin Semmens, will remain in post and continue to oversee the daytoday running of the club.. His holding company, DMWSL 613 Limited, bought English Football League side Southampton in July 2009, which took the club out of administration. First joined in June 2013 as lead Academy S&C coach. "Together we have had many years of progression and success, and ensuring this continues is the main focus of any possible partnership. Solak, the founder of the United Group, a telecoms and media provider in south-east Europe, is the lead investor in a deal completed by a company co-founded by the former Brentford co-director of football Rasmus Ankersen. Everyone within the Southampton community would like to wish Mr Gao and his family well for their future. Solak has partnered the Danish investors Ankersen and Henrik Kraft with the aim of purchasing more clubs in a model similar to the one employed by the owners of Manchester City, RB Leipzig where the Southampton manager, Ralph Hasenhttl, worked previously and Barnsley. Kraft said they planned to be active owners but will not be starting any revolutions. Katharina Liebherr believes Jisheng Gao and his daughter are the right people to take Southampton forward after their 210m takeover marked the latest Chinese investment in English football . View our online Press Pack. info@trainingground.guru, About Under olak's stewardship, United Group has grown from a green field investment in a cable operator in Central Serbia to become a leader in Southeast Europe in telecommunication and media sectors. Katharina Liebherr is a member in a family business that leads the way in manufacturing construction machinery. Over the last seven years he has worked as a football executive. Showing Editorial results for katharina liebherr. He has a BSc in Economics and Accounting from the University of Southampton.". Establishing a new set of Southampton directors is Katharina Liebherr's top priority, the Saints owner confirmed in a statement. A spokesman for the Premier League said: "As with any change of control at a Premier League club, we have checked the sources and sufficiency of funding in place to acquire the shares, and been provided with a detailed business plan showing the new owners can sustain the club going forward. Physics graduate who joined the club in January 2021 and reports to Kleyn. "I hope you enjoy what will be a brilliant day for our club and look forward to a successful future together. VIDEO: Southampton FC owner Katharina Liebherr and chairman Ralph Krueger officially open the Markus Liebherr Pavilion, and pay tribute to its late benefactor - http://youtu.be/lTxDK-mQaww #TheNextChapter youtube.com Owner and chairman pay tribute to Markus Liebherr Southampton FC minority owner Katharina Liebherr before the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's. London, England - December 05, 2018 Southampton Chairman Ralph Krueger and part Owner Katharina Liebherr during Premier League between Tottenham. Would the Chinese government allow British businessmen to buy their clubs? Since then Southampton has had a remarkable climb, reaching the highest division in 2012 and now having solidified themselves in that division. Which stadiums are being used?Brentford's Community Stadium (three group games and a quarter-final)Brighton's Amex Stadium (two group games and a quarter-final)Leigh Sports Village (three group games and a quarter-final)Manchester City's Academy Stadium (three group games)Manchester United's Old Trafford (one group game)Milton Keynes Dons' Stadium MK (three group games and a semi-final)Rotherham's New York Stadium (three group games and a quarter-final)Sheffield United's Bramall Lane (three group games and a semi-final)Southampton's St Mary's Stadium (three group games)Wembley (final). With the departure of the sometimes volatile Cortese, she finds herself at once desperately searching for a new chief executive to run the club while facing pressure from a sceptical fanbase to explain her actions in the knowledge the summer could bring further flux. Or are the club afraid to say it out loud? "It is a real privilege and an honour to be confirmed as chief executive officer of Southampton Football Club," said Rogers. Returned to the club in November 2019. Liebherr, her advisers, Semmens and the managing director, Toby Steele, oversaw the takeover process. And yet while Cortese had become used to running the club as if it were his own, totting up the large investment made by the Liebherrs in Southampton since 2009, it is perhaps not unreasonable for Katharina to insist on having more of a say. Arrived from Cambridge United, where he was first-team performance analyst, in May 2021. It is now clear that, according to filings in Switzerland, Cortese resigned as a Mali director in October last year on the very same day as Liebherr was appointed to the board. Promoted to current role in November 2020. We March On. Terms & Conditions But it also leaves Liebherr, who has never been spotted at the Premier League's shareholders' meetings and had met Pochettino only once before Thursday, at the end-of-season party, with a dilemma. Fans will be hoping that, despite the sudden turmoil, she also bears in mind the values of that company when it comes to deciding Saints' ultimate fate. Pen pics of Southampton's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. Since then Southampton has had a remarkable climb, reaching the highest division in 2012 and now having solidified themselves in that division. Read the full statement on Gareth Rogers appointment as #SaintsFCs Interim Chief Executive Officer: http://t.co/7quMHWa9S4. cookie settings, Season Tickets and Match Tickets available, Get supporter benefits including priority access on tickets, Apply for your child to be a Saints awayday mascot, Saints appoint Destination Sport Travel as Official Business Travel Supplier, Support Sells and the squad as they arrive at St Mary's. WHEN Ansoumane Konde's dreams of becoming a pro ended, he found he had nothing to showcase his unique experiences in the game. I am very pleased to be able help the club by stepping up to the CEOs job on an interim basis. I would say yes. "Since our early conversations about the deal I made it clear that I would only buy the club if he remained involved following the purchase," said Liebherr, who had an emotional link with Southampton given the presence of cranes bearing the name of his father's company in the harbour. The most recent results for the holding company DMWSL 613, for which Cortese is listed as the only director, detail the spending for the year to June 2012, the season in which Southampton were promoted back to the Premier League. Replaced Thamindu Wedatilake as first team doctor in July 2019. It reads in part: I am absolutely . But she has brought this investment in to strengthen the club financially and to take it further than she feels she is able to on her own. Today we welcome a new beginning with a new ownership group. During his previous time as Academy Manager, from 2006 to 2013, they had produced the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Luke Shaw. . It has a great management team, excellent talent development, talented teams playing attractive football and a dedicated fan base. The Chairman of Sport Republic, Henrik Kraft, added: We will be an active and engaged owner, but we will not be starting any revolutions. The former majority owner, Katharina Liebherr, retains her 20% stake and the chief executive, Martin Semmens, will remain in post and continue to oversee the daytoday running of the club. "Therefore, are we ready for European football? The Saints are enjoying their most successful Premier League season and are on course to secure European football, despite having sold the likes of Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren. The Gao investment will of course have been discussed at length by Katharina Liebherr, who will have done all she can to protect the club and to make sure the Gao family have the club's long-term interests at heart, like she and her father Markus have had. Additional reporting by Philip Oltermann in Berlin. Manage your Also on display from Kirowez importer L&K (Land- und Kraftfahrzeugtechnik Stadtilm) was a 400-hp articulated tractor equipped with Mali's WSG-250 continuously variable transmission. They have purchased the shareholding of the club held by Mr Gao and will work in partnership with Katharina Liebherr who retains her minority shareholding. Although she says she has built "a close relationship" with the Gaos, she'll soon learn that minority "partners" have little or no say. Statement from Mr Jisheng Gao cookie settings, Season Tickets and Match Tickets available, Get supporter benefits including priority access on tickets, Apply for your child to be a Saints awayday mascot, Saints appoint Destination Sport Travel as Official Business Travel Supplier, Support Sells and the squad as they arrive at St Mary's. [15], In the first year of Liebherr's ownership, Southampton F.C. Saints owner Katharina Liebherr confirmed the deal had been completed in a statement released to Southampton . I want to see local lads playing for my team, I want to see a local business man in charge, I want to see a game played in the snow with a orange ball or on a muddy pitch, I want to see shirts with no sponsors name, I want the FA cup final to KO at 3pm,I want tickets to cost a reasonable amount.need I go on :-(. Tuesday 15 August 2017 07:06, UK. We had a very positive meeting with all the staff of the Club on Monday and I am sure Gareth's appointment will be warmly received. Deserved defeat at Villarreal is coming at the wrong time for a tired Real Madrid side. It was he who convinced the German billionaire Liebherr of the potential of a once proud south coast football club that had fallen on hard times. We wholeheartedly support their plans to follow the Southampton Way in the years ahead. Saints in January 2021 and reports to Kleyn Saints in January 2021 and reports to.... Or are the club in January 2018 as Research and Insights Executive ensuring this is. 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