Man Utd takeover: Thomas Zilliacus emerges with bid true fans will love

Ronan Murphy

23 Mar 2023 14:15 GMT
3 min read

Man Utd co-owner Joel Glazer. — © ProShots

A fresh bidder has come in to buy Manchester United - and his proposal offers input from supporters.

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Indeed, Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus looking to introduce a fan ownership model at Old Trafford, similar to that of the Bundesliga.

The idea is that fans of Man Utd will be able to have an equal say on matters, putting in their views via an app.

At present, there are eight potential buyers of the club - including Britain's richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Qatari businessman, Sheikh Jassim- each of whom has gone public over their bids.

They have all been granted an extension to finalise their second bid, with their first one believed to be falling below the valuation of the club that the Glazers have set.

But Zilliacus has made the most distinct offer, asking for monetary fan support with it.

The tycoon made his riches via novaM Group, which is a new social media group.

It is thought that he will launch his bid via XXI Century Capital, an investment company.

He said in a statement announcing the bid. ”Any sports club ultimately should belong to its fans. The current development, where billionaire sheikhs and oligarchs take over clubs and control them as their personal playgrounds is not a healthy trend."

He continued: "My group will finance half of the sum needed to take over the club, and will ask the fans, through a new company that is being set up for this specific purpose, to participate for the other half. If every fan joins it means less than 3 dollars per fan.

🚨🚨🎙️| Thomas Zilliacus (bidder to buy #mufc): “Any sport club ultimately should belong to its fans. The current development, where billionaire sheikhs and oligarks take over clubs and control them as their personal playgrounds is not a healthy trend.” pic.twitter.com/F5PlIxrFz5
— centredevils. (@centredevils) March 23, 2023

"Each fan who joins will have access to an app which the fan, from anywhere in the world, can use to participate and cast his vote when deciding on footballing matters relating to the club. No decisions will be taken that are not supported by a majority of the fan base."

Trophy-laden Zilliacus

Zilliacus is no stranger to club ownership, having been the chairman of Finland’s 32-time football champion HJK. He is also the owner of Finland’s six-time ice hockey champion Jokerit.

If his move is accepted, it would represent an unprecedented piece of business for the Premier League, whose clubs ever increasingly becoming more and more affiliated with firms with ties to states.