Man Utd takeover: Who is Sheikh Jassim?

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 18 May 2023 15:15 BST
3 min read

Two weeks have passed since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim made what was supposed to be their final bids to take over Manchester United.

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And yet the process rumbles on, with the Glazers seemingly intent on dragging out the ordeal as long as possible.

There have been three rounds of bidding so far - while Sheikh Jassim reportedly launched a fourth and final offer to the American family.

It is still not clear who the preferred bidder is - nor is there any indication of when the whole process will be wrapped up.

But Man Utd fans, for the most part, are hopeful of Sheikh Jassim will emerge victorious: his offers for 100 per cent of the club, in a move that will see the Glazers leave. Ratcliffe on the other hand wants around 50 per cent, an amount that would see Avram and Joel Glazer receive 20 per cent back. This is part of the reason that the Qatari bid is so popular.

But who is Sheikh Jassim, the banker leading the takeover?

Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB). He spent a lot of his younger days in the UK, schooling in Dorest before heading to the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst for further education.

After graduating as an officer cadet, he went on to be a board member of Credit Suisse, before becoming a banker himself, even going on to chair QIB.

📸 photo taken on October 22, 2001 Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber al-Thani, listens on during the draw for the 17th Emir Faisal bin Fahad Arab Championship League, in Doha 🔝#ManchesterUnited ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/FhWjnCQQe0
— محمد الجزار 🦅 (@mohamedelgazar4) February 18, 2023

There is not much else detailing his life. In fact, even his age - he’s reported to be 40 or 41 - isn’t widely known.

His father, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, was prime minister of Qatar between 2007 and 2013, and has had dealings with the UK during his tenure. The family have a collective net worth of £275billion, and it is thought that money will not be a problem where Man Utd is concerned.

The son plans to clear all the debt the club owes and invest significantly into the training ground and Old Trafford, maybe even build a new stadium altogether.

His son Sheikh Jassim is said to be a Man Utd fan, but there is not much by the way of evidence to suggest that this is the case.

There is one photo showing him in a club shirt but has been described as 'not an official picture' by affiliates.