Southampon FC has been sold to DMWSL613 Limited (owned by Swiss national Markus Liebherr) for an undisclosed sum (reportedly £12.5m). Markus Liebherr also owns and controls the Swiss-based Mali Group, which consists of five companies engaged in technologically advanced engineering.
Joint Administrator Mark Fry commented:
“The sale of the Saints to Markus Liebherr is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the Club.
Markus Liebherr was attracted to Southampton by a number of qualities which include the Club’s rich sporting heritage, loyal fan base, first class stadium and training facilities and the potential for the Saints to regain their rightful place at the higher echelons of English football.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Saints’ fans for their support and patience in what have been uncertain times for the Club. I would also like to wish both Markus and the Club well for future success.”
Things could have been so different for Southampton
Matt Le Tissier was supposed to come back and save Southampton from going out of existence. The former England player and Southampton legend played 540 games for the south coast side, scoring 209 goals over 14 years. But now, after a deal was agreed in principle, it seems like this role has been passed onto someone else.
The group Pinnacle, led by Le Tissier, entered a period of exclusivity on 29th May but saw that pass as they argued over the 10 point deduction put on place of Southampton next season for going into administration. This exclusivity passed on 19th June and the Pinnacle group withdrew its offer on 30th June, leaving Southampton in a state of panic and the new season approaching even closer.
Just over three months ago Southampton entered administration with debts amounting to £30 Million, and after Pinnacle pulled out there was worries that Southampton would not be able to continue as a football club. The club have already sold players in Andrew Surman for £1.2 Million, Nathan Dyer for £400,000 and David McGoldrick for £1 Million in order to ease the debts for a while and pay the wages of staff and players.
With the new owners coming in Wotte can expect to be given sufficient funds to bring in new players to mount a push for promotion back to the Championship next season.
One thing seem certain – Southampton’s troubles seem to be over and they can look forward to the new season with renewed hope and expectation as they see their troubles from the last couple of seasons lifted.
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