United Group is dedicated to the production of renewable energy for its own use and for the market and founded an award-winning R&D centre using local talents United Cloud. Having experienced a narrow escape in 2007, when the club were nearly bought by the hedge fund Sisu that went on to alight upon now homeless Coventry City, and endured a recent flirtation with administration, they will be more aware than most of the uncertainty any move to sell the club could bring. Schlter Freitag in Hallbergmoos", Freiburger Unternehmer Markus Liebherr gestorben, "Markus Liebherr Of Southampton Football Club", "Markus Liebherr 'made provision for Southampton's future' before death", "Mali Spezialfahrzeugbau ist insolvent: Keine Traktoren mehr aus Schnebeck", Oldknow returns to St Marys (From Daily Echo), Swiss Saints deal completed (From Daily Echo), "Chinesischer Investor von zweifelhaftem Ruf bernimmt den FC Southampton", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Markus_Liebherr&oldid=1117383448. Took interim charge in February following sacking of Nathan Jones. Was Head of Analysis at Bristol City for seven years before joining Saints in January 2021. Ankersen is also the author of several bestselling books on talent development, including The Gold Mine Effect and Hunger in Paradise. not looking to sell the Premier League club. I would say yes. Worked for the FA for six years after that, as Head of Coaching and Player Development. Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr has confirmed the Premier League club are interested in potential investment from a Chinese group. Loans of 38m were ploughed into the club and later converted to equity. 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Everyone at Southampton welcomes Dragan, Henrik, Rasmus and the people within Sport Republic to our great club. Here he explains why - along with Ajax's Head of Sport Science and Data Vosse de Boode. Southampton are in talks with Chinese investors over selling a stake in the club and owner Katharina Liebherr promises any deal would be in the "best interests of the club.". Southampton will be a cornerstone of the organisation we plan to build.. He 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. We March On. "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. Replaced Ross Wilson as Director of Football Operations at Southampton. The 45-year-old has yet to make a. 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. Joined Southampton in January 2019 as U18s coach and promoted to current role in summer of 2022. Explains in this video how the department has changed during his time at the club. 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. ", Saints confirm talks with Chinese investors, From 'League One level' to indispensable: How Saliba became key for Arsenal, Mourinho to consider 'legal' action after red card, NWSL's Pride change shorts over period concerns, Ronaldo named Saudi League's Player of Month, Ten Hag: United quadruple talk 'only for the fans', Flamengo shocked in Recopa final shootout loss, Pogba returns as Juventus win Turin derby, Guardiola: Forget about City winning the treble, FIFA takes heat for supermodel ambassador pick, February's U23 hotlist: Leverkusen's Wirtz, Celta star Veiga, Man City didn't look good in FA Cup win at Bristol but they're still treble favourites. Southamptons CEO Martin Semmens will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the club, and Sport Republic will be working closely with him and his team to help the club grow. Or are the club afraid to say it out loud? I cannot thank you enough for the continued support you give Southampton Football Club, and it makes me so proud to think we will soon be experiencing a major final together at Wembley. Katharina Liebherr and Gao Jisheng of Southampton FC have been excluded from the list because Liebherr sold 80% of her shares in the club to Jisheng in 2017, and the Chinese businessman's. For a while it continued wandering around without a sense of direction, then it bled to death.". Arrived from the English Institute of Sport in August 2018 to become Southampton's strategic performance leader. Although Southampton benefit from the rewards of the Premier League's 5.5bn television deals, the investment required for the next stage of Cortese's "project" to compete seriously for European qualification may have given her pause for thought and be a factor in her desire for a greater say in the operational side of the business. Since then Southampton has had a remarkable climb, reaching the highest division in 2012 and now having solidified themselves in that division. Another of his companies is Mali Motan AG, also based in Beringen and concerning the manufacturing and sales of CVT transmissions and common rail systems. Promoted to first team in July 2019. Training Ground Guru Establishing a new set of Southampton directors is Katharina Liebherr's top priority, the Saints owner confirmed in a statement. Read as 'Southampton latest club to sell their soul', Totally agree with Shearer's comments about not paying Spurs players more. Industry experts have valued Southampton FC between 160m and 220m and the club's annual turnover is set to hit 105m this season. The first league game of the new era will, neatly, be against Brentford next Tuesday. Are they from already wealthy club fans or mid/lower prem/ football league clubs? 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. 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. Gao Jisheng is the current majority shareholder of Southampton Football Club after the Chinese businessman bought an 80% stake in the St Mary's club in 2017. I am honoured and humbled to become a partner of Southampton Football Club alongside Katharina Liebherr, who, together with her father, has been such a great steward of the club, its growth and success. but the takeover is now a personal investment. With Southampton since 2011 and moved into this new role in October 2020, after the Player Insights department was created by Crocker. BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore. Liebherr inherited the club in 2010 from her father Markus, who headed up the MALI Internationaal group, who specialise in designing rail and haulage transport. Liebherr died of a heart attack, on 10 August 2010. Previous majority owner Katharina Liebherr looks forward to 'new chapter' . Today is the start of a new and exciting chapter for our club. We use cookies to optimise website functionality and give you the best possible experience. We have a fantastic staff and everyone is working together to make sure the club ends the season as strongly as possible. "I'm not quite sure what more we can say to convince you. A look back at an impressive week for Southampton's on loan players. SOUTHAMPTON have rejected a 180million bid for the club from a Chinese party - with the bid reportedly 90m SHORT of their asking price. The company provides residential community projects, which are located throughout China as well as being involved in distribution and trading of energy, property leasing and catering businesses. The total amount he had paid has not been disclosed but it is believed to be around 1315 million. Day to day this investment is not set to create upheaval at the club; the current board and management at Southampton will continue to run the club and I do not expect Saints to veer far from the path they have been on. Idea is to bring an analytical and data-driven edge to scouting and recruitment. Liebherr also gave the board permission to reinvest transfer income gained from last year's summer exodus of players. Southampton have new owners, after being taken over by a consortium backed by the Serbian media magnate Dragan Solak. She is not super wealthy and fans can not expect her to compete with the top clubs; so we have to hope she has done the best she can for the club, in this 'partnership' with people she knows well. For more details of these cookies and how to disable them, Everyone within the Southampton community would like to wish Mr Gao and his family well for their future. As a team, we will strive to build upon the strong foundation that is in place towards sustainable long-term success. Sounds like a takeover to me! Liebherr, whose father Markus bought the club in 2009 but died a year later, installed herself as director following the departure of chairman Nicola Cortese in January 2014. Joined club as a Data Engineer in November 2016. A few months after buying Southampton he bailed out a struggling printing company in Bern, saving 50 jobs and those of 72 apprentices and becoming known as the "Wifag saviour". As a club, we have never wanted to buy success, but to earn it. Previously Head of Academy Goalkeeping at Swansea and is very well-travelled, having worked for New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg. We are grateful for the support of Mr Gao and Katharina that allowed us to take our time, turn away the wrong options and ultimately find the right partner for the future of this great club, its fans, staff and the people of Southampton. We wholeheartedly support their plans to follow the Southampton Way in the years ahead. Ecuador's upstart club claims another trophy, MLS Power Rankings: Union, Sounders start hot but Whitecaps, Rapids woes continue, What's next for Man United after Carabao Cup win, Barca stumble in LaLiga, Chelsea free fall, more. 275 Brger. "Together, we have the passion and motivation to build on Southampton's excellent progress in recent years as we look forward to an exciting next chapter for the club.". 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. Arrived from Cambridge United, where he was first-team performance analyst, in May 2021. Returned to the club in November 2019. WHEN Ansoumane Konde's dreams of becoming a pro ended, he found he had nothing to showcase his unique experiences in the game. View our online Press Pack. By using this site, you agree we can set and use cookies. The Swiss newspaper Der Bund said that while Mali initially said that Katharina would continue her father's work, "it has become increasingly clear in recent months that Mali can't sort out thesuccessorship". How long will Chelsea give Potter in charge? "It's shown from the financial perspective," added Rogers. Since when has having 80% of your business bought by someone been "entering into a partnership"? outhampton have confirmed that the club has entered into partnership with Chinese businessman Jisheng Gao and his family who have bought 80% stake in the club. 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. For these vehicles it develops transmission technology, injection technology, development, vehicle construction, control technology. Mr Gao, Nelly and I have full trust in Ralph Krueger and his management team. Owner Katharina Liebherr and the club want 270m for the South Coast club, with the heiress referring to a "potential partnership" in a statement to fans yesterday. [13], On 8 July 2009, 98 days after Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC, Southampton's former holding company, had been placed in administration under Begbies Traynor,[14] Liebherr's bid to buy the club was successfully completed. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board of United Group. MALI Spezialfahrzeugbau GmbH, based in Elbe, Germany, deals with research, design, manufacture and sale of offroad vehicles. Consortium plans to build global portfolio of clubs, Former Brentford executive Rasmus Ankersen involved. . English clubs Aston Villa, Birmingham, Wolves, Reading and West Brom already have Chinese investors, as do Italian side AC Milan. Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr took over her father's estate, which included Southampton FC, when her father Markus died in 2010. View all of the first teams player profiles for Southampton FC, including specific player statistics for the 2016/17 season. I am writing to you in relation to an announcement made in China today about Southampton Football Club and Lander Holding. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Who voted for Messi, Mbappe, Putellas in The Best FIFA Awards? Experienced practitioner. 66 Katharina Liebherr Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images EDITORIAL All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 66 katharina liebherr stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. It has a great management team, excellent talent development, talented teams playing attractive football and a dedicated fan base. Sport Republic are experienced investors, but also experienced within the world of elite professional sports. 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. First joined in June 2013 as lead Academy S&C coach. Rogers said they have planned for every eventuality, including the prospect of playing in the Champions League. Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr has strengthened her commitment to the club with an additional 20m loan. "I hope you enjoy what will be a brilliant day for our club and look forward to a successful future together. They show that the club made a 12m loss in 2011-12, up from 11m the year before. Before that, he was a senior manager at the accounting firm Deloitte. At the same time there is, as yet, no indication that Katharina's intentions are anything other than benign. Was an S&C coach at West Brom from 2010 to 2013 and rose through the ranks during 14 years with the EIS. The manager, Mauricio Pochettino, insisted that he was as shocked by Cortese's decision to quit as the players and fans, but it is clear that the Italian's departure had been brewing for months. 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. Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr has released a statement on the club website after the exit of Nicola Cortese's exit. It reads in part: I am absolutely . Owner and director: Katharina Liebherr. 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. Southampton fans desperately scouring the internet for information on Katharina Liebherr, the little-known figure who is now owner and chair of their club after the sudden departure of Nicola Cortese, will be hoping that the story of a small printing company in Bern does not prove prophetic. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Katharina Liebherr, centre, during a recent visit to watch Southampton. 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. Pen pics of Southampton's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. We were attracted to Southampton because it is already a well-run club that follows a clearly defined strategy. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Ms Liebherr has honoured her father's wishes for the club so far in the way she has handled the club. Privacy Policy & Cookies, 2023 Training Ground Guru. Man Utd takeover set to be DELAYED until May with Glazers intent on 6bn, Paralysed ex-Spanish footballer Novo dies at 32 after being 'hit by a train', Brentford star Ivan Toney pleads guilty to multiple betting breaches, West Ham star Scamacca DUMPED by agency as they release damning statement, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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. [4], He was given equal shares in the German holding company in the 1980s when the business moved its management headquarters to Switzerland. The company's end customers are forestry companies, municipalities, road maintenance services, farmers or even the emergency management with all its equipment carrier vehicles. Played in the lower leagues before starting his coaching journey at Watford's Academy. He has a BSc in Economics and Accounting from the University of Southampton.". This was contained in an official statement by the club's owner Katharina Liebherr who made this announcement via the club website. Southampton have agreed a partnership with Chinese businessman Jisheng Gao. She could have sold the players and cleared her debts in the club but said we had that money to reinvest. Most recently, Kraft spent 10 years at KKR where he was a Partner and head of the Technology and Telecoms team in Europe, playing leading roles in investments including TDC, Versatel, Visma and United Group. "But also from the perspective that she was here at the Christmas party, we fly over to see her regularly to update her, she comes to games. Lander Sports Development said a deal was agreed. Additional reporting by Philip Oltermann in Berlin. Works as first-team head of sport science and S&C coach. 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.