Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani has increased his offer to buy Manchester United, submitting a new and improved bid on Tuesday, 17 May.
The Qatari prince and banker entered a world-record bid to buy the club during the third round of deliberations which ended in April but is said to have now elevated his offer to between £5-5.5 billion, with Raine Group receiving the improved proposal on Tuesday morning.
Whilst this figure is still short of the Glazer family’s £6bn valuation, it is now thought to be the strongest offer and comes after a number of reports that main takeover rival, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group, were leading the race thanks to a revised offer of their own.
This is Sheikh Jassim‘s fourth bid overall, with the buyout process officially beginning back in February and the third round of bidding concluding on 28 April. Should this improved offer be accepted, it will be for 100% control of the club and will see their debt cleared.
BREAKING: Qatar's Sheikh Jassim has made an improved offer to buy 100% of Manchester United 💰pic.twitter.com/H9vjW8yHzS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2023
Part of the reason Ratcliffe was said to be the favourite to secure Man United’s sale was that his offer reportedly offered the Glazers a chance to remain part of the club by allowing them to keep a 20% minority stake.
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However, United fans have made their feelings more than clear: they want a full sale only and for the Glazers to sever all ties with the club. Since acquiring the Red Devils through a controversial leveraged buyout back in 2005, the club has now accrued £969.6m in debt as of March 2023.
Moreover, part of the concerns surrounding the alternate bid is that although the Failsworth-born businessman is a billionaire and has experience overseeing sports franchises as the owner of OGC Nice and Team Sky cycling, it is thought he may not be able to fully finance the takeover himself.
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On the other hand, with virtually an entire nation’s sovereign wealth behind him, Sheikh Jassim’s bid won’t require any borrowing and beyond clearing the club’s debt, is said to include separate funds to spend on the club, help redevelop the stadium and training ground, as well as invest in the community.
Financing aside, the only thing seemingly standing in Sheikh Jassim’s way is the controversy surrounding Qatar’s human rights record which became ever more prominent following the World Cup and whether or not the current American owners are enticed by the possibility of keeping some stake in the club.
At present, the Glazers have given no indication as to when a deal might be accepted or if the last two offers will indeed be the final round of bidding — revised offers from both of the frontrunners would suggest otherwise.
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Nevertheless, supporters are remaining vocal that the Glazers’ time is up and they want rid, especially with the football back on the up under Erik ten Hag.
If this doesn’t sum up the lasting sentiment they’d like to part on, we don’t know what does:
Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
England international and ex-Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan dies at 75
Danny Jones
Football veteran and legend of the English game, Kevin Keegan OBE, has sadly died at the age of 75.
A former Liverpool and Newcastle player, not to mention England international, turned Manchester City manager and even Three Lions boss, his death was announced on Monday, 20 July.
The news comes following a battle with illness since the start of the year, after it was revealed that he was tragically diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in January.
The original ‘King Kev’ before the likes of De Bruyne, also affectionately known in the footballing world as ‘Mighty Mouse’, is said to have passed away with key members of his close family by his side.
Confirmed via a public statement issued to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves, they wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Put simply, he had an incredible career and leaves a lasting legacy.
It goes on to read: “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Naturally, tributes are already flooding in online, with ex-pros, pundits and fans alike labelling him among England’s best-loved father figures and characters, with one user notably dubbing him as “one of football’s good guys.”
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
The England, Liverpool and Newcastle United legend will be remembered as one of English football's most decorated players. pic.twitter.com/oNIPUV806n
Even at his fiery and most passionate best, he was still one of the most respected figures in the history of English football and the sporting world at large.
For instance, arguably his most iconic interview as Newcastle boss ahead of his team’s clash against Manchester United back in 1995/96 only showed how mild-mannered he often came across.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, former teammates and all those mourning the familiar face with a famously good head of hair.
Danny Jones -
17th May 2023 
