New Arsenal Owner Outlines His Vision For The Club

New Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke wants to build on the club’s current structure as he outlines his vision for the future of the club.

The American businessman’s company Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE) will seek to complete the full takeover of the club after increasing their stake to 62.89%.

As an Arsenal director, Kroenke has already been through the Premier League’s ‘owners and directors test’.

KSE has to provide the Premier League with a projected financial position to prove they can sustain the club for the next 12 months before any takeover can be completed.

Kroenke wants to continue to operate the club with its existing “self-sustaining business model” and will not fund the takeover with debt finance secured against the club.

The American will concentrate on purchasing the stake of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who controls 27% of the club’s holding company.

Arsenal’s independent directors – Peter Hill-Wood, Ivan Gazidis, Ken Friar, Sir Chips Keswick and Lord Harris of Peckham – will recommend shareholders accept Kroenke’s offer.

Kroenke has asked the existing board to remain in place for the foreseeable future.

“I am delighted that Peter Hill-Wood has agreed to support us by continuing as chairman,” Kroenke said.

“We especially wish to acknowledge and thank the board, Danny Fiszman and the Fiszman family as well as Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and her family for the confidence they have had in me over the past years and in allowing us to move forward in this more prominent role.”

Hill-Wood reacted to KSE’s initial share purchase four years ago by saying Arsenal did not want Kroenke’s “sort” involved at the club.

But he has been convinced that Kroenke knows and appreciates the ‘Arsenal way’.

“The board of directors and I consider it a key responsibility to protect the ethos and spirit of the club,” Hill-Wood said.

“Mr Kroenke, although relatively new to Arsenal, has shown himself to be a man who values and respects the history and traditions of this very special club that we cherish.

“We are confident that he will be a safe custodian of its future.”

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Dalglish talks a private matter, says Liverpool owner

Liverpool owner John W Henry has refused to be drawn on Kenny Dalglish’s future, saying the matter will remain behind closed doors.

Dalglish, whose caretaker role is due to expire at the end of the season, led Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday that saw the Reds move within four points of fifth-placed Tottenham.

The Liverpool legend has led the ailing club to 20 points from 10 games in charge since taking over from Roy Hodgson, and is believed to be a frontrunner to nab a long-term position at Anfield.

But Henry is remaining coy on the subject, saying talks with Dalglish would not be played out in public.

“What’s going on in that regard is private,” Henry said when asked if he had opened discussions with the manager.

“It’s something called the Liverpool way and you do these things behind closed doors.”

“I’m not going to talk about these things, but he’s done very well. It’s all very positive. Someone was saying that people weren’t happy here, but I think since that person left, people are happier.”

“We are working on the future. We will have to have a lot of days like today to do that (finish fifth). This was a big three points, because this is a tough place.”

“Tottenham are fifth and look very good, so we will have to play extraordinarily well. We will have to win when they come to Anfield to have a shot at that.”

Dalglish took time in his post-match press conference to shoot down rumours he had demanded a four-year deal from the Liverpool boss, saying contract discussions are still in their infancy.

“As regards the job, I’ve seen in the papers I’ve asked for a four-year contract, but I don’t know who I’m supposed to have asked,” Dalglish said.

“I also saw that I was offered two but I don’t know who sent that in.”

“Somebody asked if I’d spoken to the owners. Of course I have, I speak to them every week. They’re fantastic and supportive but there have been no detailed discussions about next year.”

“Until there’s something to be said we can’t make it up for you, until then, there’s nothing.”

“For me that’s not a problem. The club has always been the most important thing. I don’t have a problem with that. There’s no pressure on anyone.”

Mon 21 March, 2011

Former Owner David Gold Banned From Birmingham City

no comments by Adam Davies on November 5th, 2010

“Can’t you sneak me in in a laundry basket or something Alex?”

Birmingham tickets available from Tixdaq.com