Scottish Mag 3 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Mike Ashley, the embattled owner of Newcastle United, could be offered an early opportunity to follow Kevin Keegan out of St James' Park after it emerged that there is fresh interest in the Tyneside club from abroad. It is becoming increasingly likely that Reliance Communications, the Indian-based telecoms giant, will seek formal talks with the Barclays Premier League club's board with a view to a £220million takeover. However, of greater significance to those furious Newcastle supporters determined to oust Ashley is the revelation that Anil Ambani, the owner of Reliance, has identified Keegan as the only credible managerial candidate capable of moving the club forward. Less than 24 hours after Keegan announced his departure from St James' as manager for the second time, the odds on him being reappointed had fallen to 14-1. Ambani is a great believer in continuity and his representatives are aware of the standing of the so-called “Geordie Messiah” among the club's supporters. He was first linked with a buyout of Newcastle last month, but his representatives hastily denied suggestions of a £260million move. It is understood that Ambani balked at that price because Newcastle had failed to strengthen a threadbare squad. However, Reliance has since followed developments at the club and the team that it assembled to investigate the viability of a bid believes that the time is right to test Ashley's resolve. Aware of the vitriol aimed at Newcastle's owner by fans who feel that Keegan is an innocent victim of mismanagement, the Indians are ready to move fast with an offer that more realistically matches their assessment of the club's value. Ashley paid £130million for Newcastle in July 2007 and immediately wiped out debts estimated at £80million, but rumours persisted that the reclusive businessman was seeking an early sale after becoming disillusioned with his significant investment. Despite club statements insisting that the owner of Sports Direct, the leisure-wear firm, was not inclined to sell his recent acquisition, highly placed sources suggest that Reliance and others were invited to bid in excess of £250million for Newcastle this summer. Those sources said yesterday that Ambani was ready to revive interest in his favourite Premier League club, with Keegan at the centre of an ambitious public-relations policy aimed to get disillusioned season ticket-holders and deserting businesses back on board. Ashley is minded to tough it out and go against the advice of those urging him to end a tumultuous foray into football ownership. Yet just as Keegan's position as manager became untenable, it would be hard for the Newcastle owner to operate effectively in the face of a torrent of criticism. Ambani will appeal to Newcastle supporters, who crave serious investment in the team come January. The world's sixth-richest man boasts a fortune of £21billion and it is understood that Keegan, should he be persuaded to return for a third term at St James' Park, would be handed at least £100million to strengthen the Newcastle squad in the new year. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4686705.ece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@yourservice 67 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Bring it on bani baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 It is becoming increasingly likely that Reliance Communications, the Indian-based telecoms giant, will seek formal talks with the Barclays Premier League club's board with a view to a £220million takeover. However, of greater significance to those furious Newcastle supporters determined to oust Ashley is the revelation that Anil Ambani, the owner of Reliance, has identified Keegan as the only credible managerial candidate capable of moving the club forward. I refuse to believe it could happen, then it might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9282 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 but no quotes, so my is tempered by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26951 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I think that would be the dream result for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 And if anything any new takeover would gain more from re-appointing Keegan than Ashley did (I don't think you could buy better PR and good will, as well as it being a sensible decision commercially/football-wise) - they question would be if he would take it I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No idea 0 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 as good as that sounds i am not sure KK would come back so quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 but no quotes, so my is tempered by for once put aside your "no quotes, no story" policy and get a massive twitching erection at the mere suggestion of this story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 At the end of the day KK won't come back ever. The trick is our Indian friend replacing Ashley and at the same time for filling the promises we all dreamed up on Ashley's arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9282 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 but no quotes, so my is tempered by for once put aside your "no quotes, no story" policy and get a massive twitching erection at the mere suggestion of this story. All right, I'll get a stonking red raging donk-on... but just for you ok?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6327 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 please let it be so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Keegan + £100m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9282 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Keegan + £100m. now that would give me a hard on John Holmes would be proud of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
level 7 hooligan 0 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Ashleys a buisinessman hed sell his wife if he made a profit.If the right offer comes in hell sell no problem.But the question is,will anyone show interest for real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26951 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 All right, I'll get a stonking red raging donk-on... but just for you ok?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy 9 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Ashleys a buisinessman hed sell his wife if he made a profit.If the right offer comes in hell sell no problem.But the question is,will anyone show interest for real. 9/10 for Username Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Keegan + £100m. now that would give me a hard on John Holmes would be proud of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 but no quotes, so my is tempered by for once put aside your "no quotes, no story" policy and get a massive twitching erection at the mere suggestion of this story. All right, I'll get a stonking red raging donk-on... but just for you ok?! That's just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9282 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Keegan + £100m. now that would give me a hard on John Holmes would be proud of. Fucking hell Fop, that's terrifying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Keegan + £100m. now that would give me a hard on John Holmes would be proud of. Fucking hell Fop, that's terrifying. I must admit most of my blood is in the wrong place at the moment too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6327 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 let me get this straight.... this guy has twice as much money as Abramovich? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9282 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 cease and desist, this is as likely as Keegan rejoining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 let me get this straight.... this guy has twice as much money as Abramovich? £25B Buying and running Newcastle to Chelsea standards would be the same as the average man servicing his car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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