Donald has been actively trying to sell Sunderland since the start of the year and entered into an exclusivity period with an anonymous buyer a few weeks ago. During an interview with BBC Newcastle owner Stewart Donald confrmed that he would sell the club and claimed that there had already been 'lots of interest.'. There was no confirmation of whether Donald retained any interest in the club, or exactly how much of the shares Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori would take. The deal will need to be ratified by the EFL. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Stewart Donald, the new owner of Sunderland, has raised the startling possibility of Chris Coleman returning as manager after revealing he will pay Ellis Short 40m for the now League One. Former Sunderland defender Michael Gray has said he is trying to put together a consortium to buy the club, while another local group is thought to have held discussions with Donald in recent weeks. "I like being involved in a football club but the roles changed at Sunderland to just writing a cheque if needed, it's just a minority investor role. Everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment. entered a period of exclusivity with a prospective buyer - and neither Storey nor Campbell are involved. Stewart Donald resigns: why it's happened and what it - Sunderland Echo "We've been in contact with the EFL and, yes, certain documentation has been lodged with the EFL. Donald, who stepped down as chairman earlier this month, has publicly stated he is "desperate" to sell his share and encouraged fans to unite to buy it. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. The trio, who have a company filing under the name Madrox, outweigh Louis-Dreyfus in their current ownership share of the club under their company name. Sunderland takeover agreement leaves Phil Parkinson keen to discuss his Sunderland address fans' ire by saying Stewart Donald is trying to sell I've done what I've done. Of the people that showed an interest, I think the Sunderland fans chose the best option. A Gannett Company. By Phil Smith Published 18th Jul 2020, 13:18 BST - 2 min read Updated 18th Jul 2020,. The news was welcomed by the majority of fans, but others are not ready to get carried away by the reveal. Sunderland have confirmed that co-owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has become the clubs majority shareholder after increasing his stake in the Black Cats to 51%. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Stewart Donald stepped down as Sunderland chairman. All rights reserved. How has it come to this? Sunderland owner Stewart Donald is actively trying to sell the League One club, BBC Newcastle reports. Will all parachute monies utilised by Madrox be returned to SAFC? Storey, who founded drinks firm Rich Energy, tweeted this morning to announce that he had 'lodged a formal legal offer' for the club. I feel that the football club is in a much better condition than when I purchased it and I'll take the same money. Read about our approach to external linking. Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini added: "It's really difficult to put your finger on what percentage of the present fan base want the owner to get out of the club. Stewart Donald - Wikipedia He sacked manager Jack Ross in October with the club sixth in the table in a bid to boost their promotion chances. The Cryptocurrency group, which owns Greek Super League 2 side FC Episkopi, have made clear their intention to buyout the pair, much to the derision of many Black Cats fans. This is why Stewart Donald has apologised to Sunderland fans as Kyril Stewart Donald gave former owner Ellis Short 40m in exchange for clearing the club's debts when he took over in May 2018. [17], On 27 April 2023, Donald agreed to purchase a controlling stake in Eastleigh, five years after he had sold the club initially. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. [6], "Who is Stewart Donald, Sunderland's prospective new chairman? It came with supporters demanding a change in ownership at the club, with Donald saying publicly that he will actively look to sell and not out-stay his welcome, although admitting he would be a reluctant seller. And the three members of the Madrox consortium - Stewart Donald, Charlie Methven, and Juan Sartori - collectively retain the remaining 59 percent. Owner Stewart Donald says he is "desperately trying to get out" of Sunderland and denied that he has acted as a "crook, a charlatan and a thief". Sunderlands Stadium of Light. Stewart Donald reveals why he has resigned as Sunderland AFC chairman Then I think we got within three or four points of automatic promotion again but we didnt do it. The latest rumours and stories from around the world of football. Sunderland confirm owner Stewart Donald is trying to sell club Then we move on and Kyril (Louis-Dreyfus) comes in and takes control of the club.". From my perspective, I want to go and watch football matches and its best that is offloaded to the right people and then it leaves me free to concentrate on other football ventures.. The value of Donalds share in the club is now public knowledge and has been met with condemnation from a fanbase who are desperately trying to see their club achieve promotion this season. We've taken a look back at all the key moments over the last year and given an insight into where Black Cats fans stand today. Something went wrong, please try again later. | Louise Taylor, Sunderland chairman defends 9m loan deal and denies being a chancer, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Is Sunderland debt free? After four or five months of seemingly nothing happening regarding the sale of the club, with it going quiet during lockdown, the issue has been reignited. That took me down to 34%. Sunderland have announced that an agreement has been reached for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to acquire current owner Stewart Donald's controlling interest in the club. Campbell has recently been linked to Sunderland once again, Black Cats fans have expressed concern about his suitability as a potential owner, and Donald was asked about the US-based businessman. and former CEO of Bridle Insurance. "If Portsmouth could do it, Sunderland can do it. Sunderland have declined to comment but cancelled a scheduled meeting with supporters groups on Thursday due to the advancement and sensitivity of takeover talks. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. Donald said his asking price for the League. The asking price for the League One club is 37.6m. The former Eastleigh owner also confirmed that he is still looking to remain in football ownership and is keen on a return to the National League club. [13] One day later, he stepped down as chairman of the club, while remaining owner. Given the scale of the task on arriving at the club and the amount of hard work put in over the last 18 months, the current owners would have preferred more time to complete the job and fully implement the vision originally laid out. "What I would like the fans to understand is that despite the reports, I am trying to do that. She remains a minority shareholder in Marseille. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. But the remaining 80 percent would be owned by Sartori - who already owns 20 percent - and 22-year-old Louis-Dreyfus, with the report saying the takeover is expected to be completed within a fortnight. All rights reserved. The news comes just two weeks after Donald and Methven revealed that they had accepted two bids from external parties in order to sell their remaining stakes in the club. "It was part of the thinking, I had a chat with Kyril and Juan and they're really enjoying it I think - they've been great for the club. "I appreciate that fans might not be happy with where Sunderland is, but what I'm guilty of is not getting the promotion that everyone wanted. "The club remains in a period of exclusivity with a preferred buyer and due to the advancement and sensitivity of this process, it would be inappropriate to comment publicly at this time. He then led a consortium which took over Sunderland, but the former Premier League club failed to . I always took the view that I wouldnt go to the games and I would just write the cheques to support the football club as Kyril requested so thats whats happened but you know me. Sammy Yu claimed he reached out to buy the club but received nothing back from the club, and ex-academy graduate Michael Gray claimed recently that a group he was connected with got so far and then we kind of bounce back off the wall a little bit.. Does this process impact the sale of the club in any way? Sunderland shareholder Stewart Donald at the Stadium of Light. You can take a look at events as they unfolded in our timeline below. I havent been able to do that.. Ten players you probably forgot played for Sunderland in League One, Sunderland linked with swoop for Eredivisie man, FEATURE: 15 random former Sunderland players you probably didn't know still work in football, Sunderland looking to poach Birmingham City ace. Me being around or me being involved wouldnt have been helpful. "We tried to get hold of him this week and he said he would come back to us. Donald did not denied this, and, despite removing the legal obligation to do so, has said he remained committed to repaying that money over time, some of which already has been. "That means that the club will have had the benefit of all those monies, which I know has been a contentious issue. Owner Stewart Donald says he is "desperately trying to get out" of Sunderland and denied that he has acted as a "crook, a charlatan and a thief". "If he came back to me with a different deal, and I would stress that no-one is in the data room so nobody has given me proof of funds or a letter of intent, can I consider it? They failed to win promotion back last term, Charlton stun Sunderland to win promotion, in October with the club sixth in the table in. After mounting pressure from fans, owner Stewart Donald said in December that he would actively look to sell the club, and in August Donald entered a period of exclusivity with a preferred buyer but since then there has been very little information about the process. Why does Stewart Donald still have shares in Sunderland? He remains the club's. STEWART Donald has broken his silence on his currently shareholding at Sunderland and has revealed he is trying to sell his stake in the club at the earliest opportunity. He also discussed reported interest from a number of buyers, including former Black Cats player Micky Gray and Hong Kong businessman Sammy Yu, as well as renewed interest from US businessman Mark Campbell. However, recent events indicate that is not what some fans wish for and, as football supporters themselves, the board understands that long-term success cannot be achieved by a disunited club., Donald then signed off with that plea for unity. stepped down as chairman earlier this month. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. He revealed that an ownership change could be completed by the end of May. Their support is absolutely second to none and I was taken aback when I went up there. The departure of Donald will not change much in reality, but it will be important in allowing the fans to draw a line under a very difficult time and will help in continuing to rebuild trust between club and supporters. Sunderland have responded to the increasing disgruntlement of their fanbase by confirming that the owner, Stewart Donald, is actively attempting to sell the League One club. He said: Thats fair enough but as Kenny (Amor) knew, he contacted me as soon as he knew I was selling a shareholding to see if there was any interest in coming back. I did my very best with it. Significantly Donald, who is understood to feel wounded by the supporter campaign, signalled there would be money to spend in January almost certainly thanks to the FPP loan and has pleaded with fans to support Parkinson who, after the slowest of starts, has lifted Sunderland into ninth place, only a point short of a play-off position. He stated that he and Charlie Methven would like to stay at the club. Stewart Donald makes admission on Sunderland future as he weighs up Sunderland shareholder Stewart Donald at the Stadium of Light. Speaking about the decision, Donald said: "Holding this position has been a privilege, and not one I have given up lightly. Pressure from supporters last season led Donald to agree in late December that he would actively look to sell the club, but his efforts to find a buyer were hampered by the Covid-19 shutdown which saw the campaign suspended in March and then curtailed in June.