Newcastle United

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McMAHON BID TO CALL TOON

McMAHON BID TO CALL TOON
10/06/2009 [Mirror]

Scouser Steve McMahon could be the next man in charge of Newcastle United. The former Liverpool star is heavily involved in the latest company interested in buying out owner Mike Ashley.

McMahon is a commercial director with the Singaporebased Profitable Group, who are considering a £100million bid for the crisis club.

If successful, ex-England international McMahon, 47, would be given control of the St James' Park boardroom - with his first task to appoint Alan Shearer as manager.

The group have also suggested they will eventually set up a Trust giving Toon fans a say in the running of the club, which could earn them popular support on Tyneside.

A spokesman for the Profitable Group confirmed: "We are interested in buying Newcastle United and we're putting together a plan.

"We have people within the company who have strong Geordie roots that stretch more than 40 years. And there are people here who have a love for the club. We think that is vital for Newcastle at the moment.

"The plan we have in mind is to get the club on a sound financial footing first and foremost. Then we aim to turn the club into a Trust.

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"It will be very similar to the Barcelona model where fans have a major say on what happens. Without any question we see Alan Shearer as the man to manage the team.

"We have Steve McMahon on board but he is not looking into management. He is though a football man and understands the game inside out."

But another suggestion - to increase the ground capacity by 8,000 to 60,000 - raises a question mark against the research which has been done.

It would mean a difficult and hugely expensive building project at a time when attendances are declining.

A consortium featuring North East businessmen is among three other groups being linked with the club.

But former chairman Sir John Hall warned: "It is way beyond the resources of most local businessmen whose hearts are in the club."

ASTON VILLA WANT MARSEILLE MIDFIELDER BENOIT CHEYROU TO REPLACE GARETH BARRY. HE'S THE YOUNGER BROTHER OF EX-LIVERPOOL PLAYER BRUNO.

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MAGPIES SALE PROCESS GATHERS PACE

Tuesday June 9,2009 [Express]

Mike Ashley is refusing to get involved in a bidding war as his quest to sell Newcastle gathers pace.

The Magpies owner, having confirmed his asking price for the club is £100million, is unwilling to become involved in an auction. But his desire to sell is such that the first party to put the money on the table will be handed the reins to end a disastrous stay of a little more than two years at St James' Park.

It is understood there have been four or five serious enquiries since Ashley's intention to sell emerged last weekend. Sources close to the Singapore-based strategic global investment company the Profitable Group, who were linked with a move for Newcastle in September last year, today confirmed their interest in the club.

The group, whose Strategic Sports Investment wing is behind Liverpool's trip to South East Asia this summer, have former Reds and England midfielder Steve McMahon as their group commercial director, and would install Alan Shearer as manager.

Shearer would be given significant, if not outlandish, transfer funds with which to rebuild his squad for life in the Coca-Cola Championship.

There has been no official confirmation from the Profitable Group, although potential buyers will be required to sign non-disclosure agreements before they are provided with financial details.

But, although they are the first to emerge from the pack, there is interest elsewhere and, with Ashley looking for a swift resolution to an issue that has become increasingly problematic, individual competitors may have to formally declare their interest soon if they are to strike the decisive blow.

The Profitable Group, founded in 2004 and with offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Toronto, Jakarta, Bangkok and Manila, cite their core values as "responsibility, accountability, credibility and excellence", all attributes that have been in short supply within the walls of St James' in recent times.

Shearer returned from a short break in Portugal on Monday still waiting to hear if he would be appointed manager after holding discussions with both Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias since the end of a traumatic Barclays Premier League season.

However, PA Sport understands the current regime, despite an increasingly furious clamour from the club's fans, are unlikely to make an appointment, with several of the interested parties having indicated they would want to make that decision themselves.

[Rigadon]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8095917.stm

[Joe King]

My friend made this offer

[Ben_Itez]

Newcastle

[cadmium]

Has anyone made an offer for the club?

I offered them £8.50, but that was a conditional offer based on the clubs return to the Premier League. I'll let you know what they say