An interested buyer has opened up on her bid to buy a minority stake in Tottenham.
Former Newcastle United chief Amanda Staveley has issued an update on her bid to buy a minority stake in Tottenham. Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi left Newcastle earlier this month, cashing in their remaining 6% worth of shares having initially held a stake as high as 10%.
Staveley was liked by Newcastle fans for the role she played in helping PIF complete a takeover of the St James’ Park club, though she and PIF were heavily criticised due to fears of sportswashing within the English top flight.
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She said upon leaving Newcastle: “Nothing I write today can ever express my gratitude or describe the debt I owe you all. Your support over the last years has been extraordinary, and no fans deserve success more than you. Being a small part of your precious Newcastle United has been a privilege, and I will cherish the memories of every single moment. Working with Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, and Becky Langley has taught me so much.
"They are truly world class - and I will miss everyone terribly. Mehrdad and I have relished the role we had at the club - we particularly loved working alongside Yasir, our PIF colleagues and Jamie Reuben to create a club that will constantly challenge for Europe and will be capable of winning trophies. I know PIF and RB will continue to be remarkable custodians - and the club will receive the required support over the coming years."
After departing the North-East club, Staveley made it clear she and her husband would be looking for a return to football by buying a small stake in another club, something that could open the door to an executive position on a board.
Tottenham were dubbed as the most likely option, but asked by The Athletic this week whether there had been any progress on that front, she added: “ Not much, I’m afraid.” Staveley continued: “My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that. I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.
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“Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.
“I don’t know what my future holds, but you can never move on from the love I have for Newcastle and I would love to come back for matches. I’m a Geordie now. I’m a Yorkshire Geordie, but I will always have that chemistry and that love.”
Tottenham’s current ownership group is ENIC SPORTS INC, which owns 86.58% of the club. Joe Lewis and his family own 70.12% of the group, while Daniel Levy and his family own 29.88%. Staveley has a reported net worth of $170,000,000.