Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is continuing to explore the possibility of expanding its soccer portfolio with Spanish second-tier side Malaga the latest club to be looked at.
According to The Athetic, a delegation from FSG has visited Spain to evaluate Malaga having previously looked over French fallen giant Bordeaux. Malaga, who made the Champions League semi-finals in 2013 before being knocked out by Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund, has since been relegated out of La Liga and has had economic struggles.
Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has previously been outspoken on the issue of the multi-club model. Ironically, of course, he is now involved with the Red Bull group where he took on a new role at the start of the calendar year.
Speaking in 2017, Klopp criticized the multi-club ownership model that the Red Bull group has popularized. “I’m a football romantic and I like tradition in football and all that stuff,” he said. “In Germany, only two clubs sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the game and that is Mainz and Dortmund.”
However, now working for Red Bull as head of global soccer, Klopp has changed his mind. “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” he said when his first job after leaving Liverpool was confirmed. “The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.
“By joining Red Bull at a global level, I want to develop, improve and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal. There are many ways that we can do this front using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries.”
FSG brought in former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards as CEO of football last year. “I was humbled by the desire and persistence they showed in wanting to work with me again,” Edwards said at the time.
“This is definitely not something that I take for granted given their track record across sport and business. It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigor and energy. In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities.
“As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organization. I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.”
Liverpool.com says: While there are elements of the multi-club model that are not appealing and should be resisted, if it is done delicately and with care, it can work. FSG appears to believe that this is the way the sport is going and Edwards’ brief when he was tempted back was largely centered around this. Whether Malaga is the chosen club or not, it is something to keep an eye on.
