Former FA Cup winner Southampton has a buyer. Swiss tycoon Markus Liebherr, a member of one of Europe’s top business dynasties, paid an undisclosed amount to buy the club from its administrators.
Liebherr, 61, said in a statement on the club’s website (www.saintsfc.co.uk): “I believe we have a superb opportunity to rebuild this great club. Clearly, this will require resources, planning, hard work and patience. We will assemble a strong management team at every level. We will act rapidly, but also plan for the long term, because I am here for the long term.”
Southampton’s previous holding company went into bankruptcy in April, resulting in a 10-point penalty (imposed under Football League rules) that will kick in next season when the 1976 Cup winners play in the third tier of English football for the time since 1960.