Mandaric Targets Owls Takeover

Former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric has revealed he is ready to invest in another English club after selling his shares in the Fratton Park club - with Wednesday one of the club's linked with the Serbian.

Mandaric sold his shares in Pompey to Alexandre Gaydamak last week for £17 million but insisted it won't be his final job in English football - with reports pointing towards the possible takeover of Wednesday. Wolves, Coventry, and Leicester City were also mentioned.

Mandaric told the Daily Mirror: 'I love football and I would be a liar if I said Portsmouth would be my last club.'

It's been a hectic weekend in the Owls camp as far as takeover bids are concerned, with Wednesday fan and boxing promoter Dennis Hobson leading a consortium to discuss a possible investment in the club with current Owls chairman Dave Allen.

Mandaric is a Serbian business tycoon who has owned a string of successful businesses and football clubs, including Belgian club Standard Liege and French club OGC Nice. He took the reins at Portsmouth in 1998 and his investment helped guide Pompey to the Premiership. He transformed the club's fortunes off the pitch while agreeing a deal for the construction of a brand new stadium.

Current Wednesday Chairman Dave Allen has come under some strong criticism from Wednesday fans in the local press and media ever since his appointment. But the Sheffield businessman has come under fire recently for refusing to give successful boss Paul Sturrock a new contract until Christmas - a move that was criticised by Sturrock himself live on radio.

Mandaric is said to be interested in investing in clubs that already have the structure to move forward into the Premiership - and with the history, stadium and fanbase already in place at S6, there's no reason why the Owls faithful wouldn't want you Mr Mandaric!

It's certainly going to be an interesting few weeks for the Owls off the pitch. Make sure you keep up to date with all the goings on at Hillsborough by visiting Vital Sheffield Wednesday!

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