Ellis Short’s hopes of selling Sunderland now depend on his ability to strike a deal with a German consortium by early next month after a group of Sunderland fans withdrew their bid on Wednesday.
Gabe Turner, Leo Pearlman and Ben Turner of the television production company Fulwell73 issued a statement through the supporters website A Love Supreme signalling an end to their interest. They were believed to have been fronting a largely American-funded consortium interested in succeeding Short at the managerless Championship club but have had second thoughts.
The statement from the group, who were being advised by Tony Adams, who they apparently envisaged as assuming a frontline role at Sunderland, and the former Chelsea executive Paul Smith, raises questions as to how serious and credible their takeover plans really were.
“As life-long Sunderland supporters, it would be the fulfilment of a dream to be involved in the ownership of the club,” it read. “However, due to our other TV and film commitments, now isn’t the right time for us to get involved. It’s where our hearts are and would demand a huge personal commitment, and we wouldn’t want to give anything less than our all to the club.”
Short wants at least £85m and rejected a £50m bid from the unnamed German consortium last week. If agreement cannot be reached by early next month, the American financier has resolved to shelve hopes of selling up and concentrate on attempting to return the club to the Premier League.
After being rebuffed by Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes, Sunderland have been without a manager for the past month in the wake of David Moyes’s resignation. Accordingly Martin Bain, the chief executive, has stepped up his search before the players’ return to training next week.
Bain is interviewing candidates on a redrafted shortlist headed by Nigel Pearson, the former Leicester and Derby manager and Simon Grayson, currently in charge of Preston.
Sunderland will kick-off the Championship season on Friday 4 August at home to Gary Rowett’s Derby County.
