11 November 2023 , 10:00
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The owners of Manchester United and Liverpool have been told why they something in common - a legendary manager to thank for their club's successes.
The Glazer family have owned United since 2005, while Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have been at the helm at Liverpool since 2010. Both American owners have enjoyed several trophy successes during their respective tenures in charge.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired from his post at Old Trafford in 2013, won 14 major trophies during the eight-year spell at the end of his career following the Glazer family takeover. That run includes five Premier League titles and one Champions League.
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Liverpool have also enjoyed similar success with Jurgen Klopp as manager. Since the German was appointed in 2015, Liverpool have won seven major trophies including one league title and one Champions League.
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Former United captain Gary Neville explained on his podcast back in May why FSG needed to back Klopp in the summer transfer market. Neville, who won 22 trophies during his career with the Red Devils, compared Klopp’s ability to be shrewd in the transfer market to Ferguson during his time as United manager.
“Jurgen Klopp has shielded FSG in terms of net spend over the years,” the former right-back said on Gary Neville Podcast back in May. “Yes, they’ve been smart and it's what Sir Alex Ferguson did for the Glazers, where Sir Alex would say there was no value in the market and Klopp has been quite prudent and pragmatic and he’s not panicked, and they’ve waited for players which is the right way to do it you always want to be measured.
“I don’t think Jurgen would go out there and be reckless in the transfer market but there comes a point where if he wants a player they’re going to have to put down the money and it is going to cost them significantly to get back to where he wants to be. He deserves that.”
United signed seven players in the summer transfer window with Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Sergio Reguillon. Liverpool signed for players, all midfielders, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszali, and Wataru Endo.
FSG chief John Henry has been the principal owner of Liverpool since 2010 (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)The Glazers have been the subject of criticism from sections of the United fan base. There were talks that the club could be sold in a full takeover to Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, but that is no longer going to happen after he withdrew from the running in October.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the frontrunner to become a minority investor in the club. Ratcliffe is looking to acquire a 25 percent stake in the Old Trafford club through a £1.4 billion investment.