Thaksin Completes Man City Buyout

[sriracha john]

Am I mistaken in thinking that Eriksson signed a three-year contract??? if so, oh well...

Thaksin turns up the heat on Eriksson

Manchester City's owner has voiced concern about his club's form and refused to express his support for Sven-Goran Eriksson

The Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has admitted that he is unhappy with the side's recent form and refused to guarantee that Sven-Goran Eriksson will still be manager of the club next season.

City enjoyed a good start to their campaign and briefly topped the league in August. However they have slumped since the turn of the year, winning just three of their last 15 league games and being knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United.

City sit in eighth position in the Premier League and a club spokesman last weekend insisted that Thaksin would settle for a top half finish, but the Thai today told journalists in Dubai, where he is attending a business conference, that: "I'm not happy with the performance of the club in the second half of the season."

Thaksin rubbished reports that he is keen to appoint Luiz Felipe Scolari as City's manager after Euro 2008 - and insisted he's never even met the Brazilian - but said: "We will look at it at the end of the season and assess the club and the people involved. There are no plans at the moment."

While he would not be drawn any further on the manager's position, Thaksin suggested there would be significant player turnover. "We have some good players but we need more," he said. "We'll probably have to sell some and buy some new ones. We need some defenders, midfielders ... midfielders are the key."

By not mentioning strikers, Thaksin was perhaps expressing faith in Daniel Sturridge, the youngster who has impressed in fleeting appearances since Christmas, and Valeri Bojinov, the Bulgarian who is only now on his way back after being stricken by injury just weeks after joining the club from Fiorentina last summer. However, many City fans would still welcome the arrival of new strikers, given that the team's highest league scorer this season has been midfielder Elano - with seven.

- Guardian (today)

[sriracha john]

the issue of being fired is moot if he quits first.....

Eriksson could walk before he is pushed as Thai boss Thaksin gets serious

Thaksin Shinawatra's brutal criticism of Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has prompted fears that the former England coach may walk out on the club this summer.

Eriksson's survival prospects at City would appear to be diminishing after the club's owner chose a business conference in Dubai to confirm yesterday that he will review the Swede's position at the end of what he clearly feels has become an unsatisfactory season.

Sportsmail first revealed Thaksin's frustrations on April 1, when it became clear that the former Thai politician was unhappy with two aspects of Eriksson's first season: namely results and attendances at the City of Manchester Stadium.

And, after another round of criticism by Thaksin yesterday, Eriksson may choose to jump before he is pushed.

Just weeks after Thaksin said he was paying a visit to his club to 'tighten the bolts', the 58-year-old went several steps further yesterday by hitting out in a way that has concerned executives at City.

< Repetitious Thaksin's keen football knowledge blather regarding defenders, midfielders, etc. snipped >

If Eriksson ends up being sacked by Manchester City this summer he will receive a £1 million pay-off — less than a year after receiving a compensation package from the FA worth almost £4 million.

With a year remaining on his England contract he was paid £13,000 a day for the first six months and £6,500 a day for the final six months of the deal which ended last June.

There is no doubt Eriksson was stunned yesterday by Shinawatra's announcement that his position would be assessed at the end of the season. This leaves the 60-year-old former England coach in an increasingly invidious position at the City of Manchester Stadium.

So far, Eriksson has not raised the possibility of quitting with anybody at the Barclays Premier League club. Both publicly and privately the 60-year-old has stressed that he sees his work at City as a long-term project.

He has enjoyed his first year, an experience that he has told friends and colleagues has left him feeling invigorated after the stresses of managing England.

But as it slowly becomes clear to both him and City executives that Thaksin wants tangible success at a click of his fingers, there are real concerns that Eriksson may walk away.

Despite City's problems on the field in recent weeks, Eriksson will end this season with his reputation enhanced. He will certainly not be short of offers from the Continent if he does choose to seek alternative work. And if that did happen, few people at City would blame him after the carnival of the last few weeks.

Eriksson, for example, spent much of last week fending off questions about Thaksin's pursuit of the Brazil superstar Ronaldinho.

The City manager has never wanted Ronaldinho and also knew — if only from experience and instinct — that the 28-year-old would never move to the club when suitors such as AC Milan were in the offing.

However, he still had to answer questions on the subject for a week as Thaksin and his countrymen on the board worked themselves into a lather of excitement after agents had suggested to them that Ronaldinho may be attainable.

That particular story is dead now but it is important simply because it is indicative of the atmosphere in which Eriksson is increasingly having to work.

It is easy to see why City took Thaksin's money when he bought the club last year. There were, after all, no other firm offers for a club who desperately needed proper investment.

However, there were risks attached and City are beginning to experience the flipside of selling their club to a man with no knowledge of football and a complete inability to relate to the wants and needs of those who pay through the gates every weekend.

It says everything for Thaksin's lack of savvy and football intelligence that he chose to make his disparaging comments about his manager on the very day that his club were gearing up for one of the highlights of their season, a second leg of the FA Youth Cup Final.

Meanwhile, the issue of money for new players is another key one for Eriksson, who would himself be paid £1 million by City if he was to be sacked.

Despite Thaksin's persistent claims that the team are not good enough, nobody from the chief executive down to the manager yet knows how much cash, if any, the owner is preparing to spend on players this summer.

Little wonder, then, that some at City are beginning to despair of Thaksin already and, in particular, of his aides and board members Pairoj Piempongsant and Tawesuk Srisumrid.

Senior experienced figures at the club must have been embarrassed by the Ronaldinho business, just as they will be embarrassed about this latest saga. They will counsel Thaksin against sacking Eriksson.

Like most of their supporters, they feel that the long-term future of the club is in safe hands under the pragmatic, unflappable Swede. But the problem is that they may well not be asked.

As clubs like City, Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, Chelsea are finding out, wealthy foreigners do not buy football clubs to be told what to do.

They buy them to fulfil fantasies, to make money or, in Thaksin's case, to satisfy political agendas.

Sadly, coaches like Eriksson are disposable and vulnerable. If the Swede did not sense this before this week, then he certainly will now.

- Evening Standard (today)

[Tony Clifton]

He'll play the dissatisfied club owner, sell and blame it all on the football world not wanting to do things his way.

If he wasn't so busy with his Coward the Great World Tour to save his criminal ass, things may run a little smoother.

[sriracha john]

The passengers onboard the good ship SS Thaksin seem a bit more jittery ... :D

Manchester City Senior Executives Concerned Eriksson May Quit

There are growing concerns inside Manchester City that Sven Goran Eriksson may quit before the end of the season. The Daily Mail says after another round of criticism by City Chairman Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday, Eriksson may choose to jump before he is pushed.

Just weeks after Thaksin said he was paying a visit to his club to "tighten the bolts", the 58-year-old went several steps further yesterday by hitting out in a way that has concerned executives at City.

- tribalfootball.com (today)

[sriracha john]

the owner was happy with how the season had progressed and would be content with a top-10 finish,

Congrats Thakky... you finished in the top-10!!!!! whee!!

Goal.Com 10 Worst Transfers Of The Season

#7. Rolando Bianchi (to Manchester City)

Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City revolution has been admirable. Yes, he has Thaksin Shinawatra's big black sack of quite-possibly-laundered money *hahahaha..had to laugh at that description* to back him up, but he has spent fairly well and has a good eye for talent. Bianchi, though, just did not work out.

An emerging Italian striker with a suitably physical presence about him that would have you believe he might be able to cut it against the hard-men otherwise known as Premier League defenders, Sven took a chance with Bianchi. Splashing out a sizeable £8.8 million *545,336,648 Baht* to land the 25-year-old from Serie A relegation strugglers Reggina, with whom Bianchi had previously enjoyed two successful seasons, the City fans were expectant.

He hated England.

He's not the first and certainly will not be the last Italian to come to this country and despise it from top to bottom.

He has been spared the embarrassment of a higher place on the list purely because Sven made the smart move of offloading him at the first possible opportunity. He has gone back to Italy on loan to an under-performing Lazio side, with whom he has made a good start.

[Plus]

End of the season coincides with start of the court season in Thailand, both for Thaksin himself and his government coalition he invested in just as heavily.

Another round of elections might be looming and if that happens, Sven and Man C will have to join a long line of beggars outside Thaksin's office.

For his own sake, Sven should really walk without waiting for "evaluation". Thaksin might realise that it's cheaper to keep Sven on the leash than search for another manager who'd most certainly come with his own shopping list.

[sriracha john]

Manchester City's Thai owner [and disgraced former Thai Prime Minister] Thaksin Shinawatra (center) takes his seat before the English Premier league football match on March 22. [Disgraced former Thai House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat is on the left].

AFP

Thaksin should have kept quiet, says Eriksson

Manchester City's Premier League clash with FA Cup finalists Portsmouth has been overshadowed by club owner Thaksin Shinawatra's veiled criticism of manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

The former Thai Prime Minister caused a stir at Eastlands this week when he announced from Thailand that there would be a review of the club at the end of the season. Thaksin's unexpected outburst came after a dip in form by the team, but followed a victory at Sunderland, which reignited their slim hopes of a European place.

His remarks inevitably led to speculation Eriksson's job could be on the line.

Giving his first public response on the affair Eriksson said: "It would have been better if he had not said what he did at this moment. But it (his remarks) are out there. If that is his opinion, it is okay. It is not a big problem for me. I will do the job as if those things had not been said."

Asked if he will be seeking assurances about his role, the former England boss said: "I already have assurances. I have a contract, so there is nothing to discuss about my situation. There is always pressure - that is why you want jobs in football. I like it. I had one year off (after England) and there was no pressure at all. That was absolutely awful."

While City will be facing the FA Cup finalists at Eastlands, Thaksin will remain in Thailand. However, he is due to arrive the following weekend when he will hold talks with Eriksson, presumably about the way forward for the club.

The Swede said: "We will have meetings then as he has been busy. He has not been here for a month. He is in Thailand at the moment sorting out his private business. I have not spoken to him for some weeks but (our relationship) has always been good."

Eriksson is taking the blame for City's season tailing off after they looked odds-on for a UEFA Cup place at least.

He said: "I know the second half of the campaign is not as good as the first."

- AFP (today)

[sriracha john]

Eriksson Linked With South Africa

Speculation surrounding Sven-Goran Eriksson's future intensifies, with the latest report coming from Africa and surprisingly claiming that the Manchester City boss could take charge of South Africa ahead of the World Cup which will be staged there in 2010.

South African website www.worldcup2010southafrica.com reports that the SAFA will approach Manchester City manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, if his contract is terminated this summer by new club owner Thaksin Shinawatra, to take over their national team.

Eriksson has said he expects to fulfil his three-year contract at Manchester City, but following Thaksin's warning that he intends to assess Eriksson's position in the summer, the Swede is already being linked with Valencia and Benfica.

Now it is reported that the SAFA are interested. The website says: "SAFA have confirmed that talks were taking place on Friday evening, but they didn't comment on the details of the talks."

- goal.com

[marshbags]

I just wonder where Thaksins long term commitment to Man. City and his required future investment of the kind the upper echelonce of the Premier league demand.

Not a political statement, but i think his future plans lie elsewhere, priority wise. ???????????

marshbags

[Plus]

South Africa could be a saviour for Sven, it could lift his international standing like Korea did for Hiddink.

Very interesting proposition - money, respect, no English press, good potential for success. Go for it, Sven, before Thaksin changes his mind and decides to keep you. Beats chasing the last Uefa cup spot for the rest of your days.

[Colonel_Mustard]

He's doing just fine at the moment. Can't see Thaksin getting rid just yet.

[Plus]

Yeah, a couple more wins and Sven will be stuck with Man City forever. Right now he can exit and blame Thaksin for everything but three years down the line and without any European results to show he won't be getting any big offers.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Yeah, a couple more wins and Sven will be stuck with Man City forever. Right now he can exit and blame Thaksin for everything but three years down the line and without any European results to show he won't be getting any big offers.

We'll most likely be in Europe next year. If Sven and the good doctor T can bring in a few better players in the Summer, we may even do rather well next season.

[Plus]

Be in Europe and get results worth putting on a resume are different things. Every year about a hundred teams play in Europe, most I've never heard about.

A minimum would be semi-final of Uefa Cup, which ANY aspiring team can do, or qualifying for Champions League.

I doubt City will ever overtake the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea or Arsenal, let alone on Thaksin's schedule. Uefa Cup succes is a bit trickier - simply qualifying is not enough, you need to wait until next March-April semifinals to show some progress. Sven will simply run out of time - it will be in his last year of contract and he'll have only one shot at glory.

They might still qualify this year, though, but they might just as easily get knocked out by some Zenit St Petersburg in August.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Be in Europe and get results worth putting on a resume are different things. Every year about a hundred teams play in Europe, most I've never heard about.

A minimum would be semi-final of Uefa Cup, which ANY aspiring team can do, or qualifying for Champions League.

I doubt City will ever overtake the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea or Arsenal, let alone on Thaksin's schedule. Uefa Cup succes is a bit trickier - simply qualifying is not enough, you need to wait until next March-April semifinals to show some progress. Sven will simply run out of time - it will be in his last year of contract and he'll have only one shot at glory.

They might still qualify this year, though, but they might just as easily get knocked out by some Zenit St Petersburg in August.

We might well get knocked out by the likes of Zenit St Petersburg but I don't think Sven really needs to worry about having that on his resume. His record in club management is already extremely impressive, being the only manager to have ever won the league and cup double in 3 different countries, as well as having success in European competition. I don't think that failing to get us into the top 4, or win silverware will have much affect on his employability.

[steveromagnino]

Be in Europe and get results worth putting on a resume are different things. Every year about a hundred teams play in Europe, most I've never heard about.

A minimum would be semi-final of Uefa Cup, which ANY aspiring team can do, or qualifying for Champions League.

I doubt City will ever overtake the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea or Arsenal, let alone on Thaksin's schedule. Uefa Cup succes is a bit trickier - simply qualifying is not enough, you need to wait until next March-April semifinals to show some progress. Sven will simply run out of time - it will be in his last year of contract and he'll have only one shot at glory.

They might still qualify this year, though, but they might just as easily get knocked out by some Zenit St Petersburg in August.

I don't know why anyone is disappointed with man City at the moment; other than a dream start which is about on par with teams like Wigan/Reading early in the season, even the most optimistic of supporter could not possibly actually believe that City was going to be top 4 at the end of a full season.

Bit disappointing not to be closer for some of the minor trophies sewn up by the similar middle order teams like Tottenham, but compared to last year where City were close to dropping, this has to surely be, after looking at things objectively, a pretty ok season for City?

Of course, as previously mentioned, I believe Thaksin is a short/medium term investor, and to get the team onto the brink of Europe/top 8/minor trophies would surely be enough to sell out at a nice premium. he is not a football expert by any means and certainly has no loyalty to any team (he was looking at Liverpool prior to City). And for that I don't fault him at all; footie is a business these days, this is why he is in it.

But he should not expect the love to continue as the owners of Liverpool have found out; footie fans in the UK aren't in it for business, they ARE in it for love of their teams and they do not take that kindly to the sadder side of corporate football (although happy as long as things go well).

[Plus]

Sven is history.

Before fumbling with England side he could take any big club in Europe, now he spent a year before getting an offer with a team in fourteenth place, and if he can't show anything with ManCity, no one would employ him again. I mean forget Real, Barca, Milan. More like South Africa or, perhaps, Thailand, if they can find the money.

[Plus]

Stevero, it's all relative - what's good for Man City fans might not be a success for a manager who was expected to win a World Cup.

Yeah, surely Sven can approach West Ham or Newcastle and offer them top six finish in three years, but it's kind of short for his projected paycheck.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin buys Jo for Manchester City for 1 Billion Baht

Manchester City began their summer spending Monday by signing Brazil striker Jo from Russian side CSKA Moscow for 20 million pounds (1.01 Billion Baht), according to a report on the Guardian newspaper's website.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127223

[JacknDanny]

Sven is history.

Dont think so.

Aparently Thaksin has just pulled 40 mill out of his back pocket to buy Brazilian wonder boy Jo. Even he wouldnt be that naive if he was changing managers

[Plus]

I mean Sven is history as a successful manager, unless he wins something with ManC, of course.

Is that how much they paid fo Jo? 40 mil baht or roubles? Cos it can't be pounds, euros, or even dollars.

Sven is apparetnly hel_l bent on staying at Man City, and I don't know why.

He'll need a lot more than three years and a lot more money to produce anything comparable to his 90-ies successes.

[JacknDanny]

I mean Sven is history as a successful manager, unless he wins something with ManC, of course.

Is that how much they paid fo Jo? 40 mil baht or roubles? Cos it can't be pounds, euros, or even dollars.

Sven is apparetnly hel_l bent on staying at Man City, and I don't know why.

He'll need a lot more than three years and a lot more money to produce anything comparable to his 90-ies successes.

Its 40 million Dollars or 20 million pounds

Keep the faith Plus

He is an extremely successful manager and he knows he has a chance of building something over the next few years.

Incidentally, Man City have just won the Youth cup, beating Chelsea in the final. So they also have a healthy and talented group of youngsters.

Sleeping Giant ready to roar

[Plus]

20 mil pounds?

Are you serious?

I thought you could buy whole CSKA Moscow with that money.

Who is this Jo character anyway, has he ever been selected for Brazil national team? I only vaguely remember his name from Uefa Cup final several years ago.

>>>>

I'm not saying ManC hasn't got the potential to grow big, and that's why Sven agreed to take on this project in the first place, and that's probably why he still wants to stay. The question is whether Thaksin is equally commited or not.

[JacknDanny]

20 mil pounds?

Are you serious?

I thought you could buy whole CSKA Moscow with that money.

Who is this Jo character anyway, has he ever been selected for Brazil national team? I only vaguely remember his name from Uefa Cup final several years ago.

>>>>

I'm not saying ManC hasn't got the potential to grow big, and that's why Sven agreed to take on this project in the first place, and that's probably why he still wants to stay. The question is whether Thaksin is equally commited or not.

Joao Alves Jo, 21yr old Brazilian wonder kid. Well regarded and highly rated. Has attracted attention from Arsenal, AC Milan and Valencia in recent months.

Has played 1 game for Brazil (potential problem with work permit)

Re your last question. We all know the answer is a resounding NO.

[Colonel_Mustard]

The good Dr Thaksin says that we won't be spending big next season but will be doing so the season after (presumably meaning when he has his money back):

"I have a definite plan, a strategy: the first year top 10; the second year to qualify for Europe; and the third we want to be in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. We have to fit the plan. I know from what we have shown already this year that a top six spot will not be too much pressure but to break into the top four will. So that is when I will be prepared to spend a lot of money; to take us into the top four. The message is this: I will not be spending huge amounts of money this summer but next summer I will."

The problem with that is that some teams will be spending big this summer which makes getting a top 6 place much more difficult.

[Plus]

What happened yesterday?

Portsmuth and Villa now have a game on you and a few points advantage. How could you screw up 2-0 game so badly? I last checked on it on 66th minute and everything seemed to be on course.

In the first half Thaksin was beaming like an angel, I wonder what his mood was after the game and how it will affect his attitude towards SGE.

He will probably get his money back for next summer, it wasn't confiscated, just frozen, pending resolution of court cases. He should have plenty even after paying taxes and fines.

Mounting a serious challenge for top four spot is doable and it doesn't need FULL commitment, just enough funds and less interfering. Game is still played on grass and Sven knows what he's doing, but he can't do it on the cheap.

Politically Thaksin might have to commit himself to Thailand - so far his iconic status is indespensable for hordes of power hungry politicians, they need him personally leading the charge and they need his money. Even if he has lost all interest in politics, they won't let him quit.

[Colonel_Mustard]

What happened yesterday?

Portsmuth and Villa now have a game on you and a few points advantage. How could you screw up 2-0 game so badly? I last checked on it on 66th minute and everything seemed to be on course.

In the first half Thaksin was beaming like an angel, I wonder what his mood was after the game and how it will affect his attitude towards SGE.

He will probably get his money back for next summer, it wasn't confiscated, just frozen, pending resolution of court cases. He should have plenty even after paying taxes and fines.

Mounting a serious challenge for top four spot is doable and it doesn't need FULL commitment, just enough funds and less interfering. Game is still played on grass and Sven knows what he's doing, but he can't do it on the cheap.

Politically Thaksin might have to commit himself to Thailand - so far his iconic status is indespensable for hordes of power hungry politicians, they need him personally leading the charge and they need his money. Even if he has lost all interest in politics, they won't let him quit.

What happened yesterday? Basically for the last 25 mins we went on holiday and allowed them into the game. They needed the win and we didn't and that showed. Some poor decisions from the ref, poor play and poor tactical subs from SGE. Thaksin certainly didn't look happy and not many fans stayed for the lap of honour (as it was our last home game of the season). A cracking game to watch for the neutral but very frustrating as a City fan.

[sriracha john]

Let's be quite Frank!

Just for once, City fans thought they could relax on the beach this summer and reflect on their improving fortunes with a little hope that things were on the up.

But oh no. The soap opera that is this football club is back with a vengeance...and with an international flavour.

When Dr Thaksin Shinawatra splashed out £80 million to take over the Blues, the supporters didn't worry about the ex-Thai Prime Minister's human rights record.

Indeed, they courted him as the good doctor and grew so close to him they dubbed him Frank Sinatra, a nickname he relished.

And when a manager of the international reputation of Sven-Goran Eriksson, with contacts throughout Europe and beyond, was appointed at an annual salary of a reputed £1.5 million, all was swell.

Before Christmas, City were pushing the country's big four at the top of the Premier League, but critics - and probably Eriksson himself - knew City were punching above their weight. The fact is, you can't convert a Mini to compete with Ferraris in six months.

And therein lies the problem. Eriksson knows his football. He took a punt, using Thaksin's money, of course, to bring in an international brigade of players and not all of them have proved up to the mark as yet. But the fact remains City have at least been feasting on the top table and, with even more investment in the squad in the summer, hopes were high.

But despite the public comment proclaiming all is well, behind the scenes City is far from a happy ship. I just wonder who, away from the club, is advising Dr Thaksin because whoever it is it is their futures which should be under review, not that of Eriksson, who has achieved his target of a top ten finish.

City is not a rich man's toy, a way of generating publicity in a faraway land, but it is a club close to the heart of Manchester's Blue Mooners, the majority of which don't like the way Eriksson is being undermined by the owner.

The City faithful have made it abundantly clear through this paper's website and at the City of Manchester Stadium that they back the Swede. For too long City have been chopping and changing their managers while United have been rewarded for sticking with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Billionaire Dr Thaksin is perfectly entitled, of course, to state, like all successful businessmen, that he wants to review how his investment is working. But by not publicly backing Eriksson and indeed leaving him to do the job for which he pays him so handsomely, he has made speculation over Eriksson's future inevitable.

Added to that the body language at Saturday's fund-raising gala dinner and reports, particularly in Portugal, that big Phil Scolari is being lined up, and it is no wonder City fans are shaking their heads and saying: "Here we go again."

Eriksson and Dr Thaksin were 10 yards apart at the dinner, yet barely exchanged glances.

On the outside, Eriksson was his normal, charming self. But beneath the veneer of normality, my information is he's spitting feathers. He is asking himself : "What more have I got to do?" Dr Thaksin must stop the speculation spiralling out of control now by issuing a statement in his name backing Eriksson and telling him how much is in his transfer treasure chest so the manager can continue his good work and fulfil stage two and win European qualification this time next year.

This season, despite Saturday's shock of losing a two-goal lead against lowly Fulham, should be seen as a success. But instead the headlines are going to continue to reflect the uncertainty at the club where the unexpected always seems to happen. Even the youth team must be wondering what sort of a club they are expected to play for when the owner and manager seem at loggerheads for no apparent reason.

- Manchester Evening News, 28/ 4/2008

[Plus]

Well, the season has been a success overall, but if not for the first few months, results are about the same as last year.

Of course you assume that Sven will bring that kind of form back, but hasn't he been trying that already? It's been four-five unremarkable months, shouldn't it be considered "normal" and the start of the season as "aberration"?

[sriracha john]

Perhaps he can get UK citizenship now and stay there permanently....

Thaksin makes rich list debut

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has made his debut in the list of the North West’s richest people.

The Sunday Times Rich List estimates his wealth at £640 million *40,391,145,019 Baht*, making him the region’s joint seventh richest person alongside Fred and Peter Done, whose wealth has increased from £290 million in 2007. This makes them joint 129th richest in Britain and Ireland, according to the list.

- Crain's Manchester Business / 28-04-08