simplythebest 11,453 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Billionaires Red Bull want to buy a football club in England – and ‘give it wings’ to make it big, writes Alan Nixon in the People.The Austrian-based energy drinks firm are on the look-out for a suitable club, with Anglophile coach Ralf Rangnick, sporting director of Red Bull Salzburg, heading the search.As well as current Austrian league leaders Salzburg, Red Bull already owns clubs in Germany, New York, Brazil and Ghana.The company’s sporting assets also include two Formula One teams: Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.Now coach Rangnick, who almost got the Everton job in the summer, has been tasked to find a club in England for their latest move into ownership.An insider in the deal said: “Red Bull want a team to take into the Champions League. It is the only market they have not reached yet. Ideally this would be in the London area, but both Everton and Liverpool interest them too because it would not take much to get them to that level.“They have looked at the Championship, but you can spend fortunes there and not make any progress.”Rangnick, an English-educated German, has a good knowledge of the game and is looking at several options. He would also oversee the purchase and running of the club.News of Red Bull’s interest is spreading rapidly and there should be no lack of willing sellers.The company’s Formula One success, with Sebastian Vettel taking them towards a fourth straight title, has put them on the map, but buying a club in the ‘home’ of football could be their biggest coup yet.And taking it into the Champions League is the ultimate aim for one of the biggest sports-backing firms in the business. Teams which could be lined upEVERTON Bill Kenwright has been looking for a respectable buyer for his club for years. The fact Ralf Rangnick nearly got the job and knows the club helps. Only snag – Red Bull Everton?!?LIVERPOOL The American owners have pumped in millions and will want a big return on their investment. Genuine worldwide appeal. Red Bull Liverpool does have a ring.CRYSTAL PALACE Red Bull would really give the Eagles wings. London, near airports, very appealing. Would not cost much, but needs a big spend. Red Bull Crystal Palace is a mouthful.WEST HAM Owners who are always open to approaches. New home at the Olympic Stadium makes them appealing too. Red Bull West Ham? Not so crazy.LEEDS The Yorkshire club has history, a huge fan base and owners who would sell at the drop of a hat. Red Bull Leeds United? Why not?http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/red-bull-looking-buy-english-2366075?I really hope this doesn't happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wullyRFC 5,230 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Why not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treble99 64 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Why not?Maybe he hates redbull Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
East London Loyal 424 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'd actually look to kill someone who would allow something like to happen to my club.Red Bull West Ham, yer? Plenty would be waiting with fucking carving knives. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alstone 374 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Why is this any different from other billionaires who have bought clubs for a hobby? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Why not?Basically be a re-brand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the goal machine 7,997 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The Hull City Tigers vs. Red Bull Sunderland. Has a good ring to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor_Chang 1,226 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Redbull Leeds Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iakona 2,326 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Why is this any different from other billionaires who have bought clubs for a hobby?because it's not just a simple takeover.. they'd be looking to rebrand.Name, crest and kit all changed to fit in with their branding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick1200 2,990 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 because it's not just a simple takeover.. they'd be looking to rebrand.Least the billionaire owners will stick by the club. I would hate the kit change though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goianegra 4,710 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'd like to think a club as big as the likes of Liverpool or Everton would never let this happen! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Atheist 194 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 They'll never get one of the Premiership teams but they might get one the Championship or League 1&2 teams. My heart would go out to the supporters of that team because the club loses its identity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Smiley 494 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 because it's not just a simple takeover.. they'd be looking to rebrand.Name, crest and kit all changed to fit in with their branding.Looks like there might be some anti-white racism there as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Smiley 494 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 They'll never get one of the Premiership teams but they might get one the Championship or League 1&2 teams. My heart would go out to the supporters of that team because the club loses its identity.Ideally the only club they could take over would be MK Dons. Red Bull Dons is not just the least offensive name I can think of, but also probably the newest club in the league system, AND their F1 racing franchise is in Milton Keynes too. Wow, I need a consultancy fee for this four seconds' worth of thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Atheist 194 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Ideally the only club they could take over would be MK Dons. Red Bull Dons is not just the least offensive name I can think of, but also probably the newest club in the league system, AND their F1 racing franchise is in Milton Keynes too. Wow, I need a consultancy fee for this four seconds' worth of thought.That's a very good point indeed. It all fits together well. Teams might consult their fans first and then approach Red Bull. Some may view it as their only way out of languishing in the lower leagues forever but what a price to pay. But then would Red Bull want a team with just a few thousand fans? (I suppose that would be an issue with MK Dons as well) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mourneview Bear! 63 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Buying a club already in the top 2 divisions seems like pie-in-the-sky thinking. My guess is they would buy a non-league club which is situated in a fairly populous area but has no other large teams, much like Leipzig. They could do very well out of pumping money into the team as they seem to actually have a footballing infrastructure, but the main problem lies with where they will go, as they simply could not compete with 'established' football clubs if they were to go to an area like London, and purchasing an existing club in the 2 top divisions runs a huge risk of alienating the fans there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopter 310 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 West Ham should go for it, they're leaving the Boleyn anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Hopefully Man Utd Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bighouse 1,013 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Can we put a date on the point at which the soul of a football club became a mere commodity to be traded and 'rebranded'. Football is becoming more like the American franchise model and it makes me sick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Smiley 494 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Buying a club already in the top 2 divisions seems like pie-in-the-sky thinking. My guess is they would buy a non-league club which is situated in a fairly populous area but has no other large teams, much like Leipzig. They could do very well out of pumping money into the team as they seem to actually have a footballing infrastructure, but the main problem lies with where they will go, as they simply could not compete with 'established' football clubs if they were to go to an area like London, and purchasing an existing club in the 2 top divisions runs a huge risk of alienating the fans there.There are some obvious places devoid of their share of premiership and championship clubs - the south coast, east anglia, the west country, and Yorkshire is pretty under-representedHow about Red Bull Portsmouth? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemdog 39,389 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Would be interesting to see how this played out. They'd probably replace all the true fans they would lose with plenty of glory hunters. I don't understand how anyone could let that happen though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemdog 39,389 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Might as well just do it to Cardiff, they're half way there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
there'sonlyoneamoruso 1,724 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Accrington Stanley could do with some investment and they've already gone under once so the fans may be willing to listen to a takeover.Or Crawley as it's quite near Gatwick and not too far outside London so they could tap into that population. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wully 49,927 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Red Bull Brighton & Hove Albion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdasyn 431 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Red Bull Rangers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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