Southampton continue to invest in youth after Gao Jisheng’s reshuffle

22 July 2019 11:03
The Chinese businessman has remained in the background since purchasing 80% of the club but the club has recruited shrewdly from across EuropeWhen Gao Jisheng bought 80% of Southampton for £210m in August 2017 the club’s executives did not know what to expect. Would the Chinese businessman be a hands-on presence, dictating policy as some of his compatriots have done from similar positions at English clubs? There was uncertainly and a good deal of waiting. Yet the shake-up did not come and so, for the men on the ground, it remained day-to-day business as usual.Spool forward to this summer and a round of musical chairs that was prompted, in part, by the departure of the chairman Ralph Krueger, upon the expiry of his contract. Krueger was ready for a new challenge and he has returned to NHL ice hockey, where he has become the coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Related: Che Adams: ‘In non-league it’s just a question of how hard you’re going to get kicked’ Continue reading......read full article

Source: TheGuardian