IT’S set to be third time lucky for Mohamed Al Fayed if the chairman-owner sells Fulham to billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fayed, 84, has courted would-be suitors for the Whites twice over the last 10 years but two discreet attempts foundered with no-one willing to shoulder the £150-million debt incurred during the last 16 years – until now.
There are serious doubts the current board will survive a cull if Khan becomes the new owner.
Heir apparent and son Karim Fayed was made vice-chairman last year. His younger brother Omar Fayed and Fayed employees Mark Collins and Michael Cole from their days with Fayed at Harrods are particularly vulnerable, which made Karim’s comments when appointed all the more ironic last night.
He said in March 2012: “I share my Dad’s passion and commitment to this club, from its glorious past heritage to its long-term future and growth.”
However, Khan, reportedly worth £2 billion, can invest in a transfer budget denied recent Whites managers who have been, as Martin Jol recently put it, shopping in football’s bargain store for the last decade.
"Maybe we could get two Messis – but that’s not the case,” he joked.
Khan and his team may have other ideas.
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