Sheffield United legend Tony Currie has fears over Chris Wilder’s future as manager following the latest takeover decision.
A High Court ruling says that Prince Abdullah will take sole control of the club, buying Kevin McCabe’s 50 per cent stake for £5m.
Mr Justice Fancourt announced the decision on Monday, bringing to an end McCabe’s 25-year stay on the Blades board.
The dispute between the two co-owners began in December 2017 when both launched rival bids to takeover. After a complete breakdown in relations, a High Court hearing had to decide the outcome.
McCabe can launch an appeal on the decision – which also says Prince Abdullah must buy properties from his rival worth in excess of £50m. The Daily Mail reports this includes Bramall Lane itself, the training ground, a hotel and offices.
Yet the article also claims that if McCabe does appeal, he will be banned from coming to the stadium and watching the team he has supported since he was a child.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Could Sheffield United takeover see Wilder leave?
Currie was reportedly in tears following the decision and has confirmed he will step down from the board with immediate effect.
The former Blade has real concerns about the new ownership and also what that could mean for the future of Wilder.
“It will be catastrophic if we lose Chris Wilder because of this takeover,” Currie told the Daily Mail.
“It is a sad day. Over the past 25 years Kevin McCabe has transformed the club. We are in the Premier League with a brilliant manager and an academy that is producing players for England and one of the best stadiums in the country.
“All of that is down to Kevin. I’m sad for him and sad for myself and I’m sad for the Sheffield United supporters.”
It’s believed Prince Abdullah wants to bring in more overseas players and a technical director. Previously, his decision to appoint Jan van Winckel to the board in 2017 was not well received by staff.
Wilder and McCabe have a good working relationship. It now remains to be seen if he can forge the same in the new regime.
McCabe has not indicated whether he will appeal as yet. But a spokesperson for him did say he felt betrayed by Prince Abdullah and regrets going into business with him.