Rams takeover aims to complete tomorrow and Liam is in charge
DERBY County administrators Quantuma have confirmed that Clowes Developments are the preferred bidder and all parties are now working towards gettting the takeover complete tomorrow.
Clowes Developments, run by Rams fan David Clowes, purchased Pride Park Stadium from Mel Morris earlier this month and signalled their intent to formally acquire the club, too.
A statement issued by the administrators read: “Over the course of the last day or so, the joint administrators have continued positive discussions with Derbyshire based property group, Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd (“Clowes”) which resulted in a credible and acceptable offer being submitted.
“Discussions in respect of this offer, which complies with the EFL Insolvency Policy, have taken place with a range of stakeholders.
“The joint administrators are delighted to confirm that they have formally accepted Clowes’ offer to acquire Derby County Football Club (“the club”) out of administration. Clowes has been granted preferred bidder status with immediate effect.
“The joint administrators will now enter into a period of exclusivity with Clowes, with a completion of the acquisition of the business and the assets of the club targeted for 29 June 2022.
“All parties are now working hard to conclude what is still a complex legal transaction within a very short timeframe. Once concluded, the transaction will enable the club to move forward and prepare for the upcoming season out of administration.
“It will also ensure that Pride Park Stadium and the club are under the control of a new, local owner with the commitment and resources to enable the club to move forward with a clean slate.
“The offer also provides the best return for creditors and enables the joint administrators to fulfil their statutory duties and will ensure that
there are no further points deductions levied against the club once it is out of administration.
“The acceptance of Clowes’ offer, and the entering into a period of exclusivity means the joint administrators are now prohibited from continuing discussions with other parties who had indicated an interest in acquiring the club.
“The main focus is now on concluding the transaction with Clowes within the targeted timeframe.”
THE Rams also confirmed Liam Rosenior will take charge of the club, initially on an interim basis, after Wayne Rooney stepped down as manager on Friday.
Rooney shocked Rams fans by informing the club’s administrators that he wanted to leave.
Rosenior will be be backed by the current first-team coaching staff that include goalkeeping coach Jason Pearcey and former academy coach Justin Walker.
A club statement read: “Derby’s players will return to Moor Farm Training Ground on Monday morning (yesterday) to start pre-season training and Rosenior will head up preparations for the upcoming 2022-23 League One campaign.
“Rosenior, 37, will be supported by the existing first-team backroom staff.
“Rosenior has spent the last three years on Derby’s coaching team, initially as specialist first team coach before stepping up to be assistant manager to former manager Wayne Rooney midway through the 202021 campaign.”
Rosenior was appointed as one of Phillip Cocu’s coaches when the Dutchman arrived at Pride Park Stadium almost three years ago, replacing Frank Lampard.
Rosenior was a contender for the Blackpool job that eventually went to Michael Appleton.
When Rooney quit he said he thought the Rams next manager should be someone who has not had to deal with the stresses of administration and transfer embargos of the past 18 months.