Takeover so close as end to long wait is in sight
FRUSTRATION among supporters has been simmering and has boiled over in some cases as the proposed takeover of Derby County has rumbled on.
It was the beginning of November when the Rams confirmed that a deal in principle had been agreed with Derventio Holdings (UK) Limited, whose ultimate controlling entity is Bin Zayed International LLC, owned by Sheikh Khaled Zayed Bin
Saquer Zayed Al Nayhan.
Updates in the past two months pointed to the takeover being imminent and fans waited for news that a deal had been completed.
As days and weeks went by, fans constantly asked what was happening. Some were, and still are, being patient. Others less so and social media has not been a pleasant place at times.
There has been criticism levelled at the club, saying there should have been more communication, but takeovers can take time. They can be complicated and complex matters involving huge sums of money.
Every ‘i’ has to be dotted and every ‘t’ crossed, as you would expect and as you would want to happen. Waiting can be frustrating, but these things are rarely played out in public in the shape of regular comments or statements.
Could Derby have said more along the way? Possibly.
Could the prospective new owners have said more? Possibly, although in both cases that is easy to say from the outside looking in.
Both parties probably wanted to but it is not always possible in these matters. Everything has to be right and placing exact timescales can be near-impossible with so many moving parts.
We revealed yesterday that the takeover is on the verge of completion and that the deal is done, that all closing conditions precedent have been satisfied and met.
The importance of closure is clear when you look at Derby’s position at the midway point of the season, as is the need for things to settle down.
It is two months since Phillip Cocu left and the Rams have been without a “permanent” manager in the time.
Wayne Rooney has been interim boss for the last nine League games and there has been an improvement in performances and results. He is expected to be named manager.
Derby are in the bottom three and the squad needs strengthening. Already one week of a crucial transfer window has been and gone.
Completion of the takeover will, hopefully, see the manager situation settled, transfer business in and out happen, Derby emerge from the bottom three and some of the frustration ease.