Saudi Arabian billionaire Turki Alalshikh didn’t mince his words following the news of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. The government official took a cheeky swipe at the Glazer family in the wake of their decision to sack the Portuguese head coach. The 40-year-old’s tenure at Old Trafford was abruptly ended after a fiery post-match tirade following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday.
Currently, United are languishing in sixth place in the Premier League table, three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool. On Monday morning, United issued a statement confirming the departure of the Portuguese boss. The club’s top brass stated that they “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change”.
The statement added: “This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.”
The announcement left many gobsmacked on Monday morning, and Alalshikh, who boasts a net worth exceeding £2billion, quickly offered his take, hinting he would welcome a Glazer family exit.
Taking to social media, he quipped: “Praise be to God … finally … may the Glazer [family] follow soon.”
Alalshikh has carved out a significant role in the boxing world, hosting numerous high-profile bouts in Saudi Arabia, while also holding an impressive portfolio across various sports.
The Saudi businessman previously took charge of Spanish side Almeria between 2019 and earlier this year, and also controlled Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC from 2018 to 2019.
Speculation has been rife about his potential entry into English football, with reports in September suggesting he was eyeing a takeover bid for Championship side Bristol City.
A month later, the 44-year-old sent United supporters into a frenzy by claiming a takeover of the club was approaching its final stages.
Taking to his X account, he wrote: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”
His post emerged just hours after an interview with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was made public, in which no suggestion was made of any intention to step away from Old Trafford.
Alalshikh subsequently clarified that he was not the prospective investor, stating: “Yesterday’s post about Manchester United’s potential sale meant one thing: the club is in an advanced negotiation phase with a new investor.
“Just to clarify, I am not the investor, nor are they from my nation. I’m posting this as a fan who wishes the deal to happen, though it might not necessarily happen.”