Kieran Maguire: Premier League ‘taking orders’ from Man City as supremo resigns
The Premier League effectively “takes orders” from member clubs like Man City and there will therefore be little concern about the departure of leading executive Helen Macnamra.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Macamara’s resignation in the context of the current financial distribution talks between the top flight and the EFL.
The two bodies have met for discussions regarding a possible boost to solidarity payments between the divisions, with the EFL angling for the abolition of parachute payments and a greater cut of top-flight revenues.
The two sides want to reach an agreement ahead of the government’s introduction of an independent football regulator which will likely have the power to impose its own financial distribution model.
As relayed by The Times last Monday (16 January), Macnamara, whose official title was ‘head of policy and corporate affairs’ and who acted as the Premier League’s go-between with the government, has stepped down.
But Maguire does not anticipate that this will cause any operational problems at a critical time for the future of the English league system.
“I don’t see this as a massive issue,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Ultimately, the executives of the Premier League take their orders from the clubs as a collective.
“She hadn’t been there a particuarly long time in terms of building up relationships, although she does have some historic government involvement.
“When the second prime minsiter of 2022 was appinted, the Premier League effectively withdrew all offers from the table becase they were told a regulator would not be introduced.
“I think that is indicative of the fact they are willing to give away the absolute bare minimum.”
In other news, ex-Premier League referee can’t believe Jack Grealish controversy as Man City footage re-analysed.