Kieran Maguire

Sat 19 February 2022 10:00, UK

The Madrox regime may have retained shares in Sunderland so they can secure a “huge profit” further down the line.

That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about recent developments at the Stadium of Light.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus completed a takeover of Sunderland in February last year but failed to provide clarity on the club’s ownership structure.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday (15 February) that the 23-year-old has now admitted he owns just 41 per cent of the League One club.

Madrox high-uppers Stewart Donald, Juan Sartori, and Charlie Methven meanwhile own 34 per cent, 20 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.

Per Chronicle Live on Wednesday (16 February) Donald and Methven have issued statements distancing themselves from day-to-day operations.

And Maguire argues that they will be happy to let their shares lie dormant until they can flip them for a bigger price.

“Louis-Dreyfus had the resources to buy the club outright,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“There is also a huge case for a clean break when you move into a club. It generates more goodwill and removes toxicity.

“In terms of the price paid, I suspect there will be some add-ons. We don’t know the exact details.

“If they were sold at, say, £30m, that’s a good price for a League One club not in receipt of parachute payments. So he could afford it.

“I suspect that it was more a case of Donald and Methven having eyes bigger than their spoons.

“They feel that Sunderland could be in the Premier League in a couple of seasons. If that is the case, they want a share of a huge proft.

“I suspect that is why they have retained some skin in the game with their shareholdings.”

Sunderland, who are 4th in League One, are in action against Milton Keynes Dons today (19 February).

It is new manager Alex Neil’s first match at the Stadium of Light.

In other news, Kevin Phillips “gutted” by Sunderland announcement as Kevin Ball exit details emerge.