Portsmouth Goodbye to Gaydamak? Pompey Sale Talk Not Necessarily Good Idea

I still remember the day incredibly well; it was only the second day of the new year in 2006 and I had awoken to listen to Portsmouth play Blackburn on the radio, praying that Harry Redknapp’s return was going to right the mess that Alain Perrin had us in.

I never would have imagined the news that I heard.

Milan Mandaric—then owner of the club—had confirmed that we were in talks with the son of a Russian billionaire, who would become joint owner of the club. Regardless of our 2-1 loss to Rovers that day and the fact that we were still in the relegation zone, Portsmouth was simply buzzing at the possibilities.

By the end of the season—having staved off relegation—Alexandre Gaydamak had agreed a deal with Mandaric to buy out his remaining share of the club. In the meanwhile, Portsmouth prepared for what would be the most impressive campaign the club had experienced in more than 50 years, barely missing out on UEFA Cup football.

Another year later and with more money from Gaydamak, and the club had reached the UEFA Cup but, more importantly, had the FA Cup to add to the long-neglected silverware case. Times at Portsmouth under Gaydamak and Redknapp were the greatest they had been since the 1940’s and early 1950’s.

It was, once again, Portsmouth’s time.

With Gaydamak’s funds, the club has purchased the incredible talents of David James, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Lassana Diarra, Glen Johnson, Sulley Muntari, Pedro Mendes, and many others.

But there is a chance that all is about to change.

The media have been reporting over the past two days that Portsmouth are in advanced-stage discussions with a South African consortium—as well as “super-agent” Pini Zahavi—to buy the club. While reports have been conflicting as to Zahavi’s involvement, as well as to how advanced/successful talks are, something is almost definitely afoot.

The club has failed to make any statement regarding the speculation, and there has long been fear that the international “credit crunch” is the reason that the “Gaydamak well” has run dry. Money was scarce in the summer transfer window, leading Chief Executive Peter Storrie to go back on the club’s word that there would be three big-name signings.

Other sites are reporting that Portsmouth supporters believe Gaydamak has achieved what he can for the club:

”Harry Redknapp's departure to Spurs was seen as bad news for last season's FA Cup winners and many fans would welcome a change of owner.” (teamtalk.com)

Well, I am certainly a supporter who isn’t welcoming Gaydamak's departure. While we have fear about just how much the club would spend under Gaydamak in January, is this supposed consortium really a better option? Are we really going to see the money we need for players and for continued improvement? Does Gaydamak really believe that this new group will push us in the right direction?

Then, there is the concern of management. With Zahavi being linked with this takeover, it is being speculated his fellow Israeli Avram Grant—who had a spell at the club before Chelsea as Director of Football—will be installed as the manager. Zahavi and Grant certainly have a strong relationship, but I truly fear for a side managed by him.

He is an excellent manager whose skill at management and tactics I absolutely do not doubt; he is top-notch. What I doubt is his ability and charisma in luring players to Fratton Park. We’re not Chelsea, and the players we need to progress the club need to be “wined-and-dined” and convinced that Portsmouth is a step in the right direction.The place where their ambition can be met.

Time will tell whether this all ends up happening, or if it ends up being pure speculation. I, however, am definitely concerned. I am really trusting in Gaydamak and Storrie to ensure we aren’t handed over to owners that will lead us in the wrong direction.

The question, however, is whether Gaydamak’s financial situation and available funds to support the club have dwindled so significantly that he won’t be able to provide for the club anymore, and needs to find simply someone who can.