Liverpool and Everton’s owners are amongst the top six vying for the top spot in HITC Sport’s poll, alongside Middlesbrough, Southampton, Leicester and Bournemouth.
The results from HITC Sport’s poll looking for the best owners in the Premier League from 2016 are in. But do the people in charge of your club make it into the top six?
6. Bournemouth
Bournemouth owner Maxim Denim’s popularity is perhaps based on the fact that, as well as the success he has helped create for Bournemouth, he does not appear to crave the limelight in the slightest. That seemingly allowed the likes of Eddie Howe and others who know exactly what they are doing to keep the club in the Premier League in 2016 and use the rest of the calendar year to build a solid foundation that looks like it may well keep them up once again this season.
5. Southampton
Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger (L) and Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr
The Liebherr family have arguably done an incredible job since they took over a Southampton side that sat on -10 in League One just seven years ago. This year has not been without challenges as, once again, their previous manager, Ronald Koeman, was snapped up by another club in the summer. But, once again, Southampton have seemingly made a smart appointment with the acquisition of Claude Puel who guided the south coast club into the top half of the table heading into 2017.
4. Middlesbrough
Steve Gibson has developed a reputation for being an owner who is not afraid to give his manager time. And that strategy has now reaped the rewards as 2016 saw Middlesbrough promoted to the top flight after several years away. His faith in Aitor Karanka has seemingly always extended into the transfer market, and it would hardly be a surprise if that ability to avoid rash decisions ultimately leads to Middlesbrough staying up in 2017.
3. Everton
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright
Everton’s main shareholder Farhad Moshiri only arrived at Goodison Park in February but he already appears keen to make up for lost time in terms of spending money. Everton were arguably more extravagant in the summer window than they ever have been, and they also managed to land one of the most impressive managers currently working in the Premier League in Koeman. The fact that the fans are slightly disappointed with their current position only highlights how far they have the potential to go.
2. Liverpool
Although it happened in 2015, John W. Henry’s decision to bring Jurgen Klopp in as manager continues to ensure that he is popular amongst the passionate Anfield faithful. He backed the German in the transfer market during the calendar year with the marquee purchases of the likes of Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum. With the current structure in place, it is difficult to not imagine Liverpool in the title race on a regular basis in years to come.
1. Leicester City
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy with Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs and Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in the stands before the match
Leicester City’s King Power are unsurprisingly the owners who topped the poll among HITC Sport readers. Leicester, of course, won the Premier League title in 2016 and the hierarchy have endeared themselves further to the fans with initiatives such as a free beer and doughnuts on the owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s birthday back in April (via BBC News).
Despite a disappointing Premier League start to their league defence, Leicester are still into the Champions League knockout stages under Srivaddhanaprabha – a quite astonishing feat.
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