“Anybody would be better” – Sky Sports pundit backs 59-year-old for Reading FC takeover

Mike Ashley is a maligned figure in the eyes of many Newcastle fans, but he could be the right fit for the Royals, who have struggled in recent years

Reading FC is in a dire situation at the bottom of the League One table and in need of a shakeup at the boardroom level. The club’s owner, Dai Yongge, has faced criticism for overspending and breaking rules, leading to fan frustration and calls for his removal. There are currently four official offers on the table for a potential takeover of the club, with Mike Ashley being seen as a potentially suitable owner to help navigate Reading out of their current predicament.

Siting rock-bottom of the League One table and recently overtaken by struggling Cheltenham Town, Reading FC are in desperate need of a fresh lease of life at boardroom level.

There has been significant spending over the years by their Chinese businessman owner Dai Yongge since he arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in 2017, but there is such a thing as too much spending and breaking the rules – which is what the club have done under his ownership.

Fans have understandably been growing tired and frustrated with Yongge’s actions and subsequent consequences that have occurred, but there could be change on the horizon.

What is the latest on a potential takeover of Reading FC?

Reading supporters have been trying to push Yongge out of the door for some time, but those attempts have accelerated in recent times due to points deductions, late and unpaid wages and also unpaid tax bills.

It does appear though that a takeover could be coming in the near future, with the Reading Chronicle’s latest update last week was that four official offers are on the table for the Berkshire outfit, with Yongge flying in to England to oversee negotiations.

There were hopes that exclusivity would be granted to one party by the end of last week, but that has not occurred as of yet, whilst one of the interested parties – DA Capital – have since taken control of Nuneaton Borough.

One of the more prominent parties that has been discussed is that of ex-Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, who certainly wasn’t well-liked by most Magpies supporters during his time at St. James’ Park, but he is a shrewd businessman and sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for £305 million in 2021.

Ashley has been touted as an ideal owner for Reading to get themselves out of what they currently find themselves in by a current League One chairman in the form of Peterborough United’s Darragh MacAnthony, and he has also been given somewhat of a seal of approval by an EFL pundit.

Is Mike Ashley the right person to take over at Reading FC?

Sky Sports commentator and pundit Don Goodman believes that despite his past issues as Newcastle owner and their supporters’ opinion of him, Ashley could be a good owner for the Royals to get them out of the mess that they currently find themselves in.