George Koumantarakis, a former football player for Manning Rangers, FC Basel, and Preston North-End, recently disclosed his experience trying to buy a South African top-flight team. In an interview with Soccer Laduma, he shared his unsuccessful attempt at purchasing AmaZulu and how he was offered Bloemfontein Celtic by the PSL after the initial deal fell through.
Koumantarakis explained that as a businessman, he understands why some local football clubs need to be sold to the highest bidder to stay afloat and keep the league alive. However, he expressed his reservations about the proposition, particularly when he was offered Bloemfontein Celtic after the AmaZulu deal collapsed.
He felt that the move didn’t hold value, considering the history, fan base, and culture of Bloemfontein Celtic in South African football. The former PSL Golden Boot winner emphasized the importance of changing ownership to keep the league alive, especially when clubs run into financial difficulty.
He acknowledged that tough decisions are sometimes necessary in the challenging business of football. Koumantarakis’s revelations offer insight into the complex dynamics of club ownership and financial stability in South African football.