Premier League chairman, Gary Hoffman has resigned after less than 18 months in the job following a backlash from clubs over the Newcastle takeover.
Last month, Burnley owner Alan Pace expressed no confidence in Hoffman’s leadership at an emergency shareholder’s meeting held on 19 th of October. Other clubs were also unhappy at the Premier League’s handling of the matter.
While another PL meeting took place earlier this month without clubs demanding a vote of no confidence, Hoffman felt he lacked the support of the majority of the clubs. Their main grievances are understood to revolve around the speed with which the Saudi Arabian takeover at St James’ Park was pushed through and the fact they were not kept informed.
It is understood there was fury among some that Hoffman ensured details of the Newcastle transaction were kept confidential in accordance with competition rules.
Those who took the biggest issue with the Newcastle takeover are their rivals fighting relegation. However, some with the big six have also expressed concerns.
Newcastle and Manchester City are also unhappy at the sudden ban on related-party sponsorship deals that was introduced this month.
Many will be sad to see him depart given a relative improvement in relations with EFL and FA.
Hoffman’s departure will lead to yet more instability at the top of the Premier League who only appointed him in June 2020 following a lengthy and bungled recruitment process to replace long-serving executive chairman Richard Scudamore.
Tow candidates turned down the chief executive job and a third resigned before taking office before the eventual appointment of current incumbent Richard Masters who then recruited Hoffman as chair.