Steve Diamond lifts lid on failed 'Manchester City Sharks' pitch

Steve Diamond has revealed that he pitched three times to Premier League giants Manchester City about buying his former club, Sale Sharks, when he was in charge of the Salford-based outfit.

Diamond told The Ruck podcast that he tried and failed to get Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group to buy the Sharks and install them in the Academy Stadium on their Etihad Campus but was turned down flat.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth investment group Public Investment Fund was discussing buying stakes in and acquiring stadium naming rights at four Premiership clubs.

Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, and Gloucester were also reported to be working with PIF in establishing a rugby academy in Saudi Arabia but very little has been heard since February.

Falcons boss Diamond believes that what was widely touted as a bailout of club finances will not happen. Instead, the likes of PIV and Abu Dhabi United Group will focus all their energies on their football investments.

“There was some interest about the investment funds looking at rugby as a whole like CVC did. There was some connection with Semore Kurdi’s family, but it’s a nonstarter.

“It's the same in Manchester with the Abu Dhabi people who bought Man City. They are very deep and narrow. They are not interested. I pitched to them three times about the Manchester City Sharks.

“It would have been a great brand in the 8,000-seater stadium they’ve got. But they weren't interested. Fair play to them. You know, to run a rugby business is one year's salary for a player.

“I thought we could have got it with that, but they didn't want to do it, and I think the same here. They want to concentrate on Newcastle United, and that’s it,” said Diamond.