Burnley owner Alan Pace has doubled down on his insistence that they will remain separate from his new club Espanyol.
Mundo Deportivo cover comments from the Burnley owner today. He’s been holding a press conference regarding his takeover at Espanyol.
His purchase of the Catalan club was completed last week. It is believed the American businessman will pay around €130m for the club.
It appears he is keen to expand his football portfolio, doing so through his company Velocity Sport Limited. He bought Burnley in 2020 and, five years later, has now added Espanyol.
Owners creating a network of clubs is nothing new. It is particularly popular with American owners. For example, Chelsea’s ownership group own several clubs and Everton’s are the same, with their portfolio including the likes of Roma.
These clubs often work together. That’s been the case at Chelsea, much to the frustration of Strasbourg fans. They believe their club are being used as nothing more than a feeder club for the Blues, which means their own ambitions are weakened.
Burnley and Espanyol European clash already being considered
Pace has already insisted that Burnley and Espanyol will remain separate, and subsequently doubled down on that in his press conference today.
“We never want to say the two are the same. It’s like a family,” he said.
“His brother isn’t the same as you. That way, he’s the same. He’s completely independent. We’ve seen what happens with your brother and perhaps we’ve learned what we can use in certain situations.
“Are there synergies? Yes. (Luca) Koleosho was here, went there, and now he’s back here on loan. There are many things we can learn. I’m not bringing in many people from there, nor do I want to bring in people who can’t speak the language. Little by little.”
And, it seems, he’s already put a plan in place in case both clubs end up in the same European competition in future.
“I know what we have to do,” he added.
“I have to get out of one of the two, not at the same time. We’ve planned and have advisors. I’d like us to be in the same situation in both. Let’s see; it’s difficult in both leagues.”
