The American conglomerate that owns Premier League outfit Burnley completed a majority takeover of Espanyol earlier this month. In a recent interview, Alan Pace, the American businessman overseeing the sporting operations at both clubs, cited Manchester rivals City and United's example while explaining his ambitions and why success will follow Espanyol, even if it takes time.
New ownership in place at Espanyol
The American consortium that owns Premier League club Burnley officially secured a majority stake in La Liga team Espanyol earlier this month. The acquisition, carried out by Velocity Sports Partners under the leadership of U.S. businessman Pace, is reportedly worth as much as €200 million (£173m/$233m), according to British media outlets. This deal concludes the nine-year ownership of the Barcelona-based side by Chinese company Rastar Group.
"I would also like to express my gratitude to Chen Yansheng and the Rastar Group for their stewardship of RCD Espanyol," said Pace at the time of the announcement. "Their hard work and commitment have laid a strong foundation, and we look forward to working alongside them as we aim to take the club to the next level."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPace wants to make Espanyol 'one of Spain's top six' clubs
At a press conference last Tuesday, Pace shared his ambitions for Espanyol. "Success for me is being one of big six clubs [in Spain], that would be great, that's success, being in the top six," he said, before adding that he "would love for this club, any club that I am associated with, to win Champions League."
He remains committed to establishing a strong foundation and structure that will sustain long-term success, even after he is no longer able to contribute directly. "But it's an ambition. It may happen long after I'm dead, but we have to put plans in place and change the mentality [for that to happen]. We want winners," Pace added.
Pace makes Man City and Man Utd claim
This week, Pace gave another interview, this time to Catalan daily . When asked what can Espanyol do better in the next five years to become a top-six club, the business tycoon said, "At this point, I don't know. Consistency? I don't know how we'll get there, so it's a little difficult to come and say, we have to improve this. I'd be an idiot. I know there are things happening right now that are the way the players work together, the way Manolo [Gonzalez] has brought them to that mentality. I don't know if there are many things that need to change.
"But for that consistency, in the long term, over 10 years, there are things that do need to change. Maybe not right now, because I think there are eight youth players in the team; that doesn't have to change. I would like to always have that, to always have eight or ten youth players in the first team. That means it's working well.
"The team is used to bringing players from the bottom up; there are things where perhaps we need to sprinkle a little pixie dust; maybe there are some opportunities in the market, some opportunities from other countries. I don't know, but I know there is something we can do; I don't know when exactly. I know that sporting director Fran [Garagarza], Manolo and the captains are going to tell us what we have to do."
He added: "I always think without limits. If I said we could be at the same level as our peers, it would be very difficult, and I'd get a lot of hate, but that's what I think. If not, I wouldn't be here. I come from California, I was a kid with much less than I have now, and if I don't think the sky's the limit, why not? I think we can do almost the same, but it would take 20-30 years, I don't know. But I've seen what happened to Manchester City and Manchester United, so why can't it happen here?"
Getty Images SportWhen do Espanyol play again?
Los Periquitos have made a bright start to the season, claiming 15 points from their opening nine games. They currently sit in sixth position, nine points behind league leaders Real Madrid and one point behind an automatic Champions League qualification spot. They have never featured in Europe's most prestigious club competition, while the last time they played in Europe was in the 2019-20 season, when they reached the Round of 32 in Europa League.
They will be hoping to collect maximum points when they host surprise package Elche on Saturday at the RCDE Stadium.