Sulaiman Al-Fahim once promised Portsmouth striker with 184 Premier League goals
Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s stint as Portsmouth owner was no doubt a disaster.
Taking over in 2009, he only lasted six weeks at Pompey as their financial situation deteriorated.
His time after leaving Portsmouth wasn’t much better either, with the businessman being sentenced to five years in jail for stealing £5million for his wife to buy the South Coast club.
In contrast, The Tornante Company’s current ownership of Portsmouth is far less chaotic, with the Eisner family heavily investing in Fratton Park.
However, much of Al Fahim’s reign was filled with promises to invest in Pompey’s squad, something that never came about.
Sulaiman Al-Fahim tried to get Sergio Aguero to sign for Portsmouth
Pompey had many great strikers during their spell in the Premier League.
Jermaine Defoe’s short spell at Portsmouth is certainly memorable, with the former England international forming a great partnership with Peter Crouch.
However, if Al-Fahim’s claims had come through, Sergio Aguero could have signed at Fratton Park.
According to an old article from the Daily Mail on 17 August 2009, Diego Maradona could have joined Portsmouth in an ambassador role, with the South Coast club having £100m to spend.
| Sergio Aguero’s Premier League record | |
| Appearances | 275 |
| Goals | 184 |
| Assists | 47 |
Apparently, the Argentine legend had assurances from Samuel Eto’o, Aguero, David Villa and David Silva that they’d join him at Pompey, something that clearly never happened.
Instead, Portsmouth were relegated that season with just 19 points as Frederic Piquionne finished as their top scorer, with Al-Fahim already out of the door.
Michael Eisner’s ownership of Portsmouth has been a success
While current owner, Michael Eisner, has received some stick at Portsmouth since his takeover in 2017, it has no doubt been a success so far.
Pompey are finally out of League One and are back in the Championship after almost a decade.
On top of this, Portsmouth have an outside chance of promotion this season, which could see them finally return to the Premier League.
If this happens, Eisner will no doubt be a hero as the South Coast club looks to finally return to the promised land.
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