Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman ‘is on the brink of stepping down’

Gary Hoffman, the Premier League’s chairman, is reportedly close to stepping down from his role just 18 months after taking charge – in the wake of the backlash sparked by Newcastle’s takeover by a Saudi-led consortium.

A number of top-flight clubs have been angered by the handling of the high-profile change of ownership at St James’ Park, and reports last month indicated that the majority of the teams believed Hoffman should leave.

And, as claimed by Sky News this evening, Hoffman is on the brink and close to finalising his departure. An announcement may even be made in the coming days, one executive at a club is understood to believe.

The same outlet adds that there was a chance the much-maligned Hoffman would change his mind and stay in a last-minute U-turn, but only provided a large number of clubs persuaded him to do so. However, it is believed that this is unlikely.

All 20 sides in the Premier League are said to have been briefed on Hoffman’s exit. 

The sensational turn of events follows damning allegations from The Athletic, who wrote that the ire felt towards Hoffman from clubs has reached a tipping point.

Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman is reportedly set to quit his role after just 18 months

Newcastle were sold to a consortium made up of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media (pictured: crown prince Mohammed bin Salman)

In the report, the publication claims that executives across the upper division do not believe Hoffman possesses ‘necessary clout from a governance, political and communication perspective’, and that the Newcastle takeover only made this worse.

Hoffman was appointed as the chairman of the top-flight back in April 2020, but has endured a turbulent time since. He took over with football in England stopped indefinitely as a result of the first lockdown used to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, the pressure on the Premier League ratcheted up further after the controversial European Super League breakaway, which failed after supporters protested vocally and the majority of the member clubs pulled out. 

Hoffman was appointed in April 2020 but endured a tumultuous spell ahead of his departure

The change of ownership at Newcastle is worth £305million but was heavily criticised by clubs

And, in the middle of the storm, Hoffman is said to have struggled for popularity during his time at the top of the football pyramid. 

Despite this, one executive at a club involved in the plot said: ‘He was a robust figure over the Super League issue but I have no desire to see him step down.

‘His has been a pragmatic voice in the governance of the Premier League at a time of unprecedented turbulence.’

In the past, Hoffman has enjoyed a successful career in business. He is credited with helping keep Northern Rock afloat after its nationalisation during the financial crisis in 2008 – and has also been high-flying in the world of finance.

Amanda Staveley (right) and Mehrdad Ghodoussi (left) are two of Newcastle’s new directors

He is a former executive at Barclays, ran the insurance company Hastings and was also chairman of Monzo, the digital bank, before starting work with the top-flight. 

Project Big Picture proved to be another obstacle Hoffman was faced with, when Manchester United and Liverpool looked to lower the number of teams in the Premier League to 18 and hand a part of the revenue to the Football League. 

Sky News‘ report goes on to add that senior figures in football believe that Hoffman has been left to ‘carry the can’ over the Newcastle takeover, with some even saying that the board was forced into an ‘impossible position’.

The Premier League refused to comment today, Sky say, while Hoffman could not be reached for comment.