Priority is to get best price for Wigan Athletic, says 'optimistic' administrator

A consortium led by Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan – including fellow Wiganer Gary Speakman and Darryl Eales, the former chairman of Oxford United – was quick to show its hand last week.

The Wigan Sporting Partnership was immediately hailed by the town’s MP, Lisa Nandy, and Wigan Council as the perfect solution to the carnage created in the space of just 18 months since the club fell into foreign ownership.

But as the administrators pick up the pieces left by International Entertainment Corporation and Next Leader Fund LP, Krasner says geography will not be the over-riding factor in the decision-making process.

“I’ve always said the best deal for the club is the one that puts the most money in,” he told the Wigan Observer.

“It has to take preference, I have a legal duty here.

“Everybody may want a local buyer, one from Wigan.

“But if they’re only going to put in £2million for future finance, and somebody else is going to put in £5-10million, I’ve got to take that into account.

“The priority is to get the best price for the creditors – and also for the football club going forwards.

“It needs more money going in. Whatever I do, however many players I sell, it still won’t make a profit next year.

“And I think this is what’s got to be understood.

“It needs somebody to come in with money – and also somebody who understands football.”

Two weeks after assuming control, Krasner remains optimistic regarding their goals on two fronts.

“I told you on day one, I have two objectives,” he said. “To finish the season, and for Wigan Athletic to be playing football next season.

Lisa Nandy urges EFL to safeguard Wigan Athletic's future“Whatever I have to do to get those two objectives, I will do.”

Regarding finding a buyer, he said the process was ‘progressing’.

He continued: “There’s been lots of interest, but I think they need to start getting their cheque book out some time.

“I think I’ve sent 56 information packs out now, and we’ve had proof of funds back from a number of them. They’re now going through the information pack, and it’s progressing. It’s progressing on my timescale, and some of the others are going to be left behind.

“I’m optimistic we’re going to be able to finish the season, and it was another good result over the weekend.

“I remain optimistic I’m going to be able to secure a sale of some sort.

“It’s not going backwards but it’s not going forwards.”

Krasner did acknowledge the wage bill at the DW Stadium – comparatively low by Championship standards, but which represents a whopping 168 per cent of the turnover in the last set of published accounts – was proving a little bit of a hindrance.

“A little bit? It’s £12million,” he replied. “It will be reduced to what we need to finish the season.

“And it’s causing a problem for potential buyers – a big, big problem.

“They’re not just buying a football club, they’re buying a loss-making football club.”

With all this going on, Krasner has also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the placing of the club into administration just a month after Next Leader Fund LP assumed control.

And he is also waiting to hear back as to whether the club’s appeal against a 12-point deduction for entering administration – which could well decide which division the club finds itself next season – has been successful.

“The appeal went in on Friday night, and it’s not in my hands now,” he added. “I’m neither positive nor negative.

“I’m sorry to be evasive, but nobody’s ever done this before, it is a bizarre situation. Regarding our investigation, I’ll be making a press release when we have something to say.”