Sandgaard reveals reason for Wigan Athletic 'snub'

Charlton's new owner Thomas Sandgaard has revealed he decided against trying to buy Wigan Athletic because of 'limitations on player trades'.
Charlton owner Thomas SandgaardCharlton owner Thomas Sandgaard
Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard

The Danish/American businessman has brought stability to Charlton since taking over in October, with the Addicks looking a good bet for an instant return to the Championship.

But it could have been so different, with Sandgaard telling talkSPORT on Wednesday morning he looked at Sunderland, Coventry and Latics before opting for the capital club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It started back in May or June," he said. "I had a really good friend in LA who one day asked me ‘have you ever thought about owning an English football club’. I was like ‘what? No’.

“He was working with an attorney with some business here in London, and that attorney knew what was going on up at Wigan going into administration.

“We started looking at that and I got pretty close and found out, most importantly, with administration there would be a lot of limitations on player trades, etc.

“I’m about building things not about trying to minimise the losses and get through it and maybe League One then League Two. No, I’m not about that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I started looking at other clubs instead. Coventry, Sunderland and those other types of clubs came up, and Charlton by far just checked all the boxes.

“It was just the ownership situation and the drama in the boardroom, and we thought ‘hey, we can fix that’.”

Read unlimited Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors stories for less than 70p a week by subscribing to our sports package here