Culture: Show me the way
In this episode, bosses at successful businesses describe how they instil shared values up and down the organisation. A Toyota plant in the middle of England practises a culture of continuous improvement. An American medical-technology company evaluates every employee through careful personality profiling.
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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gareth Bale in talks to become surprise co-owner of English football club
US investment groups have increasingly used celebrity faces to front their takeovers of English football clubs, with Gareth Bale the latest to be tapped up to full that role Gareth Bale is in talks to front an American takeover of League One side Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims were relegated to the third tier this season following a disastrous reign of Wayne Rooney as manager. Rooney was sacked in January after winning just four games to be replaced by Miron Muslic. But the Bosnian decided to take over the head coach role at side Schalke after Plymouth's relegation was confirmed. Former Watford manager Tom Cleverley is their third boss of the past 12 months and has been tasked with leading them back to the Championship. But Cleverley himself could have a new boss. Cleverley was appointed by current Argyle chairman Simon Hallett. But Hallett has been looking for fresh investment in the club for the past year, having become the majority shareholder in 2018. A deal for further investment fell through last month, but the interest of a US-based private equity group is growing. They are now looking to bring in a celebrity face in the form of former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Bale. According to the Daily Telegraph, Bale is being lined up by the group eyeing a takeover of Plymouth. Talks between the club and the group are ongoing, with Bale's involvement an unexpected addition to the story. The Welshman has no historic connection to the Home Park side. But US groups have increasingly looked to partner with famous faces in any deals to buy clubs operating below the Premier League. Bale's former team-mate at Spurs and Madrid, Luka Modric, is involved with Swansea City. NFL legend Tom Brady has invested in Birmingham City, while golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have bought shares in Leeds United. It is unclear how Bale has become involved in the project. He won three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues during his time at Madrid, before retiring in 2023 after a short spell with Los Angeles FC. Relegation came as a bitter blow for Argyle, with the club finishing three points from safety. Hallett has led significant off-field investment, with the South Coast side redeveloping their Mayflower Grandstander and funding new academy facilities. Amid the talk over fresh investment, Hallett has pledged to match the level of funding a new group brings in this season. Though he admitted last month that he felt new investment was not forthcoming. 'We have been in talks with a prospective new investor in our club for over a year – those talks led to an application for approval of that investment being lodged with the EFL in February,' he said at the time. 'Unfortunately, negotiations have taken too long and the key information that both we and the EFL required to complete the deal has not been forthcoming. I no longer believe that news of the new investor is imminent.'
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Gareth Bale in talks to become surprise co-owner of League One club
Real Madrid and Tottenham legend Gareth Bale is in talks to become the new co-owner of League One club Plymouth Argyle. The former Wales captain has remained largely out of the football scene after hanging up his boots in 2023, aside from the occasional appearance as a pundit. But Bale, 35, is now fronting a US-based private equity group who are plotting a full takeover of the Devon team who have been looking for new investment for some time. According to The Telegraph, the group includes members of the American-based Storch family but Bale's involvement in the bid has come as a complete surprise. Plymouth were relegated from the Championship last season, unable to recover after a dreadful start under the management of Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney. The Pilgrims did improve after Rooney was sacked on New Year's Eve, notably knocking eventual Premier League champions Liverpool out of the FA Cup. They'll begin the 2025/26 season with another former United and England star in the dugout, after appointing Tom Cleverly as head coach on a three-year contract last week. Bale is the latest big name sports star to become involved in owning an EFL club after his former Real teammate Luka Modric bought a minority share in Swansea City in April. The move had fuelled hope from fans that the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner would be signing for the Welsh club upon leaving Madrid, but the 39-year-old is instead set to move to AC Milan this summer. Additionally, NFL legend Tom Brady is a co-owner at Birmingham City, while golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas bought shares in Leeds United prior to their promotion to the Premier League. Clubs: Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Los Angeles FC Appearances: 554 Goals: 185 Assists: 132 Major Trophies: League Cup, La Liga x3, Copa del Rey, Champions League x5, Club World Cup x3, MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield One of the greatest forwards of his generation, Bale began his career at Southampton before joining Tottenham, where he established himself as arguably the Premier League's best player. More Trending In 2013, the winger moved to Real Madrid for a then-world record £85million and over the next nine years won five Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and three Club World Cups. He also become Wales' top goalscorer and appearance maker with 41 goals in 111 caps, playing a key role in the Dragons' remarkable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Injuries did affect his career at Los Blancos and after returning to Spurs for a season on loan, he finished his club career at Los Angeles FC and retired shortly after captaining his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd star tells £70m transfer target to join him at Old Trafford MORE: Bryan Mbeumo breaks silence on Manchester United and Tottenham transfer links MORE: Chelsea make £30m transfer bid for former Real Madrid defender
Fashion United
3 hours ago
- Fashion United
Gant renews licensing deal with Marcolin
Italian eyewear manufacturer Marcolin has announced a long-term licensing renewal with American sportswear brand Gant. The new license agreement has been extended until December 31, 2032, and covers the design, production and international distribution of Gant's sunglasses and optical frames. Marcolin has been producing Gant's eyewear collections since 2013 in line with the brand's American Sportswear heritage along with its more refined European influences, offering sunglasses and optical frames that are contemporary while staying true to Gant's iconic preppy style. The eyewear collections will continue to be available at selected retailers and on Gant eyewear Credits: Gant
