Salford owner Marwan Koukash ‘set to leave’ the Red Devils with several businessmen lined up to take charge
Owner is thought to be ready to hand the club to a new board
MARWAN Koukash is set to make a dramatic departure from Salford.
SunSport has learned plans are being drawn up to replace the flamboyant millionaire with a trustee board at the Red Devils.
Several businessmen based in the area are thought to be being lined up to take charge should Koukash decide to leave.
And it is understood those plans were given the go ahead in a meeting last night.
Koukash saved Salford from going under when he took charge in 2013 and has not been afraid to make headlines since.
He brought in a raft of big-money signings and even contemplated an offer for dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams.
But there have been other controversies too, like a court case where former player Tony Puletua took Salford to a tribunal over unpaid wages.
And the club was deducted six points last season, costing them a place in the Super 8s, because of salary cap breaches in earlier campaigns.
Ian Watson’s men only stayed up after a dramatic late turnaround in the Million Pound Game against Hull KR and Gareth O’Brien’s sudden death drop goal.
This year, things improved on the field as Salford finished fourth after 23 rounds and reached the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals.
But his departure could see a reduction in costs, with as much as £300,000 being mentioned, for coach Watson.
And Aussie playmaker Todd Carney said he was being released because of a cost-cutting measure.
Salford would not comment on the speculation but an announcement is expected in the coming days.
