Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari banker and lifelong Manchester United supporter, has submitted a bid to acquire 100 percent of the 13‑time Premier League champions. His offer, presented on Friday, makes him one of two public bidders since the club’s owners announced their intention to sell three months ago.
Born in August 1982, Sheikh Jassim is the son of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who served as Qatar’s prime minister from 2007 to 2013. He attended the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, United Kingdom, graduating as an officer cadet, and later served as a second lieutenant in the Qatari armed forces. Although he was once the heir apparent to his father, he declined the position of Crown Prince in 2003. He is the older brother of Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.
In his professional career, Sheikh Jassim is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank, one of Qatar’s leading banks and listed among the Middle East’s top 30 most valuable companies by Forbes. He has also served on the board of Credit Suisse Group.
Sheikh Jassim is married to his cousin, Sheikha Bothaina bint Hamad Al Thani, and together they have eight children. If his bid for Manchester United succeeds, these are the key facts to know about the prospective new owner.
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