Brentford owner Matthew Benham has recently sold his majority stake in FC Midtjylland, a Danish football club, to Danish businessman Anders Holch Povlsen. Holch Povlsen initially purchased a 25% stake in Midtjylland in 2021 but has now acquired 95.5% ownership of the club. Despite stepping away from Midtjylland, Benham’s gambling company, Smartodds, will continue to provide data to the club.
Benham became the majority shareholder of Brentford in 2012 and later acquired a 60% stake in Midtjylland. The idea behind this move was to experiment with innovative ideas for running a football club at Midtjylland and then implement successful strategies at Brentford. The two clubs also engaged in player exchanges, with Brentford purchasing Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka from Midtjylland for £8.5 million in 2021.
Under Benham’s ownership, Midtjylland achieved significant success, winning their first-ever league title in their history within the first 12 months. They went on to become champions in 2017-18 and 2019-20 as well. In the 2019-20 season, Midtjylland qualified for the group stages of the Champions League for the first time but finished at the bottom of their group, which included Liverpool, Atalanta, and Ajax.
During Benham’s nine-year tenure, Midtjylland consistently finished in the top four of the Danish league. However, they faced a setback last season when they ended up in seventh place and had to compete in the relegation play-offs.
Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Benham has shifted his focus towards helping the club establish itself in the top flight. As part of this transition, he has sold his stake in Midtjylland to Heartland, a company run by Holch Povlsen. Holch Povlsen, who made his fortune through the clothing chain Bestseller, is also a major shareholder in ASOS and Zalando. He is known as the largest individual private landowner in the United Kingdom. Heartland has also acquired a majority stake in Portuguese second division club CD Mafra.
In a statement on Midtjylland’s website, Benham expressed his satisfaction with the progress made during his ownership and his confidence in Heartland taking over the club. He thanked everyone he worked with and met along the way and pledged to continue following the club closely.
The sale of Benham’s stake in Midtjylland marks the end of an era for both clubs. Benham’s involvement in Midtjylland allowed for the implementation of innovative ideas and strategies that contributed to the club’s success. The experience gained from this venture will undoubtedly benefit Brentford as they navigate their way through the Premier League.
As for Midtjylland, the transition to new ownership presents an opportunity for further growth and development. Holch Povlsen’s successful track record in business, combined with his passion for football, bodes well for the club’s future. With Heartland’s involvement, Midtjylland can continue building on the foundation laid by Benham and strive for further success in Danish and European football.
In conclusion, Matthew Benham’s decision to sell his majority stake in FC Midtjylland to Anders Holch Povlsen marks a significant development for both clubs. Benham’s involvement in Midtjylland allowed for experimentation and innovation that translated into success on the field. As he shifts his focus towards Brentford’s Premier League journey, Holch Povlsen’s ownership provides a new chapter of growth and potential for Midtjylland. The future looks promising for both clubs as they continue to pursue their respective ambitions in domestic and European football.