Burnley’s owner, Alan Pace, is making it clear: there’s no reason for fans to worry about his recent acquisition of Espanyol. After all, he’s all about collaboration, not competition.
Following his return to Barcelona for a series of discussions, Pace addressed the topic head-on. Just last Tuesday, he met with Clarets supporters at Burnley College, where he shared his vision for both clubs. Fans listened intently as he talked about the exciting possibilities ahead, and his passion for both teams was palpable.
In case you missed it, Pace recently completed a takeover of the Catalan side, a move that had been in the works for months. With the spotlight firmly on him, he spoke at the Espanyol presentation, emphasizing that these two clubs are going to work together harmoniously. He’s been using the term “synergy,” and you can tell he genuinely believes in the partnership that’s about to blossom.
One of his biggest priorities? To assure Espanyol fans that they won’t end up feeling like a secondary option, or worse, a feeder club for Burnley. It’s a concern that’s popped up for fan bases across Europe, especially since some recent high-profile takeovers. Take Strasbourg fans, for example, who have voiced their frustrations about their connection to Chelsea. No wonder Pace is eager to sidestep any similar tensions.
In his upbeat remarks, Pace said, “They’re not going to clash; they’re going to complement each other.” He was adamant that there hasn’t been a mass migration of players from one club to the other. “Each club will operate on its own,” he continued. But he didn’t dismiss the idea of friendly matches down the line—after all, he believes in being “good cousins” in this new family dynamic.
With his refreshing approach, Pace is certainly laying the groundwork for a hopefully fruitful partnership between the Burnley and Espanyol. Fans will definitely be keen to see how this all plays out. So, for now, it’s all about staying tuned and watching these two clubs create something special together.