Who is Steve Rosen? The man leading the Sheffield United takeover bid | OneFootball

With reports suggesting an imminent announcement of a Sheffield United takeover, Football League World looks at the spearhead of the Blades' new era.

A new era beckons at Bramall Lane after reports emerged that a takeover of Sheffield United is imminent.

Following months of uncertainty for Blades fans, Bloomberg reported last month that Steve Rosen, an American private equity executive, was leading discussions for the club to be taken over by a US investor group.

If completed, the deal would signal an end to Prince Abdullah bin Mossad Al Saud's decade of involvement in the Blades. Prince Abdullah, a member of the ruling House of Saud in Saudi Arabia, has been part of United's top team since 2013 when he purchased 50% of Kevin McCabe's shares in the club. He purchased the remainder in September 2019 to gain full control.

What's more, confirmation of the takeover this week would mean a new era in the red-and-white half of the city would commence with the small matter of a Steel City Derby, the first meeting between United and Sheffield Wednesday in five years, at home in S2.

But who is Steve Rosen, the man at the centre of the Sheffield United takeover?

Steve Rosen background

As reported in the Sheffield Star last month, Steve Rosen comes from Ohio and co-founded Resilience Capital Partners at the age of 30. According to the company's website, Resilience Capital Partners is an equity investment group founded in 2001.

Their focus is on companies headquartered in North America but operating anywhere in the world, with investment in industries such as industrial aviation and aerospace, manufacturing and consumer goods, to name a few. Resilience Capital Partners states Mr Rosen currently serves as the company's chair.

The Star further claims investments in these industries are usually worth between $10 million and $75 million. His personal net worth is unknown but The Star say he recently purchased a home at the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, an incredibly wealthy neighbourhood north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for $6.7 million.

Mr Rosen's Resilience Capital Partners profile states he studied at the University of Maryland and received an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He also co-founded and is the co-CEO of Zanite Acquisition Corporation in the aviation industry and is currently part of the Board of Directors for six other companies.

When discussing his investment ethos, in a 2019 interview with Leaders Online, Mr Rosen said: "We look for niche market opportunities. Half of our portfolio has been built on outgoing searches for niche opportunities."

Mr Rosen's deal to take the reins at Bramall Lane is reported to be worth about $105 million.

The past year has been one to forget for Blades fans. A record-equalling horror season in the Premier League was further supplemented by a two-point deduction to start life back in the Championship. What's more, the club being up for sale for about 18 months, and the seeming lack of progress in finding a buyer, led many Blades fans to feel the club was "stuck in limbo".

However, news that a takeover announcement will come in the nick of time for Sunday's Steel City Derby will no doubt bolster the feel-good factor around the club - not just for their inter-city clash but for the season as a whole.

Mr Rosen will be hoping he can use his experience as a business leader to create a strong mentality on the pitch for the Blades as they look to get back into the Premier League.

"Having the right attitude at the top and in the ownership group creates enthusiasm," he told Leaders Online. "A great leader should be able to create more great leaders."

With January just around the corner as well, news of fresh investment could allow for a bumper transfer window to help in that pursuit of the Premier League. It's an exciting time on one side of Sheffield and no doubt news of a new era will have everyone involved in the club psyched up to leave everything on the pitch this Sunday.