MacAnthony pledges Peterborough stake sale if club miss February top-10 target

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has pledged to put his 75% stake up for sale if the club are outside League One's top 10 in February, BBC Sport reported. The majority owner's commitment is conditional on the team's league position, rather than an announcement that a sale process has already begun.

Watch the highlights:

MacAnthony made the pledge on X after Peterborough's 2-0 defeat at Bradford City in the Carabao Cup last 16. He accepted responsibility for the squads assembled during his two decades of ownership but expressed confidence in the current players. He also backed manager Robbie Savage to improve their performances and said the owners would support him.

Peterborough are 21st in League One after 12 matches, one point from safety. Savage won his opening two games, including a 3-1 victory at Leicester City, but his side have since gone four matches without a win across all competitions. Their next fixture is at home to Luton Town on Saturday.

The managerial change was confirmed on 2 October, when Peterborough appointed Savage from Forest Green Rovers. BBC Sport's report on his arrival said he replaced Luke Williams, who had been dismissed on 19 September. Peterborough were then 23rd in the table. Savage signed a long-term contract, with caretaker manager Ryan Harley becoming his assistant.

It was Savage's first managerial appointment at an English Football League club. He had previously managed Macclesfield before joining Forest Green in July 2025. His first season there ended with a seventh-place National League finish and defeat in the play-off eliminators. On joining Peterborough, he identified developing young players as one of the attractions of the role.

MacAnthony's ownership dates to 2006. He sold half his stake to Jason Neale and Stewart Thompson through Kelgary Sports and Entertainment in 2018. In a separate report in 2023, BBC Sport said he had regained sole majority control after buying a substantial portion of their shares following their departure from the board. His latest pledge now ties a possible further ownership change to Peterborough's February league standing.