Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has expressed his opposition to the idea of playing Premier League games outside of England. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport during Bournemouth’s pre-season tour in the United States, Foley made it clear that he values the traditional setup of English football and its fan base.
In May, FIFA announced that it was forming a working group to explore the possibility of hosting competitive domestic matches abroad. While Spain’s La Liga has shown interest in playing games in the United States as early as the 2025-26 season, the Premier League has stated that it currently has no such plans. Nonetheless, ten Premier League clubs, including Bournemouth, are participating in pre-season games in the U.S. this summer.
Foley firmly believes that pre-season matches in foreign countries are sufficient for international exposure and sees no need for regular-season games to be held outside the UK. “I believe what we are doing today—and there are other pre-season games—is what we should be doing,” said Foley. “In terms of playing actual Premier League matches in America? We should play in the UK. That is where they belong. I am very respectful of our fans and the whole system. I wouldn’t want to be involved in changing any of that.”
Foley, who reportedly paid £120m for Bournemouth in December 2022, has made it clear that he respects the traditions and fans of English football. “I believe if you talk to our fans at Bournemouth, they think Foley actually respects our system and respects our heritage. And I do,” he said. “Premier League games in America? No.”
Foley’s Vision for Bournemouth
Despite his opposition to overseas games, Foley has ambitious plans for Bournemouth’s future. The club finished 12th last season under manager Andoni Iraola, following Foley’s decision to sack Gary O’Neil, who had guided the team to a 15th-place finish the previous season. Foley’s multi-club ownership model includes stakes in French club Lorient, A-League team Auckland FC, and Scottish Premiership side Hibernian, under the umbrella of his Black Knights Sports and Entertainment group.
Foley is optimistic about Bournemouth’s chances in the Premier League and beyond. He has European aspirations for the club and is determined to see them compete on the continental stage.
Solanke’s Future at Bournemouth
Foley also addressed the future of striker Dominic Solanke, who scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season. While Solanke has a release clause rumored to be around £65m, Foley is confident the striker will remain with the club.
“I believe Dom is going to be with us this coming year. He has a release clause, which is very expensive. We shouldn’t reveal anything about the contract, but that area [reported £65m] sounds roughly correct. I guess if someone comes for him, we are going to have to replace him,” Foley explained. “We have two or three candidates that we have lined up. But I believe Dom will be here next year, and I believe he is going to score 21 or 22 goals.”
European Ambitions
Foley’s goals for Bournemouth extend beyond domestic success. He aims to see the club competing in European competitions in the near future. “We have big aspirations, but we are patient. Our goal this year is modest. Can we move to the top eight or nine, maybe even sneak into Europe? Our real goal is to play in Europe, to give our players a chance to experience Europe and do it with little Bournemouth,” he said.
Multi-Club Strategy
Foley’s multi-club strategy is designed to create a pathway for players to progress through different teams and eventually reach the Premier League. “It’s realistic because we are putting a great team together, with a lot of younger players. We are trying to be careful with how we do this,” he explained. “We are not a sovereign wealth fund or private equity. We are just simple little guys from America who came over and bought a team. We have a multi-club strategy, so we promote players from Club A to Club B to Club C to Club D.”
The strategy aims to standardize coaching and playing styles across all clubs under Foley’s ownership, providing players with opportunities to advance through the system. “It is not just going to be Bournemouth and a bunch of other teams. It is all designed to give the players a path to the Premier League. If we can do that, we should be able to be competitive and not have to kill ourselves financially. That will be our competitive edge,” Foley added.
Tyler Adams’ Injury Update
Foley also provided an update on Tyler Adams’ back injury, expressing optimism about the midfielder’s recovery. “He has been very unlucky in terms of injuries. We know the doctor he went to. He is one of the best back surgeons in America. I believe Tyler is fixed. It will be three months before he is playing with us, but once he starts, he will be phenomenal,” Foley said. “He is a leader on the field, a no-nonsense guy. He is going to be a key number six for us, our defensive midfielder. When he can play, he is going to be a game-changer.”
Credit: BBC Sport
