---
title: "Southampton: Fans shocked by comments on Gao Jisheng"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-saints-st-marys-stadium-gao-jisheng-toby-steele/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-11T19:40:46Z"
modified: "2021-08-11T19:40:46Z"
---

# Southampton: Fans shocked by comments on Gao Jisheng

**Southampton fans were shocked after club managing director Toby Steele said owner Gao Jisheng is passionate about the team even though he is silent.**

The Saints are preparing for the new campaign, which kicks off this weekend – they will face Everton at Goodison Park in their first clash. They have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in five new faces ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12312527/transfer-news-summer-transfer-window-2021-premier-league-ins-and-outs)), and they will be hoping to improve on their 15th place finish from last term.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”338761″\]

Gao is the man in charge at the club and he is not incredibly popular ([This Is Futbol](https://thisisfutbol.com/2019/12/blogs/premier-league/southampton-some-saints-fans-desperate-to-get-rid-of-club-owner-gao-jisheng/))

It is rare that fans will hear from the businessman, who is already looking to sell the club just four years after buying it ([The Daily Echo](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/18289982.southampton-fc-put-sale-250m-according-reports/)), while he has failed to invest in the side as much as the supporters want ([The Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/599f0a1e-8910-11e9-a028-86cea8523dc2)).

However, Steele has still suggested the boss is ‘extremely passionate’ about the south-coast outfit.

\[freshpress-poll id=”369834″\]

The comments were [shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra](https://twitter.com/SaintsExtra/status/1425148703065640967), and they attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

### **Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments on Gao below**

**“Toby, please, listen to that one back and try and keep a straight face.”**

Credit: [@lucyhighnett](https://twitter.com/lucyhighnett/status/1425221930987184130)

**“Still called the owner invisible”**

Credit: [@neuhausenmatt](https://twitter.com/neuhausenmatt/status/1425240365485940736)

**“What a joke”**

Credit: [@MoveRoot](https://twitter.com/MoveRoot/status/1425150890558693379)

**“Next joke”**

Credit: [@JoshSFC13578](https://twitter.com/JoshSFC13578/status/1425149203966214147)

**“blink twice if you’re being held hostage”**

Credit: [@bruhsound1111](https://twitter.com/bruhsound1111/status/1425149064354668545)

**“Surely if he loves the club he’d let ralph spend money”**

Credit: [@Oscar87466990](https://twitter.com/Oscar87466990/status/1425397062644948994)

***In other news, [Southampton want this ace compared to Arjen Robben.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-transfer-rumours/southampton-saints-noni-madueke-psv-donyell-malen-hasenhuttl-st-marys-stadium/)***