Mamadou Sakho, once a towering figure in PSG’s and Liverpool’s backlines, has transitioned into a new phase in his life that see’s him pursuing his entrepreneurial drive. Sakho has ventured into the world of business, spearheading his own venture, Sakho & Co.
Sakho’s prime comprised of 7 seasons at PSG, where he made 191 appearances, scoring 7 times, and 4 seasons at Liverpool, making 80 appearances before falling out with manager Jurgen Klopp(Stats via Fotmob). Despite playing a pivotal role during Liverpool’s 2013-14 campaign, when they came tantalizingly close to a Premier League title, his tenure was marred by disciplinary issues.
In 2016, manager Jürgen Klopp sent Sakho home from the club’s pre-season tour in the United States due to lateness and missed commitments. Reflecting on his time at Liverpool, Sakho once remarked, “I gave everything on the pitch, but sometimes things happen off it that are out of your control.”
Issues with club personnel continued for the Frenchman on his return to Ligue 1 with Montpellier, things abruptly ended after a reported altercation with manager Michel Der Zakarian.
Popular news outlet L’Equipe claimed that witnesses saw him grab the manager by the collar, although Sakho has denied this. He released a statement about the same that rejected these accusations: “Following the incident that took place last week at the training centre and for which I decline all responsibility, I have decided, on this day of 11/2/2023, to ending my collaboration with Montpellier Herault Sports Club.”
But now Sakho’s football career has taken a backseat, and in 2024 he laid the groundwork for his new venture, Sakho & Co., that launched in November 2024. This startup, based in Dubai, is focused on luxury properties and high-end experiences and services as a whole. The company’s motto, “Elevate Your Game,” reflects Sakho’s vision to provide tailored solutions for entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals.
“It is finally time to share a project that unites my passion for football with my entrepreneurial spirit,” said Sakho on the official Instagram page of his venture which now has over 2k followers. He continued, “I can’t wait to introduce Sakho & Co. an ecosystem that offers a comprehensive range of interconnected services.”
The lavish launch party in Dubai saw famous sportstars such as boxer Cedric Doumbe, Frenchman Fran Malouda, and some of his former teammates such as Bacary Sagna and Christian Benteke. There were also other distinguished guests like Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary For Mining, Blue Economy & Maritime Affairs.
In a podcast he spoke more in depth about the services on offer, “Sakho & Co. is a company that houses 5 businesses. First in real estate called Sakho Properties, a service that offers luxurious properties in places like Dubai and Paris. The service provides the full package along with accounting and legal assistance.”
One of their TikTok’s showcases a panoramic penthouse in Dubai on the 75th floor, offering a 360 degree view of the city. Another video shows a property on Jumeriah Island, UAE, which has a size of 7500 sq.ft on a 14,000 sq.ft plot.
“Then there is Sakho Interior Design. Operating worldwide, we are showcasing Made in Italy craftsmanship with a showroom in Dubai,” said Sakho. “We also have Sakho Concierge, to organize vacations for people who want to travel, whether it’s to Senegal, Dubai, or the South of France.”
Sakho Consulting aims to assist individuals in establishing businesses in Dubai, offering end-to-end services from obtaining visas to setting up offices. Finally, Sakho concludes, “We have video production services called Sakho Production. We have top-notch videographers that are very experienced and have created stunning ads.”
When talking about this new venture of his, he calls it his “UFO” which he had been waiting to reveal, and his little “baby.”
He also draws similarities between success in football and success in such entrepreneurial endeavors: “I see business exactly the way I see the world of sport and football; all that is important is the teams bond well and communicate well. A good coach needs to have good elements and play them in the right positions.”
It’s a transition that few people make easily, from football to business, but by setting up in Dubai, a hub for a lot of new ventures, Sakho has put himself and his company in a place where the sky is the limit for growth.
