Sheikh Jassim is the son of former Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and his close links to the gulf state’s ruling elite would raise questions over another Premier League club becoming a state-backed project.
Why did Sheikh Jassim renounce?
He abdicated his position as Crown Prince in 2003, in favour of his younger brother Tamim, citing being uninterested in becoming Emir.
The emir offered no immediate explanation for the sudden change, but diplomats say that Sheikh Jassim has complained of being sidelined in the running of the oil-and-gas rich country.
Qatar News Agency said Sheikh Jassim sent a letter to his father saying “the time is appropriate to step down and prepare for a successor”.
The letter did not give specific reasons but Sheikh Jassim said he first accepted the post in 1996 to help his country after authorities foiled a coup against his father.