Opinion: Is Massimo Cellino finally getting it right at Leeds United?Date: 20th July 2015 at 7:25 pm
Written by: Jon Corr | Comments (3)
Football News 24/7
Don’t say it loudly but are Leeds United finally getting things right on and off the field?
Is Cellino getting it right?
Colourful owner Massimo Cellino had a turbulent first season in charge of the fallen Yorkshire club, having secured a takeover back in April 2014.
This time last season Cellino added a new head of recruitment (Nicola Salerno), a manager most people hadn’t heard of (David Hockaday), 15 new players pre-season most of which were completely new to English football; it would either prove a master stroke or a recipe for disaster, any guesses for what happened next?
Bing, bing, bing! we have a winner! a complete and utter horses turd of a disaster, pretty normal for Leeds United a club used to things not going their way.
By the end of August, Hockaday had been sacked and the rest of the season continued as a circus, from further manager and assistant manager sackings, quite apt for a man nicknamed the ‘manager eater’ in Italy, to himself (Cellino) being banned from ownership for non-payment of tax on a yacht in Italy and let us not forget the ridiculous mystery player strike (that continues to be denied to this day) ahead of a clash away at Charlton, Leeds fans could be forgiven for throwing the towel on a truly forgettable season.
Cellino returned to the club in May 2015 and the frustrated Leeds fans pointed the finger at him, were Leeds set for another mad pre-season?
So far no… Cellino is now Chairman rather than President, Adam Pearson has been added as Executive Director, Uwe Rosler a new manager with a decent track record as well as a backroom staff with bags of Championship experience.
What’s so special about that I hear you ask? Well for Leeds United its a massive step in the right direction, the club can finally see light at the end of the tunnel and with highly-rated youngsters in the team including Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor, Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt, all of which have the sharks of the top flight circling ready to snaffle at the first opportunity, as well as the additions of Lee Erwin (young striker rated highly at Motherwell), Sol Bamba, Chris Wood, it’s very easy to see why many Leeds United fans are beginning to have a hint of optimism about the forthcoming season.
Cellino appears to be taking a different approach this season, a more British approach rather than the continental of last season.
It all seems a little too good to be true, and never the one to put a dampener on things but there is still a little matter of Cellino being investigated again (yawn) by the Football League regarding non-payment of tax on a Ranger Rover in Italy, sound familiar?
As well as the club being investigated for the Ross McCormack sale and the third party ownership of Brazilian playmaker Adryan, god only knows what happened with him… Oh and then there’s the failure to pay Cameron Stewart £800,000 for cancellation of his contract leading the PFA to call for a transfer embargo… All of which most clubs would be hugely worried about, but Leeds United aren’t most clubs and believe me the current positive out weight the negatives.
But hey I did say don’t say it too loudly didn’t I…
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Edward Lech
21 mins ago
The reason is, is that Red Bull have nearly taken over and Cellino wont be there next season, thats why Salernos gone and Bambas stayed, why weve got a german speaking manager, a pre season match not in Italy but in Salzburg 20 mins from Red Bull head office, thats why we aint got a shirt sponsor yet cos Enterprise Insurance are hanging out for big money from Red Bull cos they know theyve got it. Adam Pearson has been put in by Red Bull to oversee the takeover, and Cellino never spends 3million on one player, never never never, thats because its Red Bulls money. It seems obvious but i reckon its true.
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Leeds4alongtime
7 mins ago
total red bullsh*te…..
So Celino will be pumping in millions of pounds and then just walk away…..
You obviously aren’t following very closely are you?
The minute Red Bull sh*te takes over Leeds United and imposes their ‘brand’ on the team will be like Armageddon, there will not be a supporter left in the ground who will follow any team wearing red…….
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Steve musselwhite
4 mins ago
Something is happening , agree with thoughts of red bull t/o
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