Leeds United go from bad to worse

Leeds United don't even own their chairs: owner Massimo Cellino on the mess to have engulfed Elland Road
Cellino took over the club from GFH Capital
The Italian sacked Brian McDermott and brought in Dave Hockaday
Leeds start the Championship season against Millwall on Saturday
By LAURIE WHITWELL


6th August 2014



Leeds United in the 21st century is synonymous with upheaval and uncertainty, but even by this once proud club’s recent standards, Massimo Cellino has ratcheted things up to another level.

The convicted fraudster, as ruthless as he is charismatic, has swept into Elland Road and not so much taken an axe to the mess he inherited but a machine gun — obliterating waste and leaving plenty of collateral damage.

Cellino sees himself as the saviour of a club losing £1million a month. ‘Loose cannon,’ is how others familiar with the Italian’s ways describe him.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch a hilarious chant from a Leeds United fan


Tricky business: Leeds United (Michael Tonge pictured) have gone through a period of sustained change


Cantankerous: New owner Massimo Cellino is one to take swift decisions and doesn't suffer fools

A Sportsmail investigation into his uncompromising reign, including a lengthy interview with the 58-year-old owner, reveals a fearsome cost-cutter who makes many of his decisions based on impulse and superstition as much as through forensic analysis.

Our findings include:

Cellino has saved the club £10.5m by renegotiating his deal to buy Leeds from former owners Gulf Financial House, after finding ‘untrue numbers’ in the accounts.
New manager Dave Hockaday has replaced Brian McDermott on approximately one tenth of his predecessor’s salary.
But Cellino does not trust him to identify new talent and has cast doubt on his position before the season even starts.
New signings are forbidden from staying at the Malmaison in the city centre because the hotel’s colour scheme is purple, a colour Cellino believes is bad luck.

Hard bargain: Cellino isn't afraid of pulling out of deals for players if they aren't right for the football club

Superstition and serious business acumen are mangled together when it comes to Cellino.

In a 90-minute telephone conversation, the Italian only highlights and heightens the contradictions that make up his character.

He is disarmingly candid and yet deviously secretive; he can produce quiet charm then explode in anger; he can reel off numbers like a maths boffin and also swear like a trooper. Some questions and challenges bounce off him no matter how insistent; others result in an unstoppable 10-minute answer.

And he has expert timing with comic one-liners.

While there is much speculation about the finances and running of Leeds, it is Cellino’s comments about Hockaday, plucked from obscurity having been sacked as manager of non-league Forest Green Rovers, which prove most interesting. The squad are believed to be supportive of an amiable man who is implementing a passing style that has seen steady improvement in pre-season form.

New signings are forbidden from staying at the Malmaison in the city centre because the hotel’s colour scheme is purple, a colour Cellino believes is bad luck.

Probably some people on here who claim they'd prefer this guy over Tan

Probably some people on here who claim they'd prefer this guy over Tan

If he had us in blue they would.

Probably some people on here who claim they'd prefer this guy over Tan

You're probably right!

I bet Leeds United would take Tan right now, given that at least he is trying to take his club forward (even if he has made mistakes, particularly on the blue)

Actually, he would suit them, as Leeds have changed their kit colour on more than one occasion (and even their name when they were originally expelled from the Football League over a century ago) and their fans never batted an eyelid!

For the record, they were originally Leeds City (United actually sounds better IMHO) and amalgamated with another side (name forgotten) to create the monster we now have

Didnt this think a certain number was unlucky, 8 maybe? so removed all the seats with that number on in the stadium

Really hope they get relegated.

Really hope they get relegated.

Me too, Gareth

I give their manager 10 games...
I bet if Leeds are in the bottom 3 comes this time, this nut will get rid of Hockaday

Dont believe all you read in the media.

Dont believe all you read in the media.

you can say that again
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=145190#p1540558