Simon Jordan hints at 49ers Enterprises clash with Andrea Radrizzani at Leeds United live on talkSPORT
Simon Jordan has hinted that there could be issues behind the scenes at Leeds with the hierarchy as the club continue to fight against relegation.
The Whites find themselves in 19th place in the Premier League, one point below safety with 12 games to play this season after only surviving the drop on the final day last season.
And while discussing the club’s situation live on talkSPORT (17 March), Jordan insisted that the club has the potential to be a “powerhouse” of a football club but there are issues to deal with first.
“I am a great admirer of Leeds United as a football club. I think they are a potential powerhouse of a football club with this passionate fan base steeped in great history and achievements in the past.
“But, to my mind, it (decisions by board) doesn’t make a lot of sense. There’s also this kamikaze style of football they play that, sometimes, you do have to rein it back in a little bit every now and again.
“It’s great to be the team other people want to watch because you do want to watch Leeds United. They are a very interesting side to watch. They’re a very engaging side but, when you’re struggling in the first season, you’re then struggling even worse in the second season… if you keep flying close to the sun, you’re gonna get burned in the end, aren’t you?
“You would have thought that, with some of the players they’ve got there, and they haven’t spent enormous amounts of money (that they wouldn’t be in a relegation fight). There’s so much going on behind the scenes.
“You hear about players that are being sold by one particular part of the football club that the other part of the football club may not want them to sell, and around you go.”
Power struggle?
Radrizzani has been a great owner for the most part at Leeds, but it’s quite clear that he has got one foot out of the door at Elland Road with the imminent takeover from the 49ers Enterprises.
Their growing influence at the club has seen them have a big say in transfer previously and even aid the club financially, and it has clearly led to some disagreements.
Although Radrizzani is the current owner, it’s the 49ers who are set to take over the club from him with a full buyout in the summer if the club avoid relegation and that means what they say has to carry a lot of weight.
Ultimately both parties have the club’s success at the forefront of their minds and decisions, because they will both want to protect themselves in their deal and also only be aligned with something succeeding, but issues could spill over and lead to problems.
The quicker it’s resolved and over with the better for the club, but fingers crossed the club can avoid relegation this season and then move away from these constant battles to start progressing and really start becoming a powerhouse in the English and European game with sufficient financial backing.
In other Leeds news, predicting the club’s final points tally with 12 games to go this season.
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.