Mystery over Leeds United silence since 49ers takeover amid transfer market chaos
The fact that nobody from the Leeds United hierarchy has spoken publicly since the 49ers takeover was ratified is something Beren Cross “cannot explain”.
The Leeds Live journalist replied to multiple questions from fans in the outlet’s Q&A on their website asking why the Elland Road chiefs hadn’t communicated anything to increasingly worried fans over regarding the transfer window, and said “that point has been made” to them but the fact that there has been radio silence is a mystery to him.
New chairman Paraag Marathe did an interview with the club’s official podcast (18 July) the day after the deal got the EFL green light, but as the transfer window has descended into chaos amid ever-increasing exits, players training alone after refusing to play, while new arrivals are scarce, there has been nothing from the American, or the likes of chief executive Angus Kinnear and vice-chair Rudy Cline-Thomas.
Cross said in answer to one question about the lack of communication: “That point has been made. It’s down to the club to come forward and address things. I don’t know why they haven’t at this point. Nobody in the boardroom has been on the record since the takeover was ratified.
To another he replied: “No clubs are ever going to release a statement and spell out their transfer targets, but I take your point on the silence from the top since the takeover was ratified. Marathe, Kinnear, [Pete] Lowy and Cline-Thomas have not said anything publicly since they became the new board.
“Fans are deserving of explanations on these clauses and the speed of movement with transfers in, but I cannot explain why that hasn’t happened as yet.”
Information vacuum
It is unlikely that the reality would be a particularly satisfying answer for most supporters now as incoming deals are often slow, arduous processes behind the scenes without major cash to splash around.
And the club have essentially been powerless to prevent a huge number of exits that in conjunction have undercut their ability to strengthen.
Daniel Farke, as manager, has put a brave face on things in his media duties around matches, but given the 49ers were not completely new to the club this summer they can’t entirely wash their hands of the situation.
Kinnear in particular was a key man in the Andrea Radrizzani era and would have worked in conjunction with Victor Orta on many of the contracts that are coming back to bite the club now.
Willy Gnonto holding himself out of squads and Luis Sinisterra joining him in staying away from the first-team squad is the kind of development that can’t really be planned for.
But on the whole the supporters would at least feel more like there was some direction at the top of the club amid a thoroughly uncomfortable period if there hadn’t been a brick wall of silence for the past month.
The situation is what it is, but even an acknowledgement of that from anyone other than Farke would probably go a long way.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites had transfer talks scheduled over another key exit as clubs from three top leagues queue up for and Elland Road ace.