Red Bull warning sent as Leeds United need investment now
Leeds United “need the investment” that will come from Red Bull purchasing a minority stake in the club this summer, according to David Prutton.
In his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, the former Whites midfielder welcomed the energy drinks giant’s involvement with the club and encouraged fans not to fear it.
Prutton argued that while fans should accept Red Bull appearing as part of the club’s branding going forward, it would be “very brave” of the new sponsors to try and tamper with Leeds’ identity.
He wrote: “Regarding the Red Bull news, you absolutely need that investment.
“There are naturally fears from fans about a ‘Red Bull Leeds’, but without sounding naive, you have got to take what these people are saying at face value until actions suggest otherwise.
“I couldn’t see (a rebrand) happening. Fans are very defined in their uniqueness and also defined in their identity of what Leeds United is. It would take a very brave corporation to mess with that.”
Leeds United fans will never fully trust Red Bull
Despite Prutton doing his best to assuage the Red Bull-related fears of the Elland Road faithful, it’s unlikely that they will every be truly welcomed given their prior record in football.
Previous buyouts of clubs like Austria Salzburg and Club Atletico Bragantino – changing names, colours and stadiums alike – will leave Leeds supporters wary of their true goals further down the track.
For now, though, providing the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in EFL history will help to ease the financial pain of missing out on promotion from the Championship in the play-off final [Last Word on Sports].
Roughly £190million in unpaid transfer fees is reportedly owed by the club [Kieran Maguire] and while some players who departed the club on loan will make Elland Road returns next season, much-needed sales are likely to dominate the headlines throughout the summer [Graham Smyth].
The plan for a second season in the second tier must be executed correctly this time by the Whites from top to bottom, and while many fans will question the motives of their involvement, Red Bull has a part to play [Sky Sports].
In other Leeds United news, Farke is ready to buy St Pauli powerhouse Eric Smith after a promotion-winning Bundesliga2 season.
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