49ers chief calls Leeds United players as ‘big’ Elland Road plans drop
Vice-chairman Paraag Marathe has called “several” of the senior players at Leeds United to reassure them of his “big plans” at Elland Road, according to The Daily Mail.
It’s understood Marathe has lined up interviews with Daniel Farke and Carlos Corberan next week as the board look to end their manager search (Daily Mail print edition, pg 112, 17 June).
Despite the club being relegated, the 49ers’ chief has reached out to several players to ease concerns over the club’s long-term future.
Hands on
It’s good to see Marathe utilise a hands-on approach at Elland Road.
The 49ers are clearly eager to implement their own ethos in West Yorkshire and sharing close contact with the players will be vitally important moving forward.
There’s the core of an excellent Championship squad and if the board can keep the majority of it together – they stand an excellent chance of an immediate return to the Premier League.
Senior players will be absolutely essential. Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford all have experience getting out of the second tier. Even if they don’t play a significant amount, having those older heads in and around the squad will be vital.
Furthermore, the senior players will probably appreciate the personal touch from Marathe. It shows that the new board are eager to keep everyone pointing in the same direction and give the incoming manager the best platform possible to mount a promotion bid next season.
In other Leeds news, Manchester United are in talks to sign a Leeds defender.