49ers in talks with Red Bull with Leeds on verge of major exit
Leeds United are looking to revamp one area of their board due to the anticipated exit of Angus Kinnear as CEO.
The Elland Road chief is expected to move to Everton in the summer having first arrived in West Yorkshire in 2017 from West Ham United.
Leeds owners 49ers Enterprises are now set to use their connections with major partners Red Bull to identify a new candidate to take the baton forward.
Leeds United set to lose ‘fantastic’ Kinnear
Kinnear is eager to finish the job he started at Elland Road and therefore wishes to remain with Leeds United this season to help push what would be his second promotion over the line before he departs.
The former Arsenal and Hammers man would then switch to Merseyside in time for Everton’s move to the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium this summer, with Premier League boardrooms aware of the activity at Leeds.
The Yorkshiremen cannot dwell on the situation and are now extremely well connected through the Red Bull sporting network – something which 49ers are looking to use to their advantage when appointing Kinnear’s successor.
“Kinnear goes with his best wishes, he’s done a fantastic job since being there,” journalist Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News (28 February).
“[Leeds] are assessing the situation and using their contacts with Red Bull.”
During his career so far, Kinnear was a considerable part of the memorable promotion season of 2019-20 under Marcelo Bielsa, and also appeals to Everton due to their stadium move, having overseen the same transition with West Ham to the London Stadium in 2016.
Everton themselves are reshuffling the entire pack now The Friedkin Group have assumed control at Goodison Park, with one of their first ports of call being to sack Sean Dyche for David Moyes to ensure Premier League survival.
Leeds pushing for RB Salzburg CEO
It appears 49ers are wasting little time in going through the Red Bull sporting empire and putting the antenna out for who they could easily lure to Elland Road.
One name which has cropped up is that of Stephan Reiter, current CEO of RB Salzburg, who have long been one of the conglomerate’s branded clubs.
Salzburg chief Reiter, who previously played in the Austrian top flight himself, sees his contract with the club expire in 2026 – potentially leaving the field open for Leeds to swoop in.
| Red Bull clubs | Nation | Ownership |
| RB Leipzig | Germany | Majority |
| RB Salzburg | Austria | Majority |
| New York Red Bulls | USA | Majority |
| FC Liefering | Austria | Majority |
| Red Bull Bragantino | Brazil | Majority |
| RB Omiya Ardija | Japan | Majority |
| LEEDS UNITED | England | Minority |
| Paris FC | France | Minority |
The deal could be a straightforward one to get done due to the connections among the hierarchy at Leeds, also opening the door to player transfers with Paris FC (Leeds United.News, 16 January) – another partially under the stewardship of Red Bull – potentially in to sign Josuha Guilavogui in the summer.
The Whites know they have to get this right as there is little room for error in the Premier League – a destination they are increasingly likely to be heading towards each week of this campaign.