Andrea Radrizzani reveals who he blames for Leeds United relegation in ‘huge’ admission
Andrea Radrizzani has opened up about Leeds United’s relegation-ending season, blaming Jesse Marsch, Victor Orta and himself for the club’s misfortune.
Leeds have finally confirmed 49ers Enterprises as the club’s new complete owners [Leeds United] following Radrizzani’s controversial spell beginning in 2017. Still, the owner has since opened up about how his time at the club ended claiming that Orta’s transfer policy was ineffective as it did not target Premier League-proven talent, but admitted his own fault in this area too.
On and off the pitch, the club are in disarray. Fans were outraged when it was revealed that Radrizzani has offered Elland Road as security in his deal to buy Serie A side Sampdoria [The Athletic], even though a different solution was found to facilitate the deal.
Radrizzani has had his say, however. He said, via the Telegraph: “The tactics that [Marsch] showed sometimes were a bit confusing – not only for me but for the players. We had situations where a winger would be playing as a midfielder – things like that. Personally, I wanted to make a change before the World Cup, then I was persuaded to hold on.
“I think it was a huge mistake as we had the slot of six weeks to make changes. Other teams successfully used this period but we ended up making the change in February, with very few options.
“It was a very sweet time in my life but unfortunately it didn’t end in the way I wished. It’s bitter now to know the club is back in the Championship but in my six years I achieved what I wanted.”
Delayed accountability
Transparency from football owners is often lauded, but Radrizzani’s claims may come a bit too late for Leeds fans.
While it is still very early in the 49ers’ full ownership of the club, the direction they seem to be taking the club and the backroom recruitment has been convincing and reassuring.
Radrizzani’s tenure at the club was a rollercoaster, to say the least, filled with memorable highs and painful lows. He appointed Marcelo Bielsa who spearheaded a cultural revolution at the club which resulted in their promotion back to the Premier League after 16 years.
His replacement Marsch, however, couldn’t replicate Bielsa’s success, with Radrizzani placing some of the blame on the American for Leeds’ poor season due to his ineffective tactics and questionable squad selections.
Perhaps, if he wanted Marsch out of the club, he should have done it before the World Cup. Indecision and a lack of attention to detail seem to be Radrizzani’s downfall here, and while placing the blame on himself is honest, Leeds fans may not sympathise when they see their side gruelling in the second division in August.
Recruitment was an issue as well. While some signings paid off, including Raphinha and Rodrigo, high-fee and low-impact signings like Luis Sinisterra for £21 million [Leeds Live] perhaps show some off-target behaviour in the transfer market which would have contributed to their poor season.
However, Leeds fans can put the Radrizzani era behind them and hope for more stable pastures in the future.
In other Leeds United news, Elland Road can expect a new defensive signing from Chelsea according to Fabrizio Romano.