Leeds United news round-up: 49ers concerns shared, Kinnear news emerges
Leeds United have been in the news lately as the 49ers Enterprises look to expand their portfolio.
The American owners have steadied the ship at Elland Road and are pushing for a name in the Scottish Premiership, but concerns have been raised.
Apart from the 49ers thinking about taking over Rangers, there is also the potential for a significant backroom exit at the Whites.
The Peacocks have also been told to take a £120million gamble as Daniel Farke’s team eye Premier League promotion.
Simon Jordan fears Rangers could be Leeds United feeder club
Simon Jordan doesn’t want to see Rangers become a feeder club for the Whites after potentially being taken over by the 49ers.
The talkSPORT pundit believes the West Yorkshire outfit are a much better prospect for the American consortium due to the allure of the Premier League and hopes the Scottish Premiership outfit don’t suffer as a result.
Speaking on talkSPORT (20 February, 11:53am), Jordan said: “The rule around multi-club ownership is very convoluted and complex, but the world’s moved on – you’ve got a variety of clubs that have got more than one interest in more than one club.
“They’re invested in clubs like Leeds, that have opportunities to go into the Premier League and play in a league that is undoubtedly incredibly valuable to be involved in.
“What you don’t want is Rangers being utilised as an opportunity to provide a feeder club mentality, because your vested interest with a potential ownership model is primarily with Leeds.
“The opportunity for Rangers is an interesting one, because they’ll get more cash [and] they’ll probably get better commercial outcomes than they’ve currently got.
“But in the longer game, I don’t know how much value there is in Rangers as opposed to some of their other investments, like Leeds.”
The Friedkin Group want Angus Kinnear at Everton
Everton have identified Angus Kinnear as a potential candidate for their backroom staff, according to The Telegraph.
The news outlet reports (20 February) that the Whites’ chief executive officer has been identified as the frontrunner as The Friedkin Group look to make changes at Goodison Park.
Kinnear has been a major figure at Elland Road over the years and is the only senior figure to survive the 49ers’ takeover in 2023.
Leeds United respond after Angus Kinnear links to Everton
Leeds are focusing on their promotion run amid Kinnear’s links to the Merseyside outfit, according to Joe Donohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist revealed on his X account (20 February) that the Peacocks are concentrated on the ongoing season, making no further comment on their CEO being linked with an exit.
Farke’s team are currently top of the Championship and are seen as the favourites to get back into the Premier League.
| Championship Table (2024/25) | Points |
| 1. Leeds United | 72 |
| 2. Sheffield United | 70 |
| 3. Burnley | 65 |
| 4. Sunderland | 62 |
Danny Mills wants £120m transfer gamble at Elland Road
Danny Mills wants to see the West Yorkshire club take a £120m transfer gamble next summer.
The former defender believes the Whites will need to sign several quality players to give themselves a chance of staying in the Premier League.
Speaking on talkSPORT (20 February), Mills said: “I don’t think they are, I don’t think any of the Championship clubs are Gabby. I think you’ve got to buy four or five really good players to give yourself a chance because of the gulf in class.
“A lot of these players at Leeds, especially, have played in the Premier League before and got relegated. So the gulf in class now is just getting bigger and bigger and bigger, so you’re going to have to gamble, spend that £120million, and get your recruitment absolutely bang on to give yourselves the best chance of staying in that division.”