Leeds sensationally step in to block Andrea Radrizzani return over comments he made
Andrea Radrizzani was supposed to be sat up in the Elland Road directors’ box for Leeds United’s clash with West Ham United on Friday.
The 51-year-old has not been back for a Leeds game since his 56 per cent stake was purchased by 49ers Enterprises in July 2023.
The 49ers have put Radrizzani to shame at Elland Road in the two years since, helping take Leeds back to the Premier League and hopefully keep them there.
However, Radrizzani revealed he has been invited back to Leeds by Paraag Marathe earlier this month in a newspaper interview.
That return was supposed to be Leeds’ clash with West Ham at Elland Road, but that will no longer be the case.
Andrea Radrizzani’s Elland Road return pushed back
Radrizzani has never been afraid to give his thoughts on Leeds since departing West Yorkshire, but a recent newspaper interview may come back to haunt him.
The Italian told the Daily Mail on 12 October that he would be in attendance for an upcoming Leeds match, which it turned out was the visit of West Ham.
However, the same publication reported via its website on Wednesday that will no longer be the case.
Leeds chiefs are said to have “sensationally” withdrawn that invite as they are not happy the former owner disclosed details of the Elland Road visit publicly.
It is said that Radrizzani will still likely be invited back, but not until a later date.
Leeds suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2022-23, with that the final campaign overseen by Radrizzani before 49ers took control.
What did Radrizzani say about Leeds in interview?
Radrizzani was at the Elland Road helm during plenty of positive times – not least the ninth-placed finish under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020-21 – but the manner of the relegation two years on hurt many.
That was the reason given by the Italian for not coming back for a game before now.
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points |
| Premier League | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
“I will come soon to watch a game. I miss it. I didn’t want to come in the Championship because it would hurt me – but now it’s time to come back. I am in touch with Paraag. It will be soon,” he told the Daily Mail.
It is not clear why Leeds chiefs were so tetchy about the interview, but the decision has been made regardless to block Radrizzani’s return for now.
All focus from the stands needs to be on helping the players to three massive points against West Ham, so maybe this is not the worst call in the world.
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