Leeds United takeover: ‘Major repercussions’ to Andrea Radrizzani actions amid 49ers silence – Adam Pope
Andrea Radrizzani’s actions in charge of Leeds United have “major repercussions” and his behaviour has left people “up in arms” according to Adam Pope.
The Whites owner was reported by The Athletic on Thursday (1 June) to have offered Elland Road as security to secure a loan for his buyout of Sampdoria, and reacted dismissively to the outlet when questioned over it.
The revelation has gone down extremely badly with fans and media, at a time when the club are in ownership limbo amid ongoing talks between the Italian and 49ers Enterprises, who have stayed totally silent publicly through the turmoil since relegation.
Speaking on the BBC podcast Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet (1 June, 10m) Pope said of the chairman: “Your own actions speak for themselves, there’s very little credit for Andrea Radrizzani with the fans at all.
“Look, this is a business move, I get that, and he’s made it quite clear to The Athletic that it’s none of their business… but Leeds United affects hundreds of thousands of people and that’s why it’s different. Why can’t these owners understand… it isn’t just theirs to do what they like? It has major repercussions for people, and that’s why they are up in arms.
“If you can’t see that then let the 49ers have a go at it. If you’re not willing to devote your efforts towards it in the eyes of the fans they are going to be really upset, so you’ve got this situation.
“It’s a terrible look, even worse than Sunday was. The 49ers have not uttered a word to us in quotes.”
Blowback
The disconnect between owner and fans was already growing wider by the day amid the lack of direction following relegation while his apparent focus was on saving another club.
But his first public statement on Wednesday (31 May), which provided little clarity, has been rendered virtually meaningless in the eyes of many by the Elland Road issue.
If answers were needed at the top of Leeds United already, the urgency has increased to a huge degree in the latest context.
Football club’s are cultural institutions as much as business interests, and while the line between the two is increasingly blurred in the modern game it is the quickest way to ruin your reputation as an owner if you ignore the former entirely for the latter.
Absent a new statement on the matter from Radrizzani himself, it is hard to escape the conclusion that his public and private attitude on the club are far apart.
And while the 49ers silence may be a pragmatic response to the chaos behind the scenes at Elland Road, it only leaves an even greater vacuum of useful information for a fanbase who want to see some order.
The lack of it over the prior campaign has already seen major damage done, and early signals are not good for a crucial summer of change.
In other Leeds United news, talks have already been held with candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as Whites boss.