Simon Jordan shares verdict on Leeds United ownership situation
Simon Jordan has suggested that it’s a bit of a dog’s dinner situation behind the scenes at Leeds United regarding the ownership and decision-making.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan says that he gets the impression that it’s unclear at the club who is doing what. Andrea Radrizzani remains the club’s majority shareholder but the 49ers, who have a 44% stake in the club, could be taking full ownership at some point in the near future.
The Whites are in the process of appointing their next manager, but they have failed in their attempt to lure their primary targets thus far.
“I get the impression that it is a bit of a dog’s dinner over Leeds behind the scenes in terms of who is doing what, when, how and why,” said Jordan on talkSPORT.
“You know you’ve got an owner exiting the door with potential sales of player. Possibly the new owner doesn’t want them to sell. I think a lot of left-hand and right-hand stuff is going on over this.”
Impasse
Jordan is partially right here. Although Radrizzani still makes the final call, he consults every detail with the other shareholders over what’s going on at the club.
In split ownership, something the process is very complex, especially in making decisions over transfers and major appointments.
For example, Leeds wanted to sign Georginio Rutter on loan, but the 49ers pushed for a permanent deal. In the end, the Whites signed him on a club-record deal [Phil Hay, 8 February].
Is the problem of lack of clarity hampering the Whites in appointing their next manager?
It’s difficult to predict. According to Yorkshire Post, the Whites have as many as five managers on their list, but they have failed to strike a deal thus far.
The club will continue their search this week, and there are even suggestions that the caretaker boss, Michael Skubala, could be in a position to take charge of the club for the rest of the season.
The Whites are badly struggling in the league at the moment, and let’s hope the club can appoint the right manager in the next few days.
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