Whites flop Marcus Antonsson claims Andrea Radrizzani forced him out of Leeds
Marcus Antonsson has opened up on his unhappy two-year spell at Leeds United, claiming he was forced out of the club by Andrea Radrizanni.
Now 29, Antonsson was the first signing of the Garry Monk era as he arrived from Allsvenskan side Kalmar FF in 2016 with a reputation as a prolific scorer in his native Sweden.
He was assigned the number 10 shirt previously adorned by legends like Gary McAllister but ended up being one flop of many to have graced the Elland Road turf since the turn of the decade, and he departed for Malmo in 2018.
Speaking to Swedish newspaper Hallandsposten, with quotes relayed by Leeds Live, Antonsson detailed the role Radrizzani had in his departure.
“The way I was frozen out when Leeds changed owners,” he said.
“I was not allowed to stay in the same room as the other senior team players – this despite the fact that we did not have a coach.
“It was the sports director and the new owner who wanted to build a new team.”
Ruthless Radrizzani
Football’s a cut-throat business and someone has to be the bad guy and make tough decisions that will ultimately shape the club’s future.
As owner and chairman that responsibility usually falls firmly at the feet of Radrizzani and he has had to take the bull by the horns and shake up the club from top to bottom, in order to elevate us to our current mid-table standing in the Premier League.
That meant discarding a lot of deadwood and Antonsson was certainly that with a measly total of three goals in 21 appearances before an average loan spell in League One with Blackburn Rovers.
It may seem like harsh measures to ostracise a pretty insignificant member of the squad, but things like that send a message that Leeds aren’t prepared to deal with any time wasters or those who do not align with the club’s ambition.
That’s how we’ve got to where we are today to possess genuine superstars like Raphinha patrolling the Elland Road flanks.
We’ve come a long way.
In other Leeds United news, Jim White noticed something unusual in Whites press conference.