After a high profile (if somewhat bumpy) arrival at Elland Road for Massimo Cellino, the Italian has been quiet in recent weeks as Leeds United enter the summer break.
The manager and players have started to drift away from the club on holidays, without word on their future. Elland Road remains in the hands of someone else and debts go unpaid and pending court action. Meanwhile the police have interviewed former Director, David Haigh regarding the use of club funds to purchase hidden security cameras and the T-Shirt printers stand by, waiting for more quotes from the new Gaffer.
Behind the scenes through, Cellino is planning his approach. Upon acquiring control of the club, the extent of the financial crisis became clearer and it was evident there was no 'quick fix' to the problems. Cellino has quickly identified that Leeds United's main problems stem from a colossal wage bill - not just from the players but admin staff, groundsmen, coaching, facilities, publicity and community officers. We understand that a huge cull is planned, both to cut unnecessary waste but also to reorganise key personal and implement Cellino's team in place of those feared to be close or loyal to GFH-C and even Bates. Upto 70 employees, both full and part time could be affected. Focus will of course be on the Team Management and playing squad, but with a whole heap of players nearing the end of their contracts, expect significant changes around Elland Road in the coming weeks.
Cellino is famed for his promise to re-purchase Elland Road within the first week, a promise he failed to fulfill but extended his assurance to the end of the year. Again, we understand the current agreement in place is annualised to November, meaning any purchase now would be simply throwing six months rent down a drain. Delaying the purchase to focus on other matters is the priority - and a commercially sensible thing to do.
The silence might be deafening to the fans eager for change, but taking the time to rebuild properly is the right thing to do. We might just have an owner that is doing the right thing!
In the meantime try not to stand too close to any fans - because something is about to hit one and it isn't going to be pretty!
The manager and players have started to drift away from the club on holidays, without word on their future. Elland Road remains in the hands of someone else and debts go unpaid and pending court action. Meanwhile the police have interviewed former Director, David Haigh regarding the use of club funds to purchase hidden security cameras and the T-Shirt printers stand by, waiting for more quotes from the new Gaffer.
Behind the scenes through, Cellino is planning his approach. Upon acquiring control of the club, the extent of the financial crisis became clearer and it was evident there was no 'quick fix' to the problems. Cellino has quickly identified that Leeds United's main problems stem from a colossal wage bill - not just from the players but admin staff, groundsmen, coaching, facilities, publicity and community officers. We understand that a huge cull is planned, both to cut unnecessary waste but also to reorganise key personal and implement Cellino's team in place of those feared to be close or loyal to GFH-C and even Bates. Upto 70 employees, both full and part time could be affected. Focus will of course be on the Team Management and playing squad, but with a whole heap of players nearing the end of their contracts, expect significant changes around Elland Road in the coming weeks.
Cellino is famed for his promise to re-purchase Elland Road within the first week, a promise he failed to fulfill but extended his assurance to the end of the year. Again, we understand the current agreement in place is annualised to November, meaning any purchase now would be simply throwing six months rent down a drain. Delaying the purchase to focus on other matters is the priority - and a commercially sensible thing to do.
The silence might be deafening to the fans eager for change, but taking the time to rebuild properly is the right thing to do. We might just have an owner that is doing the right thing!
In the meantime try not to stand too close to any fans - because something is about to hit one and it isn't going to be pretty!
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