Good Morning. It's Tuesday 6th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Andrea Radrizzani Agrees to Sell to 49ers Enterprises
Leeds United's owner, Andrea Radrizzani, has reached an agreement to sell the club in its entirety to the San Francisco 49ers investment fund. Following extensive discussions, the terms of the deal were finalized yesterday, and the details have been submitted to the English Football League (EFL) for official approval.
The complete takeover of Leeds United by 49ers Enterprises, in a deal estimated to value the club at around £170 million, includes the ownership of their home stadium, Elland Road. Interestingly, Radrizzani had previously offered the ground as collateral during negotiations to acquire the Italian club Sampdoria.
49ers Enterprises already holds a 44 percent stake in Leeds United, having initially purchased a 15 percent share back in 2018. It is known that 49ers Enterprises comprises over 60 investors, with chairman Paraag Marathe and Australian billionaire Peter Lowry being the most notable among them. Both Marathe and Lowry currently serve on the Leeds Board, and they are expected to make further appointments once the deal is ratified. The day-to-day operations of the club will continue to be overseen by chief executive Angus Kinnear.
At the outset, Radrizzani and the 49ers reached an initial agreement, valuing Leeds United at £420 million. This deal had the potential to earn Radrizzani a substantial sum of over £200 million from his remaining 56 percent stake. However, the valuation was tied to Leeds United's retention of their Premier League status. Unfortunately, following the team's relegation, the 49ers' valuation plummeted by a staggering £220 million. As a result, intensive negotiations over the past ten days were imperative to salvage the deal and find a viable solution.
Reports suggest that the Premier League has granted approval for the transaction, which is now awaiting scrutiny from the EFL. It is the responsibility of the EFL to ensure that all the investors associated with the 49ers comply with the Owners and Directors test set forth by the league.
Ayling pledges undivided attention on helping Leeds win promotion
Luke Ayling had pledged his undivided attention on helping Leeds win promotion back to the top flight. The soon to be 32yo, a £200,000 buy from Bristol City seven years ago, is closing in on 250 appearances for the Whites, during which time, has become a fans favourite.
His heart maybe in the right place, but his pace has suffered over the years. Last season, he showed all the anaerobic acceleration of a snail (with a limp). The amount of times he was skinned, made it difficult to watch. The quality in the Championship may not be on par with the top flight, and there's a lot to be said for experience, but he's only going to get slower as he gets older. According to Ayling...
We let this club down. Too the fans, I am sorry we couldn’t keep you in the Premier League. All my attention now is to make sure we bounce back straight away. “When we got promoted last time we did it without being able to celebrate with our great fans and now that’s what I look forward to and dream of doing.
Gerrard the perfect man for the job
Former Scotland and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton believes Steven Gerrard is the perfect man for job at Elland Road! Speaking to Football Insider, Gerrard can handle the pressure that managing a huge club like Leeds brings. After a successful spell at Rangers, it all suddenly went wrong at Villa Park, and the 43yo was relieved of his duties last October, after 11 months in charge.
I think he will feel that he is more than capable of doing that. Do I think he can? Of course. This is a guy that now has a little bit of experience, has been at a big club with the pressure and everything that comes with it. Aston Villa are a massive football club, that did not quite work out. Leeds are a huge football team and you would like to think that if they can hold on to most of their players they will have an opportunity to come back up. It is relentless down there so it will be difficult but it is probably something he will feel he can go and do so I am sure he is hungry to get back in.