Here are the latest Leeds United headlines for Monday, May 29, 2023.
Radrizzani Sampdoria delay
Time is of the essence, Andrea Radrizzani has warned, after his initial offer to buy Sampdoria was rejected today. Less than 24 hours after Leeds United’s relegation from the Premier League, which Radrizzani was absent from, the Italian’s quest to buy a new club has hit a stumbling block.
Radrizzani has partnered with Matteo Manfredi to take over the relegated outfit set to play in Italy's second tier next season. However, despite promises of capital being ready to move along with the substantial backing of Qatar Sports Investments, current Samp chief Massimo Ferrero has knocked back this initial attempt.
While Leeds remain silent on Radrizzani's position, it is unclear exactly what this Sampdoria quest means for the Whites directly.
Andrea Radrizzani, chairman and founder of Aser Group, said: “It is essential to act quickly, since every day of waiting involves delays and the consequent danger of penalties for the club, also with a view to the next championship.
“In fact, Sampdoria risks suffering a loss of points or even not being registered for competitions, which would have devastating consequences for the club and for all its splendid and extraordinary fans."
Allardyce transfer message
Sam Allardyce believes it is absolutely imperative for the Whites to make the most of the summer transfer window if they are to re-attain Premier League football by getting promoted back from the Championship next season.
Allardyce feels that there is only so much any manager can do with a given set of tools at their disposal, suggesting both that Leeds had recruited poorly for the current squad and that they will need to do better ahead of the new second-tier season.
After lamenting that he was unable to oversee an improvement to the side’s performances or results, Allardyce added: “I’ll talk in general: general recruitment is the number one factor for any manager, coach or head coach or any club, to be successful.
“Without top level recruitment, a manager and a coach are only as good as the players they have. When you have coaches telling you how much better they make them, it is a factor, you can – [but] it’s only small percentages, it's probably one or two or three [percent].
“If you look at the whole package, actual quality is all about recruitment, because better players make you a better coach, make the coaches better, make everyone at the club better, a happy club going forward. It's a much easier responsibility to coach good players: they get it, and do very little wrong.”
Keane's Leeds verdict
Roy Keane does not believe Sam Allardyce will want to continue with Leeds United in the Championship due to his 'ego'. The interim boss was brought in with four matches remaining, but was unable to steer the Whites to survival.
Leeds picked up just a single point during Allardyce's tenure at Elland Road, with a heavy home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday confirming their relegation. United earned a point at home to Newcastle United, but would also have had to rely on results elsewhere after falling to defeat at West Ham in their penultimate outing.
Allardyce deflected questions on his future beyond the end of the season ahead of the final-day encounter. Asked over who will be the next manager in the Elland Road dugout, Keane dismissed the prospect of the former England boss remaining in the post.
Keane told Sky Sports: "I can’t imagine Big Sam wanting to go back to the Championship. Not with his ego."
Speaking after the loss to Tottenham, Allardyce told LeedsLive: "If I do anything it will be here, but those discussions will happen across the next few days. Sit down for a couple of days and thrash it out for both sides to be comfortable.
"Last thing I want is walk in and not go the direction we agreed."
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