Leeds Rumours Archive February 01 2014

01 Feb 2014 18:11:11
Haigh consortium and Farnan consortium supposedly joining forces. it's far from over yet.

I hope so.
But it is all about who has the most money to take our club forward!

Hang on its going to get bumpy

All the financial vultures should all fack off and let the italian have a go - - the club needs money, passion and verve and spontaneity - this past year or so has been so dull - no transfers no goals - today was a result of the electricity and 'passion' and adrenalin in the air . BM or for all his positives needs to instill that passion in the place - and try to work with Massimo Cellino. just maybe today was B'cos we were finally riled up? let the italian in - and some playmakers and let's enjoy the ride. bellissimo

Hope not DH has a lot of explaining to do to the fans - let's clear the air and remove any duplicity ; I prefer The European way . to speak ones mind - fight / make up / get it out then move on

Er actually it kinda is over. Cellinio has coughed up to gfh. He owns (via family members to duck fa f and p test) 75% of shares.

If the 'family' are on the paperwork then that sounds good to me - will pass Fit and Proper . so let's get this club back in the swing - Italian playmakers for midfield - Perlo style = bring it on. The players connected with as centre forwards both look very handy indeed

I agree with the above. Let's have the Italians. Haigh has had his chance and if another consortium buys us it will just be decisions by committee and nothing gets done. Wouldn't mind 20 years of stability.

So why wer'nt his people in the dugout?

Exactly - football is a Sport!, a gamble, a game! - not about the fecking boardroom process . so get a man in with passion and vision and spontaneity at the helm - fed up with Suits and british grammar school boys wanting to play games with our great club - I bet Cellino got picked for his teams at school - can't say the same for the twerps I've seen fronting Leeds this past few years. Time for a change of gear and passion

Stability
How many managers has he got rid of in his time!!

Get Mac back

Mike farnan will have money, so will flowers iff they team up .

Just to remind you BMC fans ; WE had picked up just three points from a possible 21 in the Championship under BMC

Just to remind you.
Get real, mac only had warlocks rubbish to pick from. In mac we trust, the man is quality.

Get the Big Mac BACK

Give the guy a break, needs better players that's all, can't do much without much financial backing.

Cellino can't put family members as directors and run the club. Anybody who has or is seen to manage or control or influence the running of a club also has to go through Fit and Proper Persons Test. Forest are under investigation for this currently. The Football League are looking at this closely hence taking the unusual step of issuing a statement.
Cellino ultimately failed in his previous attempts to buy West Ham and Palace because he couldn't pass the FPP

All true leeds fans, want the Big Mac back

And Roman Abramovic and Vincent Tan do of course. Wishful thinking. Do you really believe this man will go to the extent of instructing lawyers to act on this acquisition without considering the football league rules. Get real. He has already set up the company which will acquire the shares. All you need to do is check companies house.

Bromley white

The guy has come up with the money let's move on

Let's not forget " The FL have been very helpfull!" statement from last week, says a lot huh?

Cellino didn't fail F+P test when attempting to purchase other clubs, it never got that far. And he shouldn't have a problem with passing now, as all convisctions were over ten years ago. Bring him and his money to Elland Road. Can't wait.

Well seems to me Cellino made a major fxck up here! but the man is an Italian with PASSION! never meet one that was not hot blooded and passionate, sure he's in it for the money but they all are, But for him to see ELLAND RD in full flow and 31'000 + fans chanting he's seen and felt the passion and support for this club and gone WOW! done a u turn, and is in limbo now, not knowing which way to turn! A BIT OF A DODGY START! But I for one would take this dodgy Italian with passion for the game and money to burn, but with Brian Mc in place picking the team, This team are not perfect but are gelling as a team and a squad, as shown by support from the bench Saturday and with this combo in place prem football can not be to far away . MOT

But which one of Haighs consortium lacked the funds?

01 Feb 2014 17:26:34
It gets more blizare a statement on the OS regarding Brian McDermott

The club would like to make it clear that Brian McDermott remains our first team manager. He has not been dismissed from his post as has been suggested and we look forward to him continuing in his role with us in taking Leeds United forward

Agree mate could the last 24 hours been any more bizarre, what next god only knows

Return of the mac!.

That statement has been issued by GFH to avoid any compensation payment to Brian McDermott or legal case/fees. GFH can say they didn't sack him and as they are the owners nobody else had authority to sack him. If Brian doesn't return to work he will be in breach of contract and be deemed to have quit his post. No compensation or legal action can be taken by him. He now has to return to work knowing he will almost certainly be sacked if Cellino completes take over. Its as if GFH are trying to get him out without paying compensation etc.!

With BM we ll lose to Yeovil

We don't want any more crooks running our club.sod of the dodgy italian

01 Feb 2014 19:28:33
Brian save your dignity and leave we dnt deserve u gfh are a disgrace treating u like this and cellino has no right to demand anything until they own the club let alone sack uyou good luck brian your a true leeds man in my eyes!

Covering their backs. He will be gone when and if Cellinio gets the club

Bring back Brian Mac

01 Feb 2014 17:10:34
Mcdermott not been sacked check leeds united os

01 Feb 2014 15:42:20
Who are these loan player coming in and what are they like?

Fabiola's Mac get in, come on all you beloved whites!

5 1 strange old world isn't it

YouTube danillo avelar quality

Ferdinando Sforzini

01 Feb 2014 14:06:00
Gulf Finance House released a statement on Saturday lunchtime after a manic 24 hours at Elland Road, confirming it had agreed a 75 per cent sale to Eleonara Sport Ltd - Cellino's company - subject to Football League approval.

The news had been expected, but came a day after Cellino had overseen the removal of manager Brian McDermott in favour of long-term friend Gianluca Festa.

However in another twist, it is believed ahead of Saturday's game with Huddersfield the club were working on persuading McDermott to return to the dugout.

We don't want the mafia here

01 Feb 2014 13:31:44
BMcD after taking legal advice and will not be at todays game

01 Feb 2014 13:12:49
Yep reporting
bmd to be reinstated

I HOPE that's TRUE

01 Feb 2014 13:03:01
From Official site.

A STATEMENT FROM GFH CAPITAL
A statement from the owners.

PUBLISHED 01 FEBRUARY 2014 AT 12:20

Following recent media reports and speculation, GFH Capital would like to confirm that it has agreed to sell a 75 per cent stake in the club to Eleonora Sport Ltd, a company owned by the Cellino family who have many years experience in football and who plan to invest substantially in the club including the re acquisition of Elland Road. Eleonora will be working on completing the required Football League approval.

The Cellino Family is a well known Italian sports family, who have owned Serie A side Cagliari since 1992. They come to English football with an ambition to support Leeds United financially to take it to the Premier League and a belief that the club can sustain top-flight status.

Since the agreement, Leeds United is in discussion with Elenora Sport Ltd. on a number of issues concerning the Club matters including the structure of the management of the first team.

It also says that ownership of Leeds will be Cellinos son and wife, thereby hoping the fit and proper test won't be an issue, sly or what?.

Unbelievable .we have been sold out again to someone who doesn't have our interests at heart. how have Calgari flourished under this man? how can GFH sell out to someone who is known to have been convicted of fraud and how can the FL allow this man to pass their test of being FIT and PROPER.
It goes to show what he is already like insisting that Brian McD be sack the night before a match, if he had our interests at heart he would have done that Monday (albeit don't agree with Brian going) to at least give the team more time to get used to the idea Brian is going and hence be in a better frame of mind come a match.All fans should stay away from future matches this season in protest at what has happened!I know that doesn't help the team but how many times can we be kicked in the stomach and expect to be happy about it! hit them where it hurts in their pockets and perhaps someone might take notice. hopefully the Football League will come to our rescue and not allow this deal to go ahead because if they do sanction it they will be a laughing stock with their so called test to being FIT & PROPER!

01 Feb 2014 13:47:36
Marriage made in heaven. Walking thru the door sacking everyone and expecting everyone to be all peachy is not exactly the best way for the relationship to begin. I think ya either got balls or your about to lose them pretty damn quick cus I think your living in cuckoo land Mr C.

"how can GFH sell out to someone who is known to have been convicted of fraud"

Despite their so called 'ethics' it would appear that they are happy to sell out to a known criminal as long as they get their money?

The sooner these people are gone the better, Bates was bad but at least we knew what we were dealing with?

01 Feb 2014 13:08:45
McDermott back in charge apparently.

What the hell is going on!

01 Feb 2014 12:40:44
Latest news for OS posted at 12:31 says "United manager Brian McDermott will be without the services of striker Matt Smith once again on Saturday as he serves his final match ban."This situation is confusing me has he actually been sacked?

Ssn last night BmD phoned Rossco to tell him he had been sacked and Rossco was gutted think says it all ;(

Yes as Ross mccormack said on ssn yesterday that Brian rang him to tell him the news

Yep he's gone, Fester out, festa in, cellino in Tabanelli loaned in, Elland road to be bought back, Cellino has said, we'll be working with "A lot of money" so who knows, might be something good.

Anyone else seen this, Jeff spelling ssn has just said, yep are reporting there are moves to have brian reinstated, only reporting what I have just heard, think he maybe in an executive box today, that though don't think it has been confirmed.

That was published YESTERDAY at 12.31!

01 Feb 2014 12:27:07
Any one else noticed that lufc website has been updated? Tabanelli added to the squad list!?

But nothing to say what is actually happening!

01 Feb 2014 09:37:39
{Ed013's Note - After last nights shambles I decided to vent my frustration on my new blog titled "GFH - The toy that went wrong" Please visit the blog and polls page underneath Leeds teams and have your say, thanks in advance. Here is the link http://leedsrumours.co.uk/leeds-blog-14-gfh-c,-the-toy-that-went-wrong.php MOT}

Still Nothing on Official site? GBH you are a disgrace! MOT but you can sod off!

Ok I've listened to all the comments on here so here goes bmd was maybe a good manager at reading but teams need to win games to get promoted we ain't winning games fact to much deadwood at leeds with players have a clear out get rid start building for next year .Italian might be good you never know Cardiff bid 6 million for rm last night fact did he go no so that tells u something

Prospective Leeds owner Massimo Cellino claims he had “no choice” but to sack manager Brian McDermott. The controversial Italian businessman has placed former Middlesbrough and Portsmouth defender Gianluca Festa in charge for today’s derby at Elland Road against Huddersfield.
Cellino, 57, is close to taking a 75 per cent stake in the Championship club, subject to Football League approval. And Cagliari owner Cellino has taken no time in dispensing with the services of McDermott, just nine months into his three-year contract at Elland Road.
In an exclusive interview, Cellino said: “I spoke with Brian earlier in the week and gave him the chance for the challenge. I don’t know him, but told him I would be coming in and he would have the chance to build something special and work with a lot of money.
“In the end we didn’t have any choice though because he did everything to get fired. He gave me no choice.
“He started an argument with everyone. He was talking with the papers, with everyone, which was not fair. He made it impossible. I want a coach for the club, not a manager.”
Cellino was cagey when asked whether former Middlesbrough defender Gianluca Festa, a close ally, would be replacing McDermott at the Yorkshire club on a permanent basis.
“Gianluca is a nice guy but he wasn’t in my plans before all of this … Leeds are a special club who have had difficult times. But what is beyond question is that the club’s fans are very, very special.”
Festa, 44, turned up twice at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground this week to observe training. Cellino then ordered McDermott to allow Festa into the Leeds’ dugout for Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich, a request the manager refused. Festa also sat on the players’ table for lunch at the training ground this week.
Cellino blocked Luke Varney’s transfer to Blackburn, which had been signed off by McDermott. After the Ipswich game McDermott said: “This has been one of the most difficult periods I’ve had as a manager, especially the last few days.
“Some of the stuff that’s gone on has not been pleasant and it doesn’t belong in football in my opinion.”
These comments angered Cellino, as did McDermott’s decision to seek the help of the League Managers’ Association and decline the request for Festa to sit in the Leeds dugout.
Meanwhile, Enterprise Insurance have announced that they plan to withdraw their sponsorship of the club following the takeover and treatment of McDermott. Andrew Flowers, the company’s managing director, had been part of the Sport Capital consortium which had tried to take over the club.
The deal fell through when the consortium reduced its bid and the club’s owners, Gulf Finance House, pulled out and turned to Cellino, who was at Elland Road last night and faces massive fan protests against his involvement.
Cellino, an agricultural entrepreneur, has twice been convicted of fraud and there are doubts as to whether he would pass the Football League’s fit and proper person test. He claimed he was the highest bidder for West Ham in 2010 and also made enquiries about buying Crystal Palace. Very interesting and if true then we are in for a great future with money to spend for good players intstead of the rubbish we've been used to. Hopefully Varney plays today, he deserves the chance another a MOM performance against Leicester MOT

Gfh capital, Salem Patel, hisham alrayes, and the lot of you, hang your heads in shame, Brian McDermott will always hold his head up high with great pride, very proud of all he has tried to achieve for all who truly care about about leed united football club and all the loyal and faithfully fans!

When GFH came in and made Brian M our manager they always said it was 2 year plan to get into the premiership as we needed to be rebuilt. Brian has done everything right and has started building the club up from the bottom including the training ground, staff structure and is allowing our youngsters to get their chance. I know we Leeds fans always want success now BUT Brian was doing everything possible with the resources (& restrictions )open to him.
It is not Brians problem that GFH were never really equiped to invest and take forward a club like ours but knowing this they should be doing the next best thing and find a buyer who has our interests at heart ie the Farnan group which includes Lucas Radebe!.
How can the Italian sack our manager when he doesn't own the club until the FL approve it? how can someone pass the Football League’s fit and proper person test when he has been convicted of fraud etc?
I say bring back Brian, allow him to finish what he started ( yes I know we will lose games but that's what happens when you are building and not expecting to go up this year!) and let the Farnan led consortium take over as they represent our best interests and will certainly look after our youngsters and academy.

01 Feb 2014 07:27:36
Ross's of to Cardiff in the summer

{Ed013's Note - If I was a betting man I would put money on them being in the Championship next year}

Can't believe that. Think he will go somewhere much warmer for his summer holiday than Cardiff, possibly Miami to meet Cellino's family. Wonder who will select today's team and who our shirt sponsor will be.

McCormack will only go if we are doing nothing[like last 10 years] Cellino could prove to be the money man we have been craving. Al will be forgotten if he spends a few bob. Get real. All the money men in any business are all crooked . Go on The Azzuri Leeds

01 Feb 2014 00:57:28
Festa in the dug out, Gibbs and Redfearn told to help. One midfielder possibly made the transfer deadline but maybe not eligible tomorrow - Tabranelli? something like that

Fawksey

Sounds like it has been hisham alrayes who has been the main instigator in getting our brian the sack after the Sheffield weds result (popey) .

Anyone know iff it is true, cellino son harassment allegations, (Patrick foster journalist twitter, been asking phil hay)?