EXCLUSIVE: Massimo Cellino facing REVOLT from Leeds stars... and he wants to AXE McDermott
Daily Star 7/4/14
PROSPECTIVE Leeds owner Massimo Cellino is facing a revolt from Brian McDermott's squad before he has even taken charge at Elland Road.
By Jeremy Cross
Controversial Italian Cellino is poised to step-up his bid to buy the troubled club this week after winning his appeal against the Football League's decision to ban him from completing a takeover at Elland Road.
He will jet into Leeds tomorrow to meet chief executive David Haigh and other Elland Road directors to discuss a deal that will see him purchase a 75 per cent stake for £35m.
But Starsport can reveal Cellino has become a hate figure in the dressing room, where the players don't want him to seize control.
It is understood McDermott's squad are furious with Cellino for bad-mouthing them and discussing details of their contracts in public.
To make matters worse McDermott and his squad have still not been paid and are owed a month's wages.
A senior club source told Starsport: "Massimo will arrive this week confident of becoming the newman at the helm.
"But what he hasn't banked on is the fact the players don't like him. They haven't been paid and, to make matters worse, have had to listen to him bad-mouth them in public.
"Basically, they don't want him running the club and can't believe the way he has treated the manager, who does still have their full support and is very popular.
"I can't see the players running through brick walls for the new man coming in. There is trouble ahead and it could get very messy indeed."
It is understood Cellino plans to sack McDermott once his take-over is complete - but would prefer him to resign so he can escape paying him around £2m in compensation.
Cellino is believed to have held talks with both Gianfranco Zola and Paolo Di Canio about replacing McDermott at the Championship strugglers.
PROSPECTIVE Leeds owner Massimo Cellino is facing a revolt from Brian McDermott's squad before he has even taken charge at Elland Road.
By Jeremy Cross
Controversial Italian Cellino is poised to step-up his bid to buy the troubled club this week after winning his appeal against the Football League's decision to ban him from completing a takeover at Elland Road.
He will jet into Leeds tomorrow to meet chief executive David Haigh and other Elland Road directors to discuss a deal that will see him purchase a 75 per cent stake for £35m.
But Starsport can reveal Cellino has become a hate figure in the dressing room, where the players don't want him to seize control.
It is understood McDermott's squad are furious with Cellino for bad-mouthing them and discussing details of their contracts in public.
To make matters worse McDermott and his squad have still not been paid and are owed a month's wages.
A senior club source told Starsport: "Massimo will arrive this week confident of becoming the newman at the helm.
"But what he hasn't banked on is the fact the players don't like him. They haven't been paid and, to make matters worse, have had to listen to him bad-mouth them in public.
"Basically, they don't want him running the club and can't believe the way he has treated the manager, who does still have their full support and is very popular.
"I can't see the players running through brick walls for the new man coming in. There is trouble ahead and it could get very messy indeed."
It is understood Cellino plans to sack McDermott once his take-over is complete - but would prefer him to resign so he can escape paying him around £2m in compensation.
Cellino is believed to have held talks with both Gianfranco Zola and Paolo Di Canio about replacing McDermott at the Championship strugglers.