Brian McDermott's Leeds future in doubt as Benito Carbone is hired as 'special consultant to the board of directors'

Mail 15/5/14
Brian McDermott's Leeds future in doubt as Benito Carbone is hired as 'special consultant to the board of directors for sport matters including facilities and academy'
  • Brian McDermott future as Leeds United manager is uncertain
  • Benito Carbone has been appointed as Elland Road director of football
  • Leeds owner Massimo Cellino is set to line up Carbone as future boss
  • Talks to terminate McDermott's contract have failed to reach an agreement
  • West Brom have been linked with McDermott following Pepe Mel's sacking
By JOHN EDWARDS
Brian McDermott’s Elland Road future looks more uncertain than ever after Leeds United appointed Benito Carbone as director of football.
Carbone tweeted that his full official title is 'special consultant to the board of directors for sport matters including facilities and academy.'
Sportsmail revealed last month how former Sheffield Wednesday forward Carbone had been shown round Leeds’ Wetherby training ground after being lined up by owner Massimo Cellino to take over as manager.
Talks to terminate McDermott’s contract have failed to reach an agreement, however, with the former Reading boss due £1million in compensation if he is sacked and Cellino reluctant to pay it after describing Leeds’ finances as ‘alarming’.
With Carbone left in limbo, as the negotiations dragged on, Cellino finally decided to act by making him ‘special consultant to the board’, effectively technical director.
It would appear to be a question of how much longer McDermott holds out before accepting a cut-price settlement, particularly with other jobs becoming available. West Brom are evidently showing an interest in him after sacking Pepe Mel.
It is difficult to imagine him still being in charge of Leeds at the start of next season, after Cellino criticised his decision to go on holiday and added that the club was ‘not managed by anyone’ at the moment.
Cellino invited Carbone over to Leeds last month after the ex-Wednesday, Aston Villa and Bradford City forward made a bright start to his managerial career in Italy’s second division and made it clear he was eager to test himself in English football.
A frequent visitor to Barclays Premier League and Championship games to study coaching methods, Carbone, who can converse in English, insisted he was ready for a fresh challenge in this country.
They don’t come much bigger than trying to turn round Leeds’ fortunes, after more than a decade of decline and internal strife, but he could get his wish soon. If McDermott does finally accept the inevitable, Cellino is expected to turn to Carbone to take over as manager.

Popular posts from this blog

Leeds United handed boost as ‘genuinely class’ star confirms his commitment to the club - YEP 4/8/23

Leeds United in ‘final stages’ of £10m deal for Premier League defender as Jack Harrison exit looms - YEP 13/8/23

Wilfried Gnonto latest as talks ongoing between Everton and Leeds despite £38m+ claims - Goodison News 1/9/23