Leeds owner Massimo Cellino speaks out, questions Neil Redfearn
Here is the City 20/4/15
Dan Coombs
Massimo Cellino has denied any involvement with the injured players controversy at Leeds United, and discussed head coach Neil Redfearn.
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has told The Sun that the weekend's injury saga was nothing to do with him.
The Italian is currently suspend by the Football League and hoping to return next month.
Cellino was speaking out after Mirco Antenucci, Marco Silvestri, Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci, Edgar Cani and Dario del Fabro all pulled out of the weekend's trip to Charlton Athletic less than 24 hours before the game, citing injuries.
Somewhat worrying for Leeds fans, Cellino has openly questioned whether head coach Neil Redfearn could have communicated the issue to chairman Andrew Umbers more effectively.
"I am not a coward and not the sort of guy who tells his players to go on strike. I only found out on Friday evening. I admit it looks weird. But if the players were injured, why didn’t the manager inform the chairman?"
Leeds issued a statement via their club website on Sunday evening explaining that their own medical team declared the six unable to play.
While Cellino is at pains to insist he had no part in the latest saga to affect the club, he admits that from the outside it looks as though relations between himself and Redfearn do not look great.
He added: "This looks like a fight between manager Neil Redfearn and the ownership of the club, which is not good."
There is one way for Cellino to resolve that. He must offer Redfearn a contract extension, with the head coach's deal set to expire at the end of the season.
This will give the club stability it needs to kick on, help them keep their best young players, and ensure fans remain onside. Let Redfearn go, and from a supporter perspective at present it does not bear thinking about.
Cellino has added he has asked permission from the Football League to attend the final game of the season against Rotherham.
Dan Coombs
Massimo Cellino has denied any involvement with the injured players controversy at Leeds United, and discussed head coach Neil Redfearn.
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has told The Sun that the weekend's injury saga was nothing to do with him.
The Italian is currently suspend by the Football League and hoping to return next month.
Cellino was speaking out after Mirco Antenucci, Marco Silvestri, Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci, Edgar Cani and Dario del Fabro all pulled out of the weekend's trip to Charlton Athletic less than 24 hours before the game, citing injuries.
Somewhat worrying for Leeds fans, Cellino has openly questioned whether head coach Neil Redfearn could have communicated the issue to chairman Andrew Umbers more effectively.
"I am not a coward and not the sort of guy who tells his players to go on strike. I only found out on Friday evening. I admit it looks weird. But if the players were injured, why didn’t the manager inform the chairman?"
Leeds issued a statement via their club website on Sunday evening explaining that their own medical team declared the six unable to play.
While Cellino is at pains to insist he had no part in the latest saga to affect the club, he admits that from the outside it looks as though relations between himself and Redfearn do not look great.
He added: "This looks like a fight between manager Neil Redfearn and the ownership of the club, which is not good."
There is one way for Cellino to resolve that. He must offer Redfearn a contract extension, with the head coach's deal set to expire at the end of the season.
This will give the club stability it needs to kick on, help them keep their best young players, and ensure fans remain onside. Let Redfearn go, and from a supporter perspective at present it does not bear thinking about.
Cellino has added he has asked permission from the Football League to attend the final game of the season against Rotherham.