Rival Far East consortiums in talks to buy Leeds
Daily Star 4/5/15
By Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer
Starsport can reveal the separate groups of bidders have opened talks with Leeds owner Massimo Cellino about taking control at Elland Road.
The news will stun fans and cast more doubt on the immediate future of the troubled Championship outfit.
Controversial Italian Cellino has maintained that he has no plans to sell the club.
But earlier this season he held provisional talks with Formula One giants Red Bull and now negotiations have taken place with two more multi-millionaire consortiums from China and Malaysia.
It is understood the Malaysian consortium have strong links to Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan.
Cellino bought Leeds for around £28m just over 12 months ago but has endured a troubled reign.
He has sacked three managers and made more than 100 staff redundant to leave fans split on whether he is good for the club or not.
To make matters worse he was left stunned earlier this season after being disqualified from owning Leeds by the Football League for tax evasion.
His ban has just been lifted and he was allowed to attend Leeds' final league game of the season at home to Rotherham last weekend.
But his battle with League bosses has taken its toll and he could face further punishment due to fact he is facing further investigations into his tax affairs back in his homeland.
During his time on the sidelines he has seen the fallen giants rocked by a series of controversies that have heaped shame and embarrassment on the club, while large sections of supporters have turned against him.
Several high-profile figures on the board have either walked out or being sacked, while boss Neil Redfearn saw his trusted No.2 Steve Thompson suspended without proper explanation.
Last month six of his first team stars refused to travel to Charlton after claiming they were injured on the eve of the game.
Redfearn's own future is now in limbo after his contract expired on Friday and he is now considering his next move.
He would like to remain in charge at Elland Road but has no idea if Cellino still wants him as boss and will wait to see if the Italian businessman decides to sell his stake in the club and hand it over to someone else.
But Redfearn will not be short of managerial offers this summer and is a target of a host of clubs, including Huddersfield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Peterborough.
The uncertainty surrounding his position has alerted these four clubs, who have been impressed with the job he's done in difficult circumstances.
By Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer
Starsport can reveal the separate groups of bidders have opened talks with Leeds owner Massimo Cellino about taking control at Elland Road.
The news will stun fans and cast more doubt on the immediate future of the troubled Championship outfit.
Controversial Italian Cellino has maintained that he has no plans to sell the club.
But earlier this season he held provisional talks with Formula One giants Red Bull and now negotiations have taken place with two more multi-millionaire consortiums from China and Malaysia.
It is understood the Malaysian consortium have strong links to Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan.
Cellino bought Leeds for around £28m just over 12 months ago but has endured a troubled reign.
He has sacked three managers and made more than 100 staff redundant to leave fans split on whether he is good for the club or not.
To make matters worse he was left stunned earlier this season after being disqualified from owning Leeds by the Football League for tax evasion.
His ban has just been lifted and he was allowed to attend Leeds' final league game of the season at home to Rotherham last weekend.
But his battle with League bosses has taken its toll and he could face further punishment due to fact he is facing further investigations into his tax affairs back in his homeland.
During his time on the sidelines he has seen the fallen giants rocked by a series of controversies that have heaped shame and embarrassment on the club, while large sections of supporters have turned against him.
Several high-profile figures on the board have either walked out or being sacked, while boss Neil Redfearn saw his trusted No.2 Steve Thompson suspended without proper explanation.
Last month six of his first team stars refused to travel to Charlton after claiming they were injured on the eve of the game.
Redfearn's own future is now in limbo after his contract expired on Friday and he is now considering his next move.
He would like to remain in charge at Elland Road but has no idea if Cellino still wants him as boss and will wait to see if the Italian businessman decides to sell his stake in the club and hand it over to someone else.
But Redfearn will not be short of managerial offers this summer and is a target of a host of clubs, including Huddersfield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Peterborough.
The uncertainty surrounding his position has alerted these four clubs, who have been impressed with the job he's done in difficult circumstances.