Legal threats, dying on the right hills, stadium legacy in 49ers' first three months at Leeds United — Leeds Live 17/10/23

49ers Enterprises has had exactly three months at the helm of Leeds United and we have picked through what its done up to now, what lessons have been learned and what's next

One hundred and four years ago, what we now know as Leeds United was created. 49ers Enterprises has some way to go in making a lasting mark on this institution’s rich history, but today, exactly three months into its tenure, the omens are promising.

The wait for the investment arm of the NFL franchise to finally make good on the intent it first showed in 2018 tested a lot of patience, but in the limited time United have been under its banner, positive steps have been taken. Hindsight would suggest Paraag Marathe and his army of investors were arguably needed more than ever in the summer of 2021, but Andrea Radrizzani was not minded to walk away at what proved to be the zenith of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.

While the wheels finally began to turn on a transition of power in the summer, an agreement was not reached until 12 days after relegation and ratification would not follow for another five weeks. In short, nothing about this summer’s takeover was ideal for Marathe et al, but in the circumstances, the club feels in a good spot.

In broad terms, the most important business Enterprises has been faced with over these short three months was the transfer window. A handful of loans and permanent exits for fringe players had been signed off before the takeover was official, but the new owners were effectively tasked with a summer’s worth of trading in six weeks.

Of the nine new additions made, Karl Darlow, Ilia Gruev and Djed Spence have not yet had the chance to do themselves justice, but there are no red flags worrying anyone about their signatures. The other six have all made big, positive impressions on a first team which is being driven by arguably the ownership group’s finest decision to date.

Strictly speaking, Daniel Farke was appointed two weeks before Marathe became chairman, but the German was 100 per cent a 49ers appointment. Flanked by Angus Kinnear and Peter Lowy, Marathe led the recruitment process which resulted in the former Norwich City boss arriving.

On the basis of what we have seen so far, that decision could not have gone much better. Farke himself may say the team could have one or two more points on the board, but to be fifth, one point off third after 11 games, post-relegation fallout, a one-month pre-season under a new boss, 18 exits and nine arrivals is very, very good.

That’s before you even get to the off-field impact. For the first time since Bielsa departed, the Whites faithful are beginning to feel an emotional attachment to the club’s manager. Farke is saying all the right things, but, crucially, backing it up on the pitch with a style of play that pleases and entertains.

Much like Farke, Enterprises has shown a steely side too. Marathe, Rudy Cline-Thomas, Kinnear and Lowy have shown no fear in making hard decisions, in taking a stand where it has been needed.

While criticism has been keenly felt for the loan clauses which left United powerless to stop the slew of no-fee exits, where they could hold out, they did. Wilfried Gnonto was one of the few assets on the books under contract without a relegation release clause and retaining him was a hill Enterprises was prepared to die on.

The board was tested and prodded by Gnonto’s camp, but they held firm and stuck to the plan. They did not buckle and change their mind at the 11th hour.

There had been hope similar stances could have retained Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra, but the threat of legal action was a morass they did not want to wade into. Critics might fairly wonder whether the outcome of those sagas could have been predicted earlier to provide more time for replacements, but, in the case of the latter, an 11th-hour acquisition like Jaidon Anthony looks promising.

Nadiem Amiri and Joseph Paintsil were also quick to find out what happens if they bite off more than they can chew in negotiations with United’s new custodians. Leaving the former to pay for their own flight home was particularly spiky.

There has not been enough time for meaningful conclusions to be drawn on this new era at Elland Road. On the stadium itself, for example, legacies will be formed on what happens at LS11 in due course.

Some would say the lack of noise has been pleasant and refreshing. Marathe has not spoken publicly since becoming chairman, neither has Cline-Thomas since taking the vice-chairman’s seat. The absence of both from social media will be of equal comfort.

Less talk, more action appears to be the route they want to take and it’s worked across the opening three months.