that's all it takes to start these rumours off isn't it, a casual remark at a dinner. Cortese never struck me as a guy who makes throwaway remarks though so I wouldn't be surprised if he does pop up at Elland Road.
Cortese is a driven man, destined for success in whatever he does. He does things his way, and does not take prisoners. He is wealthy, but not wealthy enough to do it without other backers. he can smell a deal from 100 miles, so he probably can see that Leeds has huge potential due to your fan base, and history- not sure if your academy has the reputation that saints have always had, but that was a draw with saints, the ability to produce our own talent. Much will depend on who he is planning to bring on board. We definitely struck lucky with the Liebherrs, because after Markus passed away, many thought his daughter would sell, plunging us into financial problems again, but she has continued to invest, and we have continued to thrive after Nicola had resigned, and Pochetino had left us in the lurch. In summary, if Cortese joins you he WILL bring in money, he WILL bring you success, and you WILL love him, but he WILL ruffle feathers, he WILL make everyone pay for their tickets, even famous ex players!, and the ride WILL be bumpy, but great fun - you will get your club back! Good luck.
Nicola was directly responsible for Saints resurgence by selling his idea about a new way to run a football club to Markus Leihberr. He believes in high standards in every field throughout a club, but then can't stop himself interfering at all levels. Definitely a micromanager. There was a massive turnover in all departments as he was nearly impossible to work for...a bit of a sociopath. However, as long as you don't work for him, he will be great for your club....a crook he is not and you can't say that often in football. Could work out well for Leeds.
There were rumours of him buying Liverpool in Jan 14 and Southampton in June 14 - Unfortunately for our thick Northern friends, the cost involved far outweighs the limited potential. Would cost in the region of £100M just to clear up the **** and even then the only assets owned would be a below average Championship squad. They could pick up ANY of the other Championship Clubs for a fraction of what it will cost and they would get a lot more for their money - it can only really be a fan buyout or another hothead that buys without looking at the books properly. Leeds United is a dead fish for anyone seeking success or a return on their investment
Much much prefer this idea to LFU. LFU just won't work. But if Cortese were able to replicate Saints in anyway shape or form here, the fans would be onboard 100%. Still, this is a long way off by the sounds of it. And it is just rumours at the end of the day. Need to wait and see if anything materialises but the pessimist in me says nothing will ever come of it. Its decent but not anywhere near saints' level, especially not anymore. Have to say probably one of the best (if not the best) currently in the championship. Don't hear of many other academies constantly filling the first team with players in this league.
I would be really, really nervous at the prospect of Cortese taking over the club if I were a Leeds supporter. Things could go really wrong. He is massively ambitious and does have a lot of good traits. But also some bad ones. And he will want complete control, so you won't be able to just have him do the things he is good at and not others. Maybe he learns to soften up his approach after his Saints experience, or maybe he will be more stubborn than ever. It's a coin flip. Having said that, I think I would much rather be really, really nervous about the prospect of Cortese over being grimly assured that the guy taking over is your typical incompetent and/or money-oriented owner. Nervous always beats depressed. Best way I can summarize his Saints tenure is that I am massively happy he came to the club and did what he did... and equally ecstatic he is no longer here.
I think it's best to forget LFU as owners, their goal was to bid for GHF's shares not outright ownership, so doubt they'd have the money or could continually raise the money needed. This Cortese lad, he's Italian, has a very very similar financial attitude as Cellino does, so what is it exactly that we gain? be carefull what we wish for. Personally, and I could be wrong, but I think Cellino is reacting to the fans calling for him to sell up, so he's said, "ok, I might sell to LFU, maybe they're the group to take LUFC forward; what was that, they've only raised 500,000.00 nicker, ok, only another 75,500,000,00 to go, I'm sure they can handle it financially". I think Cellino is reacting to find out what comes up. Then there's this slug raising his ugly bonce again, Mr Farnan, who believes it's time for LFU to take the reigns cos they're ready with their 500,000,00 quid. http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2015-11-01/high-profile-support-for-leeds-fan-takeover/ I think it's just a tongue in cheek reaction to some fans, he's a larrikin, a rebel and a stand up to anyone kind of man, how could you not like him. For a boat to float, you got to build it, or repair it first. Cellino's recently said he's still appealing against the FL suspension, I don't blame him, 28,000,00 quid is small change in the world of football, so Harvey has still got it in for Cellino; I wonder if the honesty clause also refers to Harvey and his job. If Cellino's thinking about selling, and he's still appealing his ban, why would he bother with the latter? We're impatient fans, we want past glory back yesterday, but while many are complaining about the number of coaches/managers we go through, where's the same complaints for the number of owners we're going through? The way I see it, Cellino has, and is fixing what Bates and GFH broke and stole, not much recognition for him there then?
LL Cellino is a crook, he was guilty before, he has been found guilty again, he has more skeletons than a grave yard, he is on borrowed time and knows it. The writing is on the wall for him, it just depends how badly we are damaged before he steps foot out the club.
Cortese is a ruthless business man........He is probably just what a club like Leeds need........He doesn't tolerate failure or half measures. Bit of a control freak I understand as everything will have to be done his way or he will not come to the club. Be prepared for a change in manager on a regular basis. He will be good for the club in the short to medium term, the clubs image with the press will probably take a dive as well. He doesn't like them. He will get you up the league though in about 3-5 years.
Only a special kind of someone can still be shamefully supporting Cellino right now........anyone would think they were pretending
Luver is very much special All the traits Cellino has shown were there in his cv when he arrived. Most of us hoped .... but although he may have cleared up some mess, as LL says, boy has he added plenty I had a brief period of hope when Pearson a arrived, now I'm back to the view we cannot prosper with him It's not much of an argument in favour of someone to point out some alternatives might be bad too
Why is it shameful to support him? OK, he may be a crook, but he's our crook. Lots of football's crooks haven't been found out yet. I'm sure if he owned a club like .... um .... err .... Blackpool, for instance, then he'd probably have got away with it. But foolishly, he picked Leeds, which makes him a big target for the authorities. You have a short memory. He did save us from GFH for a start. Perhas you've forgottn what that was like. Or perhaps Bates was more to your fancy?
You mention all the debts....that could make a takeover hard. Our late owner said that Saints were a bargain...cleared our debts (believed to be about 13 mill) and got a club with an Academy, relatively new ground and other land in Southampton.
I understand your feelings towards Cellino Ristac, but I'm not going to berate him for the good he has brought to the club. He's not perfect, I acknowledge that, and he's still learning about english football, but where would we have been had he not stepped in, the mind boggles. Had he have got the coach right then most who dislike Cellino would still find something, or make something up to berate him, while others would probably be singing a different tune. As Jock says, some haven't been found out yet. We had better be carefull what we wish for though.
Why is it shameful? Do you want me to drag up every bit of bad press he has brought upon the club over the last 2 years? Are we currently performing better on the pitch than we were under GFH? Just because he saved us from one crooked regime doesn't make him a hero....he is a proven crook himself and we have had a hell of a lot more embarrassing press under Cellino. I'm sorry, any Cellino apologists still out there are either just too cowardly to admit they were wrong after lapping up everything he has said or just flat out wumming.
Who said: "There’s no structure, it’s just expensive and we’re wasting money on rubbish. Next season, I think not. But in 2015-16, if we don’t go into the Premier League then I’ve failed. You can tell me I’ve failed.” YOU FAILED
