McDermott Press Conference 3rd Feb

13:14 Updated : 13:14
Press conference just about to begin. First question should be "Brian, congratulations, welcome to Elland Road. How does it feel to be appointed manager of Leeds United?"

13:19
McD "What's gone on? I got a phone call Friday night from Chris Varnell to say I'd been relieved of my duties. Saturday morning, I got another phone call from GFH saying that wasn't the case"

13:20
McD "The reason I'm sitting here is because I've been reinstated. I want to be Leeds United
manager."

13:21
McD "Nigel Gibbs showed what a class act he is on Saturday. I was proud of the players, the staff and the fans for coming together on Saturday. That's why I'm back. The fans proved they're a class act. It's their football club."

13:22
You could end up back in the same situation once Cellino takes over.

"I've no idea, I've had certain reassurances, but GFH Capital currently own the football club. We don't know who the new owners will be"

13:23
"Whatever happens, we need some calm. We need this place to be heading in the right direction. Since April (until Friday), when I came in, we've been heading in the right direction.

13:24
On Massimo Cellino's statement saying he wants McD as manager, did that have an impact on his return?

"Not really. I want to be Leeds United manager."

13:24
McD "I signed a three-year deal, we spoke about a long-term vision, about the stability required. For me, that hasn't changed."

13:25
McD "I set the team up on Friday morning, the team you saw on Saturday, it was changed overnight, but we changed it back when Gibbs was put in charge"

Suggests someone else was in charge between Gibbs and McDermott.

13:26
McD "Need to put this to bed and move forward, the ownership situation needs to be resolved quickly."

13:26
McD "I don't know if it was legal or not (his sacking)"

13:26
McD "I've been given assurances that I answer to GFH and GFH only."

13:27
McD "My personal feelings are I want to be Leeds United manager, that's it... The support I've received has been fantastic."

13:28
Brian, good to see you, where were you Saturday afternoon? "Watching Sky Sports..."

13:28
McD "Neil (Redfearn) told me Festa had changed the team"

13:29
When did you realise there was no way your sacking was allowed to happen?

McD "All along it seemed odd, you have to be owner of the football club to sack the manager. I did think it was very strange"

13:30
You could be in the same situation next week?

McD "People have said that to me, but how can I not go back? There's no way I'd leave the staff, the players and the supporters... The bigger picture is the stability of this club."

13:31
Festa situation

"He was at the training ground this morning. I don't know the new player, he arrived deadline day, whether it's been ratified by the Football League I'm not sure. He'll get the utmost respect and every chance"

13:32
"Nigel Gibbs has been absolute class. I'm delighted we got that result with the team we'd been working on throughout the week."

13:32
McD "I don't hold grudges. The most important thing is the Leeds fans, they showed absolute class on Saturday"

13:33
What would you like to happen?

McD "Whatever happens, what's the best for Leeds United? That's the only thing I'm concerned about"

13:33
Do you feel let down?

McD "I would suggest this situation should never happen to a football manager"

13:34
McD "All [the owners] have said to me is that I answer to them, whatever happens in the future, I don't know. There's a lot of speculation, but as far as the ownership is concerned, it's still to be resolved."

13:35
McD "Ross McCormack has been phenomenal. He's become a real leader. You have to admire what he's done for Leeds United."

13:35
McD "I've got assurances in writing"

13:39
Seems they're ready to wrap things up at Elland Road. Key talking points -

- Festa was at training this morning

- McDermott never received written confirmation of his dismissal

- There's confusion over whether the new player met the transfer deadline

- McDermott has received written assurances regarding his future, as instructed to do so by LMA

- GFH remain in charge, McDermott answers only to them

13:40
McDermott spent a lot of time praising the fans, the players and the manager for Saturday's performance. It was his team that ended up beating Huddersfield 5-1 following some interference from Cellino's camp and a line-up change.

Gibbs restored the original line-up (McD's) when he was eventually given charge of the first team.

13:42
Absolute credit to McDermott for continuing to carry himself with the utmost dignity throughout a ridiculous situation at Elland Road.

13:45
The reaction of fans, players and staff on Saturday played a deciding factor in McDermott's return.

I doubt this is the end of the drama, but for now, McDermott is back at Elland Road and looking to take Leeds United forward.

13:47 Updated : 13:48
All hopes for McDermott's future likely rest with Andrew Flowers consortium. They'll be sitting down to submit a bid to GFH tomorrow and are seeking an immediate response.

The continued presence of Festa at Elland Road is alarming though, it suggests Cellino's takeover is still expected to complete.


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"I don't know the new player, he arrived deadline day, whether it's been ratified by the Football League I'm not sure. He'll get the utmost respect and every chance"

Therein the statement of a man with integrity and class.

 

Cheers Billy, I've been waiting for this although no real answers to the burning questions!

 

What a class act Brian is

 

The big problem is that if Cellino gets the club, then McD will be sacked and Festa put in charge ... this will finish our season for sure, and heaven help us going forward


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Cant see Festa getting the gig regardless if Cellino buys the club.

 

So let me get this right,

You go 8 games without a win.
you sack the manager.
your next game you win 5-1
You ask the manager back.

am i missing something here

 

Hope you're right bucks ... however, Festa was at training today, why?


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yes Mighty, nowhere is Millwall mentioned


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I think you are missing about 25 points to avoid relegation

 

Hes obviously the eyes and ears for Cellino so he is not buying blind. He may well be giving a recommendation about the coaching staff, but I doubt he would get the job. Cellino hires and fires so if he had any respect for Festa or rated him at all in any capacity he wouldnt be lining him up to shoot down in the coming months.

Sacking McDermott wouldnt be the right thing to do IMO and bringing in Festa would be a giant step backwards

 

well put bucks


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Cellino's already said that Festa is too inexperienced to coach a major club like Leeds, his role is an advisory capacity

 

Well that makes no sense at all. If he's too inexperienced to coach who is he going to be advising ?

 

this did make me chuckle this afternoon i must admit..

 

You do realise you got spanked again this week dead swan ?Best to trot off before you make a fool of yourself AGAIN,2 points off the relegation zone,looks like your heading back to league 2 where you belong.

 

Don't shoot the messenger I'm just quoting what I've read

 

exactly LiE ... the problem is what Cellino says and does are different things ... sacks the manager then asks hom to stay, etc etc


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Really!?!?!?

Why?

 

Got to say that as a bloke beemcdee is thoroughly decent. Take some notes Sheldon....