The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th October)

Good Morning. It's Friday 24th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Farke likely to dominate shareholders meeting prior to KO

Representatives of Leeds United’s American owners, 49ers Enterprises, are preparing for a shareholders’ meeting at Elland Road on Friday evening, just hours before the crunch game with West Ham. The San Francisco-based investors, led by Paraag Marathe, have flown in from California to address various issues, perhaps most contentiously, the future of Daniel Farke.

Leeds’ form under manager Daniel Farke is likely to take center stage, as the team has managed just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. That poor run has raised concern among supporters and investors alike about the direction of the club and what changes need to be made, whether it be the players, the coach - or possibly both.

Celebrity investors such as Russell Crowe, Michael Phelps, and Will Ferrell are not expected to attend the meeting, though former owner Andrea Radrizzani was supposed to attend the game but had his personal invitation to the match rescinded by Marathe, fueling speculation that the new ownership group are eager to fully distance themselves from the Italian businessman following recent comments in the Daily Mail.

For Daniel Farke, the immediate question is survival (both his and his team). Anything short of a victory tonight will amplify calls for change. Over the summer, the 49ers admitted they conduct informal conversations with potential managerial candidates as part of their “contingency planning,” a strategy they insist is standard for any forward-looking football organisation. With speculation mounting, fans may wonder whether those contingency plans are already being put into motion.

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Summerville ‘Confused’ by ‘Jimmy’ Nickname

Crysencio Summerville recently shared a light-hearted story from his time at Leeds United, recalling how he developed the nickname “Jimmy”. During an interview ahead of his return to Leeds with West Ham, the Dutch winger still assumes the name was connected to former Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a player he has long admired.

Summerville even mentioned that Hasselbaink reached out to him during his Leeds spell, offering advice and encouragement, and that the two have since stayed in touch through social media. It seemed natural to him that supporters might be drawing a connection between the two Dutchmen.

However, the true origin of the nickname turned out to be quite different—and far more playful. Leeds fans were actually referencing Jimmy Somerville, the Scottish singer who fronted 1980s synth-pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards.

The link came purely from the shared surname rather than nationality or footballing prowess, showcasing the British football crowd’s tradition of humor and wordplay when creating affectionate monikers for their players.

That the joke completely passed Summerville by perhaps highlights the generational gap, considering Somerville’s heyday came decades before the winger was even born. Still, the story has only added to the goodwill surrounding the player.

Summerville’s performances at Leeds left a lasting impression, and as he prepares to return to Elland Road in West Ham colours, supporters are likely to greet “Jimmy” with warmth and good cheer—proof that nicknames, no matter how confusing, often come from a place of fondness.

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Morning all,

Good to know the future of Leeds United is in the hands of Russel Crowe, Michael Phelps and Will Ferrell hopefully Paris Hilton will also have her say and inject some of her vast knowledge of ‘soccer’

 

Yes this is the trouble with an investment vehicle where a lot of “High Worth” investors have put their money. They were sold on a big PR and marketing push (as mentioned on here a few weeks ago) investors worry about losing their cash so want satisfying that the owners are doing their job.

 

Great to know that our future rests with a bunch of more money than brains yanks with zero knowledge of football. Id love to see a video of that board meeting. Be like an episode of Sesame Street with Kermit the Frog in the chair

 

Not a board meeting Kev it’s an investors meeting where they get to ask a few questions and are given details on the value of their shares. I have said before that many of these guys are part of some Leeds fans WhatsApp groups and they get to know how the fans are feeling…… if fans worry these guys worry. Stadium redevelopment is a huge thing for these guys so any risk of it not happening……….

 

For investors meetings those physically present usually have to meet a threshold for their investment in straight value or percentage of valuation. Those lower down the food chain will send their questions in.

 

Surely the mood of the investors will have a huge impact on directors decisions though?

 

Yes you would think so but then you need to remember that Red Bull has a stake in the club and they know how to run multiple sporting teams/franchises. I don't think the 49ers have a clue how to run a European football team they're doing it for the glory and the end goal is to sell to Red Bull. Now rumour has it that if we lose tonight and Farke is gone. Funny enough Klopp's name is doing the rounds today.and I already think he's involved in Red Bull in some capacity.

 

Klopp is head of RB global football or something like that as well as a lot of other stuff he does for cash

 

Thank you. Wasn't sure what he did

 

I’d say some wishful thinking is doing the rounds today if fans are deluded enough to think Klopp will be coming here