Barring an 11th-hour breakthrough with the EFL between now and Monday morning, Leeds United are facing a big decision on their head coach hunt. Pre-season begins in the city in three days and while a first-team boss may not necessarily get involved in week-one testing, there is a lot to be said for the stability of having your man in the door with his feet under the table.
Going into the final weekend of the summer break, United had been awaiting official ratification of 49ers Enterprises’ takeover before then confirming Sam Allardyce’s replacement. This is because, at close of play on Friday, the majority shareholder remains Andrea Radrizzani.
An agreement was reached between his Aser Ventures vehicle and Enterprises on June 9, but the paperwork and process have forced the parties to wait more than three weeks for a conclusion. While Radrizzani’s name remains above the door, every major, formal decision requires his signature.
49ers, fronted by chairman-elect Paraag Marathe, would prefer a clean break from the Italian and a new beginning for its administration before then naming a head coach, its first major decision. Daniel Farke is widely expected to be the club’s choice, especially in light of the news from France about Patrick Vieira’s Strasbourg future.
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However, with the first tranche of players due to report for duty on Monday morning, that stance may need to soften. With supporters clamouring for information on their club’s future direction and the new season starting in 37 days, United must consider the time their new head coach needs to get elbow-deep into this promotion tilt.
A lot would depend on relations with Radrizzani and where talks would go given, ultimately, he needs to finalise an appointment like a head coach. Even if an announcement is not made before the players get back to work, the squad is unlikely to be affected negatively.
The new boss may be an open secret behind closed doors, especially among the senior names in the dressing room, which should ease any nerves about the direction they are going in with August on the horizon. An ear will be kept out for news from the EFL over the weekend, but time will tell which route Leeds choose to take as everyone returns to work for the long slog to May 2024.
