Arms races dominate the summer after relegation for the Premier League’s three discarded clubs and 2023 is no different. Every year, that dropped trio know they have to move quickly and effectively to maximise the rebound they hope their top-flight squad feels.
Exits regularly generate tens of millions of pounds for reinvestment, while that first parachute payment allows the remaining nucleus of a Premier League roster an immense opportunity to float above the rest of the league. The thing is, that threesome sees a lot of overlap in the waters they are fishing in.
Speed is of the essence and the pressure has been on Leeds United with the protracted talks between 49ers Enterprises and Aser Ventures dragging into the second week of June. An agreement has been reached, but the wheels continue to turn on the formalities.
There was progress on Thursday with the appointment of Nick Hammond as interim football advisor, but everyone, right up to board level, knows a head coach is a priority. As it stands, United do not know who will be pulling the strings on their promotion tilt.
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Pre-season starts in 17 days while the new season gets underway in a little over seven weeks. Meanwhile, Southampton and Leicester City, expected to be two of United’s biggest rivals next season, have their bosses virtually in place.
Russell Martin’s delayed switch from Swansea City to the Saints is reaching pantomime levels of farce, but they at least have their man halfway through the door. In Leicestershire, reports are now firming up on Enzo Maresca.
Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City is understood to be on the verge of sealing a switch to take control of the rebound project at King Power Stadium. Leeds remain calm about their own hunt, but, clearly, any sense their rivals are stealing a march or getting a head start on this busy summer is going to focus minds.
Brendan Rodgers is expected to return to Celtic, taking him off the long list of head coach targets, leaving the likes of Daniel Farke and Carlos Corberan as possibilities for Angus Kinnear and co. With the end of the working week drawing in, it seems next week may be a more likely time frame for Leeds to get their man.
