A look at the latest Leeds United headlines this morning on Wednesday, May 31.
Leeds make redundancy decisions after relegation
The Athletic claims Angus Kinnear has told Leeds United's general staff that they will avoid redundancies and wage cuts despite the clubs relegation from the Championship. Members of the playing squad could see their wages cut by up to 60 per cent as they prepare for life in the second tier.
The ongoing ownership situation at Elland Road has understandably caused concern among staff members who fear losing their job following a dismal campaign in the Premier League.
Phil Hay of the Athletic wrote: "Leeds United’s general staff have been told that they will avoid redundancies and wage reductions, despite the club’s relegation from the Premier League. In a meeting with chief executive Angus Kinnear today, employees at Elland Road were given reassurances over their positions amid major uncertainty about Leeds’ ownership situation and future plans.”
READ MORE: Leeds United's early Championship advantage over Leicester City amid relegation complications
Andrea Radrizzani told of £300m Leeds United takeover blow after relegation
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani must come to terms with the startling impact Premier League relegation has had on the club’s overall value. The Whites were said to be valued at a figure close to £450m earlier this year while they were competing in the top flight, but football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes that number may have fallen by approximately £300m after dropping into the Championship.
He believes Leeds, in its current guise as a second tier outfit, may only be worth as little as £150m on the open market and that complicates the matter of a proposed takeover from 49ers Enterprises considerably this summer. Minority shareholders 49ers Enterprises currently own 44 per cent of the Whites and there have been suggestions of an agreement in place to complete a full takeover at Elland Road over the summer should Leeds stay up.
However, their relegation to the Championship, which was confirmed on Sunday with a 4-1 loss to Tottenham, means if Radrizzani was to sell this summer, he would probably have to do so at a fraction of the price. Leeds will be worth more than most clubs outside the top flight given their assets and the addition of parachute payments from the Premier League for the next three seasons.
Leeds United opportunity knocks for loan quintet considered for parts in Championship tilt
Relegation to the Championship will bring fresh opportunities to some players at Leeds United. Fourteen players were shipped out on loan by the Whites last season and all but one remain under contract going into next term.
While Stuart McKinstry is expected to move on with the expiry of his contract, the other 13 will take stock of where they now stand in the pecking order at a second-tier outfit. Sales of the very best first-team players are highly likely, which will open up doors to those previously sent away for new opportunities.
The ownership situation at Elland Road, of course, puts an asterisk next to every plan being made by those working in the offices day to day. However, in the preliminary sifting of how next term’s squad could look, five of those returning from loans are being considered a part of the plans.
Leeds United’s risk of double relegation assessed amid ‘trouble behind scenes’
Former Denmark international Thomas Sorensen expects that the busy summer awaiting Leeds United off the field will prove harmful to their chances of achieving promotion straight back to the Premier League.
With a takeover, a full-time manager to appoint and an overhaul to the Leeds United squad expected it could be a tumultuous few months ahead at Elland Road, and the former Aston Villa and Stoke City goalkeeper thinks that will prove too much to take on all at once ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Sorensen stopped short of suggesting Leeds were set to emulate another of his former clubs, Sunderland, in doing the double drop straight down to League One next season – but he did hazard that a lengthy spell back in the EFL could away Leeds if they don’t get their ducks in a row fast.
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