Leeds United: Board Members Arrested

Astaldi's current project - Napoli-Afragola Station.

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Mass Exodus at Leeds

THINGS at Elland Road are looking increasingly bleak as Massimo Cellino agreed the termination of 23 backroom staff at Leeds.

It was all beginning to look bright at Leeds with the arrival of Enzo Moretti's billionaire family in the boardroom, but now Cellino has typically ruined the momentum at the club.

The only non-playing staff working at Elland Road is now manager Uwe Rösler and his number two Graham Barrow. The club has now has no Head of Youth, coaches, physios, scouts or youth team coaches. This means the only Englishman in the entire non-playing staff is Graham Barrow.

The Whites nor Massimo Cellino have released any statement to the public regarding the reasons why the sackings took place but Yorkshire Evening Post's chief sports writer Phil Hay stated on Twitter that the events were 'internal issues'


Former Leeds star Eddie Gray - now commentates on all Whites games.

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The sackings reached out to fans' favourites such as the head physiologist Harvey Sharman, and former Leeds players Neil Sullivan and Paul Robinson as well as Leeds legend Lucas Radebe - working as a coach at Thorp Arch.

Former Leeds star Eddie Gray wrote about the events in his column in the local newspaper, Yorkshire Evening Post: "I think the actions of Cellino are absolutely disgusting.

"The fact nobody within the club has issued a statement to the fans as to why these diabolical changes have taken place is truly detestable.

"We just had some good news as his friend, Moretti, had taken a role within the boardroom but now he spoils it with this news. It makes you wonder if something is happening behind the scenes, with the arrival of Moretti. Maybe I'm just being paranoid but it's still in sequence.

"I think the best thing for everyone is if Massimo leaves the club. He's caused too much havoc in the time he's been here and he's not healthy for the club. I wouldn't be surprised if Moretti would go with him if he left either."

Cellino Doubts Movement in Transfer Window

With the Moretti family landing in Leeds, you'd expect big moves in the transfer window - Massimo Cellino has now poured cold water on them expectations with his most recent statement.

The Leeds United chairman is usually the one to spice up the speculation in the media with big ambitions stated loud and proud in the press.

This time, though he is out of character as he denied any ambition to be shown in the Winter transfer window in January 2016.

Following the arrival of former Astaldi owners', the Moretti family from Italy, speculation has been rising about across the Whites' Twitter hashtag, with links to reports of a new 'target' being posted in quick succession.


Leeds have been linked with Lyon's Samuel Umtiti in recent times.

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It initiated the press to ask the chairman - who still hasn't explained the exodus of 23 backroom staff - to see if any of the links with big name players such as Everton's Ross Barkley and Olympique Lyonnais' Samuel Umtiti.

The answer was short and simple. No.

This sent the confidence and expectation within the fanbase down following the statement declaring a certain lack of ambition.

Berahino Completes Leeds Deal

Leeds United have begun their playing recruitment by adding England international Saido Berahino to the club.

Rumours of the 22-year-old's move to West Yorkshire surfaced before Christmas as the player's agent, Kenny Leacock told the press Berahino was looking for a move away from The Hawthorns.

Many fans of the Whites dismissed the reports of a potential move to Elland Road almost immediately as Massimo Cellino removed any root of any rumours in a press conference earlier on in the month.

But the mad Italian definitely seems to have changed his mind on that initial statement, as he signs up West Brom's Saido Berahino for a fee which could rise up to £16,500,000 should the forward meet the targets written in the deal between the two clubs.

Leeds will pay an initial fee of £9,500,000 but could rise to it's highest value of £16.5m should Berahino make 50 league appearances, 20 international appearances and score 30 league goals.

The striker will possibly make his debut against Crystal Palace this Saturday, after comments made by his new boss Uwe Rösler.


Rösler wants more players at Leeds.

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"I'm delighted to bring such a wonderful player to this great club. It's a real honour to be able to introduce a player of such quality to the club.

"I'd like to thank all of Saido's representatives for their professionalism in the process of the negotiations, as well as the clubs board members for allowing such a deal to take place.

"In terms of seeing new faces, we'll have to see. I can't deny there's a few players I'd like to sign up, but whether the funds are available is another thing.

"I can definitely see Saido starting the game against Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Saturday, he's match fit according to our physios so I don't see why I'd keep him waiting."

Berahino is now the biggest earner at Elland Road, earning a reported £50,000 per week at Elland Road, signing for an initial fee of £9.5m, potentially rising to £16.5m.

Leeds have been looking at bringing in former captain and icon Jonathan Howson back to the club, as well as look at the possibility of signing Dortmund's İlkay Gündoğan at the end of his contract.