Leeds United Q&A: Former owner Andrea Radrizzani on difficult exit and why he believes club can get into Europe
Former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani talks to Tim Thornton, a senior correspondent for Sky Sports News,
about his challenging departure from the team, why the team’s future depends on the reconstruction of Elland Road,
and how Leeds United will always hold a special place in his heart.
Andrea Radrizzani, the former chairman and owner of Leeds United, talks about his challenging departure from the
team and why he thinks the current management can lead Leeds back to Europe. ..
Radrizzani, who sold 49ers Enterprises his majority stake in the team in 2023, also discusses why the redevelopment
of Elland Road is essential to the future and how Leeds United will always hold a special place in his heart in an
exclusive interview with Sky Sports News senior reporter Tim Thornton in Milan.
How happy are you to see Leeds United return to the Premier League, Andrea, two years after you left them?
I am very glad for the Leeds fans that they are at last back in the Premier League, where they belong, as a former
chairman and Leeds supporter. To be honest, I had a very hard and traumatic leaving, therefore it is a big comfort for
me to know that fate has finally put things right and that I will soon be able to return to Leeds. Personally, I think I
catastrophe, the club I turned around was not aiming for a successful Premier League career.
We had done a fantastic job recovering, especially with Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival and the players, and we were in the
middle of the Championship standings. In addition to winning the Premier League and staying in the league for
three seasons, we also did a lot of good things off the pitch, like renovating the stadium and re-engaging the city and
community with the team.
But I think I’ve lost control of the club and the everyday activities I had with it during the last six months for a variety
of reasons. The team returned to the Championship when I relocated to Milan for other personal reasons. I’m happy
that things are back to normal now because it was a really difficult and stressful period in my life, both personally
and professionally.
Do you still speak to Paraag Marathe and the ownership group?
I speak to him normally a couple of times every month and we stay in touch during the season, we comment about
Leeds, we comment about other football trends, but particularly about Leeds and we just spoke recently this week
when he was in Leeds. But he was also busy in Rangers looking for new opportunities, so I’m in touch with them very
often.
Since you’ve done it successfully in that first season under Marcelo Bielsa, when Leeds finished ninth, how hard will
it be for Leeds to make the transition from the Championship back to the Premier League?
Indeed, as you can see, there is a growing disparity between the Premier League clubs and the newly promoted clubs.
In essence, throughout the previous two seasons, every promoted team made a comeback to the Championship. This
suggests that the category is at a higher level and calls for a new initiative, investment, and a football transition. A
revolution within the squad might or might not succeed, depending on the circumstances and the hiring procedure.
We changed when Bielsa was replaced by Jesse Marsch. I recall selling two players and acquiring seven, but
regrettably, the hiring process did not work out for us to stay in the category. Similar to moving from the
Championship to the Premier League, there is a significant obstacle to overcome.
So, the recruitment you feel is key to making that transition successful?
Absolutely, yes, and in our case I think the mistake I probably have done and we had done with the management is
that we didn’t hire enough players with maturity and experience in the Premier League, but we bet on players with
high quality but no experience in the Premier League.
So, we brought in a lot of players from Austria or Germany or other countries with absolutely zero minutes in English
football and that I think it is a big gap.
What would success look like for Leeds United back in the Premier League? Is it about long-term stability and now trying to stay up for the first year?
Look, I believe it was always the idea, but regrettably, it has been delayed by a few years.
However, the idea was to establish the team, return it to the Premier League, and then let capable management and
strong ownership take it to the next level. I believe that Paraag, the personnel who are working with him, the new
management, and the management that will follow will have the expertise, credibility, and know-how to advance the
company.
So, I think they have the resources, they have the capacity and the know-how to take the club where it deserves. The
new stadium will help; it was already planned before. I think the project is still the same, as discussed for four or five
years together with Paraag and the group because we were already partners.
It has been unfortunately delayed for a couple of years, and I pay the consequences of this delay, but now they can
take back the route and the direction to bring back Leeds as a medium top club, I hope a top club and back to Europe
one day. I was actually wishing Paraag that this week, saying that now his goal should be to take back Leeds in
Europe because that’s the possibility he has.
Is that realistic?
Not immediately, but why not? I think Leeds needs to dream of the old times and the new ownership can do that, can
deliver I’m sure. I know them very well and they will do a gradual growth, and they will do the right choice to take
back Leeds in that place.
And you’ve touched on it already, but the redevelopment of the stadium, you were heavily involved in the early stages of this, how key is that?
Important, because it brings in new revenue, new opportunity, it modernises the club, it gives a big boost. I
remember when we were in the Premier League two years ago, we had three-and-a-half times requests for tickets
than the capacity of Elland Road, so it won’t be an issue to fill Elland Road every game, it’s not an issue at all.
Do you miss the special atmosphere at Elland Road?
Yes, you see, just thinking about that gives me chills.
I made a few mistakes at the end, but I always try to be sincere in my management, and it was an incredible time in
my life. Of course, it was also a project and a business for me.
However, I became a Leeds supporter, and my brother, nephew, and son all share this sentiment. Every Saturday
when Leeds play, they suffer because they don’t have a team in Italy, and we are eager to return to the stadium. We
continue to do so since this is now ingrained in our DNA.
Being able to have a player like Raphinha is a great source of pride for the team.
Although he deserves a lot of credit, I believe Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa helped him succeed since playing in the
Premier League undoubtedly aided him.
I called myself out when I realised that I was mentally prepared to do that, so I’m taking a break right now, but I’m
improving, getting stronger again, and I’ll look at some opportunities. Let’s see, maybe soon.
And do you look forward to watching Leeds back in the Premier League?
Yes, without a doubt; it’s in my heart, and I will find it hard to consider another English club. However, I’m a huge
fan and am eager to return to the stadium.
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