Insider Revelations: Leeds Owner Andrea Radrizzani Unleashes the Truth about Marcelo Bielsa, Managerial Missteps, and Transfer Turmoil

"I did my best. I’m sorry - in the end it wasn’t enough."

Andrea Radrizzani has sold his majority stake in Leeds after six years of highs and lows.

Leeds found themselves in the Championship when he acquired Massimo Cellino in 2017, and they have returned to that league after being relegated on the last day of the season in May.

Over the course of six eventful years, they experienced the joy of promotion under Marcelo Bielsa and a respectable ninth-place finish upon their return to the Premier League. However, they also endured the disappointment of defeat in the Championship play-offs against Derby, along with 21 league losses and the worst defensive performance in the Premier League last season.

As he said goodbye to Leeds, Radrizzani agreed to speak to We News in an exclusive interview about his time at Elland Road, covering topics including:

How would you look back on your time at Leeds?

The time in my life was incredibly enjoyable, although it didn't conclude as I had hoped. However, I cherish the abundance of pleasant memories and the strong friendships that I formed. My affection for Leeds and residing in Yorkshire is profound. Undoubtedly, it was a one-of-a-kind experience.

What was the best memory?

"Obviously, it was winning the Championship and getting promotion to the Premier League with Marcelo [Bielsa]. That was the main goal and the reason why I came to the club.

"It's bitter now to know the club is back in the Championship but in my six years I achieved what I wanted.

"But it was the peak and the best part of my experience."

Leaving the club now under these circumstances, how does it feel?

"It's bittersweet considering the immense effort, risks, and financial success we achieved over the span of six years. When I initially acquired the club, the revenue stood at £36m in the Championship."

After three years, the club's revenue increased from £60m to £210m in the Premier League, signifying a remarkable transformation. Notably, this transformation is also evident in the renewed connection between the club and the city, where football serves as a dynamic platform, revitalizing and energizing the entire community.

"We have made significant investments in the club's infrastructure, including the training ground and lounges. On the whole, I believe we have transformed the club into a sturdy and contemporary establishment, in contrast to its previous state when I first arrived."

"Did Kenny Dalglish recommend Leeds as a purchase?"

"The most remarkable and perilous guidance I've ever been given! While it may be sound advice, the realm of football business is undeniably precarious and fraught with challenges. One's level of control is considerably diminished compared to other endeavors, yet I have acquired a wealth of knowledge over the course of the last six years.

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The most valuable and treacherous advice I've ever been given! It was sound guidance, however, the football industry poses inherent risks and challenges. Radrizzani reflecting on his conversation with Kenny Dalglish regarding the acquisition of Leeds.

I have pondered the question of whether to persist or not. However, my desire to continue stems from the profound rewards received from individuals. The influence that football exerts upon people is truly extraordinary and unlike anything else. It evokes an unparalleled rush of adrenaline. The captivating uncertainty inherent in the sport ensures vitality and excitement.

What have you learned most?

"I've come to understand the significance of respecting the fans as the true owners of the club, while recognizing your role as its custodian. This realization, though born out of my own mistakes, has underscored the invaluable role that fans play in club management."

Sometimes, they may not fully understand the rationale behind certain decisions due to the constraints of limited communication. While it may not always be appropriate to provide excessive explanations, the undeniable truth remains that they are the club's rightful owners. In certain instances, it might be more prudent to diverge from the course favored by the average fan, prioritizing the club's overall welfare instead.

"In football, there are instances where management changes are necessary. While loyalty holds significance, it is not always advisable to retain individuals for extensive periods, as I have done in other companies.

Initially, I believed that adopting a similar approach in football would prove beneficial. However, the truth is that it is more advantageous to have higher turnover in key roles, for overall well-being."

Was the best decision during your time the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa?

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Marcelo Bielsa stands with Radrizzani at his unveiling

Yes, he stood out among all the coaches with a 100% rating. This is not solely due to our exceptional performance under his guidance. He completely revolutionized the club's culture, work ethic, and the conduct and development of our staff.

His impact was remarkable, but as Marcelo has consistently demonstrated in his career, his high expectations of those around him can sometimes backfire, resulting in a stressful environment for everyone involved.

Sometimes the pressure can become overwhelming. Both of us recall how, at the conclusion of our debut season in the Premier League, we managed to secure a respectable ninth place finish.

That particular season was truly exceptional, and I distinctly recall a conversation I had with Marcelo. He actually suggested, "Either you should replace me or you should replace all the players, as we won't be able to improve unless we implement some changes."

With a full awareness of the precariousness of the situation, we made the joint decision to extend our stay by an additional year, with the objective of promoting him to the position of director of football alongside his current coaching role.

While my desire was to retain him for the utmost duration, we were cognizant of the inherent risk involved. We both acknowledged this risk and concluded that the present juncture might be opportune to initiate the transition.

"I wasn't brave enough to make such a decision after finishing ninth in the league. For him, he also wanted to enjoy another season with the fans inside the stadium.

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Leeds' three-year stay in the top flight ended last season

Due to the Covid pandemic, we were unable to fully celebrate our successful season alongside our loyal fans. Despite this unfortunate situation, we can still hold on to the memories and accomplishments we have achieved.

I am aware that there are fans who harbor animosity towards me for dismissing Marcelo, and I must admit that it was not an easy decision for me either. I fully recognize the significance he held for our club. However, in that moment, I truly believed that I was acting in the best interest of the club by making that choice.

Did you personally decide to appoint Jesse Marsch?

"The previous summer, Victor Orta, our former sporting director, carefully evaluated around 40 coaches. He was preparing the club to find a coach who could continue Marcelo's legacy and play his style of football."

Content Revision:

In my office, I vividly recall viewing videos of match situations and training sessions captured by a drone camera. These recordings showcased striking similarities in the training techniques employed by Marcelo and Jesse Marsch.

I also recall Victor presenting the matches of Red Bull Salzburg against Napoli and Liverpool in the Champions League. He drew comparisons between these encounters and the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Leeds.

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Leeds' worldwide support will remain unwavering

"It was interesting to see how in some situations the team performed very similarly. We identified him as the best coach to keep the legacy.

Jesse's arrival brought about a miraculous rescue from relegation, but it wasn't solely attributed to tactics. The driving force behind this success was primarily his motivational impact, characterized by his vocal, energetic, and close interaction with the players - a complete contrast to Marcelo's approach.

"Jesse did a great job in that time but over a longer period I was expecting to see the coach come out and to show a similar playing style to Marcelo.

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Leeds were relegated in the season finale under Sam Allardyce

However, this scenario never unfolded. To be completely candid, I found myself in a state of profound bewilderment. The strategies he occasionally exhibited were rather perplexing, not only to me but to the players as well.

We encountered instances where a winger would assume the role of a midfielder, among similar occurrences. Personally, I felt inclined to implement a modification prior to the World Cup, but persuasion led me to maintain the status quo.

I believe it was a significant error to wait until February to implement the changes, especially considering we had a six-week window to do so. Unlike other teams that effectively utilized this timeframe, we had very limited options available in February.

Although Javi [Gracia] made every effort, the team was lacking in physicality, and it did not measure up to the standards set by Marcelo's management.

I remained distant and passive in all these situations, merely holding onto hope until the last month when desperation set in. I dismissed Javi and Victor and attempted to employ some sort of magical strategy with Sam [Allardyce].

Perhaps if Sam had arrived earlier, we might have achieved better results, given his strong personality. However, he was faced with a team that was physically and mentally defeated.

Tell me about the role of Victor Orta. Do you understand why a lot of fans blame him for what's gone wrong?

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Sporting director Victor Orta departed Elland Road earlier this year

Like any football director, one can make both successful and unsuccessful decisions. While he successfully signed players like Raphinha, there were also less impactful choices made.

This is just a natural part of the job. Certainly, if given the opportunity to go back, one would exercise more caution in certain instances.

"Firstly, blindly following Victor, a highly talented individual, throughout our club's initial years in the Premier League, could pose risks.

Why? Victor's scouting approach primarily revolved around players yet to prove their worth, emphasizing on nurturing future talents."

The likelihood of discovering the upcoming [star] player is greater than acquiring a player in their late twenties.

Considering that Leeds, a team seeking to solidify their position in the Premier League, has invested over £100m in a single transfer market, it is crucial to contemplate the inclusion of one or two experienced players with national team background.

"We are in dire need of players who possess the resilience to endure the game, a quality that is currently lacking.

"In my opinion, the primary hurdle Victor faced was the overwhelming influx of players and a coach transitioning from the Austrian league, all with the assumption that they could excel in the Premier League."

The difference is too significant, and I accept my responsibility in this matter as I was present. I share an equal level of accountability as Victor, as we both took excessive risks.

Despite our efforts in appointing competent coaches, players, and professionals, it is possible that they required additional preparation before joining the Premier League, which is renowned as the most challenging league globally.

I discovered the significance of Elland Road to the supporters upon my arrival at Leeds. Rest assured that I understand its immense importance. Could you please clarify what truly transpired regarding the report in The Athletic about using Elland Road as collateral in the purchase of Sampdoria?"

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Liam Cooper expressed his disappointment after the team's relegation on the last day of the season.

Instead of using the money for personal use, such as purchasing a player or a house, Cooper made the decision to allocate £20m towards purchasing Elland Road from a third party that owned the stadium.

"This was the first thing I did. This showed I understand what Elland Road means.

"I was involved in trying to find a solution to try to save Sampdoria from bankruptcy - which we did, luckily.

During my discussions with the bank, I proposed using my own group's corporate guarantee as collateral for financing. The bank inquired about the stadium.

Ultimately, we arrived at a different solution, but this was only a small part of the overall conversation. There has been significant speculation surrounding this matter. While I empathize with the fans' emotions, it is important to note that nothing occurred as rumored.

Is the future of Elland Road 100 per cent secure and will it belong to the new owners of Leeds?

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The cost of relegation is being counted at Elland Road

"Yes, it will. It was never the intention to risk Elland Road at all."

Do you feel the criticism you received from the supporters is justified?

The criticism regarding the club's relegation is well-founded as I acknowledge my own failure and willingly accept the blame.

I am also aware that numerous fans perceive my tenure at the club, spanning six years, in a positive light.

"People with good memories will know exactly the club I inherited."

How did it feel at the end of the season when you weren't able to attend the last game?

The players are well acquainted with me. Those who are familiar with me and have encountered me at Leeds are fully aware of the strong bond and unwavering support I have for the team.

During crucial moments, I am consistently present, but due to a set of unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to be there for the match against Tottenham.

A few days prior, I underwent an examination for my left eye due to its complete redness. Initially, I suspected an infection, but it was revealed to be a water-filled bubble in the eye, caused by stress.

The doctor cautioned against taking on additional stress and suggested the possibility of a surgical intervention. Due to a slight decline in visibility compared to my right eye, I made the decision not to attend the game.

"I've shown in six years how much I care about the club. If I am able to go back for a game next season, I'd be happy to take it."

You think one day you'll go back to Elland Road?

Without further ado, here is

Certainly, I am fortunate to have a multitude of friends. Despite the cacophony prevalent on social media, every time I visit, I am overwhelmed by an abundance of affection.

Recalling the aftermath of the crushing 6-1 loss to Liverpool, I found myself on the verge of tears, as a throng of individuals awaited my presence, eagerly seeking a photograph.

What message do you have for the Leeds supporters watching this interview?

I want to assure them that the club is in capable hands. Even if they don't immediately recover under the 49ers, I am confident they will make a comeback to the Premier League.

Moreover, upon their return, they will have greater means and resources at their disposal compared to what I could provide. Therefore, I am certain they will surpass my achievements.

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Sam Allardyce's arrival as the replacement for Javi Gracia did not result in miraculous changes at Leeds. However, I am confident that the club management has intentions to refurbish the stadium and make long-term investments. Leeds fans deserve nothing less, and I can assure them that I gave my utmost effort.

I apologize for falling short in the final six months. Perhaps I could have performed better, but I put in tremendous effort.

How challenging is it to be a Premier League owner? With the current level of competition, have you ever felt that it resembles an impossible task?

I adore being an outsider, as this is the epitome of a dream that resonates with everyone. People often express their desire to experience the life I lead. It was once my own dream, and I had the privilege of turning it into a reality.

Perhaps, there lies a glimmer of hope for everyone. With diligent effort, acquiring the financial means to purchase one's very own football club might become a possibility someday.

Do you think you will own another club in England?

"It will never be like Leeds, but why not? But I would see it not such much as a passion but rather an investment opportunity with other partners.

"But yes, why not? If there is a club that requires an intervention, and we see and opportunity, then why not?"