Massimo Cellino has bid farewell to Leeds United and admitted he has been a nightmare to work for during the last three-and-a-half years.
The Yorkshire giants announced on their official website on Tuesday afternoon that Andrea Radrizzani has completed his formal takeover of the club.
Sports media tycoon Radrizzani has bought out Cellino’s half share of Leeds to build on the initial 50 per cent stake he snapped up in late December, giving him total control of the club.
It means Cellino will step aside with immediate effect and end one of the most erratic and controversial reigns in recent English football history.
The Italian businessman, 60, admitted with a brilliant farewell message, as quoted by the personal Twitter account of Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay, that he has been a demanding taskmaster.
“If you can survive working with me, you can survive anything,” Cellino is quoted as saying.
Massimo Cellino leaves the club. Says in a statement: “If you can survive working with me, you can survive anything!” #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 23, 2017
The searingly honest assessment will no doubt be shared by the six managers who have been sacked by Cellino since he took control at Leeds in January 2014.
It also provides supporters with further insight into the remarkable goings-on behind the scenes.
The former owner has had endless run-ins with the authorities and is currently serving a 12-month ban from football activities for breaching agent regulations in the transfer of Ross McCormack to Fulham in the summer of 2014.
Radrizzani replaces Cellino as chairman of Leeds and will oversee what are expected to be considerable changes this summer.