New managing director Angus Kinnear insists Leeds United are set to ‘become a formidable force’ following his arrival at the club.
Leeds confirmed on their official club website on Friday morning that Kinnear had joined the senior backroom team at Elland Road.
The arrival comes less than 24 hours after manager Garry Monk resigned from his post, and a week after Ben Mansford had quit as chief executive.
But the announcement also comes in the same week that owner Andrea Radrizzani acquired full control of the club from his predecessor Massimo Cellino, as Leeds continue to shake-up their managerial structure.
Kinnear arrives from Premier League outfit West Ham, where he oversaw the move to the London Stadium during his three-year tenure. He had previously spent a decade working as Director of Marketing, Sales and Partnerships at Arsenal.
Following his appointment, Kinnear issued a passionate message to Leeds fans where he stated that the Championship club would work to ‘become a formidable force’ in the coming years.
He told the club’s official website: “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to join this great club with its legendary fan base.
“I share Andrea’s ambitious vision and will work tirelessly to realise this club’s immense potential and make our supporters proud.
“I am confident that with our supporters, team and board united, we will become a formidable force.”
Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League with a seventh-placed finish in the Championship last season, but despite the surprise departure of Monk, Kinnear is determined to continue his fine work.
But one of the first items on the agenda for Kinnear and Radrizzani will be to identify a new manager that shares their combined vision for the club.
A host of names have already been linked with the vacancy at Elland Road, including the man behind Leicester City’s Premier League success during the 2015-16 season, Claudio Ranieri.
The newcomer will of course have to face up to the task of ending Leeds’ run of eight consecutive seasons in the Championship, while they have not appeared in the Premier League since the 2003-04 season.