OPINION
Leeds United are in danger of seriously wrecking their promotion chances next season.
After manager Paul Heckingbottom was sacked, fans were surprised and elated when they heard that elite former Argentina manager Marcelo Bielsa was taking charge at Elland Road.
However, that goodwill is evaporating amid a very quiet summer which has seen just two loan arrivals from Chelsea so far – Lewis Baker and Jamal Blackman.
Leeds should have money to spend. In addition to any existing transfer funds, Leeds did a deal with the San Francisco 49ers in May.
They reportedly pumped £10million into the club for around a 10% share of the club and in an interview in the Daily Mail, Paraag Marathe, the 49ers president of enterprises, said it was a “significant minority investment which will go into the team”.
This hasn’t happened so far, unless it’s been used to pay for the wages of Bielsa, reportedly on £3million a year after tax.
He added that the money was to improve the team and get the club promoted, which in turn would make their investment worth more.
“‘That’s the aim,” he said. “Andrea is passionate about getting the club promoted. In terms of Leeds being able to grow, the first step is getting promoted.”
Marathe claims the “potential is huge” at Leeds and he is right.
If the club can get back in the Premier League, the money and the rabid fanbase, consistently among the best in the country, should provide the platform to bring the glory days back to Elland Road.
Wednesday has brought better news – with reports of a possible deal for Barry Douglas. That would be a start but more players are needed. And Leeds fans have been through the rumour mill before and come out empty handed.
Surely Leeds wouldn’t spend that much money on a new manager and not have anything left to spend on new players for him to strengthen the side?
The next two weeks will answer that question but if they don’t spend it will be a massive mistake, and it might be that the 49ers will have some questions if Leeds fail again with last year’s squad in next year’s Championship.