New Era at Leeds: Can Cellino and McDermott work together?

Article by e-Leeds Correspondent Gwyn Hughes

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As the days go by, it is looking likely that Leeds United will soon be in Italian ownership. Massimo Cellino is red hot favourite to be the new owner of the club despite the efforts and protestations of the 'Together Leeds' consortium. I hear that they are now approaching the Football League for assistance, a desperate action of a group knowing that it is their last chance of thwarting Cellino's plans. Although not confirmed yet, I am starting to get used to the fact that Cellino will be the new owner of Leeds United and I am already pondering on how things will pan out between the controversial businessman and the mild mannered manager of Leeds United. In fact I am getting a little excited with the prospect and hoping that Cellino will be the real deal and give Leeds the financial power so desperately needed to get the club to be playing great football again, and finally get back to the Premiership. I also aware that this sought after scenario may soon lead to McDermott's dismissal and his ready-made replacement arriving in the form of Gianlucca Festa, the vastly inexperienced pal of Cellino's. This was the nightmare that was facing the fans last Friday evening and I truly hope that McDermott and Cellino forge a working relationship real soon. As the week has gone by, I am encouraged by what I'm hearing from Cellino in the media. Things like:

"A club like Leeds has big potential. I want to see Leeds United versus Manchester United like it used to be. I want to make the fans happy. I know what it means to be a fan."

Massimo Cellino Sky Sports, 7th Feb, 2014.

A statement such as this one is bound to melt the heart of Leeds fans and dispense lingering doubts about his lack of understanding about being a fan of the club. He has proven longevity having been involved with Cagliari for 22 years. I predict that by next Wednesday, Cellino's popularity will increase, and we may all be singing his name at the next home fixture.

"On Thursday I am going to the bank and I will buy our stadium. I have the funds to buy Leeds and to run Leeds."

Massimo Cellino, Sky Sports, 7th Feb., 2014.

This statement suggests that Cellino has serious money. It also appears as surreal as it sounds, as normal as anyone popping to the corner shop to buy milk! It's a big statement and he's going to have to back that up. If he reneges on this intention it will only prove to the fans that he can't be trusted. He will be branded as any of the others who have issued false promises.

It's interesting to see that news of the progression of Leeds ownership struggle is mostly sourced from Cellino statements. Very little information has been forthcoming from the current owners, and any concrete details from the rival consortium, 'Together Leeds', much to the fans' frustration. For example, we derive our confidence in stating that the Italian businessman will eventually take over our club in the fact that he has already relinquished his ownership of his former club, Cagliari, to a Quatari family, who I presume and hope have more money than the one we were lumbered with over a year ago, making Mr Cellino even more wealthy. I would love to find out how much he sold the Serie A outfit for, and presumably we will know by the time Cellino faces the Football League next Wednesday. Cellino's statements are eagerly uploaded onto online media and we, the fans, devote most of our waking hours patiently waiting for them to appear, and judging their contents, hoping to glean as much positivity from them as we can. We desperately want to find confirmation that Cellino is legit, has plenty of money, and will not try to sack the manager on a whim. Deep down we really fear Festa eventually replacing McDermott as manager, which would be nonsensical. We search for clues within his words, desperately trying to piece a jigsaw that possibly doesn't have all the pieces in the box. We want to know what he can do for Leeds. Yes, it has been a long time since we have seen the real Leeds United on and off the pitch; a club that can finally join the same universe as the other clubs. It's been far too long, for it feels like this club has been banished, sent into exile. Could it be that Cellino will be the one who will pave the way back to the golden riches of the Premiership? He has stated a lot of things that I want to happen, and I'm sure other Leeds fans are too.

But can Brian McDermott work with someone who was so eager to dispense with his services during that mad-cap evening last Friday? Alternatively, has Cellino the patience to give McDermott the games to prove that he still is the man for the job? I for one believe that McDermott has the integrity to at least give Cellino an environment where both can forgive and forget over what happened last week. But for harmony to prevail Cellino must honour his revised words, his brutal intentions, and give McDermott the space and money to build a great team at Leeds. That's what everyone concerned with Leeds wants at the end of the day.

But I don't yet have the confidence to say that Cellino will give McDermott a fair crack of the whip. I think Mr Cellino has to calm down a bit! He's already shown last Friday night that his intention was to get rid of him before he even had a chance to see McDermott at work.

"If Mr Cellino owns the club, it's very important that the manager and the owner have respect and they get on and can work together. The manager and the owner are the most important relationship at a club. It’s got to be really tight."

Brian McDermott, Yorshire Evening Post, 7th Feb., 2014.

In those words there lies a subtle statement from McDermott. Or is it a warning? He's clearly trying to convey to Cellino what has to happen if they are to work together. Basically, McDermott is saying if Cellino treats him with such disrespect again he will vacate the position as manager.

Now, I'm hoping that Cellino has realised that he was too rash and has learnt that he must change his ways if he wants to succeed at Leeds. Cellino had practically laid down his cards on the table and it will take a lot of honesty from both sides to make this work. Whether he likes it or not, McDermott will be on trial with Cellino's first few games as owner and no-one knows how many games he will give his manager before he does what all the media are predicting. Through no fault of his own, McDermott may find himself sacked because he couldn't win these important games coming up, without getting the chance of securing the players that he needed during January. He will be under a lot of pressure but he has the advantage of having his players (and the fans) behind him. But crucially it will be down to the players on whether McDermott stays.

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