Cellino Era Begins

Article by e-Leeds Correspondent Gwyn Hughes

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After the long wait to find out if Massimo Cellino can become the next owner of Leeds United, it was quite fitting that such positive news occurred on the anniversary of the dreadful incident that resulted in the deaths of two Leeds United fans in Istanbul. The eccentric Sardinian, who's take-over is due to be ratified by the Football League this Thursday will make Leeds the richest club in the Championship next season. At last, the club can move forward and compete with not only the big spenders in the division, but the major Premiership big hitters when they eventually get promoted. Well, that's what all Leeds fans hope for and expect to happen.

For the first time since the O'Leary days, Leeds have the opportunity to be a great club again. Actually, potentially this could be even better than those times because of Cellino's wealth. It does feel a bit strange, and still quite difficult to take it all in. The thought of Leeds not having to worry about money after suffering a crippling financial dearth for so long, is new ground and has the potential to be the most exciting period in the club's history. It will probably sink in when Leeds start to be active in the transfer market, and I'm quite looking forward to find out which players they will target, and maybe the possibility of a new manager. Who knows with Cellino, the Yorkshire Caligula who speaks his mind and doesn't mind who hears him. The speculation is beginning already with Gianfranco Zola being mentioned as a replacement to Brian McDermott. Cellino, however, has spoken that he will give the former Reading manager an opportunity to prove whether he is the man for the job. I think it's important for Cellino to be seen as allowing McDermott to demonstrate his undoubted abilities as a manager, operating in a happier and less stressful climate. If Cellino sacked him immediately then he would risk losing some brownie points from the fans. I think the majority of us would agree that McDermott doesn't deserve to be a scapegoat to GFH's bungling tenure of the club. Let's see if the Cellino factor makes a difference. I for one wish Brian the best of luck in trying to secure his position as manager of Leeds United, and sincerely hope that he can bring in some decent signings.

The question is will McDermott get the chance to do his stuff with new players? If he survives the summer he will have a genuine chance to do the job he thought he was going to do when he agreed to become manager of Leeds. His fate rests on whether Cellino will allow him to buy the players he thinks will improve the team, because by next August no doubt Leeds will have recruited heavily by then. His record to date isn't brilliant. The players he has brought in have not done him any favours and if his future choices turn out to be as insipid as those then I fear he won't last long. I suspect that if he slips up then Zola will be waiting for Cellino's call if that happens. This seems rough on McDermott but Cellino's history with his managers does not bode well for the beleaguered Leeds boss. Only today Cellino sacked his manager at his Serie A club Cagliari. Diego Lopez had been in charge since the start of the season and amazingly is Cellino's 36 dismissal at Cagliari in 22 years! Brian McDermott had better come up with something special or Cellino's axe will surely come soon enough.

It's certainly going to be an interesting summer for the club and especially the fans. Dare we dream of top quality players from all corners of the world coming to Leeds and providing at last the kind of football that the fans deserve? We have suffered so much in the last 10 years that it's about time the club found its way again. Cellino seems passionate about football and the combination of his undoubted craziness and the devotion of the Leeds fans have for their club will be something for the fans and the media pundits to discuss about in the coming years.

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