Point of no return for McDermott

Article by e-Leeds United Correspondent Gwyn Hughes

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It comes as a sense of immense relief to me that Massimo Cellino became the new owner of Leeds United two days early. For a change, a process linked with our club was quicker than expected given the long wait we had with him being passed as a proper person to take charge. It was great to see him sitting in the Watford away dugout with Brian McDermott. That is the kind of owner I like to have in my club. Could you see any of the GFH mob in the same position? Never in a million years! GFH personnel can hardly be seen as being in touch with the fans; never have I had the impression that they identified with the fans, be prepared to engage with their concerns. In fact they have been the opposite, which has greatly influenced the negative attitude fans have directed at them. Cellino, on the other hand, embraces the fans, identifies with them as the lifeblood of the club, without whom there would be no club. For far too long the club has been in a battle to keep hold of its identity. It's caretakers in the last decade, both players, owners and managerial staff, have only been in temporary residence and contribute little to the real Leeds United. That mantle is always carried, maintained and protected by the fans, a necessary aspect if this club is to survive the way we want it to.

Cellino has fought so hard to be owner of Leeds, and seeing him on the bench (or were they seats?) gave me the impression that he cares. It's his club now and that was a clear statement that he plans to do what he likes. This is virgin territory for us because we have never had an owner as hands on as this guy will, and I am looking forward to the future, despite being crestfallen every time I tune in to a Leeds match.

 

There was another dismal and pathetic display by 11 players disguised in the kit of Leeds United last night against a poor Watford side, who with a team fully motivated should have taken them to the cleaners. If Cellino ever wondered how difficult a job he has ahead of him, his mountain has suddenly got higher. His team are not capable of scoring let alone winning games, his club has debts that are much greater than expected, and he has a manager who has seeming lost his skills to manage. The team knows this as well. They are playing as if they are preoccupied by other things rather than kicking a football towards another team-mate. And this is supposed to be an improved team! Before the loan acquisitions Leeds were 5th in the league but they've since been plummeting down like a contestant on Takeshi's Castle.

Cellino was being kind to his manager last night. It was the manager's birthday after all. But come Saturday, at Cellino's first home game in charge, I feel there will be no mercy. Defeat against Blackpool, and being responsible for spoiling Cellino's coronation day, will not only instil real fears of relegation to us all, but it will also signal the end of McDermott. I get the feeling that he didn't need to be told this by his boss last night. He knows that will be it. I will be sad when he goes because he has had a rotten time under GFH, and most managers would have found it difficult to cope with such escalating incompetence. GFH's business style would worry the most confident of managers and he must be cursing his luck that he got the opportunity to manage one of the biggest clubs in the land at this sorry time. I listened to the match last night and I wished I was able to get that 90 minutes back. With every game I am also baffled with McDermott's team tactics and substitutions. It's almost as if the manager is inviting disaster. Whether subconsciously he wishes to be sacked, I don't know.

Last night's performance convinced me that he and the players are not bothered about what happens because they seem as if they have given up. McDermott would probably disagree with that, and deep down there is probably some genuine affection to the Leeds United name and fans.

It's odds on that Leeds United's next manager will be Italian. Cellino will go with what he knows. Gianfranco Zola name has been touted as a possible replacement but I read that there might be some conflict with Cellino. Apparently Zola was not best pleased when Cellino didn't extend his playing contract. With this in mind I would rather Leeds be blessed with a harmonious relationship with manager and owner rather than one that is tainted with bad blood. My preference would be Roberto diMatteo. He has better experience of top flight football than Zola, and has won trophies. I believe that he is not working with a club at the moment and would be available whenever Cellino decides to release McDermott. On an ambitious scale, if Cellino desired to go the whole hog and bag a big name manager I wouldn't be surprised if he would try to get Fabio Capello. Unfortunately he has recently committed his future to staying as the Russian manager until 2018.

Whoever takes on the responsibility of Leeds United manager he will thank his lucky stars that he should be able to make a fist of it now that Cellino is our new benefactor.

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