July 18 – The owners of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers have assumed full control of English tier-2 club Leeds United after the English Football League formally approved a £170 million takeover by 49ers Enterprises.
The investment arm of the 49ers purchased a 15% stake in Leeds in 2018 and increased that to 44% in 2021. They now have full control after announcing the purchase of Italian majority owner Andrea Radrizzani’s share.
Leeds were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.
“This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the club,” said new chairman Paraag Marathe. “This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work.”
Leeds also confirmed that existing chief executive Angus Kinnear will remain in his current position.
The club appointed former Norwich City boss Daniel Farke as their new manager two weeks ago on a four-year contract. “We have already appointed a highly respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season,” Marathe added.
“We have a responsibility to ensure this club makes our staff, players, supporters and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud.”
Radrizzani had initially been popular with Leeds fans, with Marcelo Bielsa taking them back into the Premier League.
But the relationship soured after he sacked the Argentine and he did not attend their final game of last season, a defeat by Tottenham which sealed their relegation while fans chanted for him to leave.
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