League Championship side Leeds United Owner Massimo Cellino said that "he has discussed selling a stake in the club to Red Bull but will not sell outright to the company," according to Luke Edwards of the London TELEGRAPH. Cellino "has confirmed he has discussed selling a stake in the Championship club to Red Bull, but is adamant he will not allow the drinks manufacturer to takeover at Elland Road."
Cellino "met with a Red Bull representative last week and it is understood the company are interesting in buying Leeds from him."
However, the Italian "does not want to relinquish control of a club he has owned for less than a year and is thought to only be interested in selling a minority stake in return for a cash injection" (TELEGRAPH, 11/3). In London, David Kent wrote the 58-year-old Italian "is trying to broker a deal that would give Red Bull boardroom control but allow him to stay in a lesser capacity." But Red Bull wants to "go it alone." The owner caused "bewilderment" by appointing former Forest Green Rovers Manager Dave Hockaday as head coach. After sacking Hockaday, he turned to Darko Milanic, "but axed him after just 32 days." Cellino apologized to Leeds fans, admitting they "deserved better," and installed former academy boss Neil Redfearn as the club’s third manager this season on a 12-month rolling contract (DAILY MAIL, 11/3). KRONE reported Red Bull "is not interested in taking over simply the boardroom but wants complete control of the club." Negotiations between Leeds and Red Bull already took place 18 months ago. Back then, the sticking point was the price. A price tag of €50M was reportedly too much for Red Bull (KRONE, 11/3).
