There are ways to balance the books after relegation: Leeds United’s plan is not one of them
Pre-season is a time when hope springs eternal. Indeed, unless you’re Manchester City, there are always ways for a club to improve and a chance to right the wrongs of the season before. This is especially true of Leeds United who suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Premier League during the 2022/23 season. As devastating as that was for Leeds, the slate had been wiped clean by the time they touched down in Oslo for a pre-season friendly with bitter Lancashire rivals Manchester United.
A gloomy outlook in cloudy Oslo
Leeds traveled to Norway with a skeleton squad but despite his, held their own for most of the game against United in a narrow 2-0 loss. In the eyes of the Leeds fans it was an honourable defeat, especially if you consider that if you bet on football, you’ll see the Red Devils at just 4/6 for a top-four finish during the 2023/2024 season.
While the Premier League betting odds for the title may not flatter Erik ten Hag’s men at a price of 10/1, the wider point is that the Old Trafford team still remains one of the best sides in the world’s most competitive league. With this in mind, Leeds’ showing with a bare-bones squad was to be commended.
Unsurprisingly, there was a fairly optimistic mood around social media after the game but that sense of expectation took a dramatic nosedive once new manager Daniel Farke aired his post-match thoughts. The German was typically complimentary of his side’s display but when asked about potential new signings to bolster Leeds’ brittle squad, Farke’s response was a blunt one.
By failing to prepare, clubs are preparing to fail
In short, the 46-year-old said that the club’s strategy of inserting relegation loan clauses into the contracts of the players was severely hampering Leeds’ movement in the transfer market. In the week leading up to the game against the Red Devils in Norway, Leeds had lost Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen courtesy of contractual obligations that allowed them to leave on loan in the event of relegation.
What is happening with the Leeds United squad?
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke on the latest regarding signings after the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in Oslo.#LUFC #BBCFootball
— Adam Pope (@apopey) July 12, 2023
The cold hard truth is that Leeds haven’t received a penny for these players despite spending £33 million on bringing them to the club over the last three years. A war chest of £30 million in the Championship would almost certainly bankroll any successful promotion push but owing to Leeds’ charitable approach to life after relegation for their biggest earners, the reality is that the club is now unable to benefit from selling them on.
Evidently, the circumstances in West Yorkshire are concerning which is why Farke would go on to say that this type of situation should never happen again at Elland Road, while also promising to do his best with the players at his disposal.
The German is able to speak liberally on these matters as the contractual oversights were made by Leeds’ previous ownership group, the club is now waiting for the English Football League to ratify its takeover by new owners the 49ers Enterprises.
“I’m grateful to work for this amazing club… I feel humbled!”
Daniel Farke speaks to Sky Sports following his appointment as Leeds United’s new head coach pic.twitter.com/T5vGaBrfau
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 4, 2023
The feeling is that CEO in waiting, Paraag Marathe, shares Farke’s frustrations around the club’s most prized assets leaving for free when Leeds is experiencing the financial aftershock that comes with relegation.
There is hope but critical work to be done by new investors
The upside for Leeds is that the 49ers Enterprises do have deep pockets and Farke is an exceptionally good manager. In other words, Leeds will sign new players and the show will eventually go on at Elland Road. However, there is now a significant amount of work to be done in the interim to balance the books as Leeds’ ill-thought-through plan for life after relegation comes home to roost.
