Here is your morning Leeds United digest on Tuesday, January 26.
49ers increase Leeds stake
The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers increased their stake at Leeds United to 37 per cent on Monday - but Andrea Radrizzani has insisted he is not ready to give up majority control any time soon.
This latest round of investment from the NFL franchise follows from their initial 15 per cent stake acquired in the summer of 2018, with Leeds subsequently going on to win promotion back to the Premier League last year.
Speculation had been rife that the Californians were ready to up their shareholding and following a bright start to life back in the top flight, the 49ers have committed further funds to the cause.
The extra 22 per cent acquired further dilutes Radrizzani's majority shareholding, with 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe assuming the position of vice chairman.
But Radrizzani was quick to emphasize that he is not ready to relinquish overall control anytime soon.
"To make me tired it takes a long time," he told the local press via a video conference call on Monday.
"Maybe one day when I'm tired I give up and I'd be happy to give Paraag the driving position more than anyone else, but it takes some time before I get tired.
"I'm still young and ambitious. I love what Leeds have made me experience with the promotion, and the joy I brought to this place is unique in my life.
Marathe hails potential
The potential of Leeds United has been hailed by the club's new vice-chairman Paraag Marathe.
Marathe has taken up the role after the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers increased their stake at Leeds to 37 per cent.
The 49ers Enterprises president told Sky Sports: "This is not the culmination by any means. This is just another step in the journey for us.
"When we first got involved two and a half years ago, it was really because of our belief in Andrea's vision and our continued belief in his vision and leadership, as well as our belief in the strong, strong bones of this club and the potential of this club.
"And as we learned more, we realised that there is just so much more potential than we even thought originally.
"So, we hope this is just the first step in many. Obviously, Leeds will always be the priority but there's many things that our two organisations can do together in partnership, with our collective experience.
"But for now the task in hand is continuing success for Leeds."
Bielsa contract update
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has one of the more unconventional but straightforward contracts in the English top flight.
Most Premier League managers ensure they are committed to a club on a deal which stretches multiple seasons, in the knowledge that if results turn and pressure builds, they will be due a sizeable pay-off.
Marcelo Bielsa is different though, opting for single-year agreements, working season-on-season. He is known to live modestly in a flat in Wetherby, close to the club's Thorp Arch training complex, often spotted walking to the facility in the summer months, or shopping in his Leeds United tracksuit.
The national media, oft not hooked up to the Marcelo matrix, like to stir the pot at times, periodically reminding Leeds supporters that their manager is not committed to the club for longer than a solitary season.
Supporters needn't worry, as Andrea Radrizzani stated in his latest interview with The Times.
Following renewed and considerable investment from 49ers Enterprises this week, Radrizzani and new Vice President Paraag Marathe have opened up on their plans and vision for the club.
At 65 years old, it does not take a quantum physicist to work out that Marcelo Bielsa's tenure as Leeds United manager will not be as lengthy as if he were 10 or 15 years younger.
He is the current figurehead and ideologue, but workings behind the scenes by Radrizzani and co are being put in place to ensure Leeds' standing in the game goes from strength-to-strength even after Bielsa's departure.
However, the Italian has stated that he plans to negotiate new terms with Bielsa in due course.
