On Sunday (2nd Feb) It was confirmed by local reporter Adam Pope that owners GFH Capital had told him that they did not sack manager Brian McDermott and Adam was also told that a club letter-headed paper was used by the IPS lawyer Chris Farnell with Massimo Cellino's signature on it to dismiss McDermott from his role as Leeds United manager. Then on Monday (3rd Feb) It was announced to Adam Pope that there has been advanced discussions between previously rival bidders Sport Capital and the Mike Farnan led consortium plus other significant businessmen in Leeds to today present a combined bid to buy a majority stake in Leeds United. Then just after 9.15am Brian McDermott turned up to Thorpe Arch (Leeds Training Ground) to take training as normal and it was shortly announced just after that Brian McDermott would be facing the media at 1.15pm GMT to say what has been going on over the last 72 hours.
In his press Conference Brian said
BMD: "What's gone on? I got a phonecall Friday night from Chris Varnell to say I'd been relieved of my duties. Saturday morning, I got another phonecall from GFH saying that wasn't the case"
BMD: "The reason I'm sitting here is because I've been reinstated. I want to be Leeds United manager."
BMD: "Nigel Gibbs showed what a class act he is on Saturday. I was proud of the players, the staff and the fans for coming together on Saturday. That's why I'm back. The fans proved they're a class act. It's their football club."
Reporter: You could end up back in the same situation once Cellino takes over.
BMD: "I've no idea, I've had certain reassurances, but GFH Capital currently own the football club. We don't know who the new owners will be"
BMD: "Whatever happens, we need some calm. We need this place to be heading in the right direction. Since April (until Friday), when I came in, we've been heading in the right direction."
Reporter: On Massimo Cellino's statement saying he wants McD as manager, did that have an impact on his return?
BMD: "Not really. I want to be Leeds United manager."
BMD: "I signed a three-year deal, we spoke about a long-term vision, about the stability required. For me, that hasn't changed."
BMD: "I set the team up on Friday morning, the team you saw on Saturday, it was changed overnight, but we changed it back when Gibbs was put in charge"
BMD: "Need to put this to bed and move forward, the ownership situation needs to be resolved quickly."
BMD: "I don't know if it was legal or not (his sacking)"
BMD: "I've been given assurances that I answer to GFH and GFH only."
BMD: "My personal feelings are I want to be Leeds United manager, that's it... The support I've received has been fantastic."
Reporter: Brian, good to see you, where were you Saturday afternoon?
BMD: "Watching Sky Sports..."
BMD: "Neil (Redfearn) told me Festa had changed the team"
BMD: "I've no idea, I've had certain reassurances, but GFH Capital currently own the football club. We don't know who the new owners will be"
BMD: "Whatever happens, we need some calm. We need this place to be heading in the right direction. Since April (until Friday), when I came in, we've been heading in the right direction."
Reporter: On Massimo Cellino's statement saying he wants McD as manager, did that have an impact on his return?
BMD: "Not really. I want to be Leeds United manager."
BMD: "I signed a three-year deal, we spoke about a long-term vision, about the stability required. For me, that hasn't changed."
BMD: "I set the team up on Friday morning, the team you saw on Saturday, it was changed overnight, but we changed it back when Gibbs was put in charge"
BMD: "Need to put this to bed and move forward, the ownership situation needs to be resolved quickly."
BMD: "I don't know if it was legal or not (his sacking)"
BMD: "I've been given assurances that I answer to GFH and GFH only."
BMD: "My personal feelings are I want to be Leeds United manager, that's it... The support I've received has been fantastic."
Reporter: Brian, good to see you, where were you Saturday afternoon?
BMD: "Watching Sky Sports..."
BMD: "Neil (Redfearn) told me Festa had changed the team"
Reporter: When did you realise there was no way your sacking was allowed to happen?
BMD: "All along it seemed odd, you have to be owner of the football club to sack the manager. I did think it was very strange"
Reporter: You could be in the same situation next week?
BMD "People have said that to me, but how can I not go back? There's no way I'd leave the staff, the players and the supporters... The bigger picture is the stability of this club."
On Festa,
BMD: "He was at the training ground this morning. I don't know the new player, he arrived deadline day, whether it's been ratified by the Football League I'm not sure. He'll get the utmost respect and every chance"
BMD: "Nigel Gibbs has been absolute class. I'm delighted we got that result with the team we'd been working on throughout the week."
BMD: "I don't hold grudges. The most important thing is the Leeds fans, they showed absolute class on Saturday"
Reporter: What would you like to happen?
BMD:"Whatever happens, what's the best for Leeds United? That's the only thing I'm concerned about"
Reporter: Do you feel let down?
BMD "I would suggest this situation should never happen to a football manager"
BMD: "All [the owners] have said to me is that I answer to them, whatever happens in the future, I don't know. There's a lot of speculation, but as far as the ownership is concerned, it's still to be resolved."
BMD: "Ross McCormack has been phenomenal. He's become a real leader. You have to admire what he's done for Leeds United."
BMD: "I've got assurances in writing"
What next for Leeds? Well i hope Massimo Cellino fails the fit & proper persons test and another of the consortiums buy a stake from GFHC
BMD: "All along it seemed odd, you have to be owner of the football club to sack the manager. I did think it was very strange"
Reporter: You could be in the same situation next week?
BMD "People have said that to me, but how can I not go back? There's no way I'd leave the staff, the players and the supporters... The bigger picture is the stability of this club."
On Festa,
BMD: "He was at the training ground this morning. I don't know the new player, he arrived deadline day, whether it's been ratified by the Football League I'm not sure. He'll get the utmost respect and every chance"
BMD: "Nigel Gibbs has been absolute class. I'm delighted we got that result with the team we'd been working on throughout the week."
BMD: "I don't hold grudges. The most important thing is the Leeds fans, they showed absolute class on Saturday"
Reporter: What would you like to happen?
BMD:"Whatever happens, what's the best for Leeds United? That's the only thing I'm concerned about"
Reporter: Do you feel let down?
BMD "I would suggest this situation should never happen to a football manager"
BMD: "All [the owners] have said to me is that I answer to them, whatever happens in the future, I don't know. There's a lot of speculation, but as far as the ownership is concerned, it's still to be resolved."
BMD: "Ross McCormack has been phenomenal. He's become a real leader. You have to admire what he's done for Leeds United."
BMD: "I've got assurances in writing"
What next for Leeds? Well i hope Massimo Cellino fails the fit & proper persons test and another of the consortiums buy a stake from GFHC
No comments:
Post a Comment