Cellino responds to report that Leeds have clinched landmark deal

By Will Butcher

Leeds United's outspoken chairman Massimo Cellino has denied reports suggesting that he is close to announcing a new sporting director.

Francesco Marroccu has been linked with a move to the vacant recruitment role at Elland Road during the last few weeks, and an agreement was reported by HITC on Monday.

However, Cellino has declared that the Ascoli sporting director won't be joining Leeds' senior staff next season but didn't rule out a move for him in the future

When asked about the possibility of Marroccu moving to Elland Road, Cellino told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Not yet but it could (happen) in the future, maybe next year."

Marroccu, who worked with the Leeds chairman at Cagliari for almost a decade before Cellino took up the reins at Elland Road, distanced himself from reports linking him with the sporting director role at the Championship last month.

He said: "As for Leeds, with Cellino he was the person who made my entry into the world of football possible but we have not talked about a future together again."

Leeds' managerial staff has received a shake-up recently, most notably including new manager Garry Monk taking over and bringing in assistant manager Pep Clotet, with whom he worked with at Swansea.

It remains to be seen whether Cellino is looking to appoint a sporting director, and whether he will look to his home nation for someone to fill the vacancy.

In other Leeds news, Monk could make League 2 player of the year Kemar Roofe his first signing.