‘Huge’ – Exclusive: Whelan fears Leeds ‘Exodus’ after major financial reveal
Noel Whelan admits he fears a potential “exodus” of players at Leeds United if the club are forced to try and cut the wage bill at Elland Road.
The former Leeds striker and boyhood fan of the club, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the board may have to hold some “tough” discussions with the squad if the financial situation does not improve.
Leeds’ managing director Angus Kinnear has revealed that the Whites could survive playing behind closed doors for “eight or nine months” but that they would have to address player wages if the issue persists.
The BBC report that fans may not return to stadiums until January 2021 while the Times claim the whole of next season may be played behind closed doors.
Whelan believes the Whites are facing a potential financial crisis at Elland Road and that players could walk away if the club cannot afford to pay their contracts.
Asked about the potential of new contract negotiations, Whelan told Football Insider: “You’ve got to hope that players agree to that. A contract is a contract unfortunately and it is binding.
“They’re already taking a deferral of their own wages to help the club out but they’ve got to survive as well, like a football club. They’ve got bills to pay and mortgages to pay etcetera.
“It’s going to be a very tough conversation with every single player if it does come to that point that players will have to take a huge cut in their wages. Will we see an exodus of players saying if you’re not going to stick to your contract then we’re going to leave?
“Hopefully that won’t be the case but the club seem to have finances in place to take care of wages up until a certain point but that’s when you start worrying if it goes beyond that point. How are you going to fund the club, fund the players?
“You’ve just got to hope that if the season is finished and they are promoted they get that windfall.”
Speaking about the club’s financial situation, Kinnear told the Yorkshire Post: “I think if it (playing behind closed doors) is for eight or nine months, I am confident that Leeds United could survive.
“The biggest challenge is around player wages, that’s the primary cost for all clubs in the Championship. We have some very cooperative players who believe in our club and believe in our long-term future, and we would have to work with them if the situation persisted.”
In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that Newcastle’s takeover spells bad news for the Elland Road club.