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Kieran Maguire suggests 49ers 'wanting to step in' over game-changing Leeds United move
The 49ers stepped in and appointed Sam Allardyce at Leeds United as they are worried about the ‘critical’ threat of relegation.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the shift of power in the Elland Road boardroom.
Sources suggest the 49ers had a “major input” in the decision to sack Javi Gracia and appoint Allardyce as manager at Leeds.
Andrea Radrizzani remains the majority shareholder of the Yorkshire club, but the 49ers Enterprises are on the verge of completing a takeover.
The US investors currently hold a 44 per cent stake in the club, and a deal is in place between all parties for the 49ers to take full control by January 2024 for a price of £420million.
That price is set to be significantly slashed to £150million if Leeds United are relegated to the Championship.
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Maguire believes that the 49ers intervened and appointed Allardyce as they are the ones set to be financially impacted from next season onwards.
“The 49ers commercial division is looking at Leeds United purely from a business perspective,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“As a Premier League club, Leeds are very good commercially in terms of their size, fanbase and their outreach on a global scale.
“So you can understand why the 49ers are wanting to step in and focus on the critical short-term issues at the club as they are the ones who will be financially impacted.
“Big Sam has got credentials when it comes to keeping clubs up.“
In other news, Leeds United make move to sign Mercer