Kieran Maguire urges 49ers to match Brighton in swipe at ‘toxic’ Leeds United owners
The 49ers should look to emulate Brighton and Brentford if they intend to be long-term owners of Leeds United.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the long-term vision of Leeds’ new owners.
Leeds were sold by Andrea Radrizzani to the 49ers Enterprises this summer following their relegation to the Championship.
The American ownership group have already hired a new manager in the shape of Daniel Farke and pledged to expand Elland Road during their time at the club.
Short-term aims at the Yorkshire club will be returning to the top flight as soon as possible, while long-term Leeds will hope to become an established Premier League side under their new owners.
Maguire believes the 49ers should take inspiration from Brighton and Brentford’s ownership groups, who have both earned promotion and thrived in the Premier League.
“I think the 49ers are looking for stability in a football club,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“Leeds have memories of what happened towards the end of the Ridsdale era and the subsequent challenges that were brought to the club through having a variety of ownership groups.
“Leeds and Elland Road became a part of a rather toxic pass-the-parcel routine between people who were trying to make a quick buck out of the history and the heritage of this very historic football club.
“Therefore, if the 49ers are looking for a long-term investment, then I think they can adopt a strategy which will improve things in terms of recruitment, which has been a bit hit and miss.
“And while I think there will be tough times for perhaps a couple of seasons, having a long-term strategy is essential.
“That can be seen through the likes of Brighton and Brentford, who are sort of the poster boys for that type of ownership mentality.“
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