Leeds and Rangers given 'very good news' by Paraag Marathe
Leeds United will see huge benefits from Paraag Marathe's decision to step away from his role with the San Francisco 49ers and focus purely on his footballing commitments.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the speed of decision-making at Elland Road will improve drastically.
The American businessman is also heavily involved behind the scenes at Rangers, who are also owned by 49ers Enterprises.
Wyness is adamant that Marathe's decision to focus on football will bring huge benefits to both clubs, and noted that his understanding of the game has developed significantly in recent years.
The Leeds chairman is a key player at boardroom level in West Yorkshire, and helped to oversee a promising return to the Premier League last season.
With his full focus now tuned in on matters at Elland Road and Ibrox, Wyness expects the Whites to continue their progress this term.
Leeds avoiding 'disaster' with Paraag Marathe change
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Marathe spending some of his time on the West Coast of America was a recipe for "disaster" for Leeds.
The Scottish businessman stressed the value and importance of swift decision-making, and he believes there will now be a marked improvement in that department at Leeds.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he explained why Marathe's San Francisco exit can only be good news for the Whites.
"It's all good news for Leeds. I was a little bit confused as to the actual involvement for Paraag when he first came in. He seemed to be involved quite a bit, but still he had that foot in the 49ers camp," Wyness said.
"But to be fully involved in Leeds and Rangers is very good news for both clubs. He's obviously a very talented guy. I think he's actually served his apprenticeship now and I could call him almost a football guy to a degree.
"He's understanding a lot more about what's going on, and being there full-time can only help to get quicker decisions. And yeah, that's the key to football, as I've said many times, it's speed of decisions, particularly in transfer windows.
"You've got to have that quick decision-making ability, and having him there rather than across on the West Coast, which can be a disaster.
"I think it's a positive for Leeds, and they've had a decent window from what I can see."
'Favourites' named as Leeds chase Harvey Elliott deal
Wyness previously told Football Insider last week that RB Leipzig are the "favourites" to sign Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, despite strong interest from Leeds.
He made it clear that the "bad blood" that has developed between the youngster and the Reds mean that it is almost certain that he is sold before the 1 September transfer deadline.
Wyness noted that Leipzig are at the front of the queue for the 23-year-old at the moment, and there is little barrier to them doing a deal, if they can convince the player to make the move to Germany.
Wyness emphasised that he expects the Bundesliga to be a good fit for Elliott, who needs a change after a disastrous loan at Aston Villa last term.