Ritchie slams Leeds owner Massimo Cellino - makes Leicester comparison

By Coral Barry

Andy Ritchie believes Leeds owner Massimo Cellino needs to look at the way Leicester have become successful and stop changing managers so often.

Cellino has fired five managers since taking over as Leeds boss in 2014 and speculation has been growing that Steve Evans will be the latest head to go on the Italian's chopping board.

Evans has fulfilled the mandate he was given by Cellino when he took over in October by avoiding relegation and has managed to put together a few notable runs of successive victories.

However, those streaks have been interrupted by long periods of mediocrity and rumours have been intensifying that Leeds' last game of the Championship campaign will also be their manager's last at the club.

Ritchie believes the constant change at the helm is damaging Leeds' chances to get back into the top flight, but has suggested that the club was already in trouble before the Italian's arrival.

"For me, the Leeds fans must be banging their heads against a brick wall, not knowing if the manager is going to be there next season or not and all the players must be thinking that as well," said Ritchie writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post column.

"It just saddens me. It is what it is, but I do not think all this changing of managers is the formula for success.

"You look at Leicester and what can be achieved with a bit of consistency and stability.

But we have been talking about those things not being there at Leeds for how long. Even before Massimo Cellino took over, you felt things weren't right.

"But look at it now, how many managers and coaches have they had in the last few years.

"It's crazy. They have got to somehow see that is not the way to go."

Leeds face Preston in their final game of the season with the club 12th in the table.

In other Leeds news, Evans has made a bold claim about one Whites youngster.