Former Leeds United Owner Reflects on Near Miss with Managerial Appointments

Andrea Radrizzani Looks Back

Former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has shared his thoughts on coming extremely close to hiring current Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Radrizzani also revealed his attempts to recruit Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, and expressed regret over the decision to dismiss Marcelo Bielsa.

Regret Over Bielsa’s Departure

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Radrizzani stated, “Marcelo was a significant influence for the city of Leeds. I do regret letting him go, but at that moment, it felt like a logical choice to help preserve the club’s position in the Premier League.”

He went on to explain, “I noticed the players were both mentally and physically drained, leading to a string of defeats. Making that decision was among the toughest of my life, and perhaps the incorrect one, since Marcelo achieved more than just favorable results.”

Missed Opportunities and Future Aspirations

Radrizzani opted for Jesse Marsch, who managed to keep Leeds in the Premier League that season. However, Radrizzani had other management options in mind, admitting, “We could have secured Unai Emery or Julen Lopetegui, but that opportunity slipped away. After the 2022 World Cup, we also pursued Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola, but it was too late. The responsibility lies with me.”