Leeds United’s recruitment team is set to undergo a major reshuffle behind-the-scenes.
49ers Enterprises have worked hard during their tenure as majority shareholders to build a strong structure upstairs to support Daniel Farke, but that is set to change.
Leeds knew a one-man band like Victor Orta in the previous regime simply didn’t work and so moved to bring in Nick Hammond, Gretar Steinsson and Jordan Miles to work in tandem with Farke.
However, according to the Athletic, Steinsson is set to leave his role as technical director at Elland Road and take up a similar position within the 49ers Enterprises global football group.
As per the report, Leeds are said to have no plans to replace Steinsson, whose move would ‘work to evolve ideas that would primarily benefit Leeds and any future football clubs that become part of the organisation’, which is interesting.
49ers latest Leeds decision could spark Red Bull clash
Though the Athletic insists there are no immediate plans to do so, this latest move behind-the-scenes indicates a multi-club model certainly isn’t off the cards for the 49ers.
At this stage, Leeds very much remains their primary focus, but the potential of making this transition into the future adds another potential layer to the Red Bull deal earlier this year.
Red Bull have been one of the most successful multi-club networks in recent years, with Leipzig, Salzburg, New York and Bragantino all now under their ownership.
LeedsUnited.News have spoken exclusively to football finance expert Adam Williams about what this could mean for Leeds moving forward, which he believes could well cause some friction between the two groups.
He said: “I think the really interesting thing here might be what it might suggest about the involvement of Red Bull at Leeds.
“Red Bull are the archetypal multi-club network. If 49ers Enterprises are potentially going to become a rival in that space, it will be interesting to see how they manage that dynamic within the ownership structure of Leeds.
“I can’t think of too many other examples where two investors under one ownership umbrella both own separate multi-club networks.
“David Blitzer and John Textor at Crystal Palace is the one that immediately springs to mind. There are a fair few private equity companies who own stakes in more than one club too, but I wouldn’t say those represent multi-club models as such, more just corporate structures.
“Basically, I think that 49ers and Red Bull would have to draw up an entente cordiale and agree not to step too much on each other’s toes.
“I think we’re seeing more and more technical or sporting directors actively looking for roles that have a multi-club element.
“That appears to be what happened with Edu at Arsenal, who unlike Nottingham Forest have no multi-club ambitions. It was the reason Michael Edwards re-joined Liverpool too, to set up an MCO. They wanted to be part of a big-picture vision that goes beyond just one club.
“The advantages of multi-club ownership at this points are pretty clear. You can pool talent and resources, share costs where it might be beneficial for PSR, create a player development pathway and so on.
“I don’t think it’s all upside though. Both FIFA and UEFA are not fans of the model because of the increasing risk of conflicts of interests emerging.
“Many fans meanwhile think it compromises their clubs’ unique identities and, as many MCOs have a clear mothership, such as Man City’s place in the City Football Group network, it could make them little more than feeder teams.”
Why Steinsson exit could be a big blow for Leeds
Steinsson has been in his role at Leeds for around 15 months and has played a key role in getting some of their biggest signings over the line.
It was his decision to negotiate straight with Swansea City’s owners over a deal for Joel Piroe in 2023, which saw them pip sides such as Southampton and Sheffield United.
Coming from Tottenham, it is also clear he will have had a major hand in bringing Joe Rodon, Djed Spence and Manor Solomon to the club.
Steinsson also seemed to be front and centre every time a signing was putting the finishing touches on a transfer, which makes it a very interesting decision not to replace him.
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