The end of Andrea Radrizzani’s reign at Leeds United tarnished what could’ve been a brilliant legacy.
Radrizzani was undoubtedly the best owner Leeds have had in 20 years. Being the man to guide Leeds back to the Premier League after so long should’ve meant he was forever remembered as a legend.
However, the last 18 months of his ownership were a farce. Replacing Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch, suggesting there was no chance Leeds would get relegated and appointing four managers in one season were all big mistakes.
Radrizzani’s attempt at using Elland Road as part of his bid to buy Sampdoria was then the last straw.
Even Angus Kinnear admitted he should’ve sold Leeds earlier. Of course, Radrizzani hit back at Kinnear‘s comments, but there was an element of truth.
Jordan suggests Radrizzani was ‘catalyst’ to Leeds plans
Earlier this week, Leeds announced their plans for the next steps in the redevelopment of Elland Road. They are looking to increase the capacity from 37,890 to 53,000.
Simon Jordan believes it could be the turning point for Leeds to get back to the top, with 49ers Enterprises finally doing what Radrizzani always claimed he wanted to.
Throughout Radrizzani’s tenure, there were constant rumours about an Elland Road expansion. Even with three years in the Premier League, it never happened.
Kinnear has suggested many times Radrizzani simply didn’t have the funds to take Leeds to the next level. It is clear the 49ers do, though.
Speaking on talkSPORT after hearing Leeds’ plans, Jordan actually praised Radrizzani for being the ‘catalyst’ to the Whites getting out of the ‘doldrums’, even though he wasn’t a fan of him personally.
He said: “Now you’ve got Leeds United building a 53,000 all seater stadium inside the Championship. Of course they’re building if for the future, but it shows the scale of that football club, it shows the scale of opportunity.
“It is one of those remarkable football clubs. I mean Radrizzani was the catalyst and lightning rod, but wasn’t the most affable of fellas.
“He was an achievement based individual who took Leeds from the doldrums of many years outside the Premier League, to back in it. He made them for one moment in time everyone’s second favourite team.”
Jordan makes interesting Leeds and Aston Villa comparison
Once expansion plans are eventually completed, Villa Park is one of the stadiums Elland Road will eventually become bigger than.
Unfortunately, Aston Villa are dwarfing Leeds on the pitch right now. Just three years ago, Leeds finished above Villa in the Premier League.
Now, Villa are playing Champions League football while Leeds are back in the Championship. It shows how Leeds have been mismanaged since 2021.
However, talkSPORT pundit Jordan believes Leeds have the potential to match what Villa are doing right now, describing both as ‘brilliant’ clubs.
He said: “They [Leeds, Villa etc] are clubs with stature. Their fans are always brilliant, The legacy and heritage of these football clubs, you cannot doubt in your mind.
“People say dirty Leeds but the Don Revie period, where they were a significant football club both in the European and English football. You go the same with Villa. Big football clubs, you know you are in a football stadium.
“When you see Villa and Leeds play, you know you are going up to one of the football stadiums that is representative of good and big things of English football. Leeds and Villa are absolutely in that bracket.”
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