Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn has revealed in FourFourTwo the extent Massimo Cellino went to in order cut costs at the club. Redfearn had spells as the caretaker and permanent manager with the Championship side before being released last year.
Redfearn has revealed that during his time at Leeds United, Cellino made major cost saving cuts at the club’s training complex Thorp Arch.
The 51 year old said Cellino started by making the cleaners redundant, and then getting the academy players to carry out some of their jobs. Redfearn revealed both the kitchens and swimming pool were closed in order to save money, whilst the training pitches went unattended.
“Cellino made the cleaners redundant, got the apprentices doing the laundry, and closed the kitchens. The swimming pool was drained because it cost £25,000 a year to heat and treat. The grass on the training pitches grew 3ft tall. The whole place stank,” said the former Leeds United boss.
Cellino has angered many Leeds United fans in the past 12 months for selling their prized assets for big fees. In January, Leeds United sold Sam Byram to West Ham United whilst Lewis Cooke signed for Bournemouth in the summer transfer window.
Cellino also brought in the infamous pie tax last season which made it mandatory for those sitting in the South stand to buy from the kiosks, although that has since been scrapped because of the displeasure shown by the Elland Road faithful.
Redfearn’s full column can be read in this month’s issue of FourFourTwo.
