Massimo Cellino has told Gazzetta dello Sport that he was keen on taking Rolando Maran to Leeds United.
The Italian businessman bought a 75% stake in Leeds in February 2014, before taking full control over the club in September 2016. Less than a year later, he sold the club to his compatriot, Andrea Radrizzani.
Leeds struggled under him, both on and off the pitch, and they were only able to return to the Premier League after Radrizzani took control of the club.
Cellino currently owns Serie B side Brescia Calcio, who are also in the battle to make it to the play-offs, to secure promotion to Serie A. They’re eighth in the table, two points behind sixth placed Palermo, with a game left to play.
Ahead of the weekend clash against Bari, Cellino has heaped praise on Maran, who’s now in charge at Brescia.
When Gazzetta asked him whether Maran is the right candidate for Brescia, Cellino opened up on how he made an attempt to bring the manager to Leeds.
“I came close to him in Leeds and Cagliari. A mutual friend gave me the idea of calling him and in five minutes we agreed. He has profound human values before football ones. Like the [Brescia] sporting director, [Renzo] Castagnini. I don’t like magicians, but real people,” he said.
