With the 49ers group now in charge at Leeds United, the most important target for the club will be to get out of the Championship.
Last season’s relegation was a tough blow for the Whites, who had no plans of heading back to the second-tier, but it’s a reality they are facing, and will be doing so with Andrea Radrizzani, the man who helped them return to the Premier League in the first place.
However, according to Guido Bagatta, the Italian entrepreneur, while he did buy Leeds, never planned on having a long-term relationship with the club.
His main aim was always to buy a club in Italy, and he knew that acquiring one in England was the right way to get the funds.
Once he had those, when he sold his part of Leeds to the 49ers, he immediately went about purchasing Sampdoria.
That was always his plan, and he has now achieved it.
Speaking to La Repubblica, the journalist said: “He threw himself into (Sampdoria) body and soul. When he went to pre-season, he could be seen on the pitch, on his bike, at the bar. The toy belongs to him, the money belongs to him and he seems really involved.
“He has always wanted to buy a team in Italy. Leeds was just a step, albeit an important one, in a situation where, if you do the things right, you make money. Certainly in Andrea coexist passion for football and entrepreneurial vision.”
