In May 2018 one of the biggest fallen giants of English football were languishing in 13th position in the second tier of the football pyramid. With no hope of playoffs or promotion, a disgruntled fanbase and lack of ambition it was evident that something needed to change at the head of the club.
ACTION TAKEN!
At the end of the 2017/2018 Championship season, Leeds United announced a partnership with The 49ers Enterprise, led by Paraag Marathe (above), who joined the Leeds board as a director and vice-chairman. The 49ers initially acquired an initial 15% stake in the club. Along with Marathe, Jed York, the CEO of the San Francisco 49ers also plays a significant role in the enterprise group.
ARGENTINIAN MASTERMIND! EL LOCO!
In June 2018, the first significant action from the 49ers was the major coup of 2001 Worlds Best National Coach, Olympic Gold Medallist with Argentina in 2004 and South American Coach of the Year 2009 'El Loco' Marcelo Bielsa. The high profile signature of Bielsa automatically turned the heads of the Leeds United faithful and English football in general. In his first season with Bielsa's all action philosophy in full flow, the Whites marched on to clinch a playoff spot where they came up against a resilient Derby County team led by Frank Lampard. With Leeds in complete control from the first leg, Lampard and his team done a number on Bielsa's free flowing side to put a halt to the rebuild. With a reshuffle of the squad in the following season with a healthy input of funds from the 49ers, Bielsa's Leeds would go on to clinch the Championship title by a brilliant 10 point tally over 2nd placed West Bromwich Albion.
'THE PROMISED LAND'
In 2020, The 49ers and Bielsa did what no other club structure had done for 16 years and took Leeds back to the big time. It started with The 49ers flexing their muscle by the club bringing in a wealth of talent. Led by the pull of Bielsa's reputation and the backing from The 49ers, Leeds were able to pull off the signings of Brazilian international Raphinha, Spanish number 9 Rodrigo Moreno and German international Robin Koch. The Whites took everyone by surprise by claiming a 9th placed finish. A main reason for this lofty finish was Patrick Bamford's goalscoring form. The Leeds frontman netted a brilliant 17 times to secure himself a long awaited national team call up with England. Following on from a positive season, the 49ers decided to increase their stake in the club to 37% ownership where this would be extended again in November 2021 to 44%.
THE DREAM SHORT-LIVED
After a short stay of 3 years and 4 different managers in that time the Premier League dream turned to disaster, leading to the club being relegated back into the second tier. The obvious selling of top talents led to a major rebuilding job for The 49ers. Hell-bent on a swift return, Andrea Radrizzani agreed to sell his 56% stake to 49ers Enterprises earning them full 100% ownership of the club valuing Leeds at around £170m, also bringing the stadium and club under unified ownership for the first time since 2004, securing lucrative sponsorship deals with energy drink giants Red Bull and sportwear icon Adidas. After two seasons in the Championship, Leeds secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League as Championship champions in May 2025.
FUTURE INTENTIONS
With the Whites now back with England's elite, The 49ers have major plans to not have a repeat of the past and not to be labelled as a so called 'Yoyo Club'. With the possibility for heavy investment of the playing squad thought to be north of an estimated £100m, pledging to spend every last penny allowable under financial regulations. Shrewd business has already taken place following the signings of Premier League experienced Sean Longstaff, Brazilian international shot stopper Lucas Perri, German man mountain Anton Stach, and first through the door was Slovenian Hardman Jaka Bijol, The 49ers have announced plans of the expansion of Elland Road by 15,355 extra seats to take the total capacity from 37,645 to 53,000. Included in this development are plans to modernize the stadium, improve general admission and improve hospitality facilities, and potentially becoming England's seventh biggest football stadium. Now the club as a whole including ownership, playing squad and fanbase seem to all be on the same wavelength. There is a positive vibe around the city that the once fallen giant can reclaim their place permanently at England's top table.
