European Leagues

Leeds United: EFL approves £170m takeover by 49ers Enterprises

Leeds United are now owned by 49ers Enterprises after the English Football League formally approved their £170m takeover of the Championship club.

The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers purchased a 15% stake in Leeds in 2018 and increased that to 44% in 2021.

They now have full control after announcing the purchase of Andrea Radrizzani’s share.

“This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the club,” said new chairman Paraag Marathe.

“This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work. We are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season.”

Leeds also confirmed that existing chief executive Angus Kinnear will remain in his current position while entrepreneur Rudy Cline-Thomas, founder and managing partner of venture capital firm Mastry, will join the board as co-owner and vice chairman.

“49ers Enterprises is bringing fresh leadership, management and a commitment to investment, which I’m confident will meet our ambition to compete for promotion and remain in the top flight as an established Premier League Club,” Kinnear said.

“I know Paraag, Rudy and 49ers Enterprises will keep supporters central to their plans during their custodianship and I am excited to work in realising the true potential of this great club.”

Cline-Thomas added: “With my family hailing from Leeds, it’s an honour to be able to uplift this incredible community. This is more than just an opportunity, it’s a personal mission.

“The chance to reinvigorate the cherished Leeds culture, to create a platform that attracts the world’s finest players and build a truly global brand that celebrates diversity is a prospect that thrills me.”

‘They will take Leeds to the next level’
Radrizzani bought Leeds outright for £45m in 2017 but his stake had reduced to 56% by the time he sold up and claimed that the new custodians would move the club forward.

“It has been an honour to guide Leeds United over the last six years and to spend so much time with the best fanbase in the world,” the 48-year-old said.

“49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I’m confident they will take Leeds to the next level.”

Radrizzani had initially been popular with Leeds fans, with manager Marcelo Bielsa taking them back into the Premier League.

But the relationship soured after he sacked the Argentine and he did not attend their final game of last season, a defeat by Tottenham which sealed their relegation while fans chanted for him to leave.

After relegation was confirmed, the Leeds United Supporters Club released a statement saying Radrizzani was “no longer an appropriate person to own Leeds United”.

“His behaviour is appalling and he risks never being welcome at our club again,” it added.”The sooner he goes the better and we look forward to the 49ers Enterprises offer being accepted. The only way he can begin to salvage his reputation is through an immediate sale of the club and the stadium.”

Radrizzani’s Aser Holding Company recently bought a stake in Italian side Sampdoria.

Bundesliga

FIFA Club World Cup: Dortmund Set For Ulsan Challenge

Dortmund emerged from a tricky Matchday 2 encounter against the record South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with three important points that put the Bundesliga side within sight of a place in the knockouts.

Level on four points atop the section with their opening Group F opponents Fluminense, Niko Kovač’s men know that victory against South Korea’s Ulsan would take them through, but improvements will be sought ahead of BVB’s next encounter at the TQL Stadium.

“There’s still a lot to improve on, both for me personally and for the team,” midfielder Jobe Bellingham – who scored his first goal for Die Schwarzgeleben in the 4-3 win against the Sundowns – said.

Bellingham was one of three changes Kovač made to his starting line-up following the scoreless draw against Fluminense and while further tweaks may be made for the Ulsan game, none of the long-term injured trio of Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck will be available to the coach.

“It was important that we won against Mamelodi Sundowns and that we now put in a good performance against the South Koreans; we want to win this group,” forward Maximilian Beier added.

Ulsan’s chances of progression were snuffed out after they followed an opening-day loss against the Sundowns with a 4-2 reverse against Fluminense. Despite that disappointment, the Tigers’ coach Kim Pan-gon insisted his side will be looking to bow out on a high against Dortmund.

“We have no hope to go to the round of 16, but for our supporters, our fans, we have to fight until the end of the tournament,” the 56-year-old said.

The two-time Asian Champions League winners will draw some confidence from the fact that they led Fluminense by 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Lee Jinhyun and Um Wonsang.

However, with just one win from their last six games in all competitions, causing an upset against their opponents from the Bundesliga in Ohio appears a tall order for the five-time K League champions.

Dortmund won the 1997 Intercontinental Cup – the Club World Cup’s direct predecessor – by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro.

Kovač also lifted the Intercontinental Cup, after starting the 2001 final for Bayern (1-0 vs. Boca Juniors).
Like his brother Jude before him, Jobe Bellingham scored on his first competitive start for Dortmund.
Ulsan are the only Korean team at the Club World Cup.

The K-League side are seeking their first-ever win at a FIFA tournament, having lost their previous six games at this level.

US international Gio Reyna and American youngsters Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert are part of Dortmund’s squad.

Probable teams

Dortmund: Kobel – Süle, Anton, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Nmecha, Groß, Svensson – Bellingham, Brandt (c) – Guirassy
Out: Can (adductor), Özcan (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Niko Kovač

Ulsan: Jo – Trojak, Seo, Kim (c), Ludwigson – Lee, Jung, Bojanić, Ko – Um, Farias
Out: –
Doubtful: –
Coach: Kim Pan-gon

Bundesliga.com

European Leagues

Galatasaray Issue Osimhen Ultimatum – Report

Galatasaray have issued an ultimatum to Victor Osimhen, as questions surrounding the player’s future continue to drag on.

According to reports from Fanatik, via TMW, Galatasaray have already reached an agreement with Napoli concerning the fee for the player but a lack of response from Osimhen is beginning to wear away at the Turkish giants’ patience.

The Nigerian striker spent the 2024-25 season on loan with the Super Lig outfit, scoring 26 times in 30 league games and helping Okan Buruk’s side lift the domestic title; the Istanbul side finishing 11 points clear of fierce rivals Fenerbahce.

Galatasaray vice-president impatient with Osimhen
Speaking about the deal, Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu expressed his unhappiness: “He’s making us wait but time is running out. We’ve offered him figures higher than those proposed in Europe.”

The reports suggest that the Turkish club have informed Osimhen’s entourage that if they are still interested in a deal, they must come to the negotiating table after the summer holidays – where a decision may finally be made on the player’s future.

Other than Galatasaray, rumours in recent weeks have touted a possible move to Juventus or to various Saudi Pro League sides.

Football-italia.net

Premier League

City Squad Set for Trim, Says Guardiola

England’s Football Association would consider appointing an interim manager to try and coax Pep Guardiola to become the England boss if

Pep Guardiola has predicted that Manchester City will actively trim their squad down before the start of the Premier League season.

City took 24 outfield players and three goalkeepers to the Club World Cup in America and face Al Ain in the second group game looking to secure qualification in the early hours of Monday morning.

Ilkay Gundogan is wanted by Galatasaray, while the injured Mateo Kovacic has had suitors. Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are not part of the travelling party but are to be moved on.

Guardiola claimed earlier in the year that he will need a larger squad in future after being rocked by a steady stream of injuries through the last campaign.

But after making eight signings since January, he is also mindful that City cannot keep everybody happy if the size of the group remains the same.

Guardiola has typically operated with around 20 outfield players during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Dailymail.co.uk