Preston North End director Peter Ridsdale has told BBC Radio Lancashire that Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear told him that he is currently making Ridsdale look “popular” at Elland Road – after the club were relegated.
Ridsdale, of course, is the man responsible for sending Leeds into administration and subsequently back into the Championship. It took us down into League One with a points deduction before we righted his wrongs and returned.
Kinnear, meanwhile, has been CEO of Leeds through the good and bad over the last few years. He is a crucial part of the board that guided Leeds back into the Premier League – but also a part of what has gone wrong this season.
With Victor Orta gone, it is Kinnear that has taken on the role of sporting director and overseeing things until the 49ers complete a takeover. Ridsdale shared what Kinnear said, as they watched the Championship play-off final.
“I was with Angus Kinnear at the Luton play-off final – the CEO of Leeds United – and he jokingly said he [Kinnear] made me look popular in Leeds at the moment. In this role, it is tough,” Ridsdale told BBC Radio Lancashire.
Ridsdale: Kinnear jokes he is currently making him look popular at Leeds
While there is enormous criticism coming in for the Leeds board of which Kinnear is an instrumental part, they are still some way away from the cataclysmic spell under Ridsdale – which saw Leeds collapse to the ground financially.
Yes, Leeds have been relegated and some of the spending has been woeful. But financially, the club is in a solid position and with the help of parachute payments and a couple of player sales – we can go aim for an instant return.
Ridsdale will always be seen as the reckless man that dwindled the cash Leeds did not have and ultimately, the man responsible for Leeds playing in League One with a points deduction. Kinnear is still far from that, at Elland Road.
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