Leeds United are closing in on ensuring promotion to the Premier League and there is a sense of excitement ahead of the summer at Elland Road. They are yet to book their tickets for the top flight but it’s very much in their sights and they are keen to ensure nothing distracts them from their end-goal. However, sometimes distractions are not in their hands and Leeds could potentially lose one of their most important figures even before they could prepare to play in the Premier League next season. It would come as a major blow and it remains to be seen whether Leeds could avoid this scenario in the coming months.
Farke and his men are focused on preparing for a big game on Monday night when Leeds United take on Sheffield United in a top-of-the-table clash at Bramall Lane.
The Leeds players are keen to ensure to avoid distractions but today has been a day of news for the club with several off-the-field shenanigans taking place beyond their control.
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe is leading an American consortium in their attempts to takeover Rangers with the talks between the two sides at an advanced stage.
The potential takeover of Rangers would have some ramifications for Leeds but the Whites now have a more immediate issue to solve given their structure behind the scenes.
Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear is on Everton’s radar
The Friedkin Group completed the takeover of Everton in September and have already carried out several changes to try and put the Toffees back on track.
David Moyes has come in to replace Sean Dyche and the Scot’s arrival has made an instant impact on results including a 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool at home.
Everton are looking for a new chief executive and Kinnear has emerged as a strong candidate for the new owners ahead of the end of the season.
According to The Athletic, Everton have already held discussions with Leeds for the experienced chief executive to move to Goodison Park shortly.
A decision has not been made and Kinnear is one of the names Everton are considering for their chief executive role. However, he is very much in contention and the two clubs have had talks.
Kinnear’s experience of transitioning clubs into a new stadium at Arsenal and West Ham previously makes him a key target for Everton.
However, getting him out of Leeds would be complicated as they are pushing for promotion while Everton would want their new chief executive in place as soon as possible.
Kinnear also has 18 months remaining on his Leeds contract, meaning compensation would be required if Everton want to secure his services.
He joined Leeds in 2017 following three years as managing director at West Ham. Kinnear also spent 10 years at Arsenal as director of marketing, sales and partnerships.
The 49ers kept him as Leeds’ chief executive after they took control of the club and his remit involves working on transfers in addition to projects such as the proposed expansion of Elland Road.
Leeds would not want to lose him, especially now
Kinnear has provided stability behind the scenes despite different ownership groups taking charge of Leeds since his arrival at Elland Road in 2017.
He has been a key figure behind some of the biggest decisions Leeds have made including the appointments of Marcelo Bielsa and Daniel Farke.
Kinnear has been a steady hand at work and losing him ahead of a summer when Leeds would probably be planning a squad for the Premier League would be a massive blow.
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The news that Everton have already held talks with Leeds is bad news but the fact that the Friedkin Group want a new chief executive in place as soon as possible could work in the Whites’ favour.
A compensation would have to be agreed upon and Leeds would also demand Kinnear go on gardening leave for a certain period.
Leeds could also push to convince Kinnear to stick around as they prepare to return to the Premier League and carry out the major development of the club behind the scenes.
