News about Massimo Cellino

Exclusive INTERVIEW BY DAVID COVERDALE: The man they call 'The Manager Eater' has settled on the local speciality of tagliolini with white truffles for today's lunch. In addition, the 21st helping in six years since he last chewed up a boss in Brescia. 'It's a very expensive meal,' Massimo Cellino says with a smile about his insatiable and infamous appetite for recruiting and firing coaches. However, we have a problem when we convened at Ristorante Nineteen in the center of this peaceful Italian city, close to Lake Garda. And it has nothing to do with the food. 'Why are you wearing that bloody colour?'Cellino says the woman sat outside the front door as he came in with Mail Sport.

Andrea Radrizzani, Leeds's owner, has agreed the terms of a complete transfer of the club to the San Francisco 49ers investment fund, with the deal's terms sent to the EFL for ratification this afternoon. Despite the fact that Radrizzani earlier sold Elland Road as collateral in talks to purchase Italian club Sampdoria, Mail Sport has learned that the 100% takeover by 49ers Enterprises included the ownership of Elland Road, valuing Leeds at about £170 million.

DEPUTY SPORTS WRITER IAN HERBERT: The news appeared like a sliver of blue sky on a cloudy day. Saint and Greavsie (right) has returned amid the chaos, commotion, and self-aggrandisement that has increasingly consumed football. On ITV4, ITV4 will feature six compilation episodes of their best bits this summer, as well as a catch-up on ITVX. Because not everyone will be interested in Greavsie's discussion of Scottish goalkeepers, Hamilton Academic, referees, or the Swedish Viking hat he wore on the last episode in the 1980s, judicious editing will doubtless be useful. Now there is more sensitive. However, the legendary Aztec Gold theme tune, which was first used by ITV for the Mexico'86 World Cup, will return to the United States, where we will revisit one of the most exciting, most innovative, and stunning football programs ever seen.

In a leaked email from Leeds' CEO Angus Kinnear, Axed Leeds sporting director Victor Orta has been praised as the 'architect' of the club's promotion to the Premier League, much to the club's fans' apprehension. Leeds announced they had parted company with Orta after a frustrating run of four losses and 18 goals conceded in five games as part of a brutal cull that also included manager Javi Gracia. The Whites' bleakness has cast doubt on Premier League's chances of resurrecting, with the Whites now only above the relegation zone on goal difference in 17th place.

When Massimo Cellino bought Leeds United, his name preceded him. Since going through more bosses in his 22 years in Cagliari than he'd had pepperoni pizzas, the tumultuous Italian businessman remained a 'Manager Eater' in his homeland, he seemed to have revelled in the notoriety. Within Elland Road, I found myself swept into the eye of the hurricane. Cellino had no knowledge of the English game and had already dismissed the CEO and head of football administration within weeks of seizing control of the club. In effect, the club was rudderless. During my time as a manager, staff morale was at its lowest level ever seen. They didn't like Cellino and certainly didn't like him, but they didn't like him either, and certainly didn't trust him. They feared the consequences of being on the wrong side of him. I once suggested that they invest £50,000 into the staff wages budget to give them all a pay increase, but this would have given them a lift and made them more receptive to what he was doing in the club. Cellino fired me down in his typical tantrum demeanor, asking why they should get more money.

SPORTS AGENDA: Although England's miserable June appearance sparked a lot of angst, Gareth Southgate privately believes it was a blessing in disguise. Following a family holiday to Portugal, the manager is feeling rejuvenated. And it seems that the two losses at the hands of Hungary and draws against Germany and Italy in an underwhelming Nations League campaign may have dampened the sky-high hopes before England's tour of Qatar in November.