The 49ers Enterprises have had a decent level of participation in Leeds United since they bought their stake in 2017. Four and a half years later, they own 44% of the club and seek to take control by 2024.
The club, led by the Argentine coach Marcelo bielsa, has made a striking return to the Premier League after a 16-year hiatus.
The Leeds, which was a dominant force in English football in the late 1960s and early 1970s, went into free fall after being relegated from the top flight in 2004, falling to the third tier before a decade of declining in the championship.
Marathe, who is president of 49ers Enterprises, said he had his eye on investing in the club even before Italian Andrea Radrizzani took over in 2017.
“I felt that they had great potential and that they had been through difficult times and had multiple owners.”
Marathe has been with the 49ers for two decades and said the five-time champions of the Super Bowl could use their experience in rebuilding the franchise to help the club Premier League.
“We’ve been through the process of being the underperforming club with an inactive fan base. We also had great success in the ’80s and’ 90s through Joe Montana and Steve Young and we went through tough times. We have reinvigorated the franchise , we built a new stadium and restored our performance on the pitch. We have lived it and we can impart our knowledge. We created a playbook and we have a plan that we can share with our counterparts and friends in Leeds. “
American participation in the Premier League has shown its pros and cons, as Liverpool’s success in recent years has shown with their Premier and European titles. On the other hand, controversial divorce motions have arisen with Manchester United and Arsenal.
deportes@eleconmista.mx
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