Leeds owner Massimo Cellino 'good to work with' says club's new executive director

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino 'has a massive passion for the club'

New Leeds United executive director Adam Pearson has extolled the virtues of the club’s eccentric owner Massimo Cellino.

He has described the Italian as being ‘effervescent’ and ‘good to work with,’ and Pearson says he is pleased to be back at Elland Road where he was once the commercial director.

Regarding his relationship with Cellino, Pearson told Sky Sports News HQ: “He’s certainly effervescent behind the scenes. He’s on holiday at the moment, which is great. We’ve done a lot in the last two weeks.

“I find him very good to work with. He’s got a massive passion for the club, and is very energetic.”

The 50-year-old Pearson also praised Cellino for securing the signature of Kiwi striker Chris Wood last month.

Pearson added: “We had our targets at the start of the season and when it came to nearly losing Chris, he came up with £3m to get the player and move him up from the midlands. He’s going to be a big signing for us.”

A more recent purchase is midfielder Stuart Dallas who moves north from Brentford and Pearson went on: “It’s another seven-figure fee which shows the owner’s commitment to putting the club right.”

He’s got a massive passion for the club, and is very energetic. Pearson on Cellino

Pearson, the former owner of Hull City, was brought into the club during pre-season to try and steer the Yorkshire giants back to the top flight of the English game.

The Whites have not graced the Premier League since 2004 but Pearson is upbeat about their immediate future “The club is as clean as it has been in 11 years.

“It’s in a really good state, playing squad is well-balanced, wages are right, crowds our coming back. We’re hoping to have 30 thousand against Burnley this week.

“It’s a Premier League club in waiting. We’ve brought seven good players in and moved 16 out and I think we’ll have a good season.

“We’ve cut the wage bill, got 21 competitive players in the first team squad, we look strong in all areas of the pitch.”

Watch Leeds v Burnley live on Sky this Saturday. 12.30 kick-off.