Tuesday 22 September 2015 11:23, UK
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino says he has been saddened by Adam Pearson's decision to quit the club because he valued their excellent working relationship.
Pearson stepped down as Leeds executive director last week to devote his full attention to Super League club Hull FC, which he owns.
Cellino conceded in an interview with Sky Sports News HQ that he is difficult to work with and is not yet looking to hire Pearson's replacement.
The 58-year-old Italian said: "It's impossible to replace him because he was a special guy. Adam Pearson is Adam Pearson.
"I do mind a lot that he left me because it's very hard to get along with somebody. I'm very hard to work with. That's why I said in the beginning to him, 'you're spoiling me, don't spoil me, you're too good to be true'.
"It was something more than work. We trust each other and get along. It's hard to get so close to me and to trust me.
"I think he left because he thought it would be easier to run his rugby club. I believe he found it frustrating people who don't follow the proper way at the rugby club. He couldn't help as much with that at the same time as the football club. That's my idea.
"I'm still missing something. I spoke with him yesterday, and I've inquiries from some candidates to get his job, and he told me that he wanted me to get someone else. But I told him I would like to take some more time because I was really getting along with him."
I like to be involved, not because I don't trust, but because I trust myself more than others.
Pearson's exit follows that of former chief operating officer Matt Child, who resigned after less than three-and-a-half months in the role in March.
Cellino revealed the reason for Child's departure and insists the two high-profile executives leaving the club was not due to the way the owner works.
Cellino said: "I want to do everything and control everything. I like to be involved, not because I don't trust, but because I trust myself more than others. It's about education and the way I was raised.
"I don't think people left because of the way I work. Matt Child left because he didn't get along with someone else who was working in the club.
"I think Matt Child was not really a football man. He was a good professional but not really a football specialist. The one that was specialised for this job was Adam Pearson and I don't think he left from my way."
