Leeds boss Steve Evans welcomes fans' group interest in buying club
Monday 2 November 2015 18:45, UK
Leeds head coach Steve Evans has welcomed news a supporters group is planning to buy a controlling stake in the Sky Bet Championship club, but insists he has not discussed it with owner Massimo Cellino.
Evans, preparing for his fourth game in charge against Cardiff after replacing the sacked Uwe Rosler last month, steadfastly refuses to get involved in Leeds' off-field politics.
Leeds Fans Utd (LFU) announced on Monday that it hopes to agree a period of exclusivity with Cellino, who said on Friday he would sell the club to the fans' group for no profit.
But Evans said he was more concerned about ending Leeds' eight-month wait for a home win against Cardiff on Tuesday night.
"The off-field matters, 100% I don't talk to him about it because I don't want to get involved in hearing any particular side," Evans said.
"Maybe the Leeds United supporters have been speaking to him for a while, I don't know.
"I heard from a journalist and I can't get involved in who runs Leeds United - it's an oil tanker in the ocean and I'm trying to swim against the tide.
"I just get on with the job of managing the team and the dressing room. I've always said my job is not to get involved in any shape or form with what happens off the pitch.
"That's a decision left for the owner and of course if the supporters are involved it's left to them, they are after all the lifeblood of any club."
Evans, who hopes to bring in a new player on loan in time to feature against Cardiff at Elland Road, said he was not opposed to the idea of a fans' group taking control.
"I think when fans are involved in any shape or form in a football club, it can only be a good thing," he said.
"Whether it's good for Leeds United, only time will tell because I suppose there has to be a lot of talking and a lot of agreements to take place before then."
LFU chief executive Dylan Thwaites is currently in talks with Cellino, who bought the club in April 2014, but there are reports other potential bidders have expressed an interest.
Former England striker Stan Collymore, who never played for Leeds during his career, has said he will purchase shares in LFU.
The broadcaster wrote on Twitter: "I'll buy a few #LUFC shares and give them straight to the trust. Won't be a lot but every little helps as they say! #MOT"
