Massimo Cellino at Leeds United: We chart the Italian's time in charge at Elland Road

Following news Massimo Cellino has stepped down as president and director of Leeds United – until April, at least - following his disqualification by the Football League, we look back on his tumultuous time in charge of the club…

January 2014: Cellino in, McDermott out – or is he? 

Following the collapse of the Sport Capital bid, Cellino became one of the leading candidates to take over Leeds United – but the Italian was making headlines even before a deal was completed. Cellino reportedly fired team manager Brian McDermott on January 31, with his assistant Nigel Gibbs named caretaker for a home game against Huddersfield. However, Gulf Finance House (GFH) - Leeds’ Bahrain-based owners - insisted the following day McDermott remained in charge.

February 7, 2014: Cellino completes takeover…subject to Football League approval 

GFH sold a 75 per cent stake to Cellino’s Eleonora Sport Ltd consortium, subject to Football League approval. “We understand that the speculation has been unsettling for the fans and, even though it was not of our making, we apologise to them for that,” said a GFH spokesman.

March 18, 2014: Cellino fined for failing to pay import tax

A court in Sardinia found Cellino guilty of illegally evading import duty on a yacht, which was seized by Italian customs in the summer of 2013. Cellino was ordered to pay a 600,000 euro fine and his Leeds bid was put in jeapody.

March 24, 2014: Football League blocks Cellino’s Leeds takeover

Cellino failed the Football League’s owners and directors test, as the league’s panel voted unanimously to block Cellino’s takeover of Leeds and disqualify him from owning the club. "Having fully considered the matter, the Board agreed unanimously that the decision of the Italian Court does constitute a disqualifying condition under its Owners’ and Directors’ Test," said the Football League.

April 5, 2014: Football League ban overturned

Cellino opted to appeal to an independent QC against the Football League’s ban and won, meaning his consortium completed the purchase of 75 per cent of the club. "The men who were here in GFH's name did a really, really bad job," he said when asked about his challenge at Leeds.

May 30, 2014: McDermott leaves Leeds

"I think at this moment the club is not managed by anybody. Who's managing this club? Brian. Where's Brian?" Cellino’s comments after the end of the season, when McDermott had taken a break, didn’t bode well for the manager's future and on May 30 it was announced that, by mutual agreement, McDermott’s tenure was over.  

June 19, 2014: Hockaday appointed as head coach

Cellino delivered a shock appointment as successor to McDermott: Dave Hockaday, whose only previous managerial experience came at non-league Forest Green Rovers. There were more changes during the summer, too, with Benito Carbone - who, among other roles, had been in charge of the academy - U18s manager Richard Naylor and U16s manager Bromby exiting Elland Road.  

August 28, 2014: Hockaday sacked

After just six games and 70 days in charge, Hockaday was axed by Cellino. The decision would have come a game earlier, after defeat to Watford, but Cellino revealed he had a change of heart. However, a Capital One Cup loss to Bradford would be Hockaday’s last in charge.

September 22, 2014: Milanic appointed head coach

Darko Milanic, the former Sturm Graz manager, was Cellino’s next surprise appointment.  "I don’t know," was Cellino’s answer when asked why he had appointed Milanic. "Coaches are like watermelons. You find out about them when you open them."

October 25, 2014: Milanic sacked

Thirty-two days later, Cellino sacked Milanic - and apologised to Leeds fans. “I made a mistake with this guy,” Cellino said. “He’s negative, he has a losing mentality.” The decision came in the same month as another court trial in Sardinia, accusing Cellino of not paying import duty on a second yacht, was delayed after the judge stepped down due to a conflict of interest.

October 27, 2014: Redfearn next in the hot seat

Leeds appointed their fourth manager in the space of five months on October 27, with academy head coach Neil Redfearn stepping up to take charge of the first team.

December 1, 2014: Football League disqualifies Cellino

After receiving detailed evidence about Cellino’s initial yacht tax case, the Football League announced the Italian was again disqualified from owning the club. Cellino appealed, saying: "Why is this club hated so much?"

January 19, 2015: Cellino loses his appeal

Cellino’s appeal failed and he was barred from having anything to do with the running of Leeds until April 10, when it is deemed his conviction will be spent. “I am still shocked about what happened today, I wasn’t expecting anything like that because I think some unfair thing has happened, and something very strange," Cellino said.

January 23, 2015: Cellino steps down as president and director of Leeds

Following his disqualification, Cellino stepped down from his roles as president and director of Leeds United. However, he insisted he will return “in good health and good spirits” in April. The move came with Leeds 20th in the Championship, six points above the relegation places.