Andrea Radrizzani’s Italian Gamble Ends in Disaster
Two years ago, Andrea Radrizzani jetted off to Italy to finalise his takeover of relegated Sampdoria – even as Leeds United were crashing 4-1 at Tottenham. It was a move that stunned fans, who felt abandoned by a man who had once been their saviour.
That trip sealed Leeds’ fate under Sam Allardyce, but Radrizzani was already plotting his next challenge. Only now, his bold switch from Elland Road to Genoa appears to have backfired spectacularly, leaving him with nothing but a relegation scar to show for it.
In hindsight, the decision to skip that final Premier League match smacks of miscalculation. He tried to outrun Leeds’ demise, only to witness his new club tumble even further down the Italian football pyramid.
From Leeds Legend to Serie B Also-Ran
When Radrizzani first took control of Leeds in 2018, it seemed like the dawn of a new era. He hired Marcelo Bielsa, bought back Elland Road, secured promotion – in short, he rewrote the club’s history in six electrifying years. But that fairy tale ended abruptly.
This season, Sampdoria limped to a 0-0 draw with Juve Stabia, sealing an ignominious 18th-place finish and dropping into Serie C. A club of Sampdoria’s pedigree has rarely looked so out of depth, and their owner’s reputation is sinking fast alongside them.
It’s a harsh reminder that past success does not guarantee future glory. Radrizzani’s shine has worn off, and the boardroom moves that once seemed visionary now appear reckless.
Massimo Cellino and Andrea Radrizzani go way back, once sharing the Leeds United boardroom before turning into fierce adversaries. Their rivalry reached new heights as Cellino’s Brescia secured survival on the final day – condemning Sampdoria to the drop.
Cellino hasn’t held back, claiming Radrizzani texted him saying he had made a “big mistake” by forcing him out at Elland Road. According to Cellino, Radrizzani still owes him money – a debt now compounded by the sting of relegation.
This public spat only adds fuel to the fire. The drama off the pitch rivals the chaos on it, and with both men trading barbs, it’s anyone’s guess how this feud will end. One thing’s certain: football’s transfer of power can be as brutal as any derby.
