The 49ers Enterprises have grand plans for Leeds United in the future, which includes having them as the centre of a large multi-club ownership model.
Leeds fans were justifiably unhappy with how the summer window ended, seeing Daniel Farke’s wishes for further attacking investment go unheeded.
For the 49ers, their battle to improve optics has to not only include short-term success, but also long-term vision too.
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49ers confirm multi-club model to expand beyond Leeds United and Rangers
United and Rangers fans aren’t exactly in unanimous support of the ownership at present. Transfer windows split opinion, while results at Ibrox leave a lot to be desired after Russell Martin’s appointment.
The prospect of long-term prosperity is what both sets of fans are craving from the 49ers Enterprises’ ownership model. That clearly includes expanding beyond just owning one club.
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe intends on expanding the 49ers’ growing empire. (Action Images/Lee Smith)
The Athletic have now uncovered plans from a Leeds United investment pitch. In which, details of scouting networks and multi-club systems are shared:
“Another is on the scouting network. At present, Leeds only have scouts on the ground in England and eight European countries, its ‘primary markets’.
“The rest of Europe, including Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia, is a ‘secondary market’, while the Americas and Far East are ‘screening markets’.”
In order to consolidate scouting networks in every corner of the globe, Leeds intend to purchase more clubs:
“However, ‘as we acquire more clubs, secondary and screening markets (where we periodically conduct surveillance) will become primary markets’.”
Leeds United need vast scouting network to tap into hidden transfer gems
You can save millions as a football club if you can source talented youngsters early. That is if you do so before they have emerged as top talents for the whole of Europe to admire.
We’ve seen that with Crysencio Summerville, Pascal Struijk, Willy Gnonto and others, and long may it continue.
The 49ers clearly want a rich multi-club portfolio, and the way the Premier League is going, it’s vital. As much as it might be a divisive topic.
Getting more clubs under the same umbrella, while affiliated with Red Bull, can surely only be a good thing for scouting.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!