‘Always honest’: Leeds United outcast Eunan O’Kane has kind words to say about ‘character’ Massimo Cellino

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Leeds United finally appear to have a steady head in charge of the club in Andrea Radrizzani. Under previous owner Massimo Cellino, things were often far from steady. 

The Italian was something of a maverick and was often making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. His continual managerial changes, bristling personality, odd superstitions, and guitar playing antics made him headline fodder. 

One current Leeds United player, however, has had nothing but kind words to say about his old boss. Speaking to Balls, Eunan O’Kane spoke highly of the former Leeds United chairman. 

O’Kane, who is currently exiled from the Leeds first-team and recovering from a serious leg break suffered during a loan spell at Luton Town, suggested Cellino was an honest man.

“I think everyone was aware it was entertaining but in terms of Cellino himself, I can’t say anything bad about him. Anything he said he would do for me, he did it. He was a character. There are some good stories out there but at face value, with me, he stuck by his word.

“He was always honest with me. From a person to person level, I don’t think you can ask for more than that.”

TBR’s View

Whilst plenty of Leeds fans were never enamored by Cellino in hindsight many can now laugh at some of the situations he found himself in.

By the end of his tenure, it did also appear he had learned some lessons. Garry Monk’s appointment was shrewd and Leeds narrowly missed out on the play-offs in his final spell at the club. 

Eventually, he sold up to Radrizzani with the English game perhaps not suited to his temperament. Since then, he has gone on to work wonders with Brescia in Italy, who are now back in Serie A. 

At the time, it was fairly painful for Leeds fans to be a part of the Cellino-era. But hopefully, some can now look back and laugh at the ridiculousness of that period in the club’s history, especially amid the current comparative serenity.