NEIL NEEDS IT TO BE TRUE LOVE

MASSIMO Cellino claims he is “in love” with Neil Redfearn but has refused to guarantee the Leeds head coach’s future.

Cellino was granted permission by the Football League to return to the club’s board earlier this week and took up the role of chairman with immediate effect.

The Italian had originally been prohibited from being involved at Elland Road after being found guilty of tax evasion in his home country.

Redfearn’s contract expires this summer and despite Whites fans chanting their support for him during the final match of the season, Cellino insists his lofty ambitions means he will not be rushed into a decision.

Best

“I need to decide whether Neil is best for the club and can lead us back to the Premier League,” said the 58-year-old.

“I am in love with Neil and I don’t want to talk to anyone else about the job. I have always believed in him and I gave him his big chance.

“If my coach is working in the right direction I will treat him better than anyone else in the world. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and I don’t want to have this.”

In Cellino’s absence, director Andrew Umbers was appointed as chairman.

But the former Cagliari owner admits he was not impressed by the job his temporary replacement did.

“Nothing has been sorted and instead there is just s***,” added Cellino. “When I left, everyone was looking after their own skin rather than what was good for the club.

Amateurs

“Everything needs sorting out for next season – the sponsors, ground, lights, even pre-season.

“They told me we were booked for pre-season.Then I find out the Liverpool U17s are booked at the same place and there is only one training pitch. Amateurs.

“This is unbelievable. Andrew Umbers is a nice man, but this is hopeless.”

Cellino is being investigated by the FA over whether he sanctioned a payment to an unlicensed agent in Ross McCormack’s £11m transfer to Fulham last year.