Cellino will return - Umbers

04 February 2015 17:02

Leeds chairman Andrew Umbers insists Massimo Cellino will return to take charge of the club after serving his Football League ban.

Umbers, who has stepped in as chairman during Cellino's absence, also said the Italian has reiterated his desire to buy back Elland Road.

Cellino stood down as club president on January 23 after losing his appeal against the League's disqualification under its 'owners and directors' test.

The 58-year-old was convicted of tax evasion in March last year and the Italian court's written judgement later confirmed Cellino had acted dishonestly when failing to pay the 388,500 euros import tax on his yacht.

Cellino was subsequently barred by the League from having any executive influence over Leeds until April 10, when his conviction is spent under UK law.

"I know Massimo well and it is his absolute intention to come back to Elland Road," Yorkshire businessman Umbers told BBC Radio Leeds.

"He is a very good leader and he is passionate about Leeds.

"He wants to re-engage with fans, the council and the community and he is committed to that.

"He is the steward of this ship. I am the steward of it while he is away, but it is his ship."

Cellino, who faces further charges of tax evasion in Italy, decided to abide by the League's decision to ban him after threatening further legal action.

"There were options we could have taken to postpone it," Umbers said.

"He took it on the chin because he wanted to totally respect the Football League and come back with a totally open mind where the club is not in dispute with the league and they respect him.

"Massimo Cellino wants to do the right things."

Leeds have not owned Elland Road stadium since 2004 when it was sold for £8million following the club's financial meltdown.

The club has the option to buy back its ground off current owner, Manchester businessman Jacob Adler, for a set fee by 2029 when its 25-year lease ends.

"We know that we have got to own our own assets," Umbers added. "It's wrong to be a guest in our own home.

"It is our intention to buy the stadium. This is a club that belongs to its fans and to the community.

"I don't want to give a date because I think it would be wrong to manage that expectation, but I think this time next year a lot will have changed around the stadium and Leeds will be a wealthier club for owning its own assets."

Source: PA