9 Aug 2010Leeds United chairman slams foreign owners

Football Clubs News | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Outspoken Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has gone on the attack over the issue of foreign owners in the English game, claiming many lack the requisite know-how to run football clubs.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former Chelsea chief singled out controversial Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for criticism, describing them as "jokers" and their tenure at Anfield as a "disaster".

"Half of the foreign owners don't know what they're doing. Half of them don't have a clue. You can't automatically buy success, not always. You need more than money to be successful," he told the newspaper.

Bates went on to list Hull City, Derby County, Notts County, Portsmouth and others as examples of sides which have found themselves in financial strife on the watch of overseas owners.

His comments came after the Football League passed a new rule which will see non-English Premier League clubs forced to reveal their ownership structure, which is expected to affect Leeds United.

Written by Paul Roberts

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