Ben Mansford was Leeds United’s ace in the pack to sign Ashley Fletcher and Fabian Delph.
Ben Mansford has left Elland Road
Leeds United confirmed last week via their official website that chief executive Ben Mansford has left the club.
Mansford was appointed 12 months ago and helped smooth the path for new owner Andrea Radrizzani, who now wishes to bring in his own team.
The departing Mansford left with high praise from both Radrizzani and Massimo Cellino, and it would be a good idea to keep him onside due to useful contacts he has.
Mansford was Leeds’ potential ace in the pack to sign Premier League duo Ashley Fletcher and Fabian Delph.
Ashley Fletcher celebrates after scoring for Barnsley
He helped sign Fletcher on loan from Manchester United to Barnsley in 2015/16, telling the Barnsley Chronicle at the time that he was delighted with the striker’s contribution.
Fletcher stuck it out at West Ham last season after clinching a permanent move to the London club, but a loan is likely next year after failing to command a regular first team place.
Now Leeds may have lost their best advantage to sign the talented forward.
England’s Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling during training
An even more high profile contact Mansford had was former Leeds player Fabian Delph, for he used to be the England midfielder’s agent.
Mansford told BBC Radio Leeds last summer that he was still in touch with Delph, and said that the Manchester City man admitted he was keen on returning to the club at some stage.
Naturally Mansford would have been key in smoothing this along, even if this summer might have been too soon.
Both deals are possible in the future, Fletcher this summer and Delph later down the line, but with Mansford departing, they have become a lot harder to pull off.
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