Matteo back at Elland Road as Leeds ambassador
Matteo is joining ex-Leeds striker Peter Lorimer on the newly-formed Ambassadors Panel at Elland Road after discussing the position with club directors David Haigh and Shaun Harvey earlier this week.
United owner GFH Capital created the panel last Friday, with Lorimer resigning from the Leeds board to take up an ambassadorial role, and Matteo will also be involved in representing the Championship club at public events.
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Hide AdOther former Leeds players are expected to join the panel in the near future.
Matteo – a YEP columnist for the past three years and an outspoken analyst of events at Elland Road – played for United between 2000 and 2004, appearing in the squad who reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001 and captaining the side who were relegated from the Premiership three years later.
The 39-year-old said: “I had a good meeting with a couple of people and I’ve been wanting to get properly involved with the club for a long time.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the fans and I’ve always tried to be open and honest with my opinions about what’s going on at Leeds. I try to say it as I see it.
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Hide Ad“If there’s one thing Leeds haven’t maybe done brilliantly in the past, it’s telling the fans exactly how it is. Certain things have to be kept private but I’d like to help build up the relationship and hopefully help to pull back some of the fans who’ve stopped coming to games. That’s really important.”
United’s eight-and-a-half years in the hands of chairman Ken Bates were dominated by claims that Leeds were guilty of a lack of transparency.
Haigh, GFH Capital’s deputy chief executive, said: “We see the ambassadors programme as a key part of our plans to create a successful future for Leeds United, in keeping with its great past.
“Players like Dominic and Peter help create that link between past and future.”
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Hide AdMatteo spoke recently about the possibility of him taking up a post at Elland Road, at a time when new manager Brian McDermott is beginning the process of changing United’s infrastructure and recruitment strategy.
Writing in the YEP, Matteo said: “I like to think I’m well-connected and I’m in touch with agents, managers, players and ex-players. I also think I know Leeds – the club and their supporters. As much as I won’t be the next manager, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t welcome the chance to offer some input. Coaching, scouting, recruitment – these are all areas where the club could improve.”