Mike Tyson cited as Leeds warned plan could come back to 'bite' them - 'don't get carried away'
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Credit: Getty/Imago
Alex Oakhill
Sun 21 September 2025 12:09, UK
Leeds United have been warned that their ambitious plans could come back to bite them if they don’t also focus on the short term.
Daniel Farke’s side have had a strong start to the Premier League season, with their 3-1 win over Wolves putting them on seven points from five games.
The hierarchy are seemingly looking to the future, as a 50-page document containing Leeds’ business plans was leaked earlier this month.
In the plan, the 49ers Enterprises project that the club could be worth £1billion by 2030, which is almost a 100 per cent increase on the current estimated value of £527.5million.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes the Yorkshire-based side cannot afford to get carried away.
Leeds have been told to not get carried away (Credit Imago)
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that despite the extravagant plans, the Whites cannot afford to take their eyes off short-term success, otherwise it will come back to bite them.
In the document, Leeds focus heavily on the redevelopment of Elland Road, which is likely to include a huge increase in capacity.
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Wyness added that having strategies in place is clearly necessary, but winning football matches cannot take a backseat.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Things in football don’t quite go according to plan, and it’s never that easy.
“Believe me, I’ve written enough plans in football clubs and then I’ve had to go back to owners and tell them, let’s just look at it in the short term, rather than the longer term.
“While you’ve got to have an overall navigation about it, as Mike Tyson once said, everybody’s got a game plan until they get punched in the mouth.
It’s the same with football, and long-term plans are important to have there as a navigation aid, but realistically, week by week, you live.
“You’re a football club, you’ve got to win football matches, and that’s what you’ve got to focus on.
At the same time, I obviously understand that you’ve got to have strategic bits in place, but nevertheless, don’t take your eyes off that short term, it’ll come back and bite you quickly.”
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola wants to keep Nico O’Reilly at Manchester City despite interest from Leeds, sources have told Football Insider.
Credit: Imago
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson exclusively told Football Insider back in July that O’Reilly would follow Cole Palmer in leaving Man City.
However, sources say that Guardiola holds the defender in very high regard and will not allow him to depart.
City will now look to fend off suitors for O’Reilly, such as Leeds, in order to hold on to the exciting youngster.
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