Luis Suarez gave an emotional farewell message to Uruguay's fans after the final game of his international career ended in a goalless draw with Paraguay in Montevideo.

Suarez announced earlier this month that Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifier would be his final outing for La Celeste, who he helped win the 2011 Copa America and reach the 2010 World Cup semi-finals.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona man was unable to end his international career with a victory as Marcelo Bielsa's team were kept out by Paraguay. 

Suarez played the full 90 minutes as captain as Uruguay registered just one shot on target in a meek performance, but the result could not put a dampener on post-match tributes to the striker.

Addressing the crowd, Suarez said: "I have only words of gratitude to all Uruguayans, who since my career began supported me, not only me, but a generation that had a very difficult time.

"That group marked me a lot, being a healthy group, where we were all on the same path. People don't know how much we fought for this shirt and how difficult it is to represent a country, it is not easy to assume that responsibility.

"I went through very complicated moments in my career. I want to thank you for the affection and be clear that Uruguay is bigger than any coach or player and that, from tomorrow, I will be just another fan. 

"Up Uruguay and I will always be grateful to the Uruguayan people."

Suarez ended his international career with a national record 69 goals in 143 caps, his final strike for Uruguay being a last-minute equaliser versus Canada in the third-place play-off at this year's Copa America, a contest La Celeste won on penalties.

Jesse Marsch feels Canada have been "treated like second-class citizens" as he took aim at Copa America officials, claiming "this tournament has not been professional".

The Canucks will bring their maiden campaign to a close when they face Uruguay in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Their opponents' players were involved in a post-match brawl with Colombia supporters following their semi-final defeat, after violence erupted near to where family members were located.

After the CONMEBOL announced they had opened an investigation into the incident, Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa insisted his players should receive an apology rather than be sanctioned.

Marsch believes the incident highlighted severe problems within the tournament, after a Canada player was subjected to racial abuse online following their Group A defeat by Argentina.

And while the Canada head coach empathised with his Uruguay counterpart, he feels there would have been a stronger punishment incurred had it involved his side. 

"For me, this tournament has not been professional," Marsch told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "There are too many gaps in the way.

"I watched what happened after the match, and certainly I don't know all the details, but certainly we wouldn't want anyone's families or any player's families to be put in harm's way.

"But I know if our team responded like this, that there would be heavy sanctions because of the treatment that we received in this tournament. We've been treated like second-class citizens."

Marsch also criticised the officiating after Alphonso Davies was forced off injured in their semi-final defeat by Argentina following a heavy challenge by Gonzalo Montiel, with the referee not even awarding a foul.

"You give me another opportunity to talk about how poor the refereeing was for the tackle on Alphonso," he added.

"If you were to turn it over and put that against the biggest player from the other team, specifically from South America in this tournament, the behaviour and the treatment for such a tackle in such a situation would be very different.

"So, we were lucky that we avoided any big injury with Alphonso, but we're not totally certain if he'll be available tomorrow. And one of the main jobs of a referee in any match is to protect the safety of players, and that was not doing his job."

Jesse Marsch hopes Canada's memorable Copa America debut changes the trajectory of football in the country, as they look to cap their campaign with a bronze medal against Uruguay.

Canada's first appearance at the tournament saw them reach the semi-finals, a memorable penalty shoot-out victory over Venezuela teeing up a meeting with Argentina.

Marsch's team gave a solid account of themselves against the holders but were beaten 2-0 with Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi on target, sending them into Saturday's third-place play-off.

Marsch, who was only appointed a few weeks before the tournament began, hopes their campaign will be a catalyst for further improvement ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.

"We want to inspire the nation," Marsch said one day after Canada's semi-final defeat. "We want to develop the sport in this country.

"We want people to remember this as a moment in time that changed the trajectory of what this sport is in Canada.

"We're establishing things at some high levels. But in order to be a real team that can hold up to the biggest moments and biggest matches, there's more work to be done.

"Physically, mentally, intellectually, we've got to find a way to develop players faster."

Marsch added he will make changes to his lineup in North Carolina, with Alphonso Davies a doubt after he suffered an injury to his left foot.

Marsch will come up against his Leeds United predecessor Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday, after his much-fancied Uruguay side were beaten 1-0 by 10-man Colombia in their own semi-final.

Daniel Munoz was sent off on the stroke of half-time after Jefferson Lerma had headed Colombia into the lead, but Uruguay were outshot seven to six while a man up despite enjoying 73% of the possession.

Bielsa believes La Celeste would have been better off against a full complement, saying: "When they have 11, Colombia are a team that plays to play, and so are we. 

"In that context, we created scoring chances and the ones we conceded were generated by some concessions from us. 

"Eleven against eleven, for us, it was easier to attack, and we had to defend. In the second half, playing with an extra man, it was much more difficult to attack, and we practically didn't have to defend."

Uruguay's defeat was marred by scenes of crowd violence involving the families of some Celeste players at full-time, prompting CONMEBOL to open an investigation. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Canada – Jonathan David

Canada had 25 touches in Argentina's penalty area in their semi-final, 12 more than the world champions, yet they only managed five shots from inside the box to their opponents' seven.

If they are to cap a historic campaign with a medal, they may need David to make some of those openings count.

David has underperformed his expected goals figures at this tournament, netting once from chances valued at 1.58 xG. No Canada player has attempted more than his seven shots, three of which have hit the target.

Uruguay – Darwin Nunez

Nunez has attempted more shots (20) than any other player at this edition of the Copa America, with his total of 2.59 xG only bettered by Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (2.91).

While the Liverpool man has two goals to his name, they both came in the group stage, and he has only hit the target with five of his 20 attempts.

Among all players to net at this year's tournament, only three have a worse shot accuracy than Nunez's 33% (excluding blocks), but a profitable game here could even put him back in the race for the Golden Boot. 

MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN

Uruguay have participated in the third-place play-off at the Copa America on three previous occasions, beating Colombia 2-1 in 2004, drawing 2-2 with Honduras in 2001 (then losing on penalties) and suffering a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in 2007.

A victory in North Carolina would make this Uruguay's joint-second best Copa campaign of the 21st century, after they won the title in 2011.

They have only lost four of their 15 Copa America matches against Concacaf opponents, though they are winless in their last three such games in the knockout rounds, losing 3-1 to Mexico in the the 2007 third-place match, and drawing 2-2 with Honduras in the 2001 edition after losing 2-1 to Mexico in the semi-finals.

Canada are aiming to become the third Concacaf country to finish third in the competition after Mexico (1997, 1999 and 2007) and Honduras (2001). 

A victory would make this the second-best campaign by a non-CONMEBOL Copa America debutant nation, after Mexico took silver on their 1993 bow. However, Marsch's men are big outsiders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Canada – 13.2%

Uruguay – 70%

Draw – 16.8%

Uruguay players clashed with fans in the stands after their Copa America semi-final defeat to Colombia, with captain Jose Gimenez describing the situation as a "disaster".

Marcelo Bielsa's team were beaten 1-0 as Jefferson Lerma's first-half header proved decisive for Colombia, who held on after Daniel Munoz was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

After the match, footage shared on social media showed Uruguay players climbing into the stands at the Bank of America Stadium and clashing with fans wearing Colombia shirts.

Players' family members were caught up in the violence, leading Gimenez to lash out at tournament organisers on the official broadcast. 

"Let me say something before they cut you off because they won't let us speak into the microphone, they don't want me to say anything about what's going on but this is a disaster," Gimenez said.

"Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are newborn babies. It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families.

"This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don't know how to drink."

CONMEBOL released a statement condemning the violence after the match, saying: "Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through positive values.

"There is no place for intolerance and violence on or off the field."

The full-time whistle also precipitated an on-pitch altercation involving fans and staff from both teams.

Asked about the incidents in his post-match press conference, Bielsa said: "I thought the incident ended with some arguments on the field and when I saw that happening I went to the locker room.

"I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there, unfortunately."

Nestor Lorenzo hailed Colombia's spirit after they survived Daniel Munoz's red card to beat Uruguay at the Copa America, saying overcoming Marcelo Bielsa made the victory more special.

Colombia will face Argentina in their third Copa America final (also 1975 and 2001) after Jefferson Lerma's first-half header downed Uruguay in Wednesday's semi-final.

Lorenzo's team clung on despite playing the second half with 10 men, with Munoz sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time.

Bielsa blamed himself for Uruguay's defeat in his post-match press conference, but Lorenzo paid tribute to the former Leeds United boss when assessing Colombia's victory.

"I think that to beat Bielsa, you must walk many miles," Lorenzo told reporters.

"He is a referent coach and I really admire him as a person. It was our turn to win, that's all."

Uruguay had 73% of the possession after Colombia scored in the 39th minute, but Lorenzo's team managed seven shots to their opponents' six during that period.

Lorenzo opted against sacrificing an attacker after Munoz's sending-off, and he was delighted to see that decision pay off. 

"One of the main topics we discuss is that we never want to be one man down. It is impossible to maintain performance with 10 players on the pitch," Lorenzo added.

"Teams that were dominating their opponents when they were one man down were eliminated from the tournament. We really analysed that situation.

"With the formation, we only had options of 5-4, 5-3-1 or to keep it 4-3-2 and create opportunities. We chose that one and God favoured us. 

"Some of their opportunities didn't go in, but we also missed some and we made it.

"Daniel is feeling a bit sad. He's a lion on the pitch and once more he got a bit emotional. I hugged him and I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are, so he has to hold his head up high."

Marcelo Bielsa believes he is to blame for Uruguay's Copa America exit, claiming Colombia's Nestor Lorenzo showed himself to be the superior coach in Wednesday's semi-final.

Having eliminated Brazil in the quarter-finals, Uruguay crashed out in the last four as Jefferson Lerma's header clinched a 1-0 win for Los Cafeteros in North Carolina.

Uruguay were unable to level despite playing the second half with a man advantage, after Lerma's Crystal Palace team-mate Daniel Munoz was sent off for two bookable offences.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Bielsa outlined his belief that Uruguay had more talent available and it was his failings that cost them.

"Uruguay was in a clear condition to win this match if you assess the individual talent in each squad," the former Leeds United boss said.

"I manage the team that, in my opinion, had the stronger individual talent and we weren't able to make the difference that I thought we were going to make.

"I am personally liable for not achieving the result, despite having players that were capable of being superior.

"We were not able to seize our extra man advantage, and when a team wins with less individual talent, logically, the manager that is coaching the weaker team shows that he is superior than the coach that had the best players."

Uruguay only managed 11 shots amounting to 0.76 expected goals (xG) to Colombia's 1.18 despite Munoz's red card, leaving Bielsa to lament the scrappy nature of the game.

"The first half, even if we didn't dominate possession, it was very even, and we should have made the difference," he added.

"With one man down in the second half for Colombia, the match was completely interrupted.

"It was constantly stop-start. We should have created more chances, but we tried every possible way, every possible path."

Marcelo Bielsa said Uruguay have no "plan B" in their attempts to stop Colombia's attacking talents ahead of their Copa America semi-final on Wednesday. 

Uruguay come into the contest at Bank of America Stadium off the back of a penalty shootout over nine-time champions Brazil, but face a stern test against La Tricolor.

Colombia's 5-0 triumph over Panama in the quarter-finals extended their unbeaten run to 27 matches, equalling their longest unbeaten streak in all competitions. 

James Rodriguez starred for Nestor Lorenzo's side, notching a goal and two assists, taking their team's total to 11 goals for the tournament so far. 

Bielsa praised Colombia's array of attacking talent and said his side would need to defend well to reach a first Copa America final since 2011. 

"You imagine the games by preventing the opponent from attacking and trying to attack," Bielsa explained. 

"You ask about plan B, but there is no plan B. We have to do the best we can.

"The reality is that you can't predict, but try to do what is most convenient for the type of game you play best.

"Colombia attack better than they defend, but we both know that we have to defend and then God will tell."

Uruguay have failed to beat Colombia in their previous three attempts, with their last victory coming in a World Cup qualifier back in 2020. 

The encounter will mark the third time the two sides have met in the semi-finals of the Copa America and Bielsa is wary of the threat they possess. 

"(Colombia) are a big rival, they're on a run of positive results, and there's also knowledge among the squad and the manager," Bielsa said. 

"Of course, having played Brazil can only be seen in one way, as the most demanding competition, and so is Colombia.

"It's a team that has strong players, a consolidated system of play and that has a lot of time and collective work behind it, which gives the style a certain unity."

Nestor Lorenzo says Colombia will not be satisfied unless they win the Copa America, with Uruguay next up for them in the semi-final.

Los Cafeteros are the in-form team at the tournament, and are on a 27-match unbeaten run in after their dominant 5-0 victory over Panama in the last round.

They have won all but one of their games at the Copa America so far, drawing 1-1 with Brazil in the other to secure top spot in Group D.

Colombia have only won the Copa America once before, back in 2001, and despite their fine run of form, Lorenzo says their tournament run will only be a success if they end their 23-year wait for a second title.

"To have a good Copa America is to win it," Lorenzo said. "It is not an abstract concept. The objective is to win every game we play, and the boys know that.

"[We take it] game by game. The goal is to win the next game. The most important game is the next one.

"We are confirming the importance of coming to the national team and wearing the shirt. They [the players] feel a great pride in being there and that is typical of players.

"In this team, they kill themselves for their teammates. We worked hard on that from the beginning. It's the way I feel about football from the technical direction."

Uruguay played out a goalless draw with Brazil before prevailing on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals.

Despite showing off their free-flowing play early in the group stage, their defensive solidity has pushed them forward in the competition as they have not conceded in any of their last three matches.

They now face off against the highest scorers in this year's Copa America, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa knowing they face a stern test against Colombia's attackers.

"Colombia has many forwards, which is not common today," Bielsa said. "There is more than one option for each level without much difference.

"The Colombian footballer has undergone a transformation. 'He' has always been creative, dominant, naturally competitive and has added the essentials to survive in today's football."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Uruguay – Jose Maria Gimenez

If Jose Maria Gimenez plays against Colombia, he will become the sixth Uruguayan player to reach 20 appearances in the Copa America, joining the ranks of Diego Perez, Roberto Porta (both 20), Schubert Gambetta (21), Fernando Muslera (22), and Angel Romano (23).

Colombia – James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez has provided five assists in this year's Copa America. One more assist will make him the first player to surpass this figure in a single edition since these records began in 2011, breaking the current record he shares with Lionel Messi (five assists in 2021).

He has also created the most chances so far (14) and got his first goal last time out in their win over Panama.

MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN

Uruguay and Colombia are meeting for the third time in a Copa America semi-final. The first encounter was in 1975, with Los Cafeteros advancing to the final, while in 1995, La Celeste triumphed 2-0 and later claimed the title against Brazil.

Colombia are competing in the semi-finals for the seventh time since 1993, but have only reached the final once in that time, when they beat Mexico 1-0 to lift the title in 2001.

They have already equalled their most prolific scoring runs at the tournament, having netted 11 goals so far (also achieved in 1975 and 2001).

While Colombia's goalscoring has caught the eye, they now face the stingiest defence at the Copa America.

Uruguay have conceded just one goal (against Panama). It is the fewest goals allowed by La Celeste in their first four matches of a Copa America edition since 1959 – they won the title in Ecuador, conceding just one goal, and Bielsa's team are backed to win by Opta's supercomputer.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Uruguay – 46.2%

Draw – 25.1%

Colombia – 28.7%

Marcelo Bielsa has urged Uruguay to go out on the front foot when they face Brazil in the Copa America quarter-final on Saturday.

Uruguay topped Group C after winning all three of their games, scoring nine goals and conceding just once.

They come up against a stuttering Brazil side, who only won one of their matches to finish as runners-up behind Colombia in Group D.

Bielsa is determined to keep the team's focus on their own game plan, as they will try to catch Selecao out with their high-pressure approach from the start.

"Normally I focus on the sector of the pitch we play in, how we recover the ball, whether we threaten and how we threaten, and whether the way we build the attack is the style I want the team to play," Bielsa said in a press conference on Friday.

One player Uruguay will not come up against is Vinicius Junior, who has scored twice for Brazil at the tournament, as he is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

However, the former Leeds United manager, who will be back on the touchline after serving a one-match ban against the USA, believes Brazil have strength in depth that can cause just as many problems as the winger.

"Personally, I don't think [Vinicius'] absence will affect us," Bielsa said.

"Brazil are a country that has a lot of wingers at both ends of the pitch at the moment, and they play in big teams all over the world.

"Brazil's replacement, Endrick, will not be easy to neutralise in Vinicius' absence."

Leeds and Northern Ireland midfielder Stuart Dallas has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined since April 2022 after suffering a femoral fracture against Manchester City in the Premier League and in a statement confirming his retirement, Dallas revealed his knee has sustained “irreparable damage”.

“Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I will be retiring from professional football,” the statement read.

“Over the past two years the Leeds medical team, along with the incredible surgeons in London, have worked tirelessly to help me recover from the injury I sustained in the game against Manchester City in 2022.

“Sadly, despite their best efforts, and my body not progressing how we need it to, I must now accept the fact that my knee suffered irreparable damage and I will not be returning to play professional football.

“I am, of course, devastated by this news.”

Dallas began his career in Northern Ireland with Coagh United and Crusaders before moving to Brentford in 2012, where he helped the Bees secure promotion to the Championship.

The midfielder then moved to Leeds in August 2015 for a fee of £1.3million and went on to make 266 appearances for the Yorkshire club, scoring 28 goals.

He was an important part of the Leeds side that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2019-20 and Dallas played every top-flight fixture for the club the following season.

Dallas represented Northern Ireland 62 times, scoring three goals, and was part of the squad which reached the round of 16 at Euro 2016 in France.

In his statement, Dallas paid “special thanks” to former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding managers, but two in particular I want to pay special thanks to are Marcelo Bielsa and Michael O’Neill,” he added.

“Marcelo’s incredible coaching helped me improve not just as a player but as a person off the pitch, too.

“Premier League football seemed a million miles away at times, but he made this all possible. These were simply the greatest years of my career and I created memories that I’ll cherish forever.

“Michael believed in me and gave me the opportunity to represent my country on so many occasions, for which I will always be thankful.”

Leeds confirmed they are in discussions with Dallas about a “future role” and he will be presented at half-time of their Sky Bet Championship fixture against Blackburn at Elland Road on Saturday.

Everton winger Jack Harrison took advice from Frank Lampard about the importance of having an on-field ego and believes he is reaping the benefits.

The rookie professional had to pluck up the courage to knock on the experienced England international’s hotel room door when they were team-mates at New York City.

He asked about confidence and Lampard, who was sacked as Everton manager six months before Harrison arrived, spoke to him about ego and self-belief.

It is advice he has carried with him since moving back to England with Leeds and now on loan at Goodison Park.

His confidence was boosted further by his maiden Everton goal – a brilliant instinctive lob over Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto – in only his third appearance in which the wise words of Lampard probably played some part.

“I remember going to Frank’s room one time, knocking on his door asking for advice on certain mentality, how to be. I sat in his room and just chatted for half-an-hour,” said Harrison, who gained more valuable information after four seasons with Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

“I think having that ego and confidence on the pitch was something that maybe challenged me a little bit. It was difficult for me to bring out.

“But after talking to Frank (he said) it was something he applied to himself. When you step out on that pitch he used to tell himself he was the best player.

“It doesn’t have to be in a nasty way or anything but it’s definitely important to have.

“I was watching an interview Zlatan Ibrahimovic did where he said he felt like God when he was on the pitch. Maybe I’m not at that level but it’s nice to hear similar stories.

“When you are lining up against Mo Salah you have to do your best against them. That mentality, feeling like you belong, is a big part of it.”

Harrison’s two seasons in New York playing alongside Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Silva and managed by Patrick Vieira were formative but after being brought home by Manchester City his real development came at Leeds.

Bielsa’s methods were so intense the 26-year-old still has ‘flashbacks’.

“It was beyond anything I’d seen before,” said Harrison ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.

“Because everything was so regimented and we were working so hard the three years almost flew by. I don’t think in all of that time I took a step back to really enjoy playing with him.

“Looking back now, I just wish I enjoyed it a little bit more in the moment but I’m super grateful.

“It has made me the player I am today working with him, building those foundations when I first came back to England.

“I know what the standard is. If I’m ever struggling or lose sight of where I need to be, I can always go back to that time.

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“Sometimes even on a day off I will have in the back of my mind, ‘OK, I need to do something today.’ Some of the guys here (at Everton) will say ‘Bielsa has drilled you so much’.

“It is a good kind of characteristic to have in your back pocket just in case you need it.”

For all the football input the biggest influence on his career is mum Debbie, who took him away from Liverpool’s academy when he was a six and Manchester United’s when he was 14 to send him to a United States boarding school for a better chance of success.

“Her providing me with that opportunity at the time was definitely outside the box. I was an only child and she was a single mother. I have to give all the credit to my mum,” said Harrison.

“Coming back to England I wanted to do everything I could to repay here for that, be it a house or a car or she doesn’t have to work any more.

“Going to New York and playing professionally for the first time I was really thankful to my mum because there were a lot of people saying ‘Oh why didn’t you stay at Man United?’.

“I’d always had that in the back of my mind because I’d seen the likes of Scott McTominay come up and absolutely smash it with the first team. I did think, ‘What could have happened if I’d stayed at United?’.

“But as soon as I made it to New York and saw where I was it gave me a different perspective where I was able to thrive.

“At that point I thought ‘It doesn’t matter what would have happened, this is my path now’. There’s nothing you can do about the past so you have to keep looking forward.”

Leeds were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after a three-year stay in the top flight.

The Yorkshire club had needed to beat Tottenham on the final day and hope other results involving Everton and Leicester went their way, but they were beaten 4-1 at Elland Road.

The result meant Sam Allardyce’s side finished 19th in the table, five points behind 17th-placed Everton. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the reasons why it went wrong.

Bielsa legacy casts shadow

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani, former director of football Victor Orta and chief executive Angus Kinnear received huge acclaim when the club ended their 16-year Premier League exile in 2020. They played a masterstroke by appointing Marcelo Bielsa as head coach in 2018 but their legacy was always going to be defined by how they filled the vacuum after sacking the Argentinian in February 2022. The board felt they had to act after a poor run of results but, since then, they have got most of their key decisions wrong and the wheels have now fallen off.

What exactly did the board get wrong?

Bielsa’s successor Jesse Marsch was hailed as a natural replacement but performances and results did not improve. Leeds survived relegation last season on the final day and when Marsch was sacked in February this year, he left the club in a worse position in the table. The board’s failed, ill-conceived bids to hire Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot led to accusations of panic and, after a fans’ backlash, they also reneged on appointing former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder. So in came Javi Gracia for his ill-fated stint. The club admitted they had erred by parachuting Allardyce into Elland Road with four league games remaining.

Can relegation be blamed solely on the managers?

No. After Leeds defied the odds to finish ninth under Bielsa in their first season back in the top flight, they have failed to sufficiently strengthen their squad. A lack of cover for an injury-prone Patrick Bamford and midfielder Tyler Adams is a prime example. It has also been an imbalanced squad with wide players in abundance but no depth in other key areas. Some signings since promotion, such as Raphinha, Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto, have been a success, but too many others have failed to make an impact, while the arrival of club-record signing Georginio Rutter has left fans scratching their heads.

Has the ownership issue muddied the waters?

The last-ditch appointment of Allardyce was symptomatic of Leeds’ mis-management and of a club in limbo since the investment arm of San Francisco 49ers increased its stake to 44 per cent at the end of 2021. 49ers Enterprises has an option to own 100 percent by January next year and the ownership issue has not helped decision-making. Orta’s resignation in protest over Gracia’s sacking has left Leeds without a director of football and, if Allardyce departs as expected, they will be without a long-term head coach. How relegation will affect the takeover remains to be seen, while Radrizzani has been linked with a move to buy Sampdoria. The club’s future direction is not clear.