'24 hours of madness at Leeds United' - on this day five years ago Whites fans woke to dramatic front page news

Five years ago today the front page headline of the Yorkshire Evening Post read '24 hours of sheer madness' as Leeds United supporters woke up on the first full day of Steve Evans' tenure as manager.
LEAGUE BAN - Massimo Cellino was banned by the Football League for the second time as Leeds United fans were given news of Steve Evans' appointment as manager. Pic: GettyLEAGUE BAN - Massimo Cellino was banned by the Football League for the second time as Leeds United fans were given news of Steve Evans' appointment as manager. Pic: Getty
LEAGUE BAN - Massimo Cellino was banned by the Football League for the second time as Leeds United fans were given news of Steve Evans' appointment as manager. Pic: Getty

On Sunday October 18 2015, Uwe Rosler had been sacked. Leeds lost 2-1 at Elland Road against Brighton and languished 18th in the Championship having won just two of their 11 games in the second tier.

Rosler, the fifth manager of Massimo Cellino's ownership, was stunned. “I didn’t see that coming at all,” he said outside his home. In late September, Cellino had given Rosler his full backing. Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post he said: “If someone gave me the chance to change, I would take this coach and these players because we have something good here. This guy, he is professional. I like him more than any coach I had here before.”

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But less than a month later, Cellino, who said Rosler was leaving on good terms, and Leeds were moving on at pace.

Steve Evans took charge of training at Thorp Arch on Monday, October 19 and later the same day it was Cellino who was left stunned as the Football League banned him from running the club.

It was the second time in 10 months that the EFL had removed him from controlling Leeds and came following a conviction for tax evasion in Italy. The league said Cellino's ban stemmed from the written judgement on his offence by a judge in Cagliari. He was found guilty for non-payment of VAT on a Range Rover he imported to Italy. He vowed to appeal.

Leeds United Supporters Trust said the club's fans had 'suffered enough over the years' and pleaded with Cellino to consider the need for a 'stable club.'

A statement said: "If - and the case grows daily - it is in the best interests of Leeds United supporters he and GFH should sell, we call on them both to do so with efficiency."

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