Leeds United stars had to bring their own breakfast and lunch as well as buy their own socks

“I get a message and I think, ‘this is a wrap, this can’t be true.’ “You have to buy your own socks and socks.” And I’m thinking, “really?” Next message, “you must bring your packed lunch and breakfast if you want breakfast”.

“‘You can do it in the kitchen, there will be a toaster, a kettle and a fridge.’ We got rid of all the cooks and everything… it was an absolute disaster.”

Leeds scrapped to escape the Championship and claim their place in the Premier League at the time. However, Cellino’s pinch-hitting methods may not have been the kind of revolution needed to climb the ranks in the first place.

Warnock, who spent two seasons with Leeds between 2013 and 2015, also expressed his gratitude to an “unbelievable” member of staff, former footballer turned pundit Lucy Ward, who stepped in to manage the players’ tables.

Fast forward 10 years and it’s hard to imagine such a scenario playing out at any club in England’s second division. Cellino’s tenure as Leeds’ main man lasted just three years.

During that time, the team finished 15th, 13th and 7th in the championship before handing over the baton to fellow Italian Andrea Radrizzani. While there is often nostalgia for the past, the Warnock era of packed lunches at Leeds is not something many are keen on returning to.

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