Rumours were being passed around Elland Road that Executive Director Adam Pearson had left the club, this was later confirmed by Phil Hay’s Tweeted status (see below)
BREAKING: Adam Pearson has left his role as Leeds United's executive director. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) September 15, 2015
Pearson, regarded by many as Massimo Cellino’s best signing of the summer, joined the Whites in May 2015, a month after taking up an appointment with Sheffield Wednesday as a business advisor. Since he has been at Elland Road, Pearson has overseen a corporate outreaching from the club as they have brought in numerous partnerships and also a big kit deal with Kappa that has been roundly applauded by Leeds United fans.
Whilst details are scant at the moment, there is nothing much that can be added apart from what Phil Hay, respected Leeds United reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post, is revealing on his Twitter feed of reported text conversations between himself and Pearson. What Hay has said is that Pearson is “taking a break” and that he leaves on “v good terms” with Massimo Cellino, Leeds United’s owner. Hay asked Pearson to elaborate on the matter but reports further that Adam Pearson has said that Cellino has been “really good” to him and that the club itself are “going the right way.”
West Yorkshire Sports Adam Pope Tweeted the following, that adds a little bit of colour to the story.
It appears that Pearson's role here and with running Hull FC is proving too much just at the moment .
— Adam Pope (@apopey) September 15, 2015
Pope goes on to say that Adam Pearson indicated to him that, in agreement with Phil Hay’s view, that he leaves the club with it being in “good shape” and feeling a sense of regret in that it is “a shame to leave so early.”
UPDATE
In an open letter published on the Leeds United club website, Adam Pearson goes into detail to explain his reasons for leaving, citing “I’ll be taking a break from Leeds United and football in general, in order to focus on other personal and business interests.” In response to the departing words from Adam Pearson, club owner Massimo Cellino responded with his own best wishes for the departing Pearson saying that he is welcome back to the club whenever he wishes to return. Cellino says, “I will be keeping the role open for him and I hope to welcome him back at some point in the future. We worked very well together and we will remain good friends.”
