From The Guardian:
Leeds United shares plunge to all-time low as risky high finance strategy falters and claims O'Leary as its first victim
The Elland Road powerbrokers yesterday defiantly proclaimed that their £96m gamble would pay off.
That is how much the Yorkshire club have so far spent on breaking the stranglehold of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal on domestic football and gaining a regular foothold in Europe's premier club competition.
The human cost was the sacking of David O'Leary and the splitting up of the "dream team" of O'Leary and Peter Ridsdale that had re-established the club as a power in the land. The financial cost was reflected in the club's share price, which yesterday dipped to 5.75p from a high of 35p. This means that the club is now valued at a total of £20m, just two-thirds of the amount that Manchester United may be required to pay to take Rio Ferdinand to Old Trafford.