Adam Underwood is Sporting Director of Leeds United and one of the key components of the 49ers’ new-look recruitment team after a summer reshuffle.
Angus Kinnear left the club alongside Nick Hammond, meaning new roles were found for the likes of Adam Underwood and Alex Davies at Leeds United.
Underwood and Robbie Evans have the 49ers’ backing following the end to the window, with Leeds falling short of attacking additions they looked into signing.
Underwood will be judged on his body of work with the other 10 signings, but survival could mean a change in fan sentiment towards the 49ers after deadline day.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAdam Underwood leaks 49ers’ long-term vision for Leeds
Underwood has spoken out on the plan long-term for Leeds, with an ambitious Leeds hierarchy already eyeing their next steps after 2025/26, despite the concerns regarding recently-promoted Premier League clubs.
Leeds’ Sporting Director knows that there is a long-term overall vision of the 49ers and their plans for Leeds. He spoke to the BBC and said: “Having competitive success is always going to be the immediate focus, for the sporting director, manager and the ownership group.
“But around that, as a foundation for sporting success, there has to be a long-term view for how you develop the club, build the infrastructure and create the conditions for that success to happen and increase the chances of it happening over a period of time.
“We want to be an established Premier League club and believe we can push back to the top half of the table and realise our potential. The sporting director’s responsibility is to feed both of those work streams and both of those projects.
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“Every weekend, you are at games hoping all the work you are doing in recruitment to support the manager and the staff, pays off and you get a result.
“But ultimately, you know as long as you are on track over the long term from a performance perspective, you are making steps towards your vision and realising the ambition of the ownership.”
Underwood was kept busy during Leeds’ recent transfer window but it appears he could be much busier if Leeds can consolidate their position in the top flight for 2026/27 and beyond.