Ian Blease explains Leeds Rhinos’ move and gives verdict on Salford Red Devils’ woes

Ian Blease is the man pulling all the strings as Leeds Rhinos work their way back to the top. From clever recruitment, important contract renewals and the arrival of Brad Arthur, Blease deserves all the plaudits for the club’s success. 

However, it was his time at Salford that shaped him into the man he is today. 

After a 14-year playing career that included over 300 games, he returned to the club in 2016, under Marwan Koukash. There, he uncovered hidden gems such as Joey Lussick, Brodie Croft and Jackson Hastings, whilst overseeing the club’s ascent to a first Grand Final appearance in 2019, and a Challenge Cup Final appearance in 2020. 

In June 2024, Blease left his beloved Salford in favour of Leeds Rhinos, where he became sporting director. 

Speaking on The Bench with Jenna and Jon, Blease outlined why he left the Red Devils, and how he couldn’t let the opportunity to join Leeds Rhinos pass. 

He said: “It was such a difficult decision. I said at the time, I took the club, on the rugby side, probably where I could get it to.” 

He continued: “When the opportunity came to join such a magnificent club as this [Leeds], I couldn’t turn it down… I think I made the right decision at the right time for me, and for Salford.” 

Leeds Rhinos’ sporting director ‘surprised’ at Salford Red Devils’ situation

Blease explained the decision to leave the club weeks before the news broke about Salford’s financial issues was just a coincidence. 

“When I made the decision at the time to let others get involved in the club, I just wanted to run the football side. We never played to the [salary] cap. We were never anywhere near to the cap.” said Blease. 

“Reading what I’ve read in the media, there was promises made from other parties before the owners became involved that they perhaps relied too much on.” 

In 2020, the game was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When it returned, matches were played without fans, which was a huge factor when it came to the Red Devils’ Challenge Cup Final match at Wembley. 

Blease said: “The Challenge Cup in 2020, with no fans in the stadium, that hit us badly. We couldn’t get a lot of commercial revenue off the back of that.  

He continued: “Clubs getting to the Challenge Cup final, the shirt sales and things like that, they rely on that [financial gain], and we couldn’t have that. It didn’t drive any revenue through the club at all.” 

Since his move to AMT Headingley, things have changed for the worse for Salford, having been forced to sell players to pay off debts, failing to pay their players on time and getting annihilated by teams each week. 

Blease said he was shocked at how fast the events unfolded, but doesn’t want to see Salford fall out of the league: 

“I am surprised. I don’t know the ins and outs because it’s not my business anymore but I am surprised that it happened that quickly.” 

He added: “We don’t want them to drop out of any league, let alone SL. We are building a strong SL and we want Salford to be in there.”