‘I rejected Man Utd after Sir Alex Ferguson meeting – now I work in a cafe’ | Football | Sport

Mark Viduka led the line for a formidable Leeds United side, though he also weathered some turbulent periods after opting to remain at Elland Road. The Australian frontman made an instant impression upon his arrival in the Premier League and swiftly caught the eye of rivals Manchester United.

Viduka made the move to Leeds from Celtic in 2000. The striker bagged 17 league goals for David O’Leary’s side during his debut campaign, most memorably netting all four in an iconic 4-3 triumph over Liverpool, while also playing a key role in Leeds’ remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals. His outstanding debut season prompted United to come calling, with Viduka entering into talks with Sir Alex Ferguson over a potential transfer.

Remarkably, however, these secret negotiations were nearly blown wide open by none other than Elton John, after the striker found himself chatting to the legendary singer backstage before a concert.

“About three songs in he says: ‘I want to dedicate this next one to my good friend Mark who is in Manchester today to make a big decision,'” Viduka recalled to ESPN in 2020.

“I’m thinking: ‘S***, please don’t say any more! Thank god he didn’t. I didn’t sign for Man United. I think I loved living in Leeds too much at the time.”

Viduka had also attracted interest from AC Milan before putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal with Leeds that summer.

He went on to notch another 17 goals across all competitions the following season, before falling out with incoming manager Terry Venables during the 2002/03 campaign.

Leeds had already sold Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Keane, and Viduka watched as Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Robbie Fowler also headed for the exit door during that period.

Venables temporarily banished Viduka to the reserves as the club sought to offload him, which only served to ignite the striker, who fired in 14 goals in the final 10 matches of the season after being reinstated to the first team.

“That was spite,” Viduka told The Times. “I was angry. Terry was my coach with the national team before then. The club wanted to sell me, they needed the money. But I took that very badly, you know?”.

The striker’s prolific form kept Leeds from the clutches of relegation, as Viduka harnessed his fury to drag the side to safety.

Despite his laid-back persona away from the game, Viduka conceded that football occasionally brought out an altogether different side of his character.

He added: “And at that moment, if Jesus came down to me, and said, ‘Come on, man, what are you doing?’ I’d say, ‘Look, I love you, good bloke, what you’ve done for us and all that, but don’t get involved, mate. Stay out of it.'”

Viduka, who scored 59 goals in 130 league appearances, ultimately moved to Middlesbrough following Leeds’ relegation in 2004. Nevertheless, he maintains affectionate memories of his time at Elland Road.

“I watch Leeds games. My boys watch every Leeds game. I’m happy Leeds are back in the Premier League,” Viduka said.

“I’ve got beautiful memories of my time at Leeds – before they started getting into financial difficulties. Going up against those big clubs in Europe – Real Madrid, Barca, Lazio – we were fearless.”

The former Australia international will also be keeping a close eye on his nation’s fortunes this summer, two decades after leading the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup.

Since hanging up his boots in 2009, he now owns the Non Plus Ultra coffee shop in Zagreb, where he previously resided for three-and-a-half years during his stint at Dinamo Zagreb.

“When I was playing, this used to be like a little pub,” Viduka recalled about the cafe’s location. “I’d come up here for a beer, because it was a nice spot, with the terrace, the views.

“We always said if this place came up, we’d go for it. We always wanted to run a cafe. We’ve been here for ten years now. Croatia’s a beautiful place. Good lifestyle, safe, a great place to live… especially if you’re not involved in football.”