Leeds United is one of English football's sleeping giants. The West Yorkshire club has a rich history including three top division titles, four domestic cup wins and two European titles. On average, Leeds still attracts more supporters to home games than 10 of the current Premier League clubs do. So how and why did these successful Leeds year's end, and can the club win promotion straight back to the EPL in 2023/24?
Prospects for 2023/24
Several factors contribute to Leeds United's chances of immediately returning to the Premier League. Two decades on, there isn't as much expectation on the club as there is only limited prior success to speak of.Finance-wise? Yes, Leeds is carrying debt but there aren't many clubs that aren't. After the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the circumstances differ considerably from the turn of the millennium. There also isn't the same percentage of high player salaries to consider this time. All-in-all, The Whites are much better off.
On the pitch itself, Leeds is now under the guidance of experienced manager Daniel Farke. The German coach has been here before, twice taking Norwich to the EPL. Some astute transfer business has seen Joël Piroe, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Glen Kamara join the player ranks for a combined £34.4m. Of this amount, the club has already recouped 30.4m through the sales of Tyler Adams and Rodrigo.
The squad seems to be gelling well, with The Whites in 5th position after 11 league fixtures. With three wins from the last four games, there are constant signs of improvement. The odds on offer for the club at many new UK betting sites are also improving. As the betting stands, Leeds United is the third favourite at 6/5 behind only Leicester (2/9) and Ipswich Town (9/10).
But what is contributing to these odds?
Financial Woes
Leeds United won the final title of the old First Division era back in 1991/92. The Whites then finished in the new Premier League's top five in seven out of its first 11 seasons. In 2001/02, Leeds even reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.This success all ended in 2003/04 with the club's relegation to the Championship. The 2004/05 season would be Leeds' first outside the top division since 1962/63 but, in reality, the problems started way before, though.
Of the top five EPL positions that Leeds achieved, only three ended higher than fifth. As such, the club only featured in Europe's premier tournament on three occasions over the 11 seasons before its relegation. Over this heady period, the Leeds board maintained a level of spending that wasn't sustainable. For this reason, the club moved deeper into debt as the seasons progressed.
With the outstanding debt peaking at £119m in the early 2000s, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2002/03 meant the board had to act. The club sold many top players to recoup funds and cut the wage bill. Relegation came a few years later and the financial problems continued. Leeds United finally entered voluntary liquidation at the end of the 2006/07 season.
With a 10-point penalty the next season, Leeds found itself in English football's third tier for the first time in history. The following decade-plus was hard for the club and its fans alike with further point penalties following. Leeds was even temporarily expelled from the Football League at one stage. Fortunately, promotion to the Championship happened sooner rather than later.
The Whites remained until Marcello Bielsa led his side to EPL promotion in 2020/21.
Premier League Football Again
Finding success in the top tier wouldn't be easy but Bielsa worked wonders. Despite the odds, Leeds finished its first season back in ninth position. The manager's tactics of promoting an exciting attacking brand of football worked well.As is often the case with promoted teams, the second season was more difficult. The Whites only avoided relegation under Jesse Marsch on the last day of the 2021/22 season. Sadly, 2022/23 proved a bridge too far, though, when even Sam Allardyce's relegation-saving couldn't avert the drop.
A 19th-place finish last season now sees Leeds back in familiar territory, fighting for immediate promotion to the top flight. The prospects are good that another long stint in England's second tier won't be part of Leeds United's future this time.