Can Leeds United make a return to the big time?

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On Friday 4th November 2016, Gordon Strachan will return to Elland Road for a dinner, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the 1991/92 title winning team. The current Scotland manager was captain of the Leeds team which finished above Manchester United to win the league 25 years ago, and they were great times for the Yorkshire club.

Some six years later, with David O’Leary in charge, Leeds, despite not winning the title, never finished outside the top 5 in the Premier League table and regularly enjoyed European football at Elland Road, including the Champions League.

In fact, Leeds reached the semi-final of both the Champions League and UEFA Cup with O’Leary in charge. However, then chairman, Peter Risdale, took out loans against the payments of television money and sponsorship from the Champions League, which the club then failed twice to qualify and that meant there was not enough money in the bank, to pay back the debt.

Rio Ferdinand was sold to Manchester United and under Terry Venables the club struggled, selling other players, such as Jonathan Woodgate and Venables was sacked. Peter Reid and then Eddie Gray both had a go at a job which was increasingly becoming one of the most difficult in English football. In 2003/04 Leeds United’s assets were sold, including players from senior to youth level, in a bid to clear the debt. The club were relegated from the Premier League that season and have failed to return since.

Having gone into administration, Leeds sunk further down the football pyramid, with relegation to League One and suffered a number of point penalties, due to financial irregularity. In 2009/10, they won promotion back to the Championship and despite numerous efforts, that’s where they have remained and continue to play in 2016/17.

Current club owner, Massimo Cellino, has caused plenty of problems at the club himself, having initially failed to meet the Owners and Directors Test.  The Italian appealed and was successful but in the space of fourth months, there were three different managers appointed before he was disqualified by the Football League, for tax evasion. Two managers later and a reneged deal to sell a majority stake in the club to Leeds Fans Utd, former Swansea City manager, Garry Monk was appointed in June 2016 and given the task of returning the club to top flight of English football.

The concession of a late equaliser against Wigan on Tuesday night, prevented Leeds from closing in on the Champions Playoff places but it’s been a decent start to the season.  Following the 2-1 loss to Birmingham City, Monk criticised his players and their commitment and three days later, Leeds defeated Fulham, so the players are clearly listening to him. Monk has addressed some key areas of the team in the transfer market, especially with the signings of Pontuss Jansson and Luke Ayling at the back.

There is still too much inconsistency in results, to say the club are going to mount a serious challenge for promotion this season.  Take the five games prior to the match against Wolves for example, two wins, two losses and one draw.  This is mid-table form and that’s where Leeds currently find themselves, however, home form is very good and Leeds have won four and drawn one of their last five games at Elland Road and it would be a huge boost to their chances of promotion, if the stadium became a fortress this season.

The Championship is a hugely difficult league to be involved in but Leeds have enough about them, to make the play-offs this season.  Dropping points to a last-minute equaliser must be avoided but it’s best to learn from that mistake early in the season, than have it happen when it’s too late.

Keep an eye on Leeds United this season, with a good manager in place and a bit of stability at the club, they could be back in the big time soon.