The year is 1996, and Leeds United have just confirmed the sacking of Elland Road legend Howard Wilkinson after eight years in charge, and more than 400 appearances as manager.
Regarded as one of the best managers in Leeds United’s history, Wilkinson is only one of two managers to win the First Division or Premier League title. Wilkinson’s triumph came in the 1991-92 campaign.
A side that included Eric Cantona, Tony Dorigo, David Batty, Gary Speed and Gordon Strachan. Awash with famous faces and iconic players from Leeds’ sparkling history, Wilkinson took full advantage that season.
He was four years into the job when he got his hands on the last-ever First Division trophy, with the 1992-93 season becoming the first Premier League campaign. But four years later, Wilkinson was sacked.
Howard Wilkinson during a Leeds match against Nottingham Forest.
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Howard Wilkinson made to attend his sacking press conference
Only Don Revie and Marcelo Bielsa are spoken about in the same breath as Wilkinson. An elite cluster of managers that exceeds the likes of Simon Grayson, Jimmy Armfield and even current boss Daniel Farke.
The Leeds United Club Badge
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Even if, Farke obtained the most points in one season that Leeds have ever managed, with 100. But on this day in 1996, 29 years ago, Leeds made the painful decision to relieve Wilkinson of his Leeds duties.
Not only that, but they made Wilkinson attend his own press conference in which they would confirm that they were sacking the Elland Road icon. A saddened Wilkinson watched on as his sacking was announced.
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Wilkinson was retained after a dismal 17th-placed finish, the season after becoming League Champions. Almost as if his league title had earned him relief from being sacked after such a drastic turn of events.
It seemed to be the right decision. Two fifth-placed finishes came next, but in his final full season, Leeds were only good for 13th. At the start of the 1996-97 season, Leeds lost at home to two bitter rivals.
Name Spell Games W-D-L Win % Best finish Honours
Howard Wilkinson 88-96 411 178-117-116 43.3% 1st in FD(Champions) FD titleSD titleCharity ShieldLeague Cup runner-up
George Graham 96-98 95 37-27-31 38.9% 5th in PL N/A
David O’Leary 98-02 203 101-47-55 49.8% 3rd in PL N/A
A 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday was followed by a 4-0 hammering by Man United at Elland Road. It proved to be too much for the Leeds board, and they replaced him with George Graham the same day.
Graham lasted almost 100 games in charge, his tough approach taking Leeds back to fifth at the end of the 1997-98 season. Then, David O’Leary stepped in and clocked up more than 200 games as manager.