Mark Viduka has admitted that there were two factors behind his decision to leave Leeds United as the club slipped towards relegation in the 2003/04 season.
Leeds were flying high when Mark Viduka joined the club in the year 2000, as they stormed to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Viduka’s first year at Leeds featured his brilliant four-goal display against Liverpool, and he remained a prolific force at the club throughout his time in the Premier League with Leeds.
However, Leeds could not maintain their early momentum during Viduka’s stay, and by the time he left, the Whites were destined for the Championship as the club attempted to navigate the fallout of the Peter Ridsdale era.
Now, the former Australian international has given the two reasons why he had to leave Leeds, 25 years after his famous goals against Liverpool.
Mark Viduka in action for Leeds United vs Everton 2001
19 Dec 2001: Mark Viduka of Leeds United shoots past Abel Xavier of Everton during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match at Elland Road in Leeds, England. Leeds won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport
Mark Viduka lifts the lid on his Leeds United exit
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian, in which Viduka admitted he almost gave up football altogether before joining Leeds, the former striker shared why he was forced to leave Leeds in 2004.
Despite leaving the club, Viduka still retains a warm affection for Leeds as both a city and a football team.
“It was a huge uphill battle,” Viduka said. “It went pear-shaped,” before adding, “I love Leeds, I love the place, I love the club,”
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Although Leeds could not afford to keep hold of Viduka, the cult hero admitted that he had no desire to play second-tier football once Leeds’ relegation was confirmed.
He added: “If everything was OK, I would have stayed there. But I didn’t want to be playing second division football, and they couldn’t afford for me to stay.”
Mark Viduka celebrates during Leeds United v Chelsea
28 Apr 2001: Mark Viduka of Leeds celebrates scoring the second goal for Leeds during the Leeds United v Chelsea FA Carling Premiership match at Elland Road, Leeds. Mandatory Credit: Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT
Mark Viduka’s Leeds United career ended on a sour note
Time heals all wounds in football, and Viduka is now remembered with great fondness at Elland Road for the role he played in Leeds’ exciting era under David O’Leary.
However, although he scored 11 Premier League goals as Leeds battled relegation in the 2003/04 season, his final weeks with the club were mired in controversy.
Having scored a crucial goal in a relegation battle against Wolves, Viduka was shown a second yellow card for needlessly kicking the ball away, which ruled him out of the following game against Manchester United.
After putting Leeds ahead, Viduka was then sent off against Bolton, meaning he received two red cards in his last five games for the club. Speaking to ABC after the game, Eddie Gray defended Viduka, stating: “I don’t look upon him as a villain, and neither should anybody else.”
Twenty-one years on, thankfully, fans and Viduka are able to remember the good times from his Leeds career, rather than the sad ending.