Rio Ferdinand is hardly well-liked among Leeds United supporters for a number of reasons but the former Elland Road man has been discussing his old club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds are back in the Premier League after a two-year hiatus following relegation in 2023, winning the Championship title having clocked up 100 points. A 2-1 win at Plymouth saw them finish above Burnley.
The Whites are preparing for a busy summer in which new sporting director Adam Underwood is likely to have his work cut out. Leeds and Daniel Farke require a number of new signings in the coming months.
Ferdinand left Leeds after helping The Whites reach a Champions League semi-final for a British record fee, but his choice of club has seen him hated among Leeds fans – joining bitter rivals Manchester United.
13 Oct 2001: Rio Ferdinand of Leeds United in action during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Liverpool played at Anfield, in Liverpool, England. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Allsport
13 Oct 2001: Rio Ferdinand of Leeds United in action during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Liverpool played at Anfield, in Liverpool, England. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Allsport
Rio Ferdinand makes Elland Road claim amid 53,000-seat plans
Not only that, but his celebrating of a Galatasaray goal this season has also engineered criticism. Despite that, Ferdinand told Optus Sport that he believes Leeds are back where they belong after promotion.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Leeds have unveiled plans to increase and improve Elland Road too, taking the ground’s capacity to a huge 53,000 – almost adding half of its current attendance and Ferdinand thinks Leeds will sell it out.
“Great to see them get back. That’s where they belong, they deserve to be. Their fanbase is phenomenal, a one-club city. They could fill out that stadium two or three times over I’m sure, if it was any bigger.”
Rio Ferdinand shares what Dom Matteo did on Leeds parade
It is not the first time that Ferdinand has mentioned the presence of a WhatsApp group chat containing the players of his Leeds era and boss David O’Leary. The only member missing is obviously, David Batty.
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One member of the group, currently LUTV pundit and the scorer of a certain goal in the San Siro, Dom Matteo, was sending pictures and videos into the group from on top of one of the three parade buses.
Ferdinand said: “All the guys that played during my time at Leeds, we’ve got a WhatsApp group. Dom Matteo was on the parade bus last week, and he was sending us all the pictures and videos from there.”
Leeds are yet to make any new signings following promotion but have confirmed their retained list, which includes the loss of Josuha Guilavogui and 10 youngsters. Sam Byram and Junior Firpo talks are ongoing.