Leeds United will begin the 2025/26 Premier League season this evening with one aim, survival. Reversing a current trend of promoted teams being relegated straight back to the Championship is the primary goal for the Whites, who beyond that are looking to re-establish themselves in the top flight as one of the country's big players.
Reestablishment starts with the significant step of survival, with the club's ownership knowing it will take time, patience and a sizeable amount of money to be challenging in the top half of the Premier League table once again.
As he prepares to step out at Elland Road for the opening game against Everton, manager Daniel Farke has been thinking about legacy, survival and that long-term aim of establishing Leeds back in the top flight. It was the aim of the previous ownership, who ultimately failed after one successful year under Marcelo Bielsa followed by two seasons of real struggle, resulting in relegation.
"To establish this club in the top level and for the supporters because the only proper season they were not allowed in - It would mean the same as winning a title because I'm always motivated by something special and extraordinary," explained Farke.
"To establish this club for the first time."
For the first time! That's the key line here. Farke, the 49ers and Leeds as a club are not looking for quick success but sustained legacy. Those things are built slowly. The manager knows Leeds being back in the Premier League for three seasons and then dropping back down is not what the club and supporters deserve.
"We had this unbelievable day with the open bus tour after getting to the Premier League and if you have a look into the eyes of the people and you see how much it means to them, you become pretty humble and realise how much this club means to so many people," adds Farke.
"To bring the joy and the belief and the gratitude back to the people for whom this club means so much you feel the responsibility as a manager and a player to represent this shirt in the best possible way."