Leeds United deserve credit for breaking the two-year promotion curse with phase one of the revival project complete
09:00, 01 Jun 2026
Leeds United have answered their critics this season
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Leeds United have answered their critics this season(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Leeds United completed the job they set out to do this season - survive. No matter how the club did it, ultimately the Whites have, along with Sunderland, broken the two-year curse of promoted clubs being relegated from the Premier League straight away.
But the promising element amongst it all is that Leeds could well have finished higher than 14th while playing in a manner that leaves few in any doubt that they deserve to be competing at the top table once again.
The 49ers set out a plan to establish Leeds as Premier League regulars and phase one is now done. Chairman Paraag Marathe says it will take another two seasons to “truly” operate as an established top-flight team before thinking about what comes next.
Bridging the gap from the Championship to the Premier League is getting tougher by the year and for Leeds to get over the line, they deserve praise. They did a lot right over the past 12 months and it was enough to cover for two shortfalls that need addressing in time for next season.
Got right
Transfer turnout
For a club that acquired 11 players, for 80% of them to be classed as moderate or complete successes is some going. Last summer, Leeds adopted a clear transfer strategy of going for signings who were in or approaching their prime, had height and had top tier experience.
Across the whole Premier League, Leeds had the highest ratio of dependence of players aged 23 and 29, with some 92.8% of players used falling into this range. Leeds meanwhile used the height and muscle metric to great effect from set-pieces, a backbone to their survival bid.
As we will get onto, not all transfers were a hit but the likes of Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, James Justin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all starred and are now starting XI regulars. For all of the questions asked post deadline day, Leeds’ transfer chiefs have bought themselves time and trust.
Keeping faith in Farke
Leeds could have jumped the gun with Farke and fired him in November. Results were poor, belief was fading and fans were showing visible signs of angst. After the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, reports emerged claiming Farke had two games to save his tenure.
Whether true or not, Leeds stuck to their guns after seeing that second half against Manchester City and the 3-1 home win over Chelsea. The 3-3 draw with Liverpool and 4-1 win over Crystal Palace only further secured Farke’s future.
More results followed, Leeds survived and now Farke might be handed a new contract. The 49ers could have been on the brink of pulling the trigger but ultimately they did not and credit must go to them for that given how the rest of the season has panned out.
As shown with their transfer drive and with Farke himself, patience is a virtue that can serve you well.
Being flexible
As regarding the transfer window and from the manager’s in-game demeanour, Leeds have had to be flexible at times. Over the summer it was pivoting to Noah Okafor when Igor Paixao ended up choosing Marseille over Elland Road, despite talks.
During the season, Farke’s switch to a back three formation changed everything but he was also keen to adapt his system from thereon in too. The 3-5-2 morphed into 3-4-2-1 while Farke was unafraid to switch to a back four again during matches and ultimately squeeze out points from losing positions.
Going from a league you overwhelmed to a division where you suddenly are the undergods is never an easy transition. Leeds have come through swimming in new waters with a few bites but home and hosed.
Elland Road expansion
As always with these kinds of big-scale projects, there were elongated teething issues with the planning application that centred around the travel and transport blueprint - but ultimately, after heavy revision and drafting, Leeds got the green light to expand Elland Road.
For decades, fans had talked about the prospect with former club figureheads floating the idea without any proper action being taken. The 49ers have put their money where their mouth is and construction is already underway.
Credit also to the club for listening to supporters and shelving the idea of the away end being moved into the raucous South Stand. Elland Road will enter into the top 10 biggest English football stadia upon completion when capacity rises to 53,000.
Got wrong
Two transfers
While much of the transfer drive bore fruit, there were two blots on the copybook, which both have very different degrees of impact. The biggest is Lucas Perri, who signed a four-year deal last summer but was dethroned as number one by Karl Darlow in January.
Perri was supposed to be the goalkeeper for the next few years but now there are questions whether he will last another 12 months. With Darlow out of contract this summer and a new goalkeeper probably to be sought after, Leeds have a headache of a situation.
The other transfer flop has been Facundo Buonanotte, who slipped from their grasp in the summer. The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee was left out of 11 of the 21 matchdays he was available for, with Farke deeming him not up to standard. His conclusion is much more simple and cost-free - he returns to his parent club.
Conceding late
For all of Leeds’ good work this season, there was one bugbear that kept rearing its head. Even in the last day 3-0 defeat to West Ham, Leeds conceded in stoppage time. While not in that game, there are so many points that were dropped after conceding late in other matches.
The nadir was Newcastle United away when Leeds conceded two stoppage time goals to go from 3-2 up to lose 4-3. Leeds have scored late themselves too but concessions far outweigh points stolen.
Dropped points against Bournemouth at home, Fulham away and Aston Villa away all stung. It happened too often for this to have been mere coincidence. This is something Farke must arrest next season if Leeds are to climb up the table.
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