Strachan explained to Leeds Live what he admires about the Leeds United captain, who is currently enduring a slight dip in form
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
05:00, 07 Mar 2026
Ethan Ampadu was left crestfallan at full time vs Sunderland(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Gordon Strachan has underlined how Ethan Ampadu is the linchpin for Leeds United‘s Premier League survival quest both on and off the field.
Ampadu has been key to United’s push towards top-flight safety this season but has struggled in his last couple of games and gave away the decisive penalty in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, having handled the ball.
Daniel Farke described how disappointed he was after full-time but once again reiterated how his captain is his most important player. Title-winner Strachan, skipper of Leeds between 1989 and 1995, waxed lyrical about the credentials Ampadu has shown this season.
Speaking prior to the defeat to Sunderland, Strachan told Leeds Live: “He’s been really impressive this season and there’s a lot of small things that you don’t see off the pitch as a fan which he’ll be doing as a captain – whether that’s sorting something internal for a player’s family or being a shoulder to cry on.
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“There was a match where I recall he came on as a substitute, and he changed the game by playing at his pace. He’s brave on the ball and doesn’t pass until it’s the right time; he’s a difference-maker and I can see why he’s the captain of Leeds.
“If the game is hectic and chaotic, he’ll slow it down and he recognises when his team needs to step up the tempo.
“He’s a player that you look to in the tunnel and you’re glad he’s on your team, and I’ve been really impressed with his contributions for the club this season.”
Speaking on Ampadu’s handball incident on Tuesday, Farke said: “He was, of course, disappointed today, because he knew that this situation was then crucial. Probably, if we don’t concede that, if it’s longer 0-0, I would have been convinced that we, then, in the end, would have won the game.
“But because they scored the goal, they could dig in even more. They could then use more smart game management, if you want to label it like this.
“I think it was, of course, a crucial situation and for him [Ampadu] hard to explain, because he knows it was not even a chance. There was no reason to move his arm. I think it was just like an intuitive, instinctive reaction.
“Of course, he was disappointed, because he wanted to win this game so much and wanted to have at least a clean sheet.”
Gordon Strachan was speaking to Leeds Live via Covers.com soccer betting.