{"id":42079,"date":"2025-04-22T21:13:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T21:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/42079\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T21:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T21:13:14","slug":"inside-leeds-uniteds-return-to-the-promised-land-and-what-they-will-do-next-four-summer-signing-targets-named-and-latest-on-plans-for-elland-road-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/42079\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Leeds United’s return to ‘The Promised Land’ – and what they will do next: Four summer signing targets named and latest on plans for Elland Road expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inside the Billy Bremner Suite in the West Stand at Elland Road, the Leeds<\/a> United players and staff gathered to watch Burnley<\/a> against Sheffield United<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As full-time neared and Premier League<\/a> football was about to be secured, club staff entered with bottles of champagne <\/a>and banners which said the word \u2018Promoted\u2019.<\/p>\n

When the whistle blew across the Pennines, the party fever that had started when Leeds thrashed Stoke 6-0 a few hours earlier went up a few gears. Daniel Farke<\/a> had warned he would be like a \u2018fire beast\u2019 and the \u2018first on the table\u2019 and the Leeds boss duly obliged, dancing away.<\/p>\n

Winger Largie Ramazani, still in his full kit and with sunglasses on, led the way as the players’ families joined in. It spoke volumes for the team spirit within this squad that a player with just seven Championship starts this season got hold of the mic and began to interview his team-mates.<\/p>\n

It spoke volumes, too, that 16-year-old Harry Gray – minutes after making his debut – had earlier been pushed forward by the senior players to enjoy a moment with the Kop as the fans and players sang along to Kaiser Chiefs\u2019 I Predict A Riot <\/a>on the pitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Later, as the sun set shortly after 8pm, the Leeds players walked across the Elland Road grass to the East Stand and came out the other side, where a sea of fans clad in yellow, white and blue awaited them.<\/p>\n

\"Largie <\/p>\n

Largie Ramazani was in the thick of the celebrations after Leeds’ promotion was confirmed<\/p>\n

\"Fans <\/p>\n

Fans came to Elland Road in their droves to celebrate the club’s return to the Premier League<\/p>\n

\"It <\/p>\n

It has been a highly impressive campaign, not without wobbles – and now the planning begins<\/p>\n

Thousands upon thousands of fans had gathered behind the stadium gates to celebrate, with police advising the players to split into two groups to engage with the masses. One club employee joked that it was as far apart as they\u2019ve been all season.<\/p>\n

The skipper, Ethan Ampadu, pretended to smoke from a pyrotechnic flare. Vice-captain Pascal Struijk changed into the iconic 2001-03 away kit with Strongbow as the sponsor and Lucas Radebe\u2019s name on the back.<\/p>\n

Every one of them knew what this meant and they partied long into the night, eventually finishing in the early hours at the SkyLounge bar at the Doubletree Hilton hotel near Leeds railway station. The 13th-floor venue boasts spectacular panoramic views of the city and specialises in cocktails, with no fewer than 30 on the menu ranging from \u00a312.50 to \u00a316. More celebratory Champagne was available, too – with bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal on offer at \u00a3450 a pop – while Guinness is \u00a37.50 a pint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the eve of this season, Ampadu told the hierarchy that he wanted the bonus pot for 2024-25 to be divided equally between all the players, rather than split proportionately depending on games played – as is normally the case.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ampadu was one of those in tears when Leeds lost the Championship play-off final last year and knew they needed togetherness in the squad to go again.<\/p>\n

On that night after losing to Southampton at Wembley, Farke wanted to move on quickly so they went ahead with the scheduled gathering back in Leeds and promised never to talk about it again.<\/p>\n

\u2018The lads that were here last year – we all felt that hurt,\u2019 said Ampadu on Monday. \u2018After the game at Wembley, we wanted to put it right straight away.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

They have done that in style, scoring 89 goals in 44 games, and are now two wins away from reaching 100 points. On many an occasion, opposition managers have walked into a post-match press conference admitting they had no answer against the best side in the division.<\/p>\n

\"Ethan <\/p>\n

Ethan Ampadu, pictured pretending to smoke a pyrotechnic flare on Monday night, insisted Leeds are hungry to win the title<\/p>\n

Plenty in the Bremner Suite on Monday wanted a Sheffield United equaliser, which would have still seen Leeds go up but also put them two points clear of Burnley in the race for the title. In the immediate aftermath, Ampadu stressed that ambition loud and clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018Within ourselves we\u2019ve got another target so we can enjoy this now, but we\u2019ve got another target we want to achieve,’ the Welshman said. ‘Everyone knows what the next part is, but right now, it\u2019s fantastic.’<\/p>\n

Go back to April 5 when, after drawing 1-1 with a relegation-battling Luton, Leeds dropped out of the top two and were booed off by sections of their travelling support.<\/p>\n

It was one win in six for Farke\u2019s side but two weeks and four wins out of four later, they have achieved their aim with two games to spare.<\/p>\n

On that afternoon in Luton, Farke told journalists it was \u2018definitely a point gained\u2019 and he was still sure Leeds would be a Premier League club next season.<\/p>\n

That messaging has been consistent behind the scenes, from a manager who now boasts three promotions to what he calls ‘The Promised Land.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Daniel <\/p>\n

Daniel Farke stayed at the helm and the Leeds owners were rewarded for backing him<\/p>\n

It\u2019s further vindication, too, for owners 49ers Enterprises, who realised that their 90-point tally last season would usually have been enough for automatic promotion and stuck with Farke, in a division where managers on average last less than a year.<\/p>\n

\u2018When you are a bit longer in this business, you can feel what the players need sometimes,\u2019 Farke said on Monday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018When you work for such an emotional club, even after every draw, the world goes down. Everyone who works for the club is a supporter and there\u2019s lots of panic. I was 100 per cent convinced we would get promoted. Normally I don’t like to speak like this in public but sometimes I need to show steel, I never lie.’<\/p>\n

Leeds have the highest wage bill in the Championship and their quality is clear but Farke has always placed emphasis on investing in players with plenty of character, too, knowing just how volatile the second tier can be.<\/p>\n

It was also telling that he decided against making a signing during the January window, while all around invested.<\/p>\n

Jayden Bogle, signed from Sheffield United last summer, came in with promotion experience at right back and has arguably been the signing of the season, while midfielder Ao Tanaka, who arrived from the German second tier, is a fan favourite.<\/p>\n

\"Jayden <\/p>\n

Jayden Bogle has been a superb signing and offers a dependable presence at right-back<\/p>\n

\"Joel <\/p>\n

Joel Piroe is leading the Championship golden boot race but the striker can be streaky\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leeds got Joe Rodon as part of the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham and used their relationship with Spurs to bring in Manor Solomon on loan. Both have played major roles this season.<\/p>\n

Joel Piroe, who scored four on Monday having previously gone goalless in nine, leads the Championship golden boot race and Farke – known for his loyalty – compared his striker to shaking a bottle of ketchup. \u2018All of a sudden everything comes out and that was the case,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Above all, a promotion-at-all-costs mentality has engulfed the club, as evidenced by a ridiculous Elland Road league record where they\u2019ve lost only once all season (to Burnley) and scored 20 goals in the opening 20 minutes of their 22 games.<\/p>\n

Those electric starts have been essential to calming the nerves of what Farke regularly calls the \u2018most emotional fanbase in western Europe\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even when Stoke won the toss on Monday and turned Leeds around so that they were attacking the Kop rather than the South Stand in the first half, they flew out of the blocks and were three up by the 20-minute mark.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the only real criticism of Farke was his faith in keeper Illan Meslier, who was dropped earlier this month for Karl Darlow. Without Meslier\u2019s errors, Leeds would have gone up sooner but it took until April for the manager to go against his initial word and make his toughest decision of the season. Better late than never.<\/p>\n

Plans for the Premier League have started already and no one needs to tell Farke how ruthless and unforgiving it can be – he has already tasted relegation with Norwich and been sacked.<\/p>\n

Chief executive Angus Kinnear is set to leave for Everton and is taking Nick Hammond, football advisor, and scout Gary Penrice with him. So there is plenty of change at Thorp Arch in terms of recruitment personnel and Leeds will have a busy summer in the transfer window on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n

\"Illan <\/p>\n

Illan Meslier was dropped in April and it seems likely that he will move on this summer<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A cut-out of the highly venerated Leeds boss is spotted in the window of a supporter’s house<\/p>\n

\"Kalvin <\/p>\n

Kalvin Phillips could make a return to his old side as the club seek experience in the ranks<\/p>\n

\"Julian <\/p>\n

Julian Weigl of Borussia Monchengladbach (centre) is of interest for Leeds this summer<\/p>\n

Meslier is expected to leave if an offer comes in and a new goalkeeper is essential, with Wolves\u2019 Sam Johnstone on the list.<\/p>\n

The club will look to turn Solomon\u2019s loan into a permanent deal \u2013 the Israeli international is keen to stay but Spurs may receive offers from elsewhere. A top striker is also wanted while Leeds will look to strengthen in central midfield, with Borussia Monchengladbach\u2019s Julian Weigl of interest. A potential return for Kalvin Phillips, 29, has been discussed, too, with Leeds prioritising the need for experience this summer.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, plans to expand Elland Road’s capacity from 38,000 to 56,500 could progress imminently, with the executive board of Leeds City Council set to meet on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

In any case, the attention on this famous club will now crank up a notch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next fortnight is for celebration, with an open-top bus parade expected. As Farke said on Monday: \u2018I just want beer after beer and champagne after champagne right now and don’t bother me with football, we’ll speak about it in a few days.\u2019<\/p>\n

The German hasn\u2019t always found it easy to win over Leeds fans but his name is etched into the history of this club now, alongside Marcelo Bielsa as the only two managers to take the Whites up to the Premier League. It was late on Monday when the 48-year-old recalled the moment that his love affair with the club started, back in 2019.<\/p>\n

\"Farke <\/p>\n

Farke embraced Piroe as the players and manager were drenched in champagne on Monday<\/p>\n

\u2018In my second year at Norwich, Marcelo (Bielsa) was on the other side. We came here, Elland Road was buzzing with all the white scarves and I remember thinking, \u201cWhat an atmosphere\u201d. Even at Premier League level, you don\u2019t have this. You could feel something really special about this place,\u2019 Farke said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Even on that day as an opposition manager, I remember thinking that one day I\u2019d like to be in charge of this unbelievable club with all their emotion and to bring the club back to where it belongs. Because this club, without any doubt, belongs in the Premier League. At the moment, we can\u2019t label ourselves as an established Premier League side but this is why I signed the contract.’<\/p>\n

The talk around Leeds on Tuesday was that the celebrations were incredible but nothing compared to the scenes when they ended 16 years of hurt in 2020 under Bielsa and got promoted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But they are no longer content with just going up. From now on, Leeds United must do whatever it takes to remain in the Premier League.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Inside the Billy Bremner Suite in the West Stand at Elland Road, the Leeds United players and staff…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42080,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4100],"tags":[9029,92,1385,94,2922,101,93,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-42079","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-burnley","9":"tag-dailymail","10":"tag-daniel-farke","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-leeds-united","13":"tag-premier-league","14":"tag-sport","15":"tag-sports","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114383683895458920","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42079"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42079\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}