O Premier League was so close that Leeds United could see that. So close to it, twice in quick succession, Daniel Farke He referred to it as “the promised land.” He got a glimpse of it and then a passage back to the more familiar terrain of the Championship. But both the play-offs and Wembley promise only disappointment for Leeds. They have another year to reflect on Dan James’ half-volley that hit the post, just missing the descent to take the level of the game, perhaps to extra time. Instead of, Southampton prevailed and increased a division.
Or perhaps they have 12 months to reflect on April’s defeats to Coventry, Blackburn and QPR, when Leeds, after a season of playing catch-up, found themselves in a position where the automatic promotion waved. The promise was also great at that time. Farke made reference to his total 90 points sometimes too. This would often bring a result between the top two. But not this year and not for Leeds.
Nothing is easy for them. It’s certainly not a promotion. Since the Second World War, they have spent 38 seasons outside the top flight and only promoted in four of them. And one of them was to get them out of League One. When next season starts, it will be their 18th of 21 in the Football League. They will have played less Premier League football in that time than Wigan or Burnley, Bournemouth or Brentford, Norwich or Swansea, Hull or Stoke.
There is a theory that as football becomes increasingly stratified, the bigger clubs are destined to gravitate towards the top. Then there is Leeds, the exception to all the rules, often with the bittersweet distinction of being the biggest club below the Premier League. So close and so far. “It really hurt because we were just a step away,” Farke said.
This will hurt Leeds’ owners, the San Francisco 49ers, in different ways. A contingent from California was at Wembley. They began their attempts to buy the club from Andrea Radrizzani before relegation, but completed them afterwards. They saw the club’s potential; so did Farke, who said he wouldn’t have signed anyone outside the Premier League.
Leeds have deep-pocketed financiers but a ticking time bomb in parachute payments, Financial Fair Play issues given that the previous regime’s heavy spending made relegation doubly reprehensible, and the enduring strangeness of some of the contracts awarded to former football director Victor Orta.
Farke referred to its “difficult start with all the exit clauses”. Many of Leeds’ most expensive players, those who – in theory – represent assets on the balance sheet, had clauses allowing them to go out on loan after relegation. Among others, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Max Wober and Jack Harrison will leave. Now, in the absence of clarity about the situation, it is assumed that they could be loaned out again, reducing Leeds’ chances of recovering part of their investment. Good news for Everton, who would like Harrison to return for another year; except for Leeds.
Another complication last summer was Wilfried Gnonto’s determination to leave; he was maintained, galvanized and influential. Even so, Gnonto and his colleague Crysencio Summerville may have surpassed the championship; Leeds could be forced to cash in. Their other emerging talent, Archie Gray, cried at the end; Recently turned 18, having made 52 appearances this season, he could be Leeds’ best right-back and central midfielder. He has Leeds in his blood, he is part of a family with over 1,000 appearances for the club and it is easier to imagine him staying.
However, if Leeds could be deprived of two match winners – reducing their firepower at a time when there are concerns that strikers Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter are not potent enough – Farke also lamented his team’s inexperience , contrasting it with Adam Armstrong’s clinical finishing offered to send Southampton through. Captain Liam Cooper is likely to leave; unfortunately, Stuart Dallas has now been forced to retire.
Cooper was sidelined in part by Joe Rodon, an excellent lender. However, one lesson from Southampton’s promotion is that Saints loaned better than Leeds: a mix of quantity and quality coming from Flynn Downes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Joe Rothwell, David Brooks and Ryan Fraser.
Instead of joining the Premier League, Leeds may have to invade it in search of fringe players. They have already built two plans. “Basically, we prepared a little bit,” Farke said. “But before you press a button, you need to know which league you’re in.”
It’s one he knows well, finishing first, first and third in his last three attempts. His track record suggests he is the best chance for promotion. “My players don’t want a coach who talks about himself and conveys some messages for their future”, said the German, without commitment; however, he seemed determined to remain and the board should support him. “Let’s look at this as extra motivation to come back stronger,” said Farke.
Logically, Leeds and the three relegated teams will be the four favorites for promotion last season. However, this year it evolved into a four-horse race and the other three moved up. But if Leeds are often defiantly different, there are times when they must wish they weren’t the outsiders. And this was one of them.
