Leeds United in the 21st Century

Supporters of Leeds United Football Club have endured a tortuous twenty years, including financial implosion, ownership by a local consortium, and the sale of the Elland Road stadium. Despite this, they beat Manchester United in a legendary FA Cup clash in 2010 and won an emotion-soaked promotion from League One in 2012. In 2017, Leeds had stable leadership and recruited Marcelo Bielsa, who brought them to new playing heights. They achieved promotion in 2019 and took the Premier League by storm in 2020.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

For supporters of Leeds United Football Club, the past two decades have been a challenging period. In 2001, the team reached the final four of the Champions League; however, just six years later, they were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time. A financial collapse resulted in a record £50 million loss in 2003, and the club faced the difficult decision to endure the nightmare rather than live the dream.

After a dismal period of ownership by a local consortium, Leeds were twice rescued from financial collapse by the controversial Ken Bates. Despite the turmoil, Leeds managed to secure a memorable FA Cup victory over Manchester United in 2010 and secured promotion from League One. The summer of 2012 was marked by rumors of a Middle Eastern bank courting Bates, but these promises ultimately fell through, leading to the sale of the club to Massimo Cellino, an eccentric Italian corn magnate.

Cellino's near-the-knuckle business dealings led to numerous disputes with the Football League, as he went through managers like a hot knife through butter. When Andrea Radrizzani acquired the club in 2017, Leeds finally experienced stable leadership and the recruitment of the highly regarded Marcelo Bielsa a year later. Bielsa's arrival brought about a new era of success for Leeds, as the team reached new playing heights and secured promotion to the Premier League in 2019.

Leeds' journey to the Premier League was not without its challenges, as the club was engulfed in the 'Spygate dispute' with Frank Lampard's Derby County. Despite missing out on promotion by a narrow margin in 2019, Leeds bounced back the following season and achieved the promotion they had long craved. Under Bielsa's guidance, Leeds' vibrant football style captivated fans, and the team is now looking forward to a bright future.

This book delves into the tale of Leeds United's attempts to capitalize on the financial boom that began in 2000. It explores the club's struggles, controversies, and ultimately, its remarkable journey to the Premier League. The book provides a detailed account of the club's financial challenges, management changes, and on-field successes, offering a comprehensive perspective on Leeds United's journey through the past two decades.

Weight: 238g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398108400