Leeds United

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

With just four games to go in the Premier League this season relegation has been decided.

For the second season in a row, all three promoted clubs have been sent straight back down, and 14 points separates those in the relegation zone and 17th placed West Ham.

Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town have just 10 wins between them this season, and there is still a chance that the Saints finish the campaign as the joint-worst Premier League team of all time.

But where did it all go wrong?

A struggle to survive

According to Opta, this is the worst combined points total of any group of promoted sides at this stage of the season in Premier League history

The three teams have only managed to get 50 points between them - after just 34 games - and are 14 points behind the previous record which was set last year by Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town.

While Leicester and Southampton have seen changes in the dugout this season, Ipswich have stuck with Kieran McKenna, but this has not changed their fortunes.

Between them, they have picked up just 21 points at home, with Southampton and Ipswich winning just once in-front of their own fans.

Promoted sides face 'more of a challenge'

And things look set to get even more difficult for those coming up from the Championship.

According to Opta, five of the lowest eight Premier League points totals for promoted sides after 34 games have come in the last eight years. Southampton are currently on the joint-lowest points total ever at this stage of the season, alongside Derby County.

Speaking before his sides relegation, Ipswich boss McKenna said the gap between the Premier League and the Championship "is getting bigger" and that "it's been getting more of a challenge for clubs to be able to bridge that".

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle head coach Miron Muslic says his side will "not roll out the red carpet" for title-chasing Leeds United on Saturday.

Argyle are all-but relegated from the Championship and face a Leeds team who know they will lift the title if they can win at Home Park.

Leeds are level on points with Burnley, but their superior goal difference means as long as they match the Clarets' result they will be crowned champions.

Meanwhile, Argyle need an almost impossible set of results if they are to stay up - they must beat Leeds and hope both Hull and Luton lose as well as requiring a 14-goal swing in goal difference.

But Muslic says his side's recent good form against promotion-chasing outfits stands his team in good stead.

"I think the top teams they just suit us, fit us," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"I think we should have confidence for a reason - Norwich, Coventry, Sheffield United - all the top teams that are far highly ranked than us, we managed not only to perform at a good level, we also managed in the end to grab the three points.

"The desire of Leeds to come here to win the game, to celebrate with the title, we don't have to speak about that, but we also have the desire to perform as strong as possible.

"We will not roll out the red carpet here for Leeds United, we will give them a proper fight."

Leeds United will battle for the title when they host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (12:30 BST) for their final match of the season.

Leeds' superior goal difference means the currently hold top spot over rivals Burnley, but will need a victory to ensure they hold the trophy at the final whistle before ascending to the Premier League next season.

Argyle, on the other hand, find their fates heading in the opposite direction.

The visitors have been all but relegated to League One due to their poor goal difference and now compete to try and keep off the basement place currently held by Cardiff City.

• Plymouth Argyle are winless across their last 11 league games against Leeds United (D2 L9), losing each of their last five in succession whilst conceding 2+ goals in each.

• Leeds United have won each of their last four away league games against Plymouth Argyle, one more victory than across their prior 16 away meetings with the Pilgrims combined (W3 D4 L9).

• Plymouth have won four of their last six league games (L2), as many victories as across their prior 30 Championship matches combined (D11 L15). The Pilgrims are also looking to win four consecutive home matches in the second tier for the first time since April 2007.

• Leeds have lost each of their last two games on the final day of a league campaign, as many defeats as across their prior 15 such fixtures combined (W9 D4).

• Leeds United have won 28 league matches this season, their joint most in a league season along with the 2019-20 campaign. The 93 goals they've scored are also only bettered by the 98 they scored in the 1927-28 season.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United finish their season with a trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (12:30 BST) knowing that if they match Burnley's result against Millwall they will win the Championship title.

Here are the main lines from manager Daniel Farke's media conference:

• Team news: Pascal Struijk (foot) and Sam Chambers (glandular fever) remain out. There are doubts over Dan James, Isaac Schmidt and Junior Firpo. Midfielder Joe Rothwell (calf) is expected to return to the squad.

• Farke on wanting to win the title: "Of course, it would be the icing on the cake if we were to have some silverware for the open-top bus tour. It's always better to have something in your hands otherwise you don't know what to do with them or just put them in your pocket. It's always better to lift some silverware. It's also pretty useful because you can drink something out of it. Of course it would be great to crown ourselves."

• Farke on contract situations for players like Firpo, Sam Byram (both out of contract) and loanees Manor Solomon and Rothwell: "It will happen pretty fast - right now we have clarity. Middle of next week we'll make some decisions then we will speak to agents and move forward."

• Farke says there will be more strategy meetings before the Premier League season with managing director Robbie Evans and the recruitment team.

• "We have to make sure that not just the structure but the processes are right. It's important that each and every decision we take for next season is spot on. It's hard work to make sure we have a competitive Premier League squad, and so for that, especially in the next week, we'll need a few more meetings. But we're on a good way and everything we've spoken about so far is on a good way. Yeah, I'm optimistic."

• What does he say to those who doubt his ability to manage in the Premier League: "Nothing. I don't feel the need to defend myself. I don't want to come across arrogant. If someone is doubting me or thinks I'm not the best manager for Leeds United perhaps they're right, you never know. I'm just convinced in what I want to do. I will make sure that we as a club, with me as manager, have a great chance of establishing ourselves on the Premier League level."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Rarely do the the stars align perfectly at Leeds United.

On Monday night they did just that to reveal a Farke phenomenon which could be seen inside Elland Road and heard in the skies above.

Old school colours of yellow scarves, bucket hats, smiley badges and shirts adorned the grand old stadium.

And the noise was something else. Old school too with bellowing choruses of club anthems, welcomes to jungles and predictions of riots.

"No Piroe, no party" was one of the many chants during a full-on celebration in front of a raucous packed house which was always going to pump it up, with or without a goal from their top scorer.

What a display from the stars on show too. In-keeping with so much of the season.

A galaxy away from their opponents, play-off hopefuls Bristol City, United put in a sparkling performance which illuminated every one of the 30 points which form the gap between the sides in the Championship.

Oh what a party, oh what a show, Leeds United had gone to town.

The players performed magnificently as if a constellation, like they were champions already, to forever sear a special moment into the memories of those fortunate to be in its presence.

As for Farke, his stock is at its highest with the supporters and his own star now burns its brightest in their firmament.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United Under-21s have won the National League Cup after beating Sutton United 2-1 in the final on Tuesday night.

Diogo Monteiro put the Whites academy side 1-0 up after 25 minutes at National League side Sutton's VBS Community Stadium.

Harry Gray, who made his senior debut as a late sub in the 6-0 win over Stoke in the Championship at Elland Road last week, doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Sutton pulled a goal back in the 77th minute through Lewis Simper but Leeds U21s held on to lift the trophy.

This season marked the return of the competition for the first time in 15 years, with it having last been played in 2008-09.

The National League Cup initially ran from 1979 until 2001 and was also contested in 2004-05 and 2007-08.

Leeds' victory in the final means they have become the first ever U21 side to win the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United have announced an open-top bus parade on Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate winning promotion to the Premier League.

The club said large crowds were expected throughout the afternoon on 5 May as Daniel Farke and his team make their way around Leeds city centre.

In an announcement on Tuesday, external, the club confirmed the parade would follow a mile-long route to "take in the full length of the Headrow, as well as City Square, Boar Lane, New Market Street and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane".

The parade is scheduled to last between one and one and a half hours, arriving in the city centre about 13:00 BST. It will also be streamed live on Leeds United TV.

The club added: "A programme of road closures and other traffic restrictions is due to be in place across much of the city centre from 8am to 5pm on Monday. Emergency service access will be maintained throughout this time.

"The size of the expected turnout means people coming into the city centre - for the parade or other reasons - are being asked to carefully plan their journeys in advance."

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

He had to wait all season for his name to be sung - but when it was, the rafters shook and Daniel Farke was overcome with emotion.

Any question of how the Leeds fans felt towards the German manager was answered emphatically as he received two standing ovations throughout last night's demolition of Bristol City at Elland Road.

Fraught at times, Farke has encountered a mountain of challenges at United. During his first summer at the club, a loan exodus left the Leeds boss not knowing who would be in his squad from week-to-week.

When he lost three key players to release clauses last summer, he had to rebuild again.

Farke's pragmatic brand of football has been criticised at times, and his legacy seemed at threat from the twin shadows of Leeds' past: play-off heartbreak and Marcelo Bielsa.

But his methods have been more than vindicated by a club-record points total, the highest tally of home wins since 1968, the most goals since 1928 and a better goal difference (+64) than any club in Europe's top five leagues.

Farke's most important achievement was automatic promotion, yet barely 48 hours had passed after Leeds secured that milestone against Stoke City before speculation about his future began.

I wonder, at what other club could a manager get promoted with a club-record points total and immediate rumours of him being sacked begin?

Solid at the back, lethal in attack, Farke's methods made fifth-place play-off-chasing Bristol City look like a non-league team with nothing to play for last night.

The truth is, Farke has done everything to deserve to be in the dugout for Leeds United in the Premier League. The fans have spoken - it's time for the board to end the speculation. Let's enjoy the summer without Farke's future being in doubt.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke praised his side's performance in their dominant 4-0 win over Bristol City.

The Whites had secured promotion to the Premier League last Monday and blew their play-off chasing visitors away as they went back to the top of the table, ahead of Burnley on goal difference, with one game remaining.

"I'm a very proud manager. Obviously the week was not the easiest because for the first three or four days we were celebrating," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"We got back to training on Friday and it's hard against a highly-motivated side. I was a bit worried before the game, I shouldn't have been because the lads showed their determination.

"We scored four fantastic goals and should have scored way more. It was one of the best performances of the whole season.

"We were so determined to end the season in style with a top performance and a top result."

Farke has now won three promotions to the Premier League, having twice won the Championship title with Norwich.

He acknowledged the atmosphere before and during the match had left him emotional.

"It was not that easy to stay fully focused. It was quite emotional I have to say," he added.

"When you walk in and hear this noise and see what it means to people and the joy and pride they have…it is very special.

"It's why I signed the contract two years ago. I found a club that was divided and one of my main objectives was to reunify the club.

"It was a proud and emotional moment. The atmosphere today was second to none."

There have been some rumours that the club's ownership could look to change manager in the summer as they look to avoid the fate of the past six teams to be promoted to the Premier League and suffer immediate relegation.

The 48-year-old German said that people did not need to "worry" about his future.

"I'm a very happy man so nobody needs to be worried about me," he said.

"I'm just enjoying this moment."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media ahead of their game against play-off chasing Bristol City on Monday (20:00 BST).

Here are some of the key lines:

• On earning promotion on Monday: "It's important when you achieve something very special with the club…you have to celebrate it. Cherish it and value the moment." Sounds like the "fire beast" diluted the celebratory flames with a few bottles of water on Monday night though!

• On speculation over his position and if it was surprising: "No, I knew this from the moment I signed for this club. It's nothing new. This club is so emotional and so big. Some journalists who are never here want to write about Leeds."

• On if he would like the club's owners to offer reassurance publicly on his position: "That's a question for the ownership. I focus on what I do."

• He says he spoke to chairman Parag Marathe on Thursday about plans for the Premier League. "We need a clear budget and to decide who is here with contracts and incomings. We need a competitive squad. A lot of work is ongoing. We need improvements at the training ground, we need a strong start with the momentum of promotion. We need signings early on."

• Farke said Blades boss Chris Wilder showed class by ringing him on Tuesday. "I have a good relationship with Chris. Respect on both sides. I will congratulate him when he has success. He called me straightaway on Tuesday. That was class. I appreciate this. Fingers crossed for him and his boys."

• On his experience with Norwich in Premier League: "We spent £8m with Norwich and had a miracle in picking up more points than any of the three teams relegated this season."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United host Bristol City on Monday night (20:00 BST) chasing the 100-point mark in the Championship having already secured their return to the Premier League.

Bristol City have the play-offs in their sights but have not won a league game at Elland Road in 46 years.

• Leeds are unbeaten in their past 10 league games against Bristol City (D2 L8) since a 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate in September 2016.

• Bristol City have lost eight of their past nine away league games against Leeds (D1), with their last victory at Elland Road coming in November 1979 (3-1).

• Leeds have scored 89 goals in the Championship this season - only in 1927-28 have they netted more in a single league campaign (98).

• Bristol City have won just one of their past 14 away league games (D7 L6), with that victory coming at Millwall in March (2-0).

• Victory for Bristol City will guarantee them a place in the Championship play-offs for the first time since 2007-08, when they eventually ended up as losing finalists to Hull City.

Image source, Rex Features

As the celebrations start to simmer down after Leeds' promotion from the Championship was sealed, the players insist their work is not yet done.

The 6-0 demolition of Stoke at Elland Road on Monday ensured Daniel Farke's men will be playing Premier League football next season, but there remains unfinished business for both the team, and individuals.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, members of the squad said the final two games, at home to Bristol City on Monday (20:00 BST) and at Plymouth on 3 May (12:30) remained hugely significant.

Two wins would take the Whites to the 100-point mark for the first time in club history and would all-but certainly ensure the title, given their goal difference is 14 better than Burnley, who sit level on 94 points in second place.

Right-back Jayden Bogle said: "Our aim from the beginning of the season was silverware. We're not going to stop now. Obviously it's nice to be promoted early but we still have got a goal in mind and we're going to do our best to achieve that."

Skipper Ethan Ampadu echoed similar sentiments: "We've achieved one of our targets, we're definitely going to enjoy this… but we do have another target."

Dan James added: "We were eight points clear and the gap has closed (but) we want to go on to win this league.

"The Premier League is the toughest league in the world, we've obviously got a great team, but it's the next level and the next goal is to establish ourselves as a Premier League team. It's going to be really tough, but we've got the backing from the owners."

Joel Piroe's four-goal salvo in the win over the Potters not only ended a nine-match goalless streak for the 25-year-old, it also catapulted him into pole position for the Championship Golden Boot accolade.

His 19 goals in 44 appearances are two more than Norwich's Borja Sainz, with Burnley skipper Josh Brownhill a further goal behind.

The Dutchman said: "Of course, I always wanted it, I said it from the start of the season, one of my targets personally is to get to 20 goals – I'm very close now, but I have to keep scoring."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Scar tissue from how it ended last time around in the Premier League in 2023 meant that promotion has felt quite different two years on.

The prolonged absence from the top flight, coupled with the club's biggest moment since winning the First Division title in 1992 being constrained in a Covid bubble, made the Marcelo Bielsa-era even more idiosyncratic.

We couldn't share the moment communally once Bielsa's side had tossed Charlton aside 4-0 as an almost irrelevant prelude to lifting the Championship trophy at a sadly empty Elland Road.

Leeds were no longer falling apart, they were back in the joy division.

But it wasn't joyful. Bar that exquisite period when behind closed doors Leeds United finished ninth in the top flight, the experience was eventually to leave the club and players shell-shocked. That is why, for some, there will be a sense of concern ahead of a crucial summer at Elland Road.

The moment of promotion, delayed by the increasingly staggered kick-offs of the crucial fixtures, was still sweet this time around though. The manner of the complete obliteration of an in-form Stoke City was spectacular... and so un-Leedsy. Until that point four straight victories had not happened all season across league and cup competitions. When it mattered, United delivered.

Bielsa's extraordinary capability of coaching an average Championship side to greatness will always stand alone as a unique and beautiful moment. Due to the circumstances in which his success was secured it also makes it mean more this time because supporters celebrated together, drank together, cried together, hugged together but most of all bellowed out Marching on Together.

If Marcelo performed a miracle then Daniel Farke produced a phenomenon.

Calm, concentrated and composed Farke created two new sides, with this version less reliant on individual moments of brilliance than a collective creativity and a mental resilience than that of 2024.

It feels like a vindication of his method and his ability to cope with obstacles, like selling or losing key players ahead of a campaign, and a reflection of the laser focus of the squad to redeem last season's play-off disappointment.

So to Monday night and that rare feeling of an end of season game at Elland Road without jeopardy for the hosts, as promotion hopefuls Bristol City come in search of the one win which will secure them a play-off berth.

Make no mistake though, Farke and his side want that 100-point total and the title so after the lights of this week's party have faded and the "fire beast" has come down from the table, the fire will be back in Farke's belly.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke despite the German securing promotion back to the Premier League. (Mail, external)

The side could also lose 28-year-old Dominican Republic defender Junior Firpo to Spanish side Real Betis this summer. (Todofichajes - in Spanish, external)

Want more? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.