Leeds United

"What a magnificent day that was... it's been a great few weeks for Leeds"

Episode 153 of BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds United podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' is available to download now via the BBC Sounds app, and it's a very special one.

After all the promotion celebrations in the city had calmed down, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix took a deep breath and reflected on a huge weekend for club, the city and for the future of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, who the chairman confirmed will still be in charge next season.

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Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Struijk's 2019/20 Championship winners' medal hung around his neck at the open-top bus parade in Leeds yesterday – a reminder of the celebration that never was.

This squad were partying for two. And it felt like that.

An estimated 150,000 people were in Leeds, and the city was as full of fans and stories as it was thick with fog from flares and fireworks.

Club captain Ethan Ampadu's sweary performance on the microphone was instantly iconic and will be remembered for decades.

The Welshman did as much to etch himself into the hearts of Leeds fans in one afternoon as he has done on the pitch in the last two seasons.

But in United's history, no group of players has deserved a party more than this squad.

A record-breaking century of points; securing promotion by reaching near-perfection in games against Stoke and Bristol City; and winning the league with almost the last kick of the season in injury time on the final day.

For modern footballers: whose sleep and diet are tracked, whose every word is scrutinised, who are well-compensated, but make many sacrifices – it was wonderful to see them celebrate.

And the city and fans deserved a party as well.

The last time the glittering silver lady toured Leeds on a bus was 1992 – and there will be many who weren't there or were too young to remember it.

And unlike during the pandemic five years ago when United won the Championship and the unannounced open-top bus was static outside Elland Road, this time the parade had been announced, and the wheels were moving.

Leeds fans finally had their day in the sun.

And though the blue powder from flares has settled, and the smell from the smoke will wash out, the memories made in a couple of hours on a bank holiday Monday will last a lifetime.

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

"I've seen a lot of stuff from Leeds United, but to see the city like this, awaiting its latest band of heroes and its manager Daniel Farke to come, is something special.

"Nobody parties like Leeds United, and this is a special, special day, one already I know I'll be taking with me forever."

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist' Simon Rix are at Leeds city centre as the Whites embark on their victory parade after winning the Championship on Saturday.

Join them for the celebration, won't you?

Listen to the full episode and more on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has a personal achievement to go along with the side's promotion and title win on Saturday - the Championship's golden boot.

The Dutchman found the net 19 times to be named the second division's highest scorer, beating out Burnley's Josh Brownhill with 18.

"It's something I'm really happy with, personally," Piroe told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I said before if you become champion and you get the golden boot, you can't really complain as a striker, can you?"

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also had a personally gratifying experience.

Having played second fiddle to number one stopper Illan Meslier since joining from Newcastle in July 2023, a series of errors from the Frenchman gave Darlow first call on the team sheet for the final seven games of the season.

He kept four clean sheets across those games to help his side clinch the title - though when it comes to pride, it's the collective that matters.

"I've stayed professional throughout the whole thing and waited and bided my time to get an opportunity, to get a chance to get into the side," Darlow said.

"I'm just proud of what we've done as a group and how we've got over the line. We've won the last six on the bounce, and it's an incredible way, under massive pressure from a young squad, to galvanise to get over the line."

Listen to the full interviews and more on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

"For me the best thing is we uplifted a whole community, you know, of this whole city, of this whole area you could just feel it."

The day after the dramatic sealing of the Championship title, the Leeds United chairman, Paraag Marathe, was revealing how he could not have been more proud of seeing the club become champions.

"I wanted to win a trophy. Just like Daniel did, just like the players and just like all the staff did, that's what I wanted, and we got that goal."

With the mission accomplished, Marathe explained that he felt it was the most opportune time to speak to the local media and clarify the burning question over Farke's future before he was even asked it.

"I'm really excited about collaborating with Daniel, with Robbie Evans, who we promoted to managing director, and Adam Underwood, who we promoted to sporting director.

"We're going to build the best squad that we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League... I have ended the speculation; that is correct, he is my man."

Later in the interview he expressed his sorrow over the possible effects of recent media reports that Farke's position was in doubt.

"I felt bad that Daniel and the coaches were twisting in the wind a little bit. I tried to do what I could privately. For me, I'm going to speak when I have something to say and when the time is right.

"It's unfortunate that somebody else tried to speculate something a week or two ago because today was always the moment when I was going to speak with you all."

Marathe has been good to his word of two years ago when he appointed Farke on a four-year deal. "Let me be clear, this is not a short-term thing... This isn't just 'Hey, get us through the Championship'.

"I don't think he had a fair deck of cards when he got back up to the Premier League - his two shots at it. That's one thing we're going to rectify and give him the deck of cards he needs to be successful once we get back up because I think he can be a very, very successful coach across Europe."

So for a third summer the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises will twist again with Daniel Farke by giving him enough rope to make a ladder rather than a noose.

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 have made 26-year-old Marseille and Argentina centre-back Leonardo Balerdi one of their top summer transfer targets. (Sun), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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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."