Leeds United has suffered a catastrophic season in the Premier League, failing to beat Tottenham on the final day of the season and being relegated to the Championship as a result. The Yorkshire club needed other results to go their way, but they were unable to avoid the drop, finishing in 19th place, five points behind 17th-placed Everton. Here, we look at some of the key reasons why it went wrong for Leeds United.
Legacy of Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds United earned huge acclaim when the club ended their 16-year Premier League exile in 2020 under head coach Marcelo Bielsa. However, the board’s decision to sack the Argentinian in February 2022, after a poor run of results, has been criticized as a major mistake. Bielsa’s successor, Jesse Marsch, was also dismissed in February 2022, leaving the club in a worse position in the table. The board’s failed, ill-conceived bids to hire Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot led to accusations of panic, and after a fans’ backlash, they also reneged on appointing former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder. Javi Gracia was appointed as Marsch’s replacement but his tenure was ill-fated, contributing to the team’s relegation.
Managerial failings
While the club’s boardroom decisions have been criticized by fans and pundits alike, some blame has also been attributed to Leeds’ managerial failings. After defying the odds to finish ninth under Bielsa in their first season back in the top flight, the team has failed to sufficiently strengthen their squad. A lack of cover for an injury-prone Patrick Bamford and midfielder Tyler Adams is a prime example. It has also been an imbalanced squad with wide players in abundance but no depth in other key areas. Some signings since promotion, such as Raphinha, Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto, have been a success, but too many others have failed to make an impact, while the arrival of club-record signing Georginio Rutter has left fans scratching their heads.
Ownership issues
The ownership issue has also been raised as a factor contributing to Leeds United’s downfall. The 49ers Enterprises investment arm of San Francisco 49ers increased its stake in the club to 44 per cent at the end of 2021. 49ers Enterprises has an option to own 100 percent by January next year, and the ownership issue has not helped decision-making. Victor Orta’s resignation in protest over Gracia’s sacking has left Leeds without a director of football, and if Allardyce departs as expected, they will be without a long-term head coach. How relegation will affect the takeover remains to be seen, while Andrea Radrizzani has been linked with a move to buy Sampdoria.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several reasons why Leeds United failed to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season. While the legacy of Marcelo Bielsa casts a long shadow over the club, the managerial failings of Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia cannot be ignored. The lack of investment in the squad, particularly in terms of cover for key players, has also been a significant issue. Finally, the ownership issue has added to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future direction.
