Tens of thousands of celebrating fans lined the mile-long route The parade took in the full length of City Square The Headrow and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane See more pictures from the parade and find out more in our report here That's the end of our live coverage of Leeds United's promotion parade There's more on Look North plus in-depth coverage of the club, promotion and summer on Radio Leeds You could even subscribe to the sports team's Don't Go to Bed Just Yet podcast which is all about the Whites We'll leave you with the scene on The Headrow after the parade passed through Get that cleared up and then I'm sure thoughts will turn to the Premier League and summer signings Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingHow many fans?published at 15:48 British Summer Time 5 May15:48 BST 5 MayImage source PA MediaWe've just heard from Leeds City Council about the numbers of people on the city's streets today Local authority estimates put the number of fans in town at about 150,000 Just as well there are plans to make Elland Road a bit bigger Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingIt's all overpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 5 May15:31 BST 5 MayThe bus has finished making its way through the centre of Leeds and is now making its way out of town The city centre was turned into a sea of blue Fans of all ages lined the streets for the celebrations Daniel Farke's side sealed the Championship title with 100 points on Saturday The Championship trophy was paraded through town as the buses made their way through the city centre Fans of all shapes and sizes came out in force to celebrate with their heroes Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhere Flare!published at 15:13 British Summer Time 5 May15:13 BST 5 MayEleanor InglebyBBC News The pyro party ratcheted up a notch as the team parade moved onto The Headrow Huge crowds lined both sides of one of Leeds's best-known streets They may be under the smoke captured in this video They sound in fine voice wherever they are Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAll Leeds aren't we?published at 15:04 British Summer Time 5 May15:04 BST 5 MayImage source A contender for Leeds United's youngest fan gets in on the action The canine supporters' club were also represented at the parade Several generations of Leeds fans have turned out for the celebrations Supporters have been catching a glimpse of the buses wherever they can Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Once a White always a White'published at 14:45 British Summer Time 5 May14:45 BST 5 MayMother and daughter Christene and Robin drove three-and-a-half hours from Colchester to make the parade Christene is a lifelong Whites fan and attended the 1975 European Cup final with her dad as a young girl Mother and daughter Christene and Robin have ventured up from Essex for the promotion party Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPromotion party in full swingpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 5 May14:37 BST 5 MaySteve JonesBBC News Space is at a premium in Leeds city centre this afternoon The city centre has been transformed into a sea of blue Fans are out in force for the promotion party Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingReady to go on The Headrowpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 5 May14:26 BST 5 MayImage source Eleanor Ingleby/BBCFans have left City Square with many streaming up to The Headrow to get a second glance at their heroes It's filling up there now - particularly close to the Town Hall and city art gallery Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe players are herepublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 5 May14:13 BST 5 MayThe three buses carrying the players and staff made their way into City Square to jubilant scenes The promotion party is well and truly under way in the centre of Leeds Daniel Farke's Leeds United are back in the top flight Thousands have lined the city's streets to celebrate 'All Leeds aren't we' is one of the many songs blaring out as the players make their way through town Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFarke's 'firebeasts' and other reasons to be cheerfulpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 5 May14:03 BST 5 MayAdam PopeBBC Radio Leeds commentator Listen: Chairman Paraag Marathe says Daniel Farke will manage Leeds United in the Premier League Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThis is what City Square looked likepublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 5 May13:50 BST 5 MayThis video can not be played Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe scene on the groundpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 5 May13:49 BST 5 MayOli ConstableBBC Yorkshire in City Square and everywhere you look is a sea of yellow and white Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'The Whites are going up!'published at 13:32 British Summer Time 5 May13:32 BST 5 MayIt's getting loud in Leeds city centre as the open-top bus makes its through City Square Leeds topped the 2024/25 Championship table with 100 points Fans young and old are lining the city's streets Leeds last played in the top flight in 2023 Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Marching on together' rings outpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 5 May13:25 BST 5 MayThe Leeds United anthem rings out as the buses which form the parade get nearer to City Square The air is thick with smoke from flares as people hail their heroes Leeds players bounce up and down on the top deck of the buses The parade hasn't reached its official start yet Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBus near to start of routepublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 5 May13:19 BST 5 MayImage source is almost at the start of the route at City Square It's fair to say it's a proper turnout from the people of Leeds Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSeason's support has been 'unparalleled'published at 13:10 British Summer Time 5 May13:10 BST 5 MayAdam PopeBBC Radio Leeds commentator Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Shoes off if you love Leeds'published at 13:00 British Summer Time 5 May13:00 BST 5 May Jubilant fans are getting into the party spirit in Leeds city centre Leeds are celebrating their return to the top flight of English football after a two-year absence Thousands of fans have packed the city centre's streets for the parade Some fans are enjoying a VIP view of the celebrations Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThey predict a riotpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 5 May12:53 BST 5 MayJonny BuchanBBC Radio Leeds sports editor This was the scene in City Square an hour ago Thousands of fans belt out the Kaiser Chiefs anthem I Predict a Riot The tune has become synonymous with the club including a powerful airing when the team clinched promotion against Stoke Leeds United fans sing Kaiser Chiefs anthem Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSo different to last timepublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 5 May12:48 BST 5 MayImage source PA MediaNon-Leeds United fans may be wondering why this is such a big deal after the club were so recently in the top flight Leeds were Championship winners in 2020 - but that was in the middle of Covid restrictions The rules at the time saw empty grounds and a ban on people gathering There was a celebration which saw some fans at the ground but this year's public celebration aims to offer fans a chance to celebrate with each other and the team- which they were denied due to coronavirus Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFans lining the streetspublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 5 May12:47 BST 5 MayImage source Caroline and Heather are in the party spirit City Square just after 11:30 - 90 minutes before the parade gets under way Leeds Rhinos claimed a headline-grabbing win over old adversaries St Helens in the final game of day one at Super League’s Magic Weekend There were also victories for Leigh Leopards and leaders Hull Kingston Rovers at Newcastle United’s iconic home at St James’ Park on Saturday Day two saw Huddersfield Giants finally stop the rot with a much-needed win against Hull FC while Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity also registered victories Leeds legend and Sky Sports pundit Barrie McDermott gives Love Rugby League his Super League Team of the Week Arthur Mourgue impressed yet again for Hull KR and Lachie Miller continued his fine form against St Helens on Saturday by finishing off a brilliant team try and defending strongly too But I’m going to go for Jai Field because the Wigan man was simply superb in his team’s victory over Warrington It was difficult to put a price on this victory for the Giants – a win on the board at the 10th time of asking Swift fully played his part against his old club in yardage in particular making a hugely impressive 133 metres in a superb shift The Aussie centre is a class act and he made a big contribution to Wigan’s victory over Warrington on Sunday Keighran racked up 143 metres and scored a try It was obviously a very disappointing day for the Black and Whites But Litten stood up well in a losing cause and was probably his team’s best player Wakey absolutely trounced Cas Tigers and Walmsley took centre stage with a superb display to earn the man-of-the-match honours He scored twice and was unlucky not to finish the game with a hat-trick blessed with God-given talent and the ability to win games on his own His influence during the first half in particular against Saints was huge and – while I queried the Rhinos’ design to sign Connor – he is more than proving his worth in the famous blue and amber jersey I have been saying for a while that Jack needed to be playing regularly and he is now getting that opportunity assured and controlled display from Sinfield Jr with dad Kev and mum Jayne watching on proudly from the stands The Geordie boy is living his best life – scoring a try at the home of his beloved Newcastle United and then doing the Alan Shearer celebration That was the highlight of a strong all-round performance from the big front rower Ipape was man of the match in Leigh’s thrilling win over Catalans and continues to prove so important to Adrian Lam’s team Jez Litten deserves a mention too for his outstanding display in Hull KR’s win over Salford What a performance by the prop and what a magic moment for his brilliant 70-metre try the ambition to make that kind of break as a middle was simply sensational and capped a brilliant display by Faatili who scored twice His Trinity team-mate Mike McMeeken also deserves a mention for another formidable display in the front row – what a signing he has been this season Wakefield are a club on the rise and Jay Pitts quietly continues to be a consistently impressive performer in their ranks And the thing about Pitts is that he’s been doing it for many years now – he’s one of the most underrated players in Super League Gannon recently announced he is leaving Leeds at the end of the season to go to the NRL But it is not affecting his performances in a Rhinos jersey and he was fantastic against Saints in defence and attack to show why he is so highly rated on both sides of the world sweat and tears to his hometown club for so many years now he was hugely instrumental in helping Luke Robinson’s men to victory over Hull FC scoring a try and working tirelessly all game © Planet Sport Limited 2025 • All Rights Reserved WHICH Super League stars make League Express’ Team of the Week Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet – Catalans Dragons A few wonder touches from Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet in defeat against Leigh Lachlan Walmsley – Wakefield Trinity Was terrific for Wakefield with two superb finishes and a try-saving tackle in the first-half against Castleford Another devastating display from Hull KR’s number 3 against Salford Made the difference on the edges for Wigan against Warrington Came in due to injuries along the Leeds backline and performed admirably Another game another fine Mikey Lewis performance Another superb captain’s knock in the big win over Castleford Strong as an ox for Leeds against St Helens Another powerful performance from the veteran in a shock win over Hull A debut to remember for Joe Ofahengaue in the tough win over Catalans Proved more than an able deputy for the injured David Armstrong in the win over Catalans Was irrepressible through the middle against Salford George Flanagan – Huddersfield Giants A superb display from the youngster against Hull FC The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response 5 MAY 2025Bookmark25 people caught on camera West Yorkshire Police want a chat with (Image: West Yorkshire Police)Every week West Yorkshire Police release footage of people they want to talk to in connection with a number of different crimes has been released in the hopes people can help officers to identify them The alleged crimes range from theft and burglary to assault The images may be of either potential suspects or of witnesses, and anyone who has any information is urged to contact police. If you recognise anyone in the photos, West Yorkshire Police say you should not approach but should instead contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 You should state the identity of the person shown and quote the reference number alongside the photo You can also send the information via online form Get all the latest and breaking West Yorkshire court news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here. CommentsCrime Type: Theft of Pedal Cycle Lawrence Clarke-Russam made his victim’s life an ‘utter misery’ A Leeds student studying law has avoided jail for stalking his ex-girlfriend was studying for his Master’s when he admitted to stalking his former partner by appearing at her home and workplace Clarke-Russam, from Meanwood, made his victim’s life an “utter misery”, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports faced challenges due to Clarke-Russam’s heightened jealousy and frequent cheating accusations The couple split in May 2023 and since then the 30-year-old repeatedly contacted his ex-girlfriend and visited her home with him turning up at her workplace and bombarding her with calls and messages from different phone numbers The woman eventually felt she had no choice but to move back home Clarke-Russam had no previous criminal record Mitigating, Jeremy Barton said: “There can be no excuses for his behaviour Mr Barton also argued that imprisonment would derail his studies Judge Simon Phillips KC described the case as “troubling” and highlighted the impact on the victim saying:  “She was the victim of a campaign of unwanted contact Clarke-Russam received a 24 month jail sentence He was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days An indefinite restraining order was also issued to prevent him from contacting his ex-girlfriend Win £20 to spend at some of the UK's biggest retailers People start work on the seating plan in December? some of them can’t read because where was the tailoring? Trust us – this is one for the calendar The real reason they didn’t take part is much deeper than what we saw on the show The famed list showcases influential young leaders in Europe Here’s all the action from the ceremony Lancaster have made history as the first team to win four years in a row There are so many celeb cameos in this video The Annual Town Meeting for Horsforth took place at St Margaret’s Parish Centre where Katie White MP attended as a guest speaker This meeting provides a chance for Horsforth Town Council to present to the public the work they have been doing for the area as well as addressing any matters of interest or concern raised by the public Our recently elected MP Katie White provided a speech mentioning the good work the town council has been doing this year and talked of her experiences within the government and parliament since becoming an MP She also answered any queries from the people in attendance Among the people in attendance were Councillors Simon Dowling from Outer North West Neighbourhood Policing Team also gave a speech regarding the activities that the local police have been involved with this year He also answered questions raised by the people in attendance The introduction was made by the Town Council chair Cllr Simon Dowling then the minutes from the previous year were approved Katie White addressed the audience after PC Russel She mentioned the great variety of places to eat Ms White said that the community in Horsforth is “creative and thoughtful” with the events that are put on here The reason she wanted to become an MP was that she wanted to help this area with the initiatives that she can provide She grew up in this area having come from a family that has lived here for generations She feels that she is at the right age to be able to serve the constituency that she has been elected to represent Outside of the government she worked passionately for the environment and feels she can bring this to the job Is social media making the democratic system any better More details about Horsforth Town Council can be found here Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Sainsbury's is set to reintroduce the Fairtrade label on its tea products The Fairtrade certification on packaging ensures that producers are paid a guaranteed minimum price The entire "by Sainsbury's" classic teabag range will switch to Fairtrade the foundation's director of partnerships hailing the move as a "tipping point" for ethically sourced tea Sainsbury's director of sustainability commented: "We sell more than 880m teabags a year Cranston referred to the shift as a "bold move" aimed at enhancing relationships with tea producers "We have never pulled away from Fairtrade but we've talked about the risks in tea and have trialled different things," she explained She highlighted that the previous scheme, known as Fairly Traded, was implemented to better the supermarket's engagement with producers, yielding many successes and insights, reports Birmingham Live Thorogood called the tea agreement "incredibly significant" She added: "We're seeing this as a real tipping point for Fairtrade tea we really need other brands and retailers to be buying in the same way," an analyst from the Catholic charity Cafod voiced her apprehensions to the board: "I am concerned that after years of being an extremely valuable champion of Fairtrade Sainsbury's is starting in a direction that could undermine Fairtrade and lead to a plethora of different standards by different companies and confusion for consumers." another shareholder expressed confusion over the new terminology: "I have seen the publicity about the proposed change from Fairtrade to 'fairly traded' tea I have come across the term fairly traded when I have shopped in budget chains I don't know what it means and I don't think most people who shop in Sainsbury's do either." Sainsbury's CEO Mike Coupe defended their move asserting that the company was "trying to bring clarity to a very complicated environment" which involves a range of ethical standards and certifications Coupe further justified the change with assurance about upholding certain principles: "We are committed to the standards Fairtrade currently apply but we have to move on to ensure we cover social environmental and economically sustainable standards around the world," he maintained Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right West Yorkshire is at a pivotal and exciting moment witnessing a transformation that is not just reshaping its physical landscapes but also unlocking potential to further grow the local economy Having joined the authority just a few months ago it is already clear to me that Leeds is at the very heart of this evolution acting as the engine of a region poised for remarkable and sustainable growth Leeds City Council’s commitment to a collaborative approach is what puts us in a strong position to deliver on our ambitions We understand that true progress comes from leaning into the collective strength of our local authority partners and diverse organisations across the city and wider region – we want everyone in Leeds to be part of our growth story and see the benefits as we accelerate and transform over the next five to ten years At the core of this transformation lies ambitious investment in mass transit – the most significant advance in connectivity for decades This investment isn’t just about moving people; it’s about forging vital links between key cities located at the geographical heart of the UK being both at the centre of the region and providing seamless access from our city This accessibility is not just geographical; it’s about connecting talent collaborating to create an outstanding location for people to come and do their life’s best work in a supportive and thriving environment The confidence in Leeds is evident in the substantial investments we are attracting and our new partnership with the Government focused on transforming six of our communities on the periphery of the city centre are testaments to Leeds’s growing national significance the phenomenal growth of events such as The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) and Leeds Digital Festival over the past few years highlights the city’s attractiveness to investors and developers and how we really are a city that you can land in make connections and grow through a supportive ecosystem that opens doors for all involved We are proud to welcome leading organisations to our city including Microsoft and the Bank of England reinforcing Leeds’s position as a powerhouse for innovation and financial services The ripple effects of this investment extend beyond Leeds The region is unlocking significant opportunities leveraging its combined strength to deliver substantial economic and social impact With plans for a transformative integrated transport system alongside massive housing developments and building on our impressive strengths in health tech we are seeing real investment and delivery taking place across the region The combined population of the Leeds and Bradford conurbation is over 1.3 million – more than Birmingham and we are seeing real talent flow between our cities and with the brain gain from our many excellent universities this is only set to continue Leeds plays a vital role in driving growth across West Yorkshire positions it as a key driver of regional prosperity and the location of many high-value jobs We are not just a city; we are a catalyst for the region’s success Leeds is the fastest-growing city in the UK projected to reach a population of one million by 2050 signifies our economic power and acts as a launchpad for what is to come We are particularly proud of our strengths – including financial and professional services (FPS) digital and health – which place Leeds in a strong position for the future highlighted by the highly successful Leeds Digital Festival which showcases our cutting-edge technologies and advances and fosters collaboration across a wide variety of sectors UKREiiF has gone from strength to strength bringing economic benefits to the region of over £38.5 million since its inception in 2022 and now attracting over 17,000 delegates to the city in this May Our universities are incubators for talent and innovation feeding our industries with skilled graduates driving research and development creating and nurturing cutting edge businesses at the forefront of the economy Our thriving and expanding airport connect us to global markets and opportunities and with our focus on our masterplan for Leeds Station the busiest train station in the north of England we are securing our future growth through connectivity It’s a really exciting time to be in the city – we are building a future where regional connectivity and global ambition go hand-in-hand creating a prosperous and sustainable future for all We are confident that by continuing to work together we will unlock the full potential of our region and cement Leeds’s place as a leading city on the global stage which continues to build and grow for the benefit of everyone living and working there To find out more about UKREiiF and the team, visit here www.ukreiif.com Business Reporter® is a registered trademark of Lyonsdown Ltd has outlined his desire to see the club become “one of the best in all of Europe” as fans enjoyed the open-top bus parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League Leeds city centre came to a standstill on Monday as Daniel Farke’s side took to the streets to celebrate with more than 150,000 of their supporters. Leeds returned to the top-flight after a two-year absence and Marathe declared their bold ambitions from one of three parading buses. “I don’t think anyone realised, this wasn’t fucking easy,” said Marathe, whose 49ers Enterprises completed a full takeover of the club in July 2023. “This was really hard to do. Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty, makes right now that much more rewarding and makes today so special. I hope I never forget this moment. I want to live in this moment as much as I can. but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.” City-centre streets in Leeds were closed at 8am and supporters gathered hours before the players’ bus began its crawl down Wellington Street at 1pm towards the City Square and then along the Headrow to the town hall The short route took almost two hours as fans lined the streets climbed trees and scaled lamp-posts and traffic lights to gain a better vantage point Both Leeds and Burnley finished on 100 points – the first time two Championship sides have hit the landmark in the same season – but Leeds’ superior goal difference saw them claim the winners’ trophy Leeds last secured promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 That came during the Covid-19 pandemic – the final nine games were played behind closed doors – and success under Farke is the first time Leeds have celebrated promotion to England’s top tier with their fans since 1990 Tickets & Hospitality Matches Shop LUTV Foundation More... xemailPreparations are continuing for Leeds United’s Bank Holiday promotion parade and the opportunity it will give fans and players to jointly celebrate the club’s return to the Premier League Large crowds are expected to turn out on Monday (May 5) to salute Daniel Farke and his team as they make their way through the city centre on an open-top bus Leeds City Council – which is organising the event in conjunction with the club with support from various multi-agency partners – has been working hard to ensure the day runs safely as the countdown continues to the celebrations the council is now asking people to remember the following key messages: There is no single focal point or set-piece location for the event; Fans are encouraged to spread out and line the full length of the city centre route so they can get the best close-up views of the bus and its VIP passengers; The council is urging people not to engage in any behaviour – such as climbing up buildings lampposts or bus shelters – which could put themselves or others at risk of harm; Anyone coming into the city centre on Monday should plan their journey carefully and take into account the extensive road closure and traffic measures required to safely facilitate the parade; to use public transport – including the buses that will be running from the park and ride sites at Temple Green and Stourton towards City Square from Wellington Street They will then move slowly through City Square and along Boar Lane New Market Street and Vicar Lane before turning left and travelling down the full length of the Headrow United’s promotion heroes will be ‘on the mic’ and interacting with fans throughout an event that is sure to generate an unforgettable carnival atmosphere across the whole city centre As is standard practice for an occasion of this size a major programme of road closures will be in force between 8am and 5pm on Monday The list of roads that will be fully or partly closed for some or all of that time includes Albion Street Park and ride services will be operating from Temple Green and Stourton between 10am and 1pm, with return journeys running between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Further details about park and ride provision on the day can be found here Non-park and ride buses will also be running, although some services will be diverting from their usual routes and a number of stops in the city centre will be suspended. People intending to travel by bus are advised to check the relevant timetables and journey information in advance via the Metro website Council-run car parks will be open as normal but are likely to be extremely busy and – in some cases – access will be affected by road closures Information on Bank Holiday train services, meanwhile, can be found at the National Rail website Leeds City Station will be operating as normal although people are being encouraged to use its New Station Street entrance Emergency service access in the city centre will be maintained before which is expected to last between an hour and an hour-and-a-half While the way the event has been organised means people will have a clear sight of the bus wherever they are on the route two dedicated and accessible viewing areas for disabled fans and companions will also be in place One of these areas will be outside Leeds Art Gallery and the other in a position directly in front of the Queens Hotel on City Square that can be easily reached from Leeds City Station Both areas – which will be protected by barriers and managed by stewards – are ground level and will not have seating but are immediately adjacent to the parade route Companion access to the areas will be limited to one per disabled person Some on-street disabled parking provision will be suspended on Monday as part of the arrangements for the safe delivery of the parade but spaces will remain available at locations including The Calls “Monday promises to be a fabulous occasion and my thanks go to all the people at the council Leeds United and agencies such as West Yorkshire Police who have helped make it happen with the road closure programme forming a key part of our efforts to ensure that it passes off safely and successfully “The closures will inevitably disrupt some people’s normal routines and we thank all those affected for their patience and understanding on this hugely important day for the city “We would also encourage anyone coming into the city centre on Monday to plan their journey carefully and to consider as there is no single focal point for the event fans can expect the same exciting experience wherever they position themselves “By lining as much of the route as possible supporters will create a city centre-wide carnival atmosphere and give Daniel Farke and his players the reception they deserve.” People who cannot make it to the parade will be able to follow proceedings via a live stream on United's LUTV channel Map Leeds United are planning wholesale changes to their squad this summer as the club prepare to embark on their quest of establishing themselves back in the Premier League – and the likely first three players due to depart have come to light and with Paraag Marathe having explained why sales this summer WILL be necessary The Whites celebrated their dramatic coronation as Championship champions on Monday – sealed by Manor Solomon’s 91st-minute winner at Plymouth on the final day on Saturday – with a open-top bus parade with hundreds of thousands of supporters lining the streets of Leeds to celebrate Daniel Farke’s promotion-winning heroes But while the players who sealed the job can now look forward to a long break, behind the scenes Leeds United are working hard on re-shaping their squad ahead of the very obvious challenge of surviving in the Premier League two respected voices in the world of the Whites have revealed three players they now expect to depart Elland Road at the end of the season while doubts have emerged over four more stars too the first man out the door could well be Illan Meslier Speaking recently on The Athletic’s podcast I struggle to see being first choice at Leeds again But the way in which it has happened this season dropping out of the team on the back of two or three years of downward spiral “It makes you think he needs a fresh start and Leeds need to go after a new first-choice goalkeeper The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has also confirmed our story from last week that Patrick Bamford has likely now played his last game for Leeds bringing an end to his seven-year stint at Elland Road “In my head, next summer, Bamford leaves. That means Leeds will already be one down. I would probably be thinking we’ll get a 9 but keep Piroe, a very good finisher, as a sub and keep Mateo Joseph to develop,” he said on the Inside Elland Road podcast The Whites are also expected to bid farewell to veteran midfielder Josuha Guilavogui who moved to Elland Road on a free transfer in October as Leeds sought to bring in midfield cover for the injuries sustained to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev The Frenchman is out of contract on July 1 READ MORE ⚪🔵🟡 Bamford lines up shock Champ move as Leeds turn to veteran Prem goal-grabber TEAMtalk understands that the Whites will listen to offers for Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood while Sam Byram will also likely depart as a free agent at the end of his deal and loan star Joe Rothwell are still to be made though the Whites are intent on keeping Tottenham loanee Solomon Having this weekend confirmed that Farke will continue as manager in the Premier League next season Marathe has now confirmed that players will likely have to leave this summer and that big-money sales are not out the window altogether “Your speculation is probably right – it’s going to be a mix of inbounds along with outbounds,” he told BBC Radio Leeds We are looking at maximising what we can do Leeds are also looking to bring in lots of Premier League experience to enhance their chances of beating the drop and there is a growing belief that a deal for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff could be one of the first deals over the line The midfielder has been on his hometown team’s books all his career but has fallen down the pecking order under Eddie Howe this season And while he has made 31 appearances in all competitions across the 2024/25 campaign Newcastle are understood to be ready to green light his exit if an asking price of around £10m is sent their way this summer — James Marshment (@marshyleeds) May 5, 2025 He’s been a brilliant servant to the football club,” Howe said during a press conference last week he can dictate what happens with his future He’s still a very valued member of the squad With Leeds seeking a new goalkeeper, one man who could fill that position is Caoimhin Kelleher. Now Liverpool have named their final price for the Irishman to leave this summer Leeds and Chelsea all learning his likely next destination Meanwhile, Leeds have added Troy Parrott to their striker shortlist for the summer window with the former Tottenham man under consideration along with two Premier League forwards And finally, there is also growing optimism that a deal for Manor Solomon will also seen be done after sources told us that Tottenham are open to the Israeli’s sale this summer and with Leeds growing increasingly confident a deal will soon be agreed. the Whites secured their promotion with two games to spare when Sheffield United lost at Burnley Daniel Farke's squad went on the win the Championship title after a last-minute winner against Plymouth on Saturday 3 May The team will tour their home city as heroes on an open-top-bus on bank holiday Monday 5 May with fans being invited to line the streets for the celebrations There is no single focal point for the event so fans are being encouraged to spread out along the route The players will be 'on the mic' and interacting with fans throughout the event Leeds City Council are advising people to "plan ahead" with extensive road closures and traffic measures in place throughout the city The parade is due to start at 1pm and is expected to last between an hour and an hour-and-a-half It will begin with Daniel Farke and his players heading from Wellington Street towards City Square Then they will turn left and travel down the full length of the Headrow A number of roads will be fully or partly closed for some or all of the time between 8am and 5pm Leeds City Council are encouraging people travelling to the event to use public transport Park and ride services will be operating from Temple Green and Stourton between 10am and 1pm with return journeys running between 2.30pm and 5.30pm you don't need tickets to join the celebrations People who cannot make it to the parade will be able to follow it via a live stream on United's LUTV channel Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know Leeds United’s Premier League promotion celebrations lit up the city of Leeds on Monday afternoon with over 100,000 fans lining the streets to welcome Daniel Farke’s squad back to the top flight was one of many figures to speak to LUTV live from the open-top bus delivering a frank and passionate assessment this wasn’t f****** easy,” Marathe told LUTV but all that hard work and difficulty makes right now more rewarding “I want to live in the moment as much as I can but we’re going to get where we want to go and we’re going to be one of the best clubs in Europe.” Those ambitions continue a theme from Marathe’s recent commitment to “spend every penny” to support Farke’s side in building a squad capable of not just surviving, but thriving in the Premier League. But while the celebrations showed a club united in purpose one moment during the festivities may have confirmed an expected departure though not in the most conventional fashion With spirits (and pints) high, Leeds United players took turns on the microphone to lead chants and songs including a familiar tune dedicated to left-back Junior Firpo The 28-year-old is out of contract this summer and has long been linked with a return to La Liga teammate Ethan Ampadu – appearing worse for wear as he donned an orange traffic cone and dominated the microphone with songs for much of the parade – seized the mic and shouted “Real Betis Betis!” while pointing toward the defender Firpo responded with what sounded like “You shouldn’t have said that,” as several other players including third-choice goalkeeper Alex Cairns captured on LUTV’s coverage and heard by thousands in the immediate area may have inadvertently confirms Firpo’s next move with both club and left-back remaining tight-lipped in recent weeks Firpo has made 122 appearances for Leeds since signing from Barcelona in 2021 scoring four goals and playing a significant role in this season’s promotion campaign But with his contract due to expire and Real Betis consistently circling Ampadu’s accidental outburst may have offered fans their clearest hint yet that the Dominican international has played his last game in white Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account Daniel Farke will be Leeds' manager in the Premier League next season That's according to the club's chairman Paraag Marathe who has commented on the German's future amid intense speculation he could depart despite securing Promotion from the Championship Leeds had reportedly been weighing up whether to keep Farke in charge for their top-flight return His side clinched the title and reached 100 points by beating Plymouth on Saturday Chairman Marathe has now confirmed Farke will remain at the helm for next season The American told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel and collaborate with him When asked if he had any question marks over the manager, Marathe added: "I have ended the speculation. He is my man." Farke has been in charge at Elland Road since 2023, guiding the club to the play-off final in his first season as boss. His previous two promotions with Norwich both ended in disappointment, though. he is set to be backed in the transfer market by Leeds' owners this summer Marathe explained: "Together we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League "We are going to attack the transfer market and it's something I'm really excited about." He also hailed Farke's calming influence around the club continuing: "He is such a calming force - presence would be an understatement He told you all he was 100% confident we were going to the Prem after the draw with Swansea "He has that conviction and belief and I told him privately that I was looking forward to moving forward together but I didn't feel like it was my time to speak because someone wanted to put out a rumour." Farke's Leeds contract still has two years remaining with his deal not set to expire until the summer of 2027 His third season in charge will begin in the top-flight in August as Leeds return after a two-year hiatus The Whites' most recent stint in the Premier League lasted three seasons before relegation on the final day in 2023 Leeds fans were in the mood to party(Image: PA)The streets of Leeds were turned yellow Daniel Farke's side registered 100 points across the season, matching Burnley. However, it was Leeds that clinched the title thanks to their superior goal difference. Leeds fans looked for any vantage point to welcome their heroes, some climbed on bus stops while others clambered into trees. The majority had gathered in City Square, where the bus parade would finish. Images shown flares and flags being waved as fans eagerly anticipated the arrival of their heroes. Leeds fans climbed trees to get a view(Image: PA)Article continues below"It is beautiful. I heard a lot of people would be here, but this many is beautiful," Joel Piroe said when seeing the crowds. "This is one of the biggest parties I've ever had." While Illan Meslier added: "This is literally unbelievable. I am speechless. To see so many people is amazing. "Wow! I spend six years here so it is a huge pleasure to play for them and I love everyone. When I see this even more, I enjoy this a lot." Leeds fans lined the streets to celebrate(Image: Getty Images)Manor Soloman, speaking from the bus, was also blown away: "To see them celebrating like this, I don't know how many thousand, you can't count them. It is incredible. "I was expecting to see a lot of people, but not this many, it is great. "What we have all done this season is amazing. Now we have to celebrate it. I've made some memories at Leeds United and they will always be in my heart. These fans deserve to be so happy!" believed to have shot two women in Headingley before turning weapon on himself The suspect in the Leeds crossbow attack wrote a Facebook manifesto espousing plans for “terrorism revenge and misogynistic rage” that referenced the 2019 massacre in New Zealand Owen Lawrence is suspected to have shot the women on Saturday in Headingley before turning a firearm on himself with one sustaining life-threatening injuries also cites “neurotypical” people as targets as well as general categories such as “humanity” and “human race” the author says he has read the manifesto of the far-right mass murderer Brenton Tarrant who carried out the massacre in Christchurch Tarrant killed 51 people in and close to two mosques The Facebook post details the attack type as: “Mass murder Counter-terrorism police have taken the lead in investigating after concluding that the suspect was likely to have written the tract One of his victims has been discharged while the other is in a stable condition said: “We can confirm that the 38-year-old man who was arrested and taken to hospital on Saturday with a self-inflicted injury “This man was the key suspect and we can name him as Owen Lawrence from Headingley We believe he was acting on his own and are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter “Counter Terrorism Policing North East will continue to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation to establish the facts and circumstances around the incident A file will be compiled and passed to the coroner.” The Guardian understands Lawrence was unknown to counter-terrorism police or the security services as a suspect beforehand The senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism is still to declare the attempt at a mass casualty attack as a terrorist incident Lawrence lived barely 200 metres off Otley Road and his last address was a flat that has been raided and searched by police said: “The events in Headingley this weekend have deeply alarmed our community not only the planned attack but the disturbing rise in violent misogyny too We continue to hold the two women attacked in our thoughts as they recover and it’s essential we tackle any culture that normalises misogyny and opens the door to extremism.” with police trying to determine how their suspect got hold of it The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “We understand there are concerns around the incident and questions about how and why this has happened Our teams are committed to carrying out an in-depth investigation to provide answers to those affected.” an account that appears to be linked to Lawrence lists things that he hates In this post and his supposed manifesto posted on Facebook he referenced “the great replacement theory” This is a bogus far-right claim that white populations are being replaced in society Material from the suspect’s electronic devices is being investigated as is his mental health and neurological state said: “My thoughts remain with the victims and wider community following the horrific incident in Headingley at the weekend.” Counter-terrorism’s workload increasingly includes people who have no clear ideology or where the causes driving them to violence are unclear A fortnight ago, the Guardian revealed that counter-terrorism police and the National Crime Agency had set up a joint taskforce to tackle young males fixated with violence online that is often also fuelled by “strongly misogynistic” online material A crossbow and firearm were found at the scene in Headingley and a man with a self-inflicted injury arrested Counter-terrorism police have been called in after two women were seriously injured in Leeds and a crossbow and a gun were seized by police while a male suspect with a self-inflicted injury was arrested West Yorkshire police were called at 2.47pm on Saturday after reports of a man with weapons The two women injured were taken to hospital while a 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital Their injuries were not regarded as life-threatening Counter Terrorism Policing North East said it had taken over the investigation “due to the circumstances surrounding the incident … Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.” said: “I am being kept updated on the serious violent incident in Leeds this afternoon Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.” said: “From the enquiries undertaken so far there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.” Assistant chief constable Carl Galvin of West Yorkshire police said officers were in the area to “reassure residents and continue our enquiries” “I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene,” he said “We would strongly urge people not to speculate online or share information or footage which could affect the active investigation and continue to work closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.” just days before the summer term starts for many university courses told Yorkshire Live: “I was at work at a nearby restaurant and some girls were sitting outside “They asked if they could come in and finish what they were having because they’d seen someone with a crossbow we saw ambulances and police rushing down the roads and we’d been told by police to keep everyone indoors and away from the area.” the chancellor and MP for Leeds West and Pudsey telling the BBC: “My thoughts are with all of those affected.” Up in the directors’ box, Paraag Marathe looked on inscrutably. If, and it remains quite a big if, he really is considering sacking Farke, the club’s chairman – who, perhaps significantly pulled out of a planned pre-match television interview at the last minute – must surely be having second thoughts after this. Read moreWin at Plymouth on Saturday and Farke’s formidably impressive Leeds will finish the season on 100 points and, due to their superior goal difference, clinch the Championship title. All kaleidoscopic passing and movement, they simply steamrollered Bristol City into submission and the visiting manager can only hope that a defeat that could have been considerably heavier does not exert too much psychological damage at a vital moment Although City are well placed to finish in the top six they may still need to beat Preston at Ashton Gate on Saturday to secure a playoff semi-final against Sheffield United or Manning’s players did not have a shot of any description until the 75th minute here Given Farke’s achievement in securing a top-two place last week despite losing three of his best players in a £140m fire sale last summer reports that he could be about to be sacked seem absurd Although the manager is due to meet with Marathe this week to “discuss the future” club sources claim it is all part of a routine end of season review and nothing out of the ordinary Whatever the precise truth – given that the stories have not emerged from thin air it seems someone somewhere clearly has an agenda –the club’s owners are surely misguided if they really believe they can get a better manager Do they not appreciate just how good Farke is the outgoing Everton-bound Leeds chief executive penned an ode to the German in Monday’s match programme “I want to congratulate Daniel on an almost immaculate season,” he wrote “This club needs a leader with broad shoulders strong principles and unshakeable belief if it is to be successful I don’t believe we could have a better leader.” Farke himself remained characteristically poised before kick-off telling a television interviewer: “It’s not my topic … I just recommend you don’t believe everything you read in a newspaper.” Earlier, dressed in his trademark black parka, Farke took his place in the home dugout on an unusually warm late April evening, the ground turned into a sea of twirling yellow scarves as the stadium rocked to a raucously rousing rendition of the club anthem “Marching on Together”. Five years ago when Leeds were last promoted to the Premier League, the Covid pandemic dictated that locals were denied their party. They certainly made up for it here and a City team penned into their own half and struggling to string two passes together proved perfectly obliging guests. Free daily newsletterKick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football With the once again excellent right-back Jayden Bogle rampaging forward and the outstanding Japan central midfielder Ao Tanaka integral to much glorious movement, the ever dangerous Manor Solomon swiftly swept the ball into the back of the net. Although that effort was disallowed as Joël Piroe had strayed offside, Tanaka soon half-volleyed Solomon’s clever looping cross beyond Max O’Leary. Sunderland, watching from a training camp in Portugal, may have been encouraged to note that Tanaka was unmarked. City mark zonally but that system failed here. O’Leary initially kept them in the game, with the best of several fine saves denying Solomon. Leeds though monopolised possession and doubled their lead when Wilfried Gnonto ran onto Piroe’s superb through ball and expertly lifted his shot over the advancing O’Leary. By way of emphasising that 30 points separate these sides, substitute Largie Ramazani scored the third with his first touch after meeting a ball from Junior Firpo as perfectly calibrated as Leeds performance. When Ramazani controlled Ilia Gruev’s through pass and whipped a stoppage-time fourth past O’Leary Elland Road offered Farke a standing ovation. Over to you Mr Marathe. 1730 CommentsLeeds United and Burnley have sealed their places in the Premier League with two games to spare Both could end the season on exactly 100 points - yet will be immediately tipped for relegation next season For the Clarets it is an immediate bounce back while the Whites took two years to secure their top-flight return Both clubs' managers have similar records in English football management - with three promotions from the Championship but no seasons of staying in the Premier League So how will they fare back in the top flight The past two seasons have shown they will have their work cut out Six moments that mattered as Leeds won promotion We bored our way to the Premier League - Brownhill Leeds & Burnley promoted to the Premier League - reaction & Phil McNulty Q&A Parker 'hugely proud' of Burnley promotion Burnley's last season in the Premier League was under Vincent Kompany But they continued trying to play like that in the Premier League and it did not work. Well it worked for Kompany, who was hired as Bayern Munich manager at the end of the season this promotion campaign has been very different It was based on a solid defence - conceding only 15 goals in 44 league games so far They are on a club record 31-game unbeaten league run Manager Scott Parker had previously won promotion with Fulham and Bournemouth His record in the Championship is three promotions from three seasons In his two and a half years with Fulham they were relegated from the Premier League twice At Bournemouth he got them promoted in his first season in charge but left just weeks into the following season Former Clarets defender Michael Duff told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There are going to be tough times next season [for Parker] He's proven that he's a good manager and he's not going to become a bad manager in three or four games." added: "There is no way he is going to come away from that [defensive strategy] next season especially after what he has seen in the last two seasons from newly promoted sides." Daniel Farke has managed something only Marcelo Bielsa has done with Leeds since 1990 - winning promotion to the top flight The German led Norwich to promotion from the Championship twice but they went straight back down the first time and he was sacked in the November of the second Premier League campaign They have more points than they did in their 2019-20 Championship title-winning campaign under Bielsa (93) - having lost in last season's play-off final But no manager will ever compare to the iconic Argentine Bielsa - who was sacked 18 months into his Premier League stint - to Leeds fans Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford said: "When you've got players such as Archie Gray Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville - three key players leaving last summer who would have foreseen the overturn in fortunes "The players that came in - man for man - may not have been as good individually as the players that left But what they did bring was unity and team spirit we've got more points [than under Bielsa] but those stats do get overlooked because Daniel Farke is not Marcelo Biesla." Monday Night Club: How will Leeds and Burnley cope in the Premier League Leeds and Burnley will hope they can buck the new trend of promoted teams going straight back down Only once between the Premier League's foundation in 1992-93 and 2022-23 had all the promoted teams gone straight back down But it is set to happen for the second season in a row now This season Leicester and Southampton are down and Ipswich will join them soon barring a huge turnaround in the final few weeks they will be the two lowest ever points totals for three relegated teams It used to be more common for no promoted teams to go back down - happening four times Hart added: "I think fans are going to have to get on board that their teams are going to be looking to grind out results "I think it has been shown over the last two seasons what an impressive league this is and you really have to be squeaky clean if you want to play that sort of football - because you will get picked apart and hurt." One thing hindering promoted clubs is the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) - which punishes clubs which post losses of more than £105m over a three-year reporting cycle Burnley chief finance officer Sasha Ryazantsev told BBC Sport: "A promotion to the Premier League has the obvious positive impact of the higher broadcasting and commercial revenues Burnley will have one of the lowest revenues "Player wages is the best predictor of on-the-pitch performance in the Premier League the average wages of the three promoted clubs were five times lower than the average for the top three clubs and half of the average of the seven clubs immediately below them "Such disparity means that it has become increasingly difficult for newly promoted sides to stay up and clubs need to find a way to outsmart the opposition as outspending them is just not a viable option." Is this the worst bottom three in Premier League history The Premier League's worst bottom three ever Joe Hart on goalkeepers Meslier and Trafford Leeds have been more impressive going forward this season Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu look capable of coping with the step up," said BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope of the Wales internationals Winger James has played in the Premier League with Leeds Manchester United and Fulham and centre-back Rodon has already played in the top flights in England "There is an argument to suggest Ao Tanaka Jayden Bogle and Willy Gnonto could follow suit with the latter pair having had 74 appearances between them in the Premier League already," added Pope "Joel Piroe has the quality to finish at the top level Dutch forward Piroe is the Championship's top scorer with 19 goals - including four in Monday's 6-0 win over Stoke. The man who has dominated headlines for Burnley this season has been England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford. He has kept 28 clean sheets in 43 Championship games, including a run of 12 in a row, conceding 15 goals - one every 258 minutes. Last season he had conceded 62 goals in 28 Premier League games, with only two clean sheets. Former Clarets keeper Hart said: "I love him, he is so confident and charismatic. He really believes in himself and I know for a fact he has been working hard on his physical development. He will be at the centre of plenty of activity this summer." Ex-Clarets winger Glen Little, who is BBC Radio Lancashire's summariser, says their centre-backs - who like Trafford are both 22 - have been their best two players. "I'd have Maxime Esteve as the player of the season and CJ Egan-Riley right behind him. The defence have been really good," he said. Both clubs are owned by Americans, with investment from people linked to American football. ALK Capital LLC has majority control of Burnley, with Alan Pace the chairman. Former NFL player JJ Watt is a minority stakeholder in the club. Leeds are owned by the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises group, with investors including American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Red Bull has a minority stake in the club. Leeds reporter Pope said: "I expect Daniel Farke will be backed by the owners, unlike his time post winning two titles at Norwich City. "Financially Leeds United are in as solid a position as I can recall. "The one concern is that the club has £142m to fork out in unpaid transfer fees, but the profit from the sales of Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter will offset some of that." Burnley's owners have a decision to make. Two summers ago they spent a fortune and got relegated with 24 points. "A couple of years ago they shocked everyone," said Little. "They spent about £100m. It was a disaster. It didn't work. "Will they reign it in a bit this time and go for more experienced Premier League players? Or will they take the money and say 'it's a young team, shall we go with it and see how we get on?' "The one thing they didn't do last time, which was a mistake, was they didn't sign a proper centre-forward. This time around hopefully they've learned their lesson there. That would be my first business." 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This follows on from the plans outlined in September of 2024 Leeds City Council’s Executive Board unanimously agreed the regeneration vision and Councillors will now be discussing the pre-application for the modernisation of Elland Road Stadium at a Plans Panel meeting on Thursday 8th May 2025 with the view to increase the capacity from 37,645 to up to 56,500 The estimated final capacity of the design in progress is approximately 53,000 An evolution of what makes Elland Road great the revitalisation of the West and North Stands will provide greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities with 26,000 supporters currently on the club’s season ticket waiting list Fans and members of the local community can visit a public exhibition at the Centenary Pavilion at Elland Road which will be open from Thursday 22nd May 2025-Friday 23rd May 2025 or one of two consultation events as part of a community roadshow in Leeds: Public Exhibition at The Centenary Pavilion Thursday 22nd May 2025 (11am-12pm) BSL and Quiet Session Leeds United endeavours to ensure the consultation process is as accessible as possible and would also like to hear your views and thoughts. Feedback and comments can be submitted via [email protected] with Leeds needing to win to move back to the top above Burnley on goal difference with one game remaining who leads a consortium of about 100 investors making up 49ers Enterprises and will have the final say needs to be convinced by Farke and wants to hear how he would approach a season in the Premier League The owners have ambitious plans to turn Leeds into a top-10 club and to expand Elland Road’s capacity to 56,500 Leeds’s managerial plans are complicated by financial restrictions that have left them with little profitability and sustainability headroom and a limited budget to make changes The club have posted combined losses of £94.5m over the past two seasons and their permitted loss for the next three-year reporting cycle will be £61m Leeds have released plans for an expanded Elland Road Illustration: LUFCFarke has two years on his contract and would be due a year’s salary in compensation if dismissed leaving Leeds to focus on alternatives who are out of work or available for limited compensation Initial soundings have been made towards the former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst PSV and Benfica coach Roger Schmidt and Davide Ancelotti The first two are out of work and Ancelotti is expected to leave Real with his father in the summer Another potential problem for Leeds is the owners’ determination to take charge of player recruitment through a data-led approach Leeds backed Farke by retaining him after they lost to Southampton in the playoff final last season but Marathe failed to offer any personal support after securing promotion at the second time of asking last Monday Marathe is due to stay in Leeds all week and attend their final game of the season at Plymouth on Saturday On appointing Farke Marathe said the former Borussia Mönchengladbach coach had been recruited with a view to managing the club in the Premier League “I don’t think he had a fair stack of cards when he was in the Premier League,” he said “We’re going to give him the deck of cards I think he could be a very successful coach across Europe This isn’t just: ‘Hey get us through the Championship.’” The Championship’s best team will need to be smart in the transfer market to give themselves a chance next season When Leeds United sold £140m of playing talent last summer, Daniel Farke deviated from accepted managerial convention and declined to throw his toys out of the pram. Farke is a little too unconventional, a little too resistant to groupthink, to always do the expected and his club’s owner, the San Francisco‑based 49ers Enterprises, is poised to reap the benefits. The German’s unusual amalgam of high emotional intelligence and advanced numeracy have helped to provide the framework for the freshly secured promotion to the Premier League that Leeds so narrowly missed out on last May. Read moreAs the stars of that campaign – Crysencio Summerville Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter – departed and Elland Road regulars despaired With English football’s spending rules complied with the manager reconstructed a slimmed-down squad in a manner befitting his former roles as an economics student and the sporting director of the German club Lippstadt came Ao Tanaka for £3.5m from Fortuna Düsseldorf Jayden Bogle for £5m from Sheffield United and the Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon While Japan’s Tanaka proved one of the second tier’s best anchoring midfielders Bogle shone as an increasingly outstanding attacking right‑back and Israel’s Solomon impressed on the left wing Farke had never really wanted to be a coach As a third-tier player in Germany he studied economics and became more interested in contracts His dream was to remain in football as a sporting director and it came true at Lippstadt where he oversaw the construction of a new stadium temporarily combining that job with training the team An offer to coach Borussia Dortmund’s second string scuppered a subsequent plan to take a sabbatical travelling the world and the experience of working alongside his friend Thomas Tuchel helped to persuade him he was not too shabby at tactics after all Three promotions from the Championship the most recent showcasing the 48‑year‑old’s ability to create a Leeds side arguably exceeding the sum of its parts Solomon have the ability to hold their own in the top tier so too do the Welsh trio Ethan Ampadu (Farke’s excellent captain) Karl Darlow has been first choice for Leeds during the run-in but Daniel Farke has also shown a lot of trust in Illan Meslier Photograph: Danny Lawson/PAThis time last year Farke said his team would have been promoted had Patrick Bamford stayed fit but 12 months later the Championship has been escaped despite an injury‑plagued Bamford kicking far fewer balls than his manager would have liked Much of that is down to Joël Piroe’s 19 goals but the limitations of Piroe’s all-round game dictate that a centre‑forward – along with a No 10 and a goalkeeper – seems to be a transfer priority If Bamford undoubtedly retains the quality to excel at Premier League level his fitness record leaves question marks and Illan Meslier’s goalkeeping talent has been undermined by a creeping susceptibility to making mistakes under pressure Meslier is far too gifted – his footwork is top-drawer – for the Frenchman’s career to be written off but he quite possibly needs a change of scene replaced Meslier with Karl Darlow during the run-in but although the former Newcastle No 2 proved solidity personified the manager’s long-running persistence with Meslier suggests he may not quite trust Darlow at the highest level As Leeds enjoy the moment, such decisions remain for the future. “Don’t stress me with the Premier League right now,” Farke said after confirmation of his team’s promotion on Monday night “We want to become an established Premier League side but lots of work It perhaps does not help that Elland Road’s much-admired chief executive The most recent accounts (compiled before those £140m player sales) show that Leeds sustained a £60.8m pre-tax loss during 2023‑24 and had a Championship‑record £127.6m turnover That latter figure is relatively modest by Premier League standards dictating that staying within profitability and sustainability rules will remain an issue next season “The domestic transfer market’s overpriced,” Farke said recently “That means we have to be creative and think outside the box; we’re increasingly looking outside Europe.” Matters are complicated further by the need for 49ers Enterprises to invest significant funds in updating and expanding an outdated Elland Road with a formal planning application due for imminent submission to the city council It appears Farke may soon need to draw heavily on the emotional balance and original thinking that shine through during his invariably sure-footed yet always interesting media addresses Club officials say his dressing-room persona is little different but it will be intriguing to see whether a manager uncomfortably aware that last season’s cohort of promoted clubs are coming straight back down will take into account the height and physique of new signings At a time when athleticism and physicality are increasingly prized top-flight attributes “In the past 21 years this club has spent only three seasons in the Premier League but that’s where Leeds belongs,” Farke said “My job was to get us there – now it’s keeping us there.” TEAMtalk can confirm that a move to Leeds United is one option for Jamie Vardy while Wrexham are moving on from the Premier League icon and could swoop for a Whites striker instead Vardy recently announced that he will end his glittering spell with Leicester City once his contract expires in the summer The centre-forward aims to continue playing at the highest level A number of sides are interested in the veteran and there is a very real possibility he will achieve the move he wants Newly promoted duo Leeds and Burnley are both possibilities for Vardy They admire the 38-year-old for his vast experience and believe he can contribute with top-flight goals next season the former England international still believes he has a lot to offer clubs in the Premier League and his agents at Wasserman are talking to clubs to find the best solution Vardy is attracting interest from the Championship but the chances of him playing in the second tier next season are low TEAMtalk understands that the Welsh club are also interested in Leeds striker Patrick Bamford. His exit could make room for Vardy to arrive at Elland Road this summer Leeds are in the market for a new striker and would love to add several attacking options to their squad if they get the opportunity Vardy represents a bargain option as he can be signed on a free transfer via a pre-contract agreement One source has suggested that a deal taking him to his next club is more advanced than people may think and that he has had plenty of interest for several months Vardy also would not have chosen to leave the club he loves if he didn’t already know he had good options on the table Rangers and Celtic have been linked with moves for Vardy too but that would go against the transfer policy of both clubs as they are looking at younger players they can develop and sell on for profit DON’T MISS ⚪ Every manager linked with Leeds United job in wake of Daniel Farke sack speculation former Leeds boss Simon Grayson has given his verdict on rumours the club might axe Daniel Farke even after their promotion Leeds have been backed to land a big-name replacement for Farke to give them a better chance of staying up next season But Grayson thinks the German ‘one hundred percent deserves’ to still be in charge at Elland Road Crossbow and firearm recovered from city’s Otley Run pub crawl route where two women were seriously injured Facebook posts appearing to contain plans for a “massacre” are being examined by counter-terrorism police investigating an attack in which two women were seriously injured in Leeds. A man, 38, who suffered a “self-inflicted injury” was arrested and two weapons – a crossbow and a firearm – were recovered from the scene, on the popular Otley Run pub crawl route in the north of the city. He was described on Sunday as a “key suspect” by police who said he remained in hospital in a critical condition. One of the two women – who are aged 19 and 31 – has been discharged from hospital, but the other underwent surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries and is in a stable condition. Police also said they were aware of video being circulated on social media, a reference to footage which appeared to have been taken from a passing car and shows a black-clad man carrying an implement and with a carry case slung over his shoulder. The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, said officers were working at pace to establish the full facts and circumstances of Saturday’s incident, but added: “We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter, which has caused understandable concern. We believe it was an isolated incident.” Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, said he had spoken to the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, on Sunday afternoon and would remain in touch with her as well as the security minister, Dan Jarvis, regarding aspects of the incident. “I want to thank local people and the blue light services in how they responded to this and the fact that the area has now been cleared and is no longer a live crime scene,” he said. “The broader implications of an attack in which lethal weapons were found in a very busy area where the country’s most populous pub crawl takes place is a real concern,” he added. Sobel said he would be raising the issue of the availability of weapons linked to the incident, and how to keep people safe when they are standing in large groups and queueing. Counter-terror police are examining a number of Facebook posts – including one which appeared to include plans for a “mass-murder” attack – to determine if they are linked to the attacker or the incident. The post appeared before the attack on a Facebook account that indicated far-right sympathies as well as reflecting the “mixed ideology” that has increasingly been on the radar of counter-terrorism police. The posts listed as “targets” students, nightclub goers and “neurotypicals”. Reference was made to a “manifesto” written by a man who killed 51 people during shootings at a mosque and Islamic centre in New Zealand in 2019. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, told the Guardian that it had taken action to remove an account apparently associated with the incident. The home secretary received further updates on Sunday from counter-terrorism police after she was first briefed in the wake of the attack. The incident caused shock across the community in the Headingley area of Leeds over the weekend, where large numbers of students and others routinely take part in the pub crawl route, days before the summer term starts for many university courses. One venue, Taylor’s Sports Bar and Grill, remained closed all weekend due to the police investigation but posted on Facebook that it intended to reopen on Monday, “While appalling to witness some of the scenes first-hand, lowlife scum like this will never win in our society,” the statement added. A member of staff at another bar said they had seen dozens of emergency service vehicles descend on the area on Saturday afternoon after the attack, although it took hours for people to become fully aware of what had happened. “We were told and were on high alert, but otherwise you wouldn’t have known. It wasn’t until the evening that people started asking about it,” they said. “I think people have been really shaken by it.” A fortnight ago, the Guardian revealed that counter-terrorism police and the National Crime Agency had set up a new joint taskforce to tackle young males fixated with violence online which is often also fuelled by “strongly misogynistic” online material. Published21 April 2025Leeds United have sealed their return to the Premier League after two years back in the Championship From a slow start to a silent January and changing goalkeepers with seven games to go BBC Sport looks at the key moments in their successful promotion campaign long time in football and so it was that the mood around Leeds United three games into the season was in stark contrast to the one there now A helter-skelter 3-3 opening-day draw with Portsmouth was followed up by a thumping 3-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup and then an uninspiring 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion The Whites headed to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on a Friday night with the pressure on to get their season kick-started Brenden Aaronson celebrates scoring their first goal in the 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday Off the back of a mind-numbingly boring goalless draw at West Brom the climate ahead of the trip to Hillsborough felt like that around the Birmingham City defeat early on in the previous season Did Leeds have enough players to challenge for promotion Georginio Rutter was on his way to Brighton following Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville to the Premier League Was Willy Gnonto next to go before the window shut A clean sheet and a first victory of the campaign in what Farke described "the perfect away performance" allayed the fears of some fans who were considering whether to let Brenden Aaronson back into their lives after he had returned following jumping ship to Germany for a season His goal and the quality of Dan James' finish provided some evidence that Patrick Bamford's prophecy may prove true when he told his podcast partner Joe Wilkinson that week: "Every time that I've been in a team when we haven't gone up Farke admitted after the game that more additions were needed and wingers Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon duly arrived before deadline day Two defeats in their 12 matches after the Sheffield Wednesday win had seen Leeds cruise up towards the top two places A comfortable 2-0 win over Sheffield United in October had seen Blades boss Chris Wilder call them the best team in the division and by late November it was becoming hard to argue Then Swansea City head coach Luke Williams said before the game he fully expected Leeds United to be promoted having gone so close last season but he could not have predicted the glut of goals which followed on a weekend where Storm Bert had wreaked havoc throughout south Wales The fact Leeds scored four times was a big deal because the Swans had not conceded more than a single goal in 17 matches up to that point Gnonto came off the bench to score the winner very late on after Leeds let a 3-2 lead slip It showed the fighting spirit was there if not game management and sent Leeds top for the first time this season on goal difference Willy Gnonto takes in the adulation from the Leeds fans after his last-minute winner at Swansea Sometimes the wisest thing to do is nothing at all Farke had been adamant he would only look to make additions if they were better than what he had Southampton striker Cameron Archer was linked with a move but it came to nothing and two days before the transfer window closed the Whites demolished struggling Cardiff 7-0 Transfer deadline day passed without a single addition Everybody knew the squad as it stood had the ability to win the league but the point was how much of it would still be standing if injuries hit How costly would it be not to sign a number nine with Patrick Bamford a long-term injury These were the big questions in the wake of a window which saw their main rivals strengthen while Leeds were left lighter Two days later United went to in-form Coventry City and won 2-0 and it could have been 12 Ao Tanaka headed Leeds into the lead late on at Sheffield United before Joel Piroe's thumping finish sealed the win Leeds headed into mid-February in great shape before back-to-back Monday night challenges against top-four rivals The former took an early lead at Elland Road through Wilson Isidor and with time running out it looked like the Whites were going to fall to a damaging defeat Centre-back Pascal Struijk was the unlikely hero against the Black Cats as the Dutchman headed in two wicked deliveries from fellow replacement Joe Rothwell to produce a dramatic turnaround Leeds would head to Bramall Lane top of the table Five points clear at the top and for many it felt like promotion was guaranteed After the game left-back Junior Firpo gave a timely reminder that everyone should just calm down He talked of the need to "stay humble" He was right and he was also correct about how powerful Leeds were late on in games Once the Dominican Republic international had deservedly equalised with a thumping header with 18 minutes remaining Blades boss Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill looked spooked on the touchline Defeat looked inevitable for the hosts from that moment and Leeds did not disappoint. A precision header from Ao Tanaka and a rip-snorter from Joel Piroe ignited euphoria in the away end inside an otherwise empty Bramall Lane on full time Leeds had seen it through in a massive game Illan Meslier has not featured for Leeds since his mistake in the 2-2 draw with Swansea Promotion had felt inevitable after those raucous Monday night wins in February but March brought the kind of jeopardy Whites fans had feared The unbeaten run which stretched back to a 1-0 reverse at Blackburn on 30 November was ended on 9 March by a 1-0 defeat at struggling Portsmouth Although Millwall were despatched 2-0 three days later Farke's men then needed to recover from a horror start at QPR to escape with a 2-2 draw The international break looked like it had come at a good time to reset and refocus with the lead over third-placed Burnley cut from seven points to just two Managerless Swansea arrived in town in poor form and hopes were high of a return to winning ways Gnonto looked to have won the game from the bench late on to send Leeds top and rescue goalkeeper Illan Meslier after a calamitous drop under no pressure had gifted Swansea an equaliser But Meslier eventually cost his side top spot and himself a place in the side thereafter by allowing another equaliser to squeeze through him from a tight angle in the final seconds The credit for his earlier penalty save was completely eradicated as it felt like a defeat and the Frenchman's litany of errors was now too severe for him to keep his place "You have to suffer a little bit," Farke told the press after the game and that despite March seeing them slip from first to third amid a run of one win in five games he was "100% confident his side would be playing Premier League football next season." others called for a head which was keeping composed when some were being lost Karl Darlow was given the gloves for the draw at Luton the week after the Swansea debacle There was little he could do to stop Isaiah Jones netting the opener before James levelled with a fine finish but some fans were unhappy that Farke called the point against the strugglers a good result as their own poor run stretched to one win in six Sheffield United's unexpected loss at Oxford later that day when a win would have moved them four points clear of the Whites The battling 1-0 midweek win at play-off chasing Middlesbrough ended a run of three straight draws and Leeds had turned third back to first in no time at all heading into the final five matches Leeds players showed their appreciation after the 2-1 win over Preston This was a battering for Preston make no mistake. Leeds backed up a gritty win at Middlesbrough to produce a cracking performance under intense pressure to hit the top of the table Joel Piroe should have had a hat-trick but his battling and link-up play were intrinsic to United carving Preston apart With James injured it needed him and Manor Solomon to step up The latter was unplayable at times and scored a curling pearler in the first five minutes to set Leeds on their way Once in front Leeds do not lose and so it proved The news filtering through from Home Park of a third consecutive defeat for Sheffield United created an incredible atmosphere inside Elland Road for the latter stages of the match Coinciding with concrete news from the club's owners that steps were definitely being taken to expand its capacity the famous old stadium provided a timely reminder of how unique it is as a footballing experience A free bar was laid on afterwards to say thank you to the fans - pints and points on a pivotal day Leeds United promoted back to Premier League Leeds destroy Stoke as they go on to win promotion More on this storyLatest Leeds United news Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast Leeds United have added Troy Parrott to their striker shortlist for the summer window The Whites have made signing a new striker a top priority this summer as they prepare for a return to the Premier League Patrick Bamford is expected to leave Elland Road and his departure will free up space in the squad for a new frontman Leeds have Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph as their main striker options but sources state that the Yorkshire side are already scouring the market for another centre forward especially with Patrick Bamford’s future uncertain They also have talented youngster Harry Gray who made his senior debut against Stoke City last week while loanee Joel Gelhardt is at a career crossroads and having been allowed to join Hull City on loan in January TEAMtalk can reveal that Parrott who signed for AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham last summer We understand that he has been discussed internally although the Whites are yet to make any formal enquiries yet The 23-year-old has long been touted as an exciting prospect and has impressed for AZ notching 20 goals in 45 games across all competitions for the Dutch side It is unclear whether AZ would sanction a sale so soon into his tenure Parrott struggled for opportunities at Spurs and didn’t get going on loan with Preston North End in the 2022/23 season AZ paid around €8m (£6.8m) to sign Parrott and he is contracted until 2029 an offer in the region of €20-25m would give AZ a decision to make READ MORE: Tottenham star primed for Leeds switch as star says YES to Elland Road move – sources Leeds are also interested in Evan Ferguson who Brighton may consider selling permanently this summer The 20-year-old is undoubtedly an exciting prospect but injuries have hampered his development and he has failed to score in seven appearances for West Ham during a loan spell West Ham are not expected to pursue a permanent deal for Ferguson and Leeds are one of the clubs who could move for him if he becomes available Everton are also watching his situation with interest Another confirmed, and in many ways leading target for Leeds is Southampton forward Cameron Archer but the Saints were unwilling to sell at the time Leeds retain interest in the 23-year-old and believe he could be a force in the Premier League in the right system He could feasibly leave Southampton now their relegation is confirmed And TEAMtalk understands that Leeds are admirers of Norwich City’s Josh Sargent can play as a centre-forward or right-winger has got 15 goals in the Championship this season having made 26 top-flight appearances in the 2021/22 campaign and could be available for the right price Leeds are currently collecting data on their striker targets and are expected to make enquiries in the coming weeks with the club aware that they need to bring in multiple additions to build a squad capable of staying in the Premier League and if Leeds make a change it will interesting to see how that also affects any summer plans DON’T MISS: Every manager linked with Leeds United job in wake of Daniel Farke sack speculation Manor Solomon's late winner sparked wild celebrations Manor Solomon's stoppage-time winner secured Leeds United the Championship title as they won 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle With Burnley beating Millwall 3-1, Leeds take the title on goal difference having secured promotion back to the Premier League last month Argyle took the lead when the impressive Mustapha Bundu's shot came back off the post and went in off Sam Byram - just moments after the Plymouth forward had clipped the Leeds upright who topped the table going into the final day were repeatedly frustrated by a dogged Plymouth side until early in the second half when Willy Gnonto fired in Solomon's cross The visitors had a Joel Piroe goal ruled out for offside with 17 minutes to go as Daniel Farke's side hunted the winner they knew was required to secure the title But just as it seemed they would have to settle for second place Solomon cut in from the left and fired low into the bottom corner to send the travelling Leeds fans wild and set up a trophy lift celebration after the final whistle Leeds started well as Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson saw efforts saved by Conor Hazard before they fell behind Bundu had given Leeds a warning a minute before the goal as he beat three men before blasting an effort that grazed the outside of the post When the resurgent Sierra Leone forward cut in from the left moments later the net did bulge as his low effort came back off the far post and bounced in off a helpless Byram Piroe almost equalised within a couple of minutes when he turned Jayden Bogle's shot over the bar from six yards as Leeds tried to restore parity quickly Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto all had half-chances but Leeds failed to create another really good opening before the interval Piroe again fired over as the second half started like the first ended before Gnonto equalised from close range after Solomon had crossed low from the byline Byram saw a glancing header go wide of the post midway through the second half while a Piroe effort was disallowed when Gnonto was adjudged to be offside as he received the ball before crossing it for his team-mate - a call which replays suggested was very marginal As news of Burnley going ahead filtered through Farke brought on Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani to try and get a title-winning goal But it was Plymouth who almost snatched a winner when Ryan Hardie curled an 88th-minute effort wide from inside the box while Callum Wright sent a tame low shot into the arms of Karl Darlow two minutes later as the hosts caught Leeds on the break just as it seemed all hope of the title had gone Solomon broke into the penalty area and fired low past Hazard - sending the packed away end into raptures Willy Gnonto scored for the third successive game for Leeds United Plymouth Argyle head coach Miron Muslic told BBC Sport: "We faced today by far the best team in our competition We were relegated since last week and still showed this kind of performance to make it very difficult for Leeds to break us - it shows the good spirit and character of the lads "Our obligation today was to give it all we played for the Green Army and we wanted to reward our fans for the last time with a strong performance "The lads went all in and we simply needed maybe just 120 seconds to have a result we deserved But that's when you face the champions "Congratulations for an outstanding season to Leeds deserved champions and congratulations to my colleague Daniel Farke." Miron Muslic "proud" as Argyle run champions close Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke told BBC Sport: I want to send my congratulations to Burnley "Of course I'm happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and be the best team this season "It's an emotionally moving day because we have invested so much and wanted to crown ourselves with some silverware pretty special in the dressing room and I'm very happy for my players and staff Leeds United winger Manor Solomon speaking to BBC Radio Leeds: "I can't put into words what I'm feeling right now It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this championship Throughout the season we've shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot "We all knew what was happening at Burnley and we knew we needed to score It will take me a few days to digest what happened today I've been focused on this season; in two or three days we will talk and see what is happening I don't know what the future holds [Solomon is loan from Tottenham] but I can just say I love [Leeds]." Farke: 'A proud and emotionally moving day' The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made substituted for Mateo Joseph at 90 minutesNumber 44 Yellow Card at 85 minutesSubstitutesNumber 23 Wöber Match OfficialsReferee: Jeremy SimpsonAssistant Referee 1: Daniel LeachAssistant Referee 2: Nigel LuggFourth Official: Alex ChilowiczMatch StatsKey Scroll LeftScroll RightPlymouth 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 Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half Foul by Maksym Talovierov (Plymouth Argyle) Nikola Katic (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box is close Manor Solomon (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration Manor Solomon (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time Jayden Bogle (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left Joël Piroe (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul Michael Baidoo (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half Victor Pálsson (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card 226 CommentsLeeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has said he has "ended speculation" over the future of manager Daniel Farke by confirming the German is "my man" The Whites secured promotion back to the Premier League two weeks ago and won the Championship title with a 2-1 victory at Plymouth on Saturday there were some reports the club were considering changing manager in the summer "I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel and collaborate with him," Marathe told BBC Radio Leeds. "I'm under no illusions that it is going to be easy The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don't have Asked whether he had ended the question marks over the manager Marathe responded: "I have ended the speculation This season's title was the third time that Farke having previously twice finished top with Norwich He has found life in the Premier League far tougher though with his only full season at that level ending with a bottom-placed finish before he was sacked in November of his second campaign in the top flight with Norwich in the relegation zone Marathe had said previously that Farke had not been given the financial backing required to compete before "Together we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League," the American said Leeds secured the title thanks to a run of six successive wins - after a stretch of just one victory in their previous six matches Marathe praised Farke's temperament in guiding the club back up to the top flight after two seasons in the Championship "He is such a calming force - presence would be an understatement," Marathe said View comments | 226Top storiesLive xemailLeeds United are delighted to announce that Daniel James has been named Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season The accolade comes after a fine campaign for the Wales international who has scored 12 times and recorded nine assists in 36 Sky Bet Championship appearances the 27-year-old was also named in the league's Team of the Season at the recent EFL Awards notably scoring his first goal in the Yorkshire Derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and would continue to put in blistering performances game after game Arguably James’ finest display came in the Whites’ trip to Vicarage Road where two impressive strikes in Hertfordshire helped United to a 4-0 triumph over Watford A stunning finish at Luton Town proved crucial in the run in alongside the winner against Middlesbrough in the following fixture with a final appearance coming from the bench against Oxford United on Good Friday Following an outstanding season with the club Daniel has been recognised with this award which was voted for by the Leeds United fanbase has ended speculation over the future of Daniel Farke by revealing he will stay on as manager at Elland Road in the Premier League next season Farke led Leeds to the Championship title and earned promotion back to the top-flight in his second season in charge of the club. Despite this success, there have been rumours that the 48-year-old could be relieved of his duties, having previously been relegated from the Premier League while Norwich manager after taking them up. Read moreMarathe has now confirmed that Farke will remain “I’m not one to respond because some random gossip paper wants to say something I’m not going to make comments based on rumours and gossip today is that day,” he told BBC Radio Leeds “My plan was always to come and speak to you all right after the season concluded and I want to tell you all that I’m very excited to run it back with Daniel.” He added: “I’m under no illusions that it is going to be easy The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don’t have: we have Daniel Farke first of all.” Asked to confirm if his comments put an end to speculation over the manager’s future Marathe said: “I have ended the speculation I’m really excited about collaborating with Daniel we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we’re allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League.” Piroe: 'If you get the golden boot you can't complain' 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 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 "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 Listen to the full interviews and more on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. Darlow: 'We've racked up 100 points 364 CommentsAn incredible Championship title race came to a fitting end on Saturday running all the way into stoppage time before Leeds United finally pipped Burnley to the post Manor Solomon's last-gasp winner at relegated Plymouth Argyle meant Leeds matched the Clarets' win over play-off chasing Millwall just as the home fans at Turf Moor were gearing up for an almighty party It was an epic ending to what has statistically been the most closely-fought hunt for the title two teams reached 100 points in the same Championship campaign with Leeds' superior goal difference proving decisive With Birmingham City also finishing with 111 points in League One it is the first time in the Football League's 137-year history that three sides have earned a century of points in the same campaign Leeds seal title with late winner as Argyle go down Burnley beat Millwall but miss out on title Championship: Leeds clinch title; Luton down Pop star Natasha Bedingfield sang on the pitch after Burnley secured promotion including a Championship-best 30 clean sheets - equalling Port Vale's Football League record set in 1953-54 - and have conceded just 16 goals and have been unbeaten in 33 Championship games since losing at Millwall in November It seemed unlikely they would not return to the Premier League as champions "If you'd have said to me you'd reach 100 points 16 goals conceded and you wouldn't win the league I'd have said 'no chance'," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire after adding a third promotion to his name after success with Fulham in 2020 and Bournemouth in 2022 "We've done remarkably this year We came into today hoping it would go our way but wanting to win the game and get to 100 points where Burnley have thrived as a defensive unit they were by some distance the top scorers in the division Dan James (12) and Solomon (10) have all reached double figures this season It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this Championship," an emotional Solomon told BBC Radio Leeds at full-time "Throughout the season we've shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot It paid off and the ball went into the net right now I'm going to celebrate." Leeds boss Daniel Farke (right) has won promotion from the Championship for the third time Leeds boss Daniel Farke has vast experience of getting out of the Championship He did so as champions with Norwich City in 2019 and 2021 and has now led the West Yorkshire club back to the Premier League after bouncing back from play-off final heartache against Southampton a year ago Farke told BBC Sport: "Of course I'm happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and the best team this season Nobody should forget Sheffield United, either. Although four defeats in five games in April, including a loss at Burnley which ultimately knocked them out of contention for automatic promotion the Blades led for long periods and looked the most likely Chris Wilder's side will need to go again in the play-offs starting against Bristol City in the semi-finals They have shown their readiness for the Premier League this season a tally which would have been enough to go up automatically in three of the previous six seasons While that points to a more competitive top of the Championship than ever successive seasons with all three promoted clubs coming down A strong defensive unit will be crucial to hopes of survival believes his team have a strong chance of improvement this time around we look in really good shape to go up for next season and hopefully stay up It is going to be difficult but we've worked hard on everything; our defensive record speaks for itself," he told BBC Radio 5 Live "Credit to the staff and the fans but mainly the gaffer our defensive record has been exceptional." Never before have two teams accrued so many points in the same season at the top of the second tier Their consistency and strength of character laid the groundwork both they and Burnley can revel in achievements fit for the history books View comments | 364Top storiesLive Watch Arsenal in Champions League training before crucial semi-final with PSG - latest The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects xemailLeeds United are delighted to announce that Willy Gnonto has been named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign The 21-year-old has impressed throughout this term for the Whites making 43 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and scoring nine goals Gnonto opened his account for the season with a well-taken effort against Portsmouth on the opening day and would cause problems for defences throughout with his pace The Italian international has been in scintillating form to end a tremendous campaign for United scoring in memorable Elland Road victories against Stoke City and Bristol City as promotion to the Premier League was secured the forward netted a timely equaliser against Plymouth Argyle before assisting Manor Solomon’s incredible last-gasp winner to crown Daniel Farke’s side as champions the attacker has received recognition with his country making three appearances for Italy’s Under-21s team to add to his international honours Coventry and Bristol City into play-offs3 May 20255 Live sport Leeds score late winner at Plymouth and pip Burnley to title Coventry beat Boro and Bristol City draw with Preston to earn play-off places Luton relegated after 5-3 defeat at West Brom Preston and Hull both safe after draws; Derby and Stoke also survive Plymouth also relegated after late defeat by Leeds via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only the Championship season has come to an end Plymouth and Cardiff will all be playing League One football in three months It remains to be seen who will be joining the Whites and Clarets in the Premier League Coventry and Sunderland will contest the play-offs with the semi-final first legs taking place on 8 and 9 May before the second legs on 12 and 13 May The final will then be held at Wembley on Saturday Thank you as always for following along on what has been a dramatic final day in the best league in the world Congratulations and commiserations where due.. enjoy the rest of your day and we will see you again soon 1606Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe ecstasy...published at 16:46 British Summer Time 3 May16:46 BST 3 May#bbcefl Leeds United celebrate winning the Championship Coventry boss Frank Lampard celebrates reaching the play-offs Bristol City fans celebrate finishing in a play-off spot for the first time in 17 years And Burnley are back in the Premier League.. 7012Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe agony...published at 16:44 British Summer Time 3 May16:44 BST 3 May#bbcefl Luton's Jordan Clark is dejected after relegation Luton fans react after relegation is confirmed Blackburn's Yuko Ohashi after Rovers missed out on the play-offs And Millwall boss Alex Neil after the Lions also fell short of the top six.. 435Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 16:43 British Summer Time 3 May16:43 BST 3 May#bbcefl They say a picture paints a thousand words Here's a look at the contrast in emotions from today in the Championship.. 231Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We showed the Green Army our character' - Muslicpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 3 May16:40 BST 3 MayFT: Plymouth 1-2 Leeds Plymouth Argyle head coach Miron Muslic told BBC Sport: We faced by far the best team in our competition "We were relegated last week and still showed this kind of performance to make it very difficult for Leeds to break us - it shows the good spirit and character of the lads "Our obligation today was to give it our all "But that's (what happens) when you face the champions 13210Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We didn't take our chances' - Neilpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 3 May16:38 BST 3 MayFT: Burnley 3-1 Millwall Millwall boss Alex Neil speaking to BBC Radio London: "Whenever you’re playing the top teams in this division You need to have a game plan; you have to understand you’re not going to dominate the ball "That wasn’t our intention; we tried to get them to risk the ball so we could nick it and try to counter We had opportunities and didn’t make the most of them "In a game of this magnitude when Burnley are chasing the league and we’re chasing play-offs you need to take the key moments and we only converted one But I’ve been involved in those moments where if you take your chances you can take the points 183Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'100 points won't win the league No chance' - Parkerpublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 3 May16:36 BST 3 MayFT: Burnley 3-1 Millwall Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire: "I'm so proud but wanting to win the game and get to 100 points - we did that 16 goals conceded and you wouldn't win the league I'd have said 'no chance' the players' reaction is one of needing to get back in it created numerous chances; on another day it could have been a lot more "The challenge goes up a level or two next year We've got a rock solid foundation and we've proven that this season reboot and we'll come into next year with a driving ambition to be as successful as we can." 6916Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingElsewhere in the EFL...published at 16:32 British Summer Time 3 May16:32 BST 3 May#bbcefl We're nearing the end of our live coverage here from today's final game of the Championship regular season, but you can also follow the conclusion of the League One and League Two campaigns here 133Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We deserved to stay up' - Sellespublished at 16:30 British Summer Time 3 May16:30 BST 3 MayFT: Portsmouth 1-1 Hull City Hull City boss Ruben Selles speaking to BBC Radio Humberside: "I’m very proud of the courage and the way the players managed the game on the pitch "Everyone in the club managed difficult moments and it has been a tough season for everyone and we deserved to stay in the division "We had a team that was rock bottom and to achieve the target this season with all the injuries and everything else is just massive "Now it’s over and we crossed the line we can rest a little bit and I told the players that we will remember this day for years to come." 4811Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'It's a special feeling' - Farkepublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 3 May16:23 BST 3 MayFT: Plymouth 1-2 Leeds "They've played a season that deserves to be crowned with some silverware 37123Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We look in good shape to stay up this time' - Brownhillpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 3 May16:19 BST 3 MayFT: Burnley 3-1 Millwall Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill told BBC Radio 5 Live: "To be promoted to the Premier League again is incredible - to celebrate with the fans at home is special Is is going to be difficult but we've worked hard on everything; our defensive record speaks for itself "If we didn’t win the league it doesn’t matter the main thing was getting promoted and we’ve done that." 7454Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We did everything to land a lucky punch' - Ismaelpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 3 May16:14 BST 3 MayFT: Sheffield United 1-1 Blackburn Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Again it was an outstanding performance "The game plan until we conceded was perfect It was exactly what we expected but we conceded the goal too quickly One bad decision and you get punished but I think the performance was right we put every attacking player we have on the pitch we played with only one midfield player to try to have that lucky punch but it was a close call we are disappointed to miss out on the play-offs but at least we build some momentum and we can keep on going for the next season." "Tyrhys Dolan will be a player we will have to show patience [on] – it will be his decision [whether to stay at Blackburn] "He has put himself in a position [to be out of contract] It is a good position for him so we have to respect that he’s got the love we give him but at some point it depends on the offer he has." 149Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'The lads give everything for the shirt' - Manningpublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 3 May16:10 BST 3 MayFT: Bristol City 2-2 Preston Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol: "I have no idea how I am feeling "We made real hard work of it but I spoke to the lads beforehand and there's a lot made now about styles and philosophies and we spoke about us to underpin everything with the culture we have got "It says on the shirts 'always believe' and we have done that numerous times now and you see it today - it's a fantastic group of lads I couldn't be more proud of them and what they've done "There's no expectation or pressure on us so we have got to go and be brave and enjoy it the lads give everything for the shirt." 712Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We understand the disappointment and anger'published at 16:05 British Summer Time 3 May16:05 BST 3 MayFT: West Brom 5-3 Luton Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It is a particularly painful moment for us and everyone associated with our football club "Really disappointing performance considering the day and the performance that we needed to get ourselves out of where we were Sorry to our supporters for traveling up and down the country We understand their disappointment and anger right now "I don’t know [where that performance came from] The goals we gave away were so disappointing We’ve been incredibly resilient in the last two months to really shore up at the back and unfortunately today it just wasn’t there." 4924Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We both got what we needed'published at 16:01 British Summer Time 3 May16:01 BST 3 MayFT: Derby 0-0 Stoke Stoke boss Mark Robins said: "It was a rubbish game but we both ended up getting what we needed "The game was so lacking in quality it’s frightening "The players managed themselves really well during the week and managed themselves through the game well today "Since I came in [to Stoke] in January it has been a really tough period - I think one of the toughest of my career It has been really difficult because I’m the third permanent manager and fourth voice they have had This team should never have been anywhere near the bottom "And had everyone been fit and we’d been in earlier things wouldn’t have got down to this day but thankfully we have managed to come out the other side okay." 446Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We got the job done' - Eustacepublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 3 May15:56 BST 3 MayFT: Derby 0-0 Stoke Derby County head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: “The job’s done and that’s the most important thing “What a fantastic effort from everyone connected to with the football club The players have been outstanding every day in training "They have dedicated themselves to getting to this moment and I couldn’t be any more proud of them home and away have been outstanding as well During some really difficult moments no-one stopped believing and if you believe in what you are doing you always have a chance "And here we are with us still in the Championship.” 12116Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We didn't find the solution today' - Le Brispublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 3 May15:51 BST 3 MayFT: Sunderland 0-1 QPR Sunderland will go into the play-offs following a run of five straight defeats Boss Regis Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's the end of the testing period we had some good periods but we were not able to create danger in the final third "At the end of the game with many players in the box and crosses it was really difficult to find a solution "It was the case today in another scenario where we have to run after something but unfortunately today we didn't find the solution." 1726Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'A dream come true' - Solomonpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 3 May15:48 BST 3 MayFT: Plymouth 1-2 Leeds Leeds United winger Manor Solomon scored a 91st-minute winning goal to clinch the title for the Whites “I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this Championship "Throughout the season we’ve shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot “We all knew what was happening at Burnley and we knew we needed to score I’ve been focussed on this season; in two or three days we will talk and see what is happening I don’t know what the future holds but I can just say I love [Leeds].” 45836Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'90 points is an incredible achievement' - Wilderpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 3 May15:44 BST 3 MayFT: Sheff Utd 1-1 Blackburn “We knew it was an awkward one with Blackburn Rovers having something to play for so their approach would be on the front foot “Second half we were really positive when we went behind I believe we deserved to win the game but the attitude “The overall thing for me is two points per game It’s an incredible achievement in my opinion with the challenges we’ve had to come The players have given everything for the shirt." he’s off to hospital so that’s the disappointing aspect of today but we can’t complain our injury record has been absolutely outstanding." 4742Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'I'm gutted for the boys' - Carrickpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 3 May15:40 BST 3 MayFT: Coventry 2-0 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees: “It's a sickening feeling put in a really good performance for the most part and didn’t get what we wanted from the game “We didn’t manage to take our opportunities and in the end (On finishing 10th) “The fact we haven’t got in the play-offs is hurtful enough We’ve created our own expectations which is the positive The boys have shown what they can do and we feel the disappoint,ment we haven’t got that there is not really much difference to be honest.” you need to enable JavaScript in your browser