Leeds United confirm promotion to the Premier League

Leeds United have confirmed their place in next season's Premier League, winning promotion after Burnley's 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

Daniel Farke's men looked on course for promotion last term but fell away at the death, taking just four points from their final six games to fall into the play-offs, where they were beaten in the final by Southampton.

There was nervousness around Elland Road when a run of one win in six saw Leeds fall out of the automatic spots, but four wins on the bounce, coupled with Sheffield United's poor recent form, has seen the Whites promoted with two games to spare.

"To have 94 points is impressive," Farke reflected in his post-match press conference. "It's a reward for what the lads have done this season.

"Most important is position in the league. We will just celebrate when it's done. All the credit to the lads."

After a gruelling Championship season, the hard work starts again for Leeds, who look to achieve something that's not been done for two years now in avoiding going straight back down.

Despite their recent wobble, Leeds have long looked like the best side in the Championship and they'll likely go on to lift the title, but it remains to be seen whether or not that, combined with some shrewd summer acquisitions, will be enough to compete with the might of the Premier League clubs.

Leeds will be looking to avoid the fate of the previously promoted trio of Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town, and the Whites are priced at 4/5 to avoid relegation next term, while an instant return to the Championship is 10/11.

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While the likes of Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka, Joel Piroe, Dan James and Manor Solomon have all played key roles for Leeds, particularly in the second half of the season, there's a notable lack of top-flight experience in the Leeds squad, and it's something that will need to be addressed in the next few months.

For now, Leeds will revel in their promotion, but have one eye on sealing the Championship title with two matches remaining.

As for Farke, the German certainly made good on his promotion comment, with the Leeds manager stating at the end of March that he was '100% convinced' Leeds would be in the Premier League next season.

Asked if his words have been vindicated, Farke said: "When you are a bit longer in this business, you can feel what the players need sometimes.

"When you work for such an emotional club, even after every draw, the world goes down. Especially the pundits. Sometimes they have great ideas and everyone who works for the club is a supporter.

"Lots of panic, that's why I think promoted once in 35 years and that was during Covid with no fans! I was really 100% convinced we would get promoted. Normally I don't like to speak this in public but sometimes you need to show steel and I never lie."

Liam Williams

• Leeds United F.C.
• Championship
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