Leeds United promoted to Premier League
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| Leeds return to the Premier League after 16 years |
Leeds United have ended their 16-year wait for Premier League football after West Brom were beaten by Huddersfield on Friday night.
Marcelo Bielsa's side, who edged past Barnsley 1-0 on Thursday, have sealed promotion from the Championship with two games to spare, after the Baggies failed to keep the pressure up at the John Smith's Stadium.
Leeds have enjoyed an impressive campaign after bouncing back from last season's play-off heartache to clinch promotion, returning to the top flight for the first time since 2004. In that time there have been several near misses, while they also spent three years in League One between 2007 and 2010.
Leeds are yet to clinch the Championship title, although a failure for Brentford to win at Stoke on Saturday will do that. If the Bees are victorious, then a point at Derby in Leeds' game on Sunday will be enough.
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| Leeds United promoted to Premier League |
Former Leeds defender Dominic Matteo: It means absolutely everything. It's incredible. One of the best feelings I've ever had, even though I'm not playing or involved with the club, but it's absolutely fantastic.
It feels so good Bielsa and the team have done an incredible job. Everything they've done from start to finish has been done the right way. They way they play, the way they tackle and get after people. They've done everything so well and I'm absolutely delighted for everyone associated with Leeds United.
"For all those great people around Leeds, this is for them. It's absolutely brilliant."
Former Leeds defender Tony Dorigo: When Marcelo Bielsa came in, suddenly, we had our identity back. The fans have taken to him, he has believed in the project and he certainly loves the city. The fans are together with him. He has turned some really good players into very good players and now they have got a shot at the Premier League.
We know it is difficult. There are levels in the Premier League. Clearly, survival is the first thing and then you look to build from there but there is no doubt that the brand that Leeds United have can be reinvigorated around the world. But let's just enjoy this first!
Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson: It has been long awaited and very long overdue. When I played that last game in 2004 - 16 years ago almost to the day. you never envisaged that Leeds United would be out of the top flight for so long and even drop into the third tier of English football.
"It is a fantastic achievement from what Marcelo Bielsa inherited two-and-a-half years ago. A team that [then] finished 13th in the Championship to now automatic promotion to the Premier League. A one-club city."