Andrea Radrizzani hopes to bring elite European football back to Leeds - Independent 12/9/21
Andy Hampson
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani is hoping to bring European
football to an expanded Elland Road inside three years.
Radrizzani’s club are now in their second season back in the
Premier League after finally ending a 16-year absence from the top flight by
winning promotion from the Championship in 2020.
Leeds impressed by securing a ninth-placed finish last term
and, with plans also afoot to increase the stadium’s 37,890 capacity,
Radrizzani is now aiming higher.
The dream is to play in European nights in a bigger stadium
in two or three years.
The Italian told Sky Sports: “Our goal is to maintain (our
place) in the league and, if we maintain the league, we can build on the
foundation.
“We invested a lot in players last year and this season and
I believe the club is going in the right direction to establish itself in the
Premier League.
“The dream is to play in European nights in a bigger stadium
in two or three – probably three – years.”
Manager Marcelo Bielsa has been fundamental to Leeds’ rise
and return to the Premier League but the veteran Argentinian, who was appointed
in 2018, prefers only to sign contracts for one year at a time.
That has led to fears the club could lose the 66-year-old
but Radrizzani insists the club are happy with the arrangement.
“Every year we continue year by year and there is no
problem,” he said. “There is a lot of trust and we are working very well
together.”
