Mighty Leeds Weblog

Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Millwall and Stoke City at The Den as Charlie Cresswell scored twice on his Lions debut to seal an opening day victory for Gary Rowett's side. Charlie Cresswell scored twice on his debut as Millwall opened their Championship campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory against disappointing Stoke at The Den. The Lions have long been a team capable of threatening from set-pieces and it was from this means that they claimed both of their goals, with their lead rarely being threatened. The Potters, meanwhile, have been stuck in mid-table purgatory for the past few seasons and their insipid display in south London will need to be improved upon greatly if they are to even reach that this time around. Benik Afobe, who left Stoke for Millwall permanently over the summer, had an early opening for the hosts but failed to anticipate Billy Mitchell's cross falling for him at the back post and could not control. But it ...

Leeds United are delighted to announce the appointment of René Marić as our new assistant head coach. Croatian Marić arrives at Elland Road with an exciting CV, despite being just 29 years of age. He began his coaching career at TSU Handenberg before rising to prominence at Red Bull Salzburg, initially as a youth coach in 2016 and then as assistant head coach between 2017 and 2019. It was while at Salzburg that Marić began working with Marco Rose. After a successful period in Austria which saw the side reach the Europa League Semi Finals, Marić joined Rose at Borussia Monchengladbach at the start of the 2019/20 season. By 2021/22 the duo had headed to Borussia Dortmund, before leaving the club at the end of the season despite a second-place finish. Marić is a highly respected coach and we are delighted that he has chosen to join up with Jesse Marsch’s backroom staff alongside Ewan Sharp, Mark Jackson and Cameron Toshack. Jesse Marsch said: “I’ve known René for a number of y...

Leeds offered the chance to sign Colombian forward Julian Quinones after missing out on Belgian ace Charles de Ketelaere, who is poised to sign for AC Milan Belgian striker Charles de Ketelaere was Leeds' number one target this summer But he favours a move to AC Milan and will have a medical at the Serie A club The Whites have therefore turned their attentions to Colombian Julian Quinones The 25-year-old's goals helped Atlas win the Clausura title in Mexico this year Jesse Marsch is looking to bolster his attacking options following Raphinha's exit By SIMON JONES Leeds have turned their attentions to Colombian forward Julian Quinones after missing out on signing Charles de Ketelaere from Club Brugge. The 6ft 3in Belgian frontman was Jesse Marsch's number one target in the transfer market this summer and the Whites were willing to pay £31million for him, but De Ketelaere has always favoured a move to AC Milan. The Serie A side have not been able to matc...

Archie Gray's agent has likened John McGinn's tackle on the Leeds United teenager to the actions of a Sunday League 'old fella.' By Graham Smyth Hayden Evans, who along with Gray's father Andy represents a number of Whites players, was unimpressed with the Aston Villa midfielder's challenge during the pre-season friendly in Brisbane. Shortly after being booked for a tackle on Villa's Emiliano Buendia, Gray was caught on the ankle by McGinn and was stretchered off. McGinn made contact with the 16-year-old after the game to enquire after his welfare and the injury turned out to be minor, with Gray back in training a few days later in Perth and an unused substitute for the game against Crystal Palace last Friday. Speaking to Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton on The Phil Hay Show, Evans saw nothing wrong with Gray's challenge on Buendia but took a different view on McGinn's. "I thought it was typical McGinn really," he said. "...

Andrew Hawkins According to numerous reports, Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt is close to agreeing a new five year deal, keeping the talented forward at Elland Road until 2027. One piece of business that simply has to happen this summer is the new contract for Joe ‘Joffy’ Gelhardt. It is rumoured he is very close to agreeing personal terms on a £25,000 a week, five year deal. TheTransferTavern have reported the details, and it is close to being confirmed. ‘Leeds United are reportedly on the verge of tying down Joe Gelhardt to a new contract, according to a report from TeamTalk journalist James Marshment.’ Taking to Twitter to cite the report from TeamTalk, Marshment claimed that the England youth starlet is in line for a ‘new five-year deal’ at the Whites. He stated: “As per TeamTalk sources, Leeds United are on verge of announcing new five-year deal for Joe Gelhardt, earning the 20-year-old a 55% pay-rise.” ‘The report claims that Liverpudlian sensation Gelhardt – who was haile...

Kris Smith Birmingham City are not willing to sell young midfielder George Hall for any price as Leeds United remain interested. The Whites have already managed two teenage signings to strengthen the emerging group coming into the senior fold in the coming years, with Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins joining from Manchester City and West Ham respectively. More is needed for newly-appointed under-21s head coach Michael Skubala, as the side takes to the PL2 Division 2 once more after relegation last term. Alongside Perkins, Leeds also had their eyes set on Birmingham City midfielder George Hall, per The Athletic. The recently-turned 18-year-old is likely to be a key part of the plans at St Andrews this season and beyond, with the club boasting a handful of very talented youngsters at the moment. While Leeds would be keen to bring in the teen who registered four goal involvements at PL2 level last term, Birmingham Live are reporting that the Blues are not interested in entertaini...

Leeds United are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Skubala as our new Under-21 head coach. Highly rated Skubala has held positions within the FA for a number of years, starting with heading up the national Futsal side before moving over to work with the national team’s youth set-up, culminating in becoming the coach for the England Under-18 team. Prior to working with the FA, Skubala was the Director of Football at Loughborough University for four years. Skubala will be assisted by Michal Pujdak who remains in place as assistant coach of the U21 side. Previously, Pujdak worked alongside Mark Jackson who has moved up to work with Jesse Marsch and the first team on a full-time basis.   Director of Football Victor Orta said: “The role of head coach within the Under-21 side is clearly an important role at a club that sees so many players progress into the first team. “We interviewed candidates from across the world over the course of the summer, but the work Mi...

Leeds United have issued another apology to fans over Adidas supply chain delays to kit sales and revealed a new timeline for the away and third kit launches. By Graham Smyth The Whites will launch their 2022/23 away kit next week but will only be able to sell a limited amount of stock from Thursday August 4, with further stock available later next month. Leeds say the initial stock will be sold exclusively online ‘to ensure that once sizes are sold out, pre-orders can be made.’ A third kit will be revealed ‘in due course’ according to Leeds and will go on sale to supporters on Thursday September 22. "Once again, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused our supporters,” added a spokesperson. Leeds played in their new home kit during the two-week tour of Australia but it is not yet available for fans to buy. Jesse Marsch and his players made a number of commercial appearances at Adidas and JD Sports events across the two weeks Down Under, when merchandising oppo...

Life at Leeds United is already exceeding Rasmus Kristensen's expectations. By Graham Smyth Growing up in Brande, the Dane was well aware of the Whites from an early age because most of his father's mates supported the club. And this summer, as a move to be reunited with his old RB Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch was mooted, Kristensen was sold the Elland Road vision in all its glory. Director of football Victor Orta sends all prospective additions a video that attempts to convey not only the size and stature of the club but the intensity of the fans' passion and the culture that has developed around them. Kristensen is yet to run out in front of a packed Elland Road but he has now at least played football in front of thousands of Leeds fans, thanks to the pre-season fixtures during the tour of Australia. He's yet to be disappointed. "Everything I was told and promised before I signed is living up to it and even more, so I'm really happy," he sai...

Jesse Marsch is going to test the patience of Leeds United fans this season and their consistency, too. By Graham Smyth Patience was in abundance last season, to such a degree in fact that Marsch's predecessor felt the need to point out how unwarranted it felt. During the club's tour of Australia, Liam Cooper told a Brisbane bar of the importance, to the players, of that kind of support, although his assertion that the fans didn't take any opportunities to turn on the team was not strictly accurate - there were boos on the day Leeds capitulated to Spurs in a game that was, for Andrea Radrizzani and the board, the straw that broke the camel's back. Cooper's point was a sound one though - that it took until late February in such a season to bring frustration to the boil said so much about what Leeds fans could tolerate and how defiant they could be in the face of disappointment. Part of that was undoubtedly the credit Marcelo Bielsa had built up in a remarka...

Tyler Adams has had his very own Back to the Future moment since arriving at Leeds United. By Graham Smyth A £20m summer signing from RB Leipzig, Adams got to know his new team-mates a lot better during a two-week tour of Australia that forced them all together in hotels, coaches and long-haul flights. Head coach Jesse Marsch was not someone he needed to spark up a friendship with, having worked under the head coach at two previous clubs - New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig. Their relationship was fully formed long before they were reunited at Elland Road. "He's given me an opportunity to start my professional career and I always owe him that," said Adams. "We have a very good relationship. He's very hard on me. He wants me to continue to improve and continue to have that hunger and that's why I was so keen to work under him again, because he pushes my limits. He pushes me to a certain point where you have to continually come in, continuing to earn...

New Leeds United Women manager Rick Passmoor has issued a rousing statement of intent ahead of his first season in charge. By Flora Snelson On Tuesday, the Whites announced that Passmoor would be replacing Dan O’Hearne as head coach as the former manager’s four-and-a-half year stint in charge came to an end. O’Hearne’s successor boasts significant footballing pedigree; having once played for Scunthorpe United as a central defender, the 54-year-old has recently been back at Glanford Park working as Head of Academy Coaching and Coach Development. But before he made his return to the Irons, Passmoor spent several years coaching women’s teams, first for Leeds and then for Notts County. After taking charge in 2007, Passmoor oversaw something of a golden era for Leeds United Women in which the Whites reached the FA Cup final and lifted the 2010 League Cup. In the late 2000’s, Leeds was a destination club for aspiring female footballers, with the likes of Ellen White, Sue Smith, S...

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch admitted during the team’s tour of Australia that they were in the market for a left-back By Joe Donnohue Marsch stated during the final leg of the squad’s pre-season tour that Leeds were ‘actively pursuing’ a new left-back. The head coach then selected Jack Harrison in that position for the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in Perth, sparing 22-year-old Leif Davis who had all but agreed a permanent transfer to Ipswich Town. It is likely Marsch omitted Davis so not to jeopardise the youngster’s transfer which was confirmed on Monday evening for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1 million. Leeds’ only recognised, senior left-back at the club is Junior Firpo who is expected to miss the opening weeks of the season through injury. Marsch left the Spaniard at home ahead of the team’s Australia tour after Firpo picked up a knock which the American said would keep him sidelined for ‘eight weeks’. Consequently, the remaining optio...

Joe Gelhardt is off to a flyer. Literally. By Lee Sobot Just 25 minutes into this month's pre-season friendly against Brisbane Roar in Australia, the five-foot-nine striker leapt high into the air to power home a bullet header that even the most towering of forwards would have been proud of. Eight days later, Gelhardt would have had a couple more goals under his belt but for the interventions of Crystal Palace 'keeper Vicente Guaita as part of a 1-1 draw with the Eagles. Gelhardt's stunning impact upon breaking into the team last season is very likely just the beginning for a striker who made crucial goal contributions to his team staying up last term. Everything suggests that more of the same will now follow. Yet United's 20-year-old striker is maintaining his relaxed approach to his development at Leeds, modestly aiming first and foremost to just help the team where he can but admitting that ultimately the more goals the merrier in his second season with the...

Left-back Leif Davis has left Leeds United to join Ipswich Town on a permanent deal. By Lee Sobot Davis joined the Whites in 2018 from Morecambe and initially went into the Under-23s side before impressing and working his way into the first team set-up. The defender was given his Championship debut for the club in a memorable 3-2 victory away at Aston Villa. Davis made 14 appearances for the club, two of which were in the Premier League during the 2020-21 campaign. The 22-year-old has now left the Whites to join League One side Ipswich for an undisclosed fee in the region of £1m. Leeds United paid tribute to the outgoing defender, saying: “Everyone at Leeds United would like to wish Leif the best of luck with the remainder of his career and thank him for his efforts whilst at Elland Road, most notably for being part of the 2019/20 promotion winning side.”

Leeds United summer signing Tyler Adams has vowed to be a ‘pest’ for the Whites’ Premier League opponents By Joe Donnohue US international Tyler Adams has already made three appearances in a Leeds United shirt, albeit in friendly matches on the other side of the world, but what he will bring to Elland Road is already clear. Upon signing for the club, Adams claimed it was his dream to one day compete in the Premier League and to achieve it alongside Jesse Marsch, whom he will work with for a third time, made the opportunity all the more enticing. Adams has already linked up with international teammate Brenden Aaronson during the team’s pre-season tour of Australia, the pair often spotted side-by-side Down Under. However, Adams has integrated well within the group as have the rest of Leeds’ summer signings. He has vowed to the club’s supporters that he will be a ‘pest’ in his role at the base of Marsch’s midfield. “[I’m] more of a pest type of player,” Adams told the YEP. ...

Leeds United will be back training on English soil this week as the build-up continues to the club's third season back in the Premier League. By Lee Sobot Whites boss Jesse Marsch now has just 12 more days until the season opener at home to Wolves and there will be plenty on the American's agenda over the next week and a half. Here, following the conclusion of the club's tour of Australia, we run through some of the main Whites talking points and issues to be addressed in the run up to the new campaign. Who will play at left back and what next in summer recruitment? The fact that Leeds are looking to sign another striker as competition and cover to Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford is well documented and United might end up landing another left back option too. Marsch and Leeds were assessing their options in that particular position even as it was, let alone before losing first choice Junior Firpo to injury at a time when Stuart Dallas is facing such a long time out....

Tim Whelan Leeds have increased the bid for Charles De Ketelaere to €40 million, which is likely to be beyond the means of AC Milan, our rivals for the Belgian’s signature. But the player himself is said to prefer a move to the Italian Champions. De Ketelaere usually operates as an attacking central midfielder, but can play on either wing, if we should ever feel that we haven’t got enough wingers up front already. And he’s known to make intelligent late runs into the box, where his height of 6 foot 3 comes in handy, but although he could become a backup for Patrick Bamford if necessary, he doesn’t often play as an out and out striker. The 21-year-old scored 18 times for Club Brugge during last season, and it’s no surprise that when Club Brugge announced they were willing to part with him if the price was right, there was plenty of interest from across the continent. Leicester City were said to have made an enquiry, but AC Milan seemed to be the front runners, with technical direc...

Ollie Mitchell The financial figures for Europe’s top leagues can provide some interesting insight into the world of Leeds United, and some of this can be found in this article. First, we get some idea of how Leeds are able to outbid AC Milan, the Italian champions, for Club Brugge forward Charles de Ketelaere. Television revenue alone brought in £116 million for the Whites, almost double that of the Rossoneri – who only brought in £66.3 million in league TV revenue. As LeedsLive note, even their Champions League TV revenue only brings this up to £96 million, still comfortably below Leeds. The financial muscle of the Premier League is clear to see, and this is down to having four domestic broadcasting partners – Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and BBC Sport – as well as numerous international partners including BEIN Sports and Super Sport. Now the final financial figures for 2020/21 are in, some random stats. It cost Chelsea £8.55 million for every Premier League goal in terms ...

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch gave his thoughts to the media after Friday’s draw with Crystal Palace in Perth. Rodrigo opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised, as both teams scored in the second half at the Optus Stadium. The clash with the Eagles completed the tour Down Under and the team will now return to the UK with one more friendly to play, before the Premier League season begins on August 6th. Reflecting on the game, the head coach said: “Tonight was one of our best games in terms of tactical clarity in our execution of what we want the game to look like. “We're still working on our effectiveness in the last third in our ability to turn some advantages into real concrete chances and goals. “It's been a theme since I've been here, but the level the game is played at is so high goals come at a premium. “I would say the integration of the new players is what's pleased me the most. “Also the fact we went ov...

Olly Dawes Leeds United want Charles De Ketelaere but the Club Brugge ace has pulled himself out of this afternoon’s game against Genk. The Whites are focusing on signing a striker as they look to reinvest some of the cash from Raphinha’s big-money move to Barcelona. Patrick Bamford is still a quality striker but his injury problems last season mean Leeds have to invest in another goalscorer. Paris Saint-Germain talent Arnaud Kalimuendo continues to be linked but Leeds do have other targets in mind. A key name of late has been De Ketelaere, with Leeds somewhat falling in love with the Club Brugge talent. Leeds have left a £30million offer on the table for De Ketelaere for weeks now, seemingly hoping that their bid will be successful in the end. De Ketelaere’s versatility to play out wide, up front, behind a striker and even in midfield has left Leeds desperate to sign him. Having hit 18 goals and 10 assists last season whilst possessing quick feet at a giant 6ft 3in tal...

Whites boss Jesse Marsch has given the thumbs up to a particular aspect of Leeds United's development in Australia. By lee sobot Marsch's side took in three fixtures as part of their summer tour Down Under, beating Brisbane Roar, losing to Aston Villa and then drawing with Crystal Palace. The Whites took six summer signings on the plane to Oz and Marsch says he is particularly pleased with the manner in which the new arrivals have settled into the group. "I would say the integration of the new players is what's pleased me the most," said Marsch. "Then there's the fact that we went over from game to game to game in this pre-season period and we've been able to learn and grow and develop and apply more and more of the tactical model we want. "I still feel like we have a long way to go, but I feel like we have a lot of different players who are really starting to grasp tactically what their roles are."

Gelhardt has impressed on the Whites' tour of Australia Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has revealed what Jesse Marsch demands from his strikers. Gelhardt featured as a second half substitute in Leeds' 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Friday morning, to complete their pre-season tour of Australia. The 20-year-old, who scored against Brisbane Roar, nearly added to his tally for the tour, but he saw a chipped effort pushed around the post. Gelhardt has impressed on the tour, as he looks to push for more first-team appearances ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. "I'm glad to get more minutes with the first-team, and it was amazing to see all the fans who came out to support us," Gelhardt told Leeds' YouTube channel. "It shows how incredible the support is and we appreciate them." Although first given his chance under Marcelo Bielsa, both of Gelhardt's Premier League goals last season came under Marsch. "I think the tactics are good for...

Jesse Marsch has outlined what Leeds United need from record purchase Rodrigo following a fresh boost in the build-up to the new campaign. By Lee Sobot Spanish international forward Rodrigo became United's record signing when joining the club from Valencia in August 2020 for a fee of £27m. The 31-year-old's time at Leeds has regularly been disrupted by injury niggles or Covid-19 but the Spaniard donned the captain's armband for the latter stages of Friday's friendly against Crystal Palace in which Rodrigo fired United ahead from the penalty spot. Rodrigo coolly sent Eagles keeper Vicente Guaita the wrong way from a spot kick awarded for Joel Ward's soft push on Crysencio Summerville although Palace hit back to level as Jean-Philippe Mateta finished off a rapid counter. Leeds will now head home to complete their pre-season preparations ahead of the new term opener against Wolves and Whites head coach Marsch has outlined the importance of a thriving Rodrigo ...