49ers 'quietly preparing' for Leeds United's Premier League arrival as next step laid out — Leeds Live 22/4/25
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has sent a message to the players, staff and supporters of the club
Such is the nature of the Championship Leeds United's owners
hoped, rather than expected the club to win promotion this season. They had
hoped just the same a year previous only to discover the pain of Wembley
Stadium and a play-off final defeat.
A year on there was renewed hope, an air of confidence and a
desire to get over the line and take the club back to the top flight. It's a
case of mission accomplished and in some style with the title still a
possibility and 94 points already won in a record-breaking season for the
Whites.
For chairman Paraag Marathe and 49ers Enterprises, it's
almost a case of the hard work starts now. Sealing promotion to the Premier
League is a great achievement, but staying up and establishing the club back
among the elite is something else completely.
That's the aim of everyone at Leeds, to follow in the
footsteps of clubs like Aston Villa who have won promotion in recent years and
returned back to an old familiar position of being a player in the top half of
the table.
Now, in a message written to head coach Daniel Farke, his
players and the club's supporters, Marathe says work has been quietly going on
in the background to get Leeds ready for their Premier League challenge.
Marathe said; "The Premier League is where Leeds
belongs, and our goal is to establish a long-term presence there. With that in
mind, we have been quietly preparing the club for this moment."
With Elland Road back under the club's control and plans in
place to increase the capacity and to modernise the stadium, the owners have
been forthcoming with some of their plans for the future. It's understood a
substantial amount of money will be made available for a summer investment into
the squad, while the board continue to find new ways to seek investment such as
the Red Bull deal.
The next few months are likely to show just how much
preparation work has gone in to getting Leeds ready first of all for their
immediate return. Here's everything Marathe said in his open letter.
"After a long season of hard work both on and off the
pitch, we are returning to the Premier League! To Daniel and the squad - thank
you for your relentless pursuit of this achievement.
"You have been exemplary throughout the campaign and
have rightly earned your place in Leeds United history. You represent
everything it means to play for this club, and we are all incredibly proud.
"To our amazing supporters - we would not be in this
position without you. Thank you for bringing the passion and energy that
carried us throughout the season. This is the first time in 35 years that we
have achieved promotion in person in front of our supporters, so I hope you
enjoy every moment celebrating with fellow fans, friends and loved ones.
"The Premier League is where Leeds belongs, and our
goal is to establish a long-term presence there. With that in mind, we have
been quietly preparing the club for this moment. The road ahead won’t be easy
but we are ready to step confidently into this next chapter.
"Above all, this is your club and your promotion. I
want to thank each and every one of you, along with the players and every
member of staff at Elland Road and Thorp Arch, for your tireless commitment in
pursuit of this unforgettable moment.
"We still have a chance to finish this season with a
trophy. Let’s show the squad we are behind them over the final two matches. I
look forward to rejoining the Premier League alongside all of you. Enjoy the
celebrations - we’ve earned them!"