Leeds United sporting chief Adam Underwood lays out bold 49ers vision and transfer hope — Leeds Live 15/10/25

-

The 49ers have been clear in their long term aim for Leeds United

Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter

Leeds United sporting director Adam Underwood has reiterated that the club’s hierarchy believes the Whites can become a top-half Premier League club once again in due course.

Owners the 49ers Enterprises have always been clear on their aim of making United a top-flight regular, with chairman Paraag Marathe stating during April’s promotion bus parade that he wants Leeds to become “one of the best in all of Europe”.

Underwood has spent more than a decade at Leeds, first arriving as academy manager in 2014 before being named head of football operations in July 2023 following the full takeover of the 49ers. This spring, he was named as the new sporting director.

Alongside managing director Robbie Evans, Underwood’s role consists of joining short-term aims with long-term goals to help Leeds towards their Premier League objective.

“Having competitive success is always going to be the immediate focus, for the sporting director, manager and the ownership group," Underwood told BBC Sport.

"But around that, as a foundation for sporting success, there has to be a long-term view for how you develop the club, build the infrastructure and create the conditions for that success to happen and increase the chances of it happening over a period of time.

"We want to be an established Premier League club and believe we can push back to the top half of the table and realise our potential. The sporting director's responsibility is to feed both of those work streams and both of those projects.

"Every weekend, you are at games hoping all the work you are doing in recruitment to support the manager and the staff, pays off and you get a result.

“But ultimately, you know as long as you are on track over the long term from a performance perspective, you are making steps towards your vision and realising the ambition of the ownership."

The Leeds board is well aware of the fate of the last six promoted teams, all of whom have gone straight back down to the Championship. The club and manager Daniel Farke have analysed what these clubs did right and what they did wrong ahead of the new season.

"We know that as a Championship club promoted to the Premier League the task is huge to buck the trend,” Underwood underlined.

The board is pleased with the performances Farke has managed to produce from his Leeds side so far this season, with eight points gained from the first seven games.

Popular posts from this blog

Patrick Bamford on the scoresheet as Joe Gelhardt nets four in 10-2 Leeds United thrashing — Leeds Press 31/7/25

-
by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United have had some impressive results in pre-season so far. In three games, they have failed to lose and have racked up impressive scorelines. Thursday was no different. While the first team is preparing for the next friendly against Villarreal, the U21s side, with a host of first team stars, thrashed Norweigian side Lyn 1896 10-2 in a pre-season friendly this afternoon. There were some surprising names on the scoresheet – Patrick Bamford scored, Sam Greenwood netted a brace and Joe Gelhardt scored four goals in the game. This is the second friendly the trio have featured in; they played in the friendly against Hartlepool last weekend. The trio did not make the trip to Germany, as Daniel Farke has instructed them to find new clubs. Patrick Bamford was informed after a long personal conversation with the Leeds boss. Farke then revealed this crucial information right after the club’s first game against Manchester United. According to the German coach, h...
Read more

Leeds United reveal three-man shortlist as they eye major striker signing — trio have a combined 19 Premier League career goals — Leeds Press 3/5/25

-
Image
by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United are playing in the Premier League next season. But with the transfer window coming up, there are still some questions about the squad that need to be answered. Starting striker Joel Piroe has been first choice over the last two seasons. And he has delivered, scoring over 35 goals. But in recent weeks, Leeds’ rumoured moves show that there may be doubt over his ability heading into the Premier League. Over the last month, the club have been linked with George Hirst, and more recently Celtic star Daizen Maeda. Wrexham are also said to be very interested in signing Patrick Bamford this summer, so Leeds will definitely sign a new striker. TEAMtalk are reporting that Leeds United have drawn up a shortlist of strikers for the summer. It includes two current Premier League players, and a former Tottenham star. But surprisingly, the trio have just 19 career goals in the competition. Whichever of them the club decides to sign will have a big say in survivin...
Read more

Leeds United transfers as Fabrizio Romano confirms medical amid advanced talks claim — YEP 15/8/25

-
By Mark Carruthers The latest transfer talk from Elland Road as Leeds United prepare to return to the Premier League with a home game against Everton on Monday night. Leeds United are reportedly ‘advancing’ with a deal to secure another defensive addition to their squad ahead of the new Premier League season. The Whites have already enjoyed a productive summer transfer window by completing the signings of Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri, midfield duo Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach and free agent forward Lukas Nmecha. Another attacking signing is believed to be close to completing after a deal was agreed with former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his release from Everton. Daniel Farke’s defensive ranks have already been boosted by the arrivals of Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol since promotion was secured last season - and there have now been claims the Whites are progressing with a move for Leicester City full-back James Justin as he looks to...
Read more