What appeared inevitable for a while was finally confirmed on the final day of the season: Leeds has been relegated from the Premier League.
Leeds lost 4-1 to Tottenham at Elland Road on Sunday, ending the club’s three-year stay in the top flight.
The club’s most recent Premier League experience had one incredible season — a ninth-place finish under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020-21 — followed by a narrow escape last year and, finally, this season’s 19th-place finish.
Jesse Marsch led the team to that narrow escape, fulfilling his mission after taking over from club legend Bielsa. There was plenty of optimism heading into 2022-23 that the American manager could fully instill his high-octane style, leading Leeds to a comfortable Premier League stay at minimum.
Marsch brought along two of his fellow Americans (and former players), as Leeds signed Brenden Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg and Tyler Adams from RB Leipzig. Along with an increased ownership stake from 49ers Enterprises, Leeds took on a distinctly American feel.
But after picking up seven points from three games to start the season, Leeds began to fall apart and, save for a few brief respites, never really recovered.
The problem, in a nutshell was defense. Leeds finished the campaign with a league-worst 78 goals allowed. The issues were myriad, from a lack of adequate personnel to a nonexistent transition defense to poor set-piece defending.
Marsch paid the price for Leeds’ terrible form when he was sacked in February. Though Marsch had been on thin ice for months, Leeds somehow had no succession plan. The club wasted time and resources chasing after candidates who weren’t interested, eventually settling on Javi Gracia.
Gracia fell flat on his face. His replacement, Sam Allardyce, could not conjure up what would have been his greatest escape yet.
The transfer market has been particular problematic for Leeds in the past year. Last summer the team lost its two best players, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. With a huge windfall from those sales, the club spent haphazardly.
Adams has been excellent, while others like Luis Sinisterra and Marc Roca have produced mixed results. But Aaronson hasn’t lived up to his $30 million price tag, contributing just one goal and three assists despite playing well over 2,000 league minutes.
Adams and Aaronson were joined by a third American, Weston McKennie, in January, but the Juventus midfielder underwhelmed in a half-season loan.
The club-record signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim has been particularly disastrous. Brought in for $43m in January, Rutter has started one Premier League game and has lately spent more time with Leeds’ U-21 side than its senior team.
What could that $43m have done if it wasn’t spent on a striker who clearly wasn’t ready for prime time?
Where does Leeds go from here?
For all of the club’s missteps in the transfer and managerial markets, director of football Victor Orta has already paid the price. He may not be the only person from the C-suite to depart.
Club owner Andrea Radrizzani could sell his majority share to 49ers Enterprises, but The Athletic reports that the Italian would have to accept a significantly reduced price following the club’s relegation.
Whether or not 49ers Enterprises is involved next season, the club is set to be much less American. Adams looks likely to be sold, and McKennie will return to Juventus. Aaronson reportedly has a relegation clause in his deal and could be on his way out as well.
Will Leeds be back in the Premier League any time soon? The infrastructure is certainly in place if the right personnel can follow. Whichever new faces arrive, it’s clear that the era of Leeds United States of America will end just as quickly as it arrived.
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