Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has predicted a “mass exit of players” at Elland Road following the club’s relegation to the Championship, as featured on BBC Sport.
An abject performance from the Whites resulted in a 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the Premier League season which will have consequences for the next campaign, as stated by Cooper.
Leeds now returns to the second tier of English football after a three-year stay at the top level but that is now their reality, with key dressing room talks already taking place.
Cooper reflected on the scale of the task ahead, if the Whites are to bounce back to the Premier League immediately, but he sent a dressing room warning.
“We’ve got to come back fighting next year,” he said.
“We know how difficult it is to get out of the Championship. We know what relegation means, it means there will probably be a mass exit of players and if you are lucky enough to be at this club next year, we’re gonna need everybody aligned and ready to have a right go.
“We know how difficult it was to get out (of the Championship) last time and we’ve gotta go and do that again.”
Serious challenge
As things stand at present, there is no immediate optimism at Elland Road to suggest that the club is in a place to plan effectively for the new campaign.
The mess that is the current squad is reflected in the situation in the boardroom and that is the first issue that needs to be resolved. Only once there is stability off the pitch, can the direction and leadership be provided for the next stage on the pitch.
The serious challenge that lies ahead for Leeds was outlined by Sam Allardyce post-match when asked if he would be looking to stay. He questioned the vision, strategy and means to have a realistic chance for progression upon the return to the Championship.
The skipper’s assertion that there will be significant change within the squad is guaranteed but that is an isolated matter from the overall uncertainty that surrounds Leeds at present.
Answers are required as soon as possible.
