Leeds United will be back in the big time next season after West Brom's defeat to Huddersfield meant Marcelo Bielsa's side gained automatic promotion.

It has been a 16-year long and often turbulent wait for the club but now they are in the Premier League once more, and celebrations outside Elland Road began swiftly with fans desperate to soak in the glory.
Leeds' slender 1-0 win over Barnsley on Thursday meant the second-placed Baggies had to pick up three points at Huddersfield and their 2-1 loss means the Elland Road side will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Liverpool and old rivals Manchester United next season.

Bielsa, the man who made it all possible, was given a rapturous reception as he was mobbed by Leeds fans at his home. 'El Loco' used his elbow to greet them all before getting into his car.

The Argentine waved to the gathering fans and repeatedly said 'thank you' before joking 'I don't speak English!' He then invited three youngster to pose for a photo in front of him.

Despite pleas from the club for supporters to stay at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, fans quickly took to the streets after discovering their 16 years of pain was over.

After waiting so long for this moment, the Leeds faithful had no intention of staying indoors as groups arrived outside Elland Road with blue and yellow flares and waving flags and scarfs and singing to their hearts' content.

And their celebrations were recognised by the heroes who pulled off the feat as Leeds players were seen dancing around inside the stadium - waving to the fans at the window after watching the West Brom game together.

Leeds stars were seen jumping around and taking photos while huddled together as they were forced to enjoy their glory off the pitch.

And midfielder Kalvin Phillips couldn't contain his excitement as he left the stadium to roar to the crowds gathered outside the gates.

Tributes to the club have flooded in on social media after their success, with former Whites defender Lucas Radebe offering his congratulations.

'After long 16yrs finally the wait is over our dreams have come true - back in the Premier League come on @LUFC. Congratulations to El Loco and the boys, absolutely proud.'

Hollywood actor and Leeds fan Russell Crowe used few words to sum up his delight as he simply tweeted: 'Leeds United.' And ex-player Rio Ferdinand welcomed them back saying their promotion was fully deserved.

'Welcome back to the PL @LUFC back in the big time & deservedly so!!' he said.

Players from the top flight had their say on Leeds' big moment too, and Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy said he was looking forward to facing off against them.

'LEEDS,' he wrote. Congratulations Marcelo & the boys. See you next year.'

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was quick to show his pride at being part of the team that went up, saying he had spent 'many days dreaming of this day'.
We are BACK !!!! We are in @premierleague!!!! Yessssssssssss!!! We are Leeds !!!!

'Many days dreaming of this day!!! We deserve it! Proud of this TEAM, proud of our supporters! I can not describe this moment! Yesssssss!! Thanks for your support, Imposible without you!'

Leeds had been in the English top flight for 14 years when they capitulated and went down in the 2003-04 season.

Their demise was in the wake of the club's financial crisis and came just three years after they'd reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Debts mounted and even reached the £100million mark, Peter Reid was sacked as manager and Eddie Gray was unable to spark a turnaround.

Kevin Blackwell came in but there would be further heartbreak as the Whites suffered defeat in the play-off final at Wembley.

The club then plummeted further down, entering administration in 2007 and confirming their relegation to League 1.

It wasn't until 2009-10 that Leeds clawed their way back into the Championship. Simon Grayson, Neil Warnock, Brian McDermott all had turns at the helm with chaos behind the scenes under the latter's tenure as Massimo Cellino's bid to own the club was initially denied and then overturned on appeal.

Dave Hockaday, Darko Milanic, Neil Redfern, Uwe Rosler, Steve Evans and Garry Monk all came and went as Cellino brought incredible instability to the club.

Then came some stability in 2017 as current owner Andrea Radrizzani took full ownership from his Italian compatriot.

In June 2018 came the major coup of capturing one of football's most revered coaches in Marcelo Bielsa.

Last season, the Argentine's first in charge, ended in the play-offs and they lost 4-3 on aggregate against Derby in the semi-finals.

This season has been a different story and the Leeds rollercoaster ride is on an upward trajectory once again.

Bielsa has steered the team magnificently despite struggling with no out-and-out scoring threat up front at times but the quality and style of play has remained easy on the eye.

Next season it will be fascinating to see how Bielsa's tactical mastery fares against teams with far greater resources and higher quality players.

For now though, Leeds fans can savour the moment after 16 years of almost laughable capriciousness, they're back in the Premier League.

Source: https://supersport.com/football/english-championship/news/200717_Leeds_promoted_to_the_Premier_League

Congrats..

They will make top 4 next season

Congrats to them. Season after season they keep qualifying for promition playoffs but always fail to make it to the premiership. They used to be a very strong team in the PL and play in champion's league before the moneybags bought Chelsea and Man City.
Wishing them a successful campaign in the top flight

Breakthrough after a long futile wait. Their story is an inspiration. Congratulations all the way. Let the party begin

Ewww 16years congratulations to then,,,,,may then re-tight their belts premier league is so damm hot may den ask norwich den go tell dem

dominique:
Congrats to them. Season after season they keep qualifying for promition playoffs but always fail to make it to the premiership. They used to be a very strong team in the PL and play in champion's league before the moneybags bought Chelsea and Man City.
Wishing them a successful campaign in the top flight

You forgot to mention how the Glaziers family's money bag bought Howard Webb for your darling Man Utd...

You think it's coincidence that Man Utd premier league trophy triumph stopped just about the same time Howard Webb retired..

Don't you also wonder that despite Ferguson 26 years as a Man Utd coach he could only win 2 champions league??.. I guess he couldn't influence UEFA board like he did Webb and English FA..

hope they won't go back to where they came from

internationalman:


You forgot to mention how the Glaziers family's money bag bought Howard Webb for your darling Man Utd...

You think it's coincidence that Man Utd premier league trophy triumph stopped just about the same time Howard Webb retired..

Don't you also wonder that despite Ferguson 26 years as a Man Utd coach he could only win 2 champions league??.. I guess he couldn't influence UEFA board like he did Webb and English FA..

I'm not a Man United fan, besides this thread is about Leeds United not Man Utd

Now that the legendary Bielsa is here and Leeds are finally back in the EPL, I'm anticipating these touchline tactical battles....


Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds) vs Pep Guardiola (Man City)

Bielsa (Leeds) vs Klopp (Liverpool)

Bielsa (Leeds) vs Mourinho (Tottenham)



The PL will be so much more lit in 2020/21.

Chei...This means all hope is not lost for Nigeria !!!! One day Nigeria will eventually make all of us proud

I used to like their white jersey that year. Welcome back

Ok

Damnnnnn niggarrr
Isoright

Lets welcome them to the most overrated Moda fuckkking league on planet earth
EPL is damnnnnn overrated
I keep on saying it if we should merge bundesliga, laliga, seria A, ligue 1( french ligue), and EPL
Then i can bet my balls that no EPL team will make top eight

Welcome to EPL.Hope they are prepared or else they will go the way of Norwich.

a big congrats to leeds after being close to promotion numerous times but not lucky, finally bielsa get it right this time..
leeds are a very good team to watch, it would be nice having them in epl because i really love that thier beautiful playing pattern and thier swift kinda play just like city and wolves..
i just wish they adapt fast to the competitive epl and they live up to the little bielsa hype and stake thier claim in the epl..
it wount be nice seeing them struggling in the other bottom half of the table or battling for relegation after thier first appearance in epl afta a long while..
i trust the tactical genius in bielsa bt my fear is that, his sqaud have a small budget size and no or less big players but i jus hope it goes well for him..

We are still waiting for the EPL title

Deserved. It's been coming for long. Grace has found them this time around.
A very resounding congratulations to them.

Wow

Yes oo. We are back

nice one

The last time I really watched Leeds United matches was when El Hadji Diouf was there. It will be interesting seeing them in the big league after 16years

They were strong contenders back then wihh players like Harry kewel and this Australia player viduka and Allan Smith doing wonders.

Congrats to Leeds. I can't forget the team that pushed for UCL finals (Lucas Radebe, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith who we poached after they got relegated - double hate after poaching Rio Ferdinand)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcxSau6TTg

Leeds that year.

Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Lucas Radebe.




I hope they don't go back for another 10 years after next season.

Thought Leeds played in the epl not quite long

Welcome back Leeds utd

Some teams have gone for life.. Charlton, Exeter and co

16 yrs is a verry long time, congratss to them and goodluck next season

Wow

The same way Liverpool fans were praying for an EPL trophy, that's the same way Leeds united fans were praying for promotion to EPL. 2020 have not being totally bad afterall. It've been good for some fan base...
.
Congratulations to them. I hope they stay away from relegation next season unlike Cardiff city

Wonderful!! At least something good came out for them