Andrea Radrizzani sets sights on eventual return of Leeds United's fans

Premier League-bound Leeds will receive the Championship winners trophy this evening as United end a historic season and 16-year exile from the country’s top flight with their Elland Road clash against Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic (kick-off 7.30pm).

Yet amidst the country’s ongoing battle with coronavirus, United’s last nine games have had to be played without fans and behind closed doors including five fixtures at Leeds’ famous home.

United sealed an automatic promotion place and ended a 16-year exile from the country’s top flight without even kicking a ball last Friday evening as second-placed West Brom fell to a 2-1 reverse at Huddersfield Town.

Leeds were then crowned champions the following day as third-placed Brentford also slipped up in a 1-0 loss at Stoke City.

It meant Leeds were promoted as champions with two games remaining and United’s players then celebrated for the first time on the pitch following Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Derby County.

Whites owner Radrizzani was there to savour the jubilant scenes at Pride Park but the Italian admitted the only thing that was missing was United’s fans with Leeds feeling their loss both home and away.

At long suffering Leeds United, joked Radrizzani, the perfect season was too good to be true.

“Sometimes I think this is Leeds. Always something has to go wrong with Leeds!” smiled Radrizzani, speaking to Sky Sports.

“Even in a wonderful year when we didn’t have any drama and everything is going well and we play fantastic football then something has to happen.

“Unfortunately, the health crisis is much bigger than football and so we need to accept the circumstances and wait and I am sure the moment restaurants are open life gradually goes back to normality.

“Hopefully the stadiums that are outdoors can receive some people from the beginning of the next season. I hope so.”

All matches have been played closed doors since the English football season restarted in June.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week that the Government intended to bring audiences back into stadiums from October in a Covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots at sporting events over the next two weeks.

Radrizzani is longing to properly celebrate with the city as a whole with Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa having worked the oracle in finally guiding United back to the Premier League.

Radrizzani hailed Bielsa as a “leader” but also paid tribute to the work throughout the club as a whole, saying: “I think everyone has played a role, from myself to the management and at any level in the club, employees have contributed to the success that we are celebrating.

“I am very proud that we have been able to unite the club again. The club and the city have a really strong connection now and this is very important for the club.

“At the same time, also within the club there is a very good strong connection between management and coach and player so this is very important and this is the reason I think we why we are having a lot of success today."

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Thank you Laura Collins