Better than promotion? A Leeds United season so good that countdown is already on to the next

Right now, the weekend of August 14 can't come soon enough.

The weekend when the 2021-22 Premier League season will begin that is, featuring Leeds United's second campaign back in the country's top flight.

It ought to feel at least as good as being promoted but in many ways actually feels even better.

Nothing can really compare to the sheer elation and relief at finally ending a 16-year wait for Premier League football last summer and the first port of call upon returning to the promised land was staying there.

But never mind staying there, Marcelo Bielsa s Whites have finished with more teams below them than above them in ending up a superb ninth.

The sky should be the limit for Leeds in the long term and an exciting few months now awaits as United look to strengthen and push on next term.

Everybody will be wise to the dreaded 'second season syndrome' and what happened to Sheffield United but qualifying for Europe really ought to be the next Leeds port of call.

There's also the rather large matter of head coach Marcelo Bielsa's future to sort out and we will bring you all the latest news here with every development at Elland Road over the summer.

But for now let's just keep our fingers crossed for Kalvin Phillips after his injury scare and bask in the glory of Sunday's season finale featuring an emotional send off for Gaetano Berardi and Pablo Hernandez, a 17th goal for Patrick Bamford and ultimately a ninth-placed finish.

Wow. What a season.

Now let's get ready to do it all over again.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/one-tiny-regret-as-pablo-hernandez-ends-superb-leeds-united-career-in-style-3247285

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/west-brom-defender-delivers-dominant-leeds-united-verdict-after-defeat-at-elland-road-3247343

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins