Leeds United’s ‘vision’ is to reach Champions League says chief executive Angus Kinnear after the club’s return to ‘base camp’ Premier League was confirmed
- Leeds United’s return to the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday
- The club’s chief executive believes being in the top flight is the minimum
- The Yorkshire club is now targeting a return to Champions League football
Leeds United’s ‘vision’ is to return to the Champions League after their promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years was confirmed, according to chief executive Angus Kineaar.
The Yorkshire club’s place in the top flight was finally confirmed on Friday which Kineaar said is ‘base camp’ for them and have European ambitions for the near future.
Leeds have a proud history in Europe including a memorable run to the Champions League semi-final in 2001, and the club’s executive believes such heights can be reached once more.
Leeds United is targeting the Champions League after they were promoted to Premier League
The club’s chief executive Angus Kienaar (L) says being in the top flight is ‘base camp’ for them
‘Whilst we’re celebrating, whilst we’re all very excited, we’ve got back to where we belong. This really is base camp for Leeds United,’ Kinnear told Sky Sports, ‘Leeds United shouldn’t be a Championship side, they should be a Premier League side, so really the challenge starts now and it’s about competing in the Premier League.
‘Now it’s going to be really about building on that and making sure that over the next few years we start to compete at the level Leeds should be competing in, which ultimately is the top six, and that’s always been our aim.
‘Leeds should have a Premier League team. Candidly, Leeds should have a Champions League team and that’s the vision.’
Leeds had a memorable run to Champions League semi-final in 2001 in their last European era
Much of Leeds’ improvement in the last two seasons can be accredited to head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has galvanised the club with his expansive and technical style of play since arriving.
The Argentine nearly led them back to the top flight in his first season in 2018-19but they fell short after suffering a the disappointment of a play-off semi-final defeat to Derby County.
They recovered after that disappointment and have impressed once again this season, spending much of the campaign at the top of the league before being confirmed as champions on Saturday.
The 64-year-old’s contract expires in the summer but is expected to sign a new deal with the club in the near future.
Leeds face last season’s rivals Derby on Sunday
Leeds’ vast improvement in recent years can be accredited to the work done by Marcelo Bielsa
Fans have gathered outside Elland Road over the weekend to celebrate their promotion