Ajax legend Jari Litmanen has explained just how close he came to joining Leeds United under Howard Wilkinson.
Leeds United had momentum in March 1991, as Howard Wilkinson’s side were on course for a fourth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
In March of that year, an unknown Finnish player called Jari Litmanen wore the number seven shirt for Leeds’ reserves as he embarked on a trial in England.
12 months later, Leeds lifted the First Division title under Wilkinson, while Litmanen signed for Dutch giants Ajax, where he would win the Champions League before joining Barcelona in 1999.
Leeds would eventually cross paths with Litmanen in the Premier League, as he enjoyed a short spell with Liverpool. Now, he has explained just how close he came to moving to Elland Road in the early ’90s.
Jari Litmanen on his near miss with Leeds United
Speaking in an interview with Four Four Two, Litmanen opened up on his trial with Leeds under Wilkinson, which took place during his time in the Finnish army.
According to Litmanen, the style of football in England at the time did not suit his game, and he would have rejected an offer from Leeds had they made one at the time.
“During my time in the army, I visited clubs in Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and England,” Litmanen said.
“Someone arranged a week for me at Leeds. I played one reserve game and trained once with the first team, but English football back then was completely different.
“Even if they’d offered me a contract, I would have said no – it wasn’t for me. It was a lot of long balls, too much football in the air, not the kind of game I could play.”
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When Jari Litmanen faced Leeds in October 2001
Litmanen only faced Leeds once in his short spell in the Premier League, when the Whites travelled to Anfield in October 2001. However, the game is best remembered for the drama off the pitch, as Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was rushed to hospital at half-time after falling ill.
Leeds rolled the dice under Peter Ridsdale in the 2001/02 season, investing heavily in the squad as they attempted to challenge for the title, including signing Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler later that season.
The Whites topped the table when they travelled to Anfield and appeared to be on course for victory after Harry Kewell gave David O’Leary’s side the lead at half-time.
However, Litmanen was brought on as a substitute and formed part of a Liverpool comeback, as Danny Murphy rescued a point for the home side, after Fowler hit the bar with a sublime chip over Nigel Martyn.
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