How Leeds United did in the Premier League the last time they were promoted as champions under Marcelo Bielsa

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Leeds United will return to the Premier League as Championship champions but will have a lot of work to do to replicate Marcelo Bielsa in the top division.

The final day of the season brought yet more joy and celebration for Leeds United as they secured the Championship title by defeating Plymouth Argyle 2-1.

Goals from Willy Gnonto and Manor Solomon secured the dramatic three points as Daniel Farke’s side pipped Burnley to the title despite their victory over Millwall, thanks to their superior goal difference.

A pivotal summer of preparation in the transfer window awaits Leeds, with smart and quality recruitment an absolute necessity to ensure the Whites survive on their return to the top flight.

Leeds spent heavily when they were first promoted back to the Premier League after 16 years in 2020 and here’s how the side performed that season.

Leeds United results in first Premier League season for 16 years

There has been plenty of doom-mongering over the gap in quality between the first and second division in recent weeks after Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town were sent straight back down.

However, just five years ago, Marcelo Bielsa proved any promoted team can compete with the big boys if they are coached well enough and have talent.

Leeds were scintillating on their return to the top flight, taking games to anyone and scoring goals for fun.

Despite a small squad that was vastly outmatched by most of the division, they finished 9th in the table, just two points behind Arsenal. They also outscored 13 of the 19 other sides.

Here are the results from an unforgettable campaign that was sadly tarnished due to the pandemic:

Can Daniel Farke replicate that fantastic season?

Leeds enjoyed a sensational first season back but poor decision-making once things started to go wrong for Bielsa meant they were unable to build on it. Two seasons later and they were back in the Championship.

Yet, though the financial gap between the two leagues is getting wider, the likes of Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham have all proved in recent years that it’s possible to survive and then thrive.

It won’t be cheap or easy. Leeds must get their recruitment spot on, with several key positions in the squad in need of strengthening, and a big decision will have to be made on Farke’s future.

The 49ers have backed the manager so far but it feels like that’s not the end of the story, with talks between the two parties set to follow.

The owners will need to decide quickly if Farke is the man who can replicate Bielsa’s fine 2020-21 season.