There are only a couple of players that remain in Leeds United’s squad from the Marcelo Bielsa era, the likes of Patrick Bamford, Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo and Dan James.
The majority have now left, with Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper joining new clubs in the summer and Stuart Dallas retiring after the knee injury he suffered at Man City in April 2022 preventing him from a return.
The Bielsa-era is coming to an end at Elland Road, as Daniel Farke looks to make a legacy of his own and take Leeds back into the Premier League but that Leeds connection remains in those that have departed.
One of those players who played throughout the Bielsa era has remained a free agent since leaving his latest side in June, until this week. Barry Douglas has finally found a new club after months without one.
Barry Douglas finally returns to Scotland after Leeds exit in 2021
The 35-year-old left-back joined Leeds in the summer of 2018 and was a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s first game, the one that gave Leeds fans hope. A 3-1 win over Stoke on the opening day of the 2018-19 term.
Douglas laid on an assist for Leeds’ third goal in that game, a corner for Cooper to head home after goals from Samu Saiz and Mateusz Klich. Douglas left Leeds in 2021, returning to Polish side Lech Poznan.
Three years later, and Douglas left Lech as a free agent. Last week, Douglas joked about finding himself a new club but on Monday afternoon, he confirmed he had joined Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone.
His caption read: “The next chapter now begins. Excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue playing this beautiful game. Time to get to work.”
Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling react as Barry Douglas finds club
It has been a poor start to the season for St. Johnstone. Prior to the weekend’s win over Ross County, St. Johnstone were rock bottom with just four points from eight Scottish Premiership games this season.
But the win has taken St. Johnstone to ninth of 12 in Scotland’s top flight, with a trip to Dundee on the weekend up next. The move sees Douglas return to Scotland 11 years after leaving Dundee United.
That Leeds connection remains with Douglas though, with his move to St. Johnstone prompting replies from Ayling and Dallas on Instagram. Both congratulated the left-back, as he continues his career.
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