´They´ve awoken a sleeping giant´ – Kisnorbo revels in Leeds´ Premier League promotion

Patrick Kisnorbo said a sleeping giant has awoken after Leeds United secured Premier League promotion following a 16-year absence amid wild celebrations in West Yorkshire.

Not since 2004 have Leeds featured in the Premier League but second-placed West Brom s 2-1 defeat at Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town on Friday ensured the club s long-awaited return to England s top flight with two matches remaining.

Leeds reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001 but the Yorkshire outfit imploded financially, relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2003-04 season.

Their demise plunged to new lows when they were relegated to League One – England s third division – in 2007 before returning to the Championship in 2010, where Leeds have remained until this season.

WE ARE BACK!!!

— Leeds United (@LUFC)

Kisnorbo spent four years at Leeds between 2009 and 2013, playing a key role in the club s promotion from League One a decade ago, and the former Australia international told Stats Perform News: A very big day for Leeds fans around the world, the club as a whole, the owners, players, coaching staff, coach.

It s such a big thing for such a big supporter base. To get promoted to the biggest league in the world is a fantastic achievement. They ve awoken a sleeping giant and it will be great for the game once the new Premier League season starts.

They have such a massive supporter base, Kisnorbo said. The atmosphere when you go to Elland Road or the travelling Leeds fans, no matter where they play, they always support the club. When you get to Elland Road, it s such a fortress. It s just great for English football.

Hopefully now, Leeds can rebuild and stay in the Premier League.

Friday s result meant mission accomplished for highly regarded Argentine head coach Bielsa, who was lured to the fallen giant in 2018 following spells in charge of Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lille.

Bielsa s trademark character and tactics almost resulted in promotion in his first season until Leeds faded, dropped out of the automatic places and lost in the play-offs.

Consigned to another Championship campaign, Bielsa and Leeds were not to be denied at the second time of asking, with famous stadium Elland Road – exiled from the Premier League for the past 16 years – back in the big time.

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