The Elland Road outfit become the latest team under the spotlight ahead of the 2015/16 campaign
LEEDS UNITED
Home ground: Elland Road
Capacity: 37,890
Head coach: Uwe Rosler
2014/15 league position: 15th
2014/15 top goalscorer: Mirco Antenucci (ten in all competitons)
With the 2014/15 season having seen much change at Elland Road, Leeds will no doubt be hoping for a less eventful campaign this time around.
Having disposed of the services of Brian McDermott as manager in May 2014, the former Reading boss’ replacement Dave Hockaday lasted just three weeks into the new season before departing the club.
With Neil Redfearn stepping into the breach on a temporary basis following Hockday’s departure, the arrival of Darko Milanič in mid-September ensured that Leeds had their third different manager of the 2014/15 campaign just six weeks after the start of the season.
With Milanič’s tenure lasting just a month, Redfearn was again called up to the plate with the Dewsbury-born former midfielder remaining in the hotseat until the season’s conclusion before departing the club altogether this week.
On the field meanwhile, Leeds managed to win four of their opening eight games amidst the drama surrounding Elland Road, but just two victories in 17 games between September and January sadly left the Whites with a mountain to climb.
Their form did improve in the New Year as the Yorkshire outfit embarked on a run which saw them win eight times in 13 outings, but five consecutive defeats in April ensured that the club finished a respectable 15th in the Sky Bet Championship standings.
Looking to refresh their squad, Leeds moved quickly following the season’s conclusion by releasing Daniel Atkinson, Rodolph Austin, Luke Booker, Alex Cairns, Afolabi Coker, Stuart Taylor and Zac Thompson.
There has certainly been transfer business afoot in the summer transfer window from a United perspective so far however, with the permanent acquisition of Sol Bamba following the Ivory Coast international’s successful loan spell alongside the captures of Lee Erwin, Charlie Horton, Chris Wood and goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.
Now under the stewardship of former Brentford and Wigan manager Uwe Rösler, Leeds will be looking for the German to steady the ship at Elland Road and in turn, help the club push on during the coming campaign and beyond.
FIXTURES V BOLTON IN 2015/16
Saturday 24 October 2015 – 3pm kick-off at Macron Stadium
Saturday 5 March 2016 – 3pm at Elland Road
RESULTS V BOLTON IN 2014/15
Leeds United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers – 30/8/2014 (CLICK HERE for highlights)
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Leeds United – 10/1/2015 (CLICK HERE for highlights)