In the Elland Road dressing room last Thursday, Leeds United defender Sam Byram sat down for a cup of tea with the club’s veteran support group.
This is part of the EFL’s Week of Action, an initiative that draws attention to the impact the Football League’s 72 clubs have on their communities.
That Leeds were part of such an uplifting week seems somehow fitting, given the history currently unfolding in West Yorkshire.
They sit third in the Championship after an impressive run but more than that, they feel like a club embraced by the city again.
A small excerpt from the meeting, recounted to me by Byram, tells a story.
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“One of the people asked me, ‘What’s different from the last time you were here?
‘” Byram said, referring to an earlier period in 2016, when Massimo Cellino was owner and Leeds wavered in the midst of crisis and victory.
“The club went through a difficult time when I was here before.
Coming back and seeing how united the city is, seeing the atmosphere at home games and the away fans, that’s what really surprised me.
Here’s how they did it.
Rediscovering identity The images of that crazy day in west London when Leeds escaped relegation in May 2022 are seared into the mind.
A shirtless Raphinha charged at visiting fans to celebrate his survival, Victor Orta tore off Jesse Marsch’s white polo shirt, the curators stepped up to the plate after Leeds avoided demotion.
In theory, relegation would be devastating.
But in reality, what happened after – Orta and company saw survival as validation of their flimsy plan and continued anyway – has really damaged the club.
Whisper it quietly, but the restart of the Championship, away from the glare of the Premier League and under new management, has allowed a fractured fanbase to reconnect with their club.
Relegation is a chance for a reset and this version of Leeds is much more recognizable than the one that gave up survival under Sam Allardyce.
Orta’s so-called smart recruitment was fortunately abandoned.
The man who boasted about finding an algorithm on data site Statsbomb to identify players suited to Leeds’ unique style was exposed by a series of poor choices last summer.
Instead, they have signed good figures with proven championship pedigrees and Daniel Farke’s stamp on the signings is undeniable.
Ethan Ampadu was the team’s choice, but their late decision to move on Byram, a left-back who left under a cloud in 2016, was symbolic.
He returned hungry and at the manager’s request, initially to improve his fitness following an injury sustained in his last two seasons at Norwich.
But Farke’s ability, work ethic and ease of adapting to the team around him convinced him.
It’s not a spectacular signing but it’s reasonable.
“There is always a risk of training and playing with no guarantees for the future but the opportunity to return to Leeds and my home club, to work with staff I have worked with before , it’s a no-brainer, he said.
» thinking while talking.
“There were no guarantees when I returned to training, but since I came back, everyone has been very welcoming and I feel like I’ve settled in again.
» Now that the club’s new owners, the 49ers, have put their feet under the table, you might think that January will see Leeds show strength in the transfer market.
They largely respect the parameters of financial fair play and are currently in the top two range.
“We are a club on the rise again.
The support The support, the team we have, it’s a top club,” Bryram said.
Daniel Farke It was mid-July in Oslo.
It was pouring rain outside and Leeds were struggling and had just been beaten by an unresponsive Manchester United team when Daniel Farke spoke to a group of local media.
“We know this is a difficult question, but if it were easy, anyone could do it,” he said.
A total of 16 players have left this summer, many of whom Leeds want to keep.
Five were high-profile loans as players took advantage of clauses in their contracts that allowed them to leave Championship clubs.
Outrage burned in the stands as others, like Willy Gnonto, rallied to join them.
The situation seems to be at a critical juncture.
But Farke did it perfectly.
From day one, his message was direct and matter-of-fact, his team were hard-working and attack-minded and his man-management was excellent.
After exhausting three managers last season – and a difficult time finding Marsch’s replacement – ​​his appointment looks like a really good thing.
Byram has worked with him before at Norwich and is not surprised at the impact he is having at Elland Road.
“It was great working with him,” he added.
“His reputation, especially in the Championship and past promotions, speaks for itself.
His style of play since Norwich and when managing abroad (has been fantastic).
Those who played under him say the German is a meticulous workaholic and long days at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground often begin before sunrise.
The way he dealt with some of those demanding an exit – tough but fair, ready for a second chance – earned him the respect of those left to shoulder the relegation.
“His attention to detail is top notch, you can see it in games and the way we try to play high-pressure, high-energy, attacking football,” Byram said.
“Every day, he and his team are great people to work with and that makes my job even more enjoyable.
“Every day I look forward to training and I think so far we have proven that we are capable.
Somewhere we have fallen below our standards, but it is our responsibility to demonstrate that our consistency is at the highest level.
The 49ers – and a brighter future The takeover of Elland Road by the San Francisco 49ers’ strategic affiliate has been a long time coming, but relegation is complicated.
Initially, uncertainty surrounding the deal turned to concern when allegations emerged that Andrea Radrizzani attempted to use Elland Road as collateral to secure a bank loan before purchasing Sampdoria.
Ultimately, a deal was negotiated, but by mid-July and in the words of a source who spoke to me at the time, “there was a lot more work to be done than we initially thought.
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Discussions of grand and radical visions for the future had to be pushed aside in favor of practical concerns.
The new boss’s determination was tested by the large number of players who wanted to leave.
Many contracts are negotiated ahead of time forcing them to make decisions.
49ers management is now stable and out of crisis.
Some of their early decisions – dictated by circumstances – seemed sound, but fans will judge them on their commitment to buying and then redeveloping the old Elland Road.
Supporting Farke in January was also essential.
Internally, they believe Leeds’ infrastructure needs strengthening.
It is a Premier League club and often resembles a Championship club.
A final word for Byram: the voice of reason and experience at the second level.
“They are a Premier League club when you consider their fan base and their size,” he said.
“Everywhere you go there’s a Leeds fan, whether it’s in this country or abroad but the Championship – I’ve said it before and other players and managers say the same thing – it’s such a tough league to get out of.
“It’s game after game after game, it’s such a tough league.
We’ve got a great squad, a great manager, a great set-up but it’s just about each week, attacking each week and trying to get points on the board.
” Leeds have gone back to basics, and it appears to be working.
