A look at the latest Leeds United news on Monday, June 5.
Marc Roca emerges as 'option' to replace Sergio Busquets at Barcelona
Fichajes claim Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca is reportedly on a shortlist to replace Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. The 26-year-old midfielder was tipped to become one of the best midfielders in world football after his move from Espanyol to Bayern Munich back in 2020.
However, the Spaniard made just 24 appearances during his time in Bavaria and would sign for the Whites at the beginning of last season. Roca made 32 appearances in the Premier League last season, scoring once and registering two assists but like the rest of the team, struggled after a bright start.
The report claims Roca would be a low-cost alternative as they look to rebuild following Busquets' departure.
Read more: Leeds United's new head coach already has their first three's-a-crowd problem awaiting them
Poor record Leeds United must improve if they are to make immediate return to Premier League
There are several reasons why Leeds now face a return to the Championship after a three-season stay in England’s top flight.
But some telling discipline stats may well be an indicator of a major contributing factor to the Whites’ demise. Leeds had a really poor defensive discipline record in the recent Premier League season, ranking near the top of all the ill-disciplined tables.
The Whites committed the most fouls in the Premier League this season, a stat that tells its own story. The high-intensity press used by Jesse Marsch for most of the season – until his sacking in February – may be the reason why Leeds committed so many fouls, as they tried to win the ball high up.
'Impossible job' - Karl Robinson reflects on short-lived Leeds United spell
Karl Robinson has reflected on his ill-fated spell as part of the Leeds United coaching staff.
The former Oxford boss was brought into the set-up to assist Sam Allardyce for the final four games of the season.
But the gamble by the Whites' board failed to pay off with only one point garnered from a possible 12. They eventually ended up finishing five points adrift of safety. Reflecting on his short-lived stint in West Yorkshire, he told talkSPORT: "It was almost an impossible job, but we all have that ego going in and plotting a miracle.
Big earners sold, off-field leadership, goals spread in one blueprint for Leeds United bounceback
Leeds United want to bounce back from relegation and return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Not many teams have managed it. Since the 1992/93 campaign, just 26 of the 94 relegated sides have returned the following season.
In recent history, there are three sides who have managed it. Watford and Norwich City recovered from 2020 relegations to finish in the Championship’s top two at the end of 2020/21. Then, last season, Burnley stormed the table after going down in 2022.
LeedsLive has spoken to Andrew French of Watford Observer for some insight into how the Hornets achieved their bounce back in 2021. It was a campaign which began with Serbian Vladimir Ivic and ended with Spaniard Xisco Munoz.
Robbie Keane's blunt Leeds United admission as former coach breaks silence on relegation
Former Leeds United striker Robbie Keane admits Sam Allardyce's appointment at Elland Road came too late to save the Whites from relegation to the Championship. Keane was part of the backroom staff that took charge of the final four games of the season.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international, who scored 19 goals in 56 appearances as a player, says he enjoyed his return to Elland Road but would have liked the call to arrive earlier.
"My time at Leeds was very enjoyable, in terms of the experience and being back at my old club," Keane told Betway. "There are really good people there, good staff. It’s a club that’s got a great history."
Ex-Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch 'on Celtic radar' as Whites handed competition for target
Jesse Marsch is one of the names being considered by Celtic should Ange Postecoglou opt to leave the Scottish champions this summer, according to Sky Sports. Postecoglou has been reportedly given permission to speak to Tottenham Hotspur regarding the vacant manager position in north London and it is claimed Celtic have already started considering their options.
Ex-Leeds United manager Marsch is said to be one of those options, with Brenden Rodgers, who has been linked with the job at Elland Road, also in their thoughts. Despite being linked with a number of clubs over the last few months, including Leicester City and Southampton, Marsch has been out of work since being sacked by the Whites following Leeds’ loss to Nottingham Forest in February.
The American spent just under a year in West Yorkshire and he managed to save the club from Premier League relegation inside his first few months in the job. But, he struggled to build on that positive momentum and after securing just four Premier League wins this season, he parted ways with the club, to be replaced by Javi Gracia.
How far Leeds United and their supporters will travel in 2023-24 season as long away days beckon
Leeds United and their supporters know they’ll spending a lot more time on the road next season following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The Whites won’t learn their route through the 2023-24 Championship campaign until the fixtures are released on June 22, but lengthy trips to Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, Ipswich Town and Swansea City ensure Leeds will be travelling a lot further next time around.
United will clock up 6,487 miles in away trips whilst competing in the second tier and that’s without the possibility of away ties in both cups and the play-offs, of course. Such a total represents a significant increase from the 5,860 miles they travelled in the top flight last time around.
Obviously, Plymouth will be the club’s longest trip with Leeds set for a round trip of 642 miles to Home Park, a journey Leeds haven’t made since taking on the Pilgrims in November 2006. That will be one of seven trips Leeds will make next season over 400 miles. The trip to Swansea is 544 miles, there and back, while Southampton and Cardiff City are both clocked at 470 miles.
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