Leeds chairman pays tribute to Bielsa and team
Andrea Radrizzani's spoken after United's promotion was confirmed
Leeds United's owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzain's paid tribute to the players and head coach Marcelo Bielsa after the Whites' return to the Premier League after a 16 year gap was confirmed last night.
In a statement posted on the club's official website he says: "I am so happy for everyone in the Leeds United family, we all deserve this promotion.
"Leeds United is one of England’s greatest and most well-supported clubs with a rich history known all over the world.
"We have been out of the top-flight for 16 years and I am thrilled for the whole club and our incredible fans that we are back in the Premier League.
"I would like to congratulate our fantastic manager, Marcelo Bielsa, the entire coaching and backroom staff, and of course all of the players who have performed outstandingly throughout the season.
"Thank you to all our wonderful fans – I am so grateful for their loyal and unwavering support every season. They played a crucial role to drive us forward to promotion this year.
"Since my journey with Leeds United began in the summer of 2017, we have strived for this moment and it is a time for us all to celebrate the club returning to where we belong.
"This is truly an amazing achievement and I’m so proud to be part of this club’s success.
"But our ambition does not stop here – and we are determined to continue on this path of achievement in future seasons.
"It is important that we all treasure this moment as a family in what has been a tough year for many of us, with the impact of COVID-19 affecting our community. I ask our supporters to be sensible when celebrating this week.
"Our battle against the pandemic continues, so we must all act with care and safety – the health and well-being of our loved ones in our community must always be our top priority.
"Thank you to all club staff and their families, local authority officials and of course healthcare teams and essential key workers who made it possible for the season to conclude and gave us the chance to achieve this promotion.
"A final word about Norman Hunter and Jack Charlton, two club legends we lost recently and who would have certainly celebrated this achievement with us. They are part of a great legacy that we will work hard to honour, as we continue to take strides forward in a new cycle for this fantastic club."
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