Leeds United remain one of England’s biggest clubs with a historic home ground. The team has been a home to some of the Premier League’s best players since the competition began.
Recent years have seen the Whites struggle to keep themselves in the conversation in the top flight.
Under Marcelo Bielsa, they achieved the impossible; winning promotion and returning to the league for the first time in over a decade. But that spell did not last as it only took them three seasons to go back down.
Daniel Farke has taken charge since then, and the club’s fortunes have turned around.
Leeds are now in their second season in the top flight after surprising everyone and finishing in 14th place last year.
James Milner explains why he fell out with Leeds United
James Milner at Leeds United. Credit: IMAGO
Premier League and Champions League winner James Milner will always remain a bit part of Leeds United. He was one of their long line of academy products that went on to achieve greatness.
He did not spend much time at Elland Road as a first team player; Newcastle snapped him up in 2004.
Since then, the midfielder has not had the best of relationships with the club. And in a recent sit down with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt on The Good, The Bad & The Football show on YouTube, he stated when he fell out with the club.
”I was more than happy to stay at Leeds, I wanted to stay at Leeds but it was best for the club for me to go.
”They needed the money so I went to Newcastle and they got to the play off final that first year after I had gone to Newcastle
”So I contacted the club because I wanted to go and watch them at Wembley and I said: ”can I come and watch the game”
”They said yeah no problem, we can get you some tickets, just let us know how you want to pay for them”
Even after all that, the former Liverpool and Manchester City star still has a soft spot for the club.
”I don’t have any hard feelings for the club, I love the club.”
”It was just the people in charge at the time and stuff. And yeah I’ve not been [there] since.”
READ MORE: Leeds appeal Premier League decision after Newcastle game
Milner’ feelings are justified
Based on the former midfielder’s story, he is completely justified to feel the way he does even up till today.
Him leaving Elland Road was not down to him, but rather Leeds saw an opportunity to make some money on a talented player. James Milner left the club and rarely spoke ill of them.
Fans may have been frustrated over the move, but the decision was from the club chiefs.
But to complicate the whole situation of him coming back to watch the play offs at Wembley was just poor from the people in charge. If they had handled the issue well, maybe Milner would have a better recollection of his time at the club.
So he wanted ticket for nothing Did he want transport and a meal thrown in as well. Pay up James, all the rest of us have to.
Seems a pretty pathetic reason for “falling out” with the club. Yeah, they could have given him some freebie tickets, but there are plenty of grass roots Leeds fans who are more worthy than an ex player on big money. I think that Milner is being a bit childish and pathetic here, he should reflect on how lucky he has been to be able to afford things that others can only dream of
I was at that game. Had to pay for my ticket. Milner did very well out of his transfer from Leeds, and I’m sure he was paid while he played for Leeds. I’d have thought he could afford a few ticket’s.
BTW the play off final v Watford was at the Millenium Stadium and nog Wembley. I was tgere.