UNITED IN PREM AS BIELSA ENDS 16 YEARS OF HURT

promotion, back to where we know we’ve always belonged, is unbelievable.”

As the players partied at the club (above), Kalvin Phillips hailed boss Marcelo Bielsa for transforming his hometown club during two years in charge.

Phillips said: “He’s the best manager in the world. There’s no other manager I’d rather play under right now. Sixteen years we’ve been waiting for this to happen. I’m just so happy.”

Former Elland Road boss Howard Wilkinson, the last man to lead United to promotion in 1990, said: “They’ll add to the attraction of the league, which is now a worldwide league in terms of spectators. I don’t think any club deserves to be there, but it’s got a lot of ingredients which help it become a big club, if it goes about it the right way.”

Ex-leeds favourite

Danny Mills said: “I think the Premier League will be better for having Leeds in it. It’s a big club with a big history.”

United legend Eddie Gray claims winning promotion is a fitting tribute to Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry.

Charlton passed away last Saturday, following Hunter and Cherry’s deaths during lockdown, and Gray said: “Promotion is great for the memories of the players who’ve gone.” Gray, manager when Leeds were relegated in 2004, added: “It’s not just those we’ve lost over the last few months, but over the years we’ve lost some great players – that famous halfback line: Billy Bremner, Charlton, Hunter.

“It’s so sad for the club, for the fans too, and some fans will remember them from their playing days. It’s so fitting that the club has now won promotion.”

The Yorkshire club had reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001, but three years later were relegated amid a huge financial meltdown.

They even went into administration in 2007 and went down to League One.