The 1999-2000 season was a remarkable year for Leeds United, marking one of their best performances in decades. Finishing in third place in the Premier League with 69 points, the team displayed an exciting attacking style, scoring a total of 58 goals throughout the season.
Top Scorer: Michael Bridges
Leading the charge for Leeds was Michael Bridges, who emerged as the club’s top scorer with an impressive 21 goals. His performances were pivotal in ensuring the team secured a Champions League spot for the following season.
Domestic Competitions
In addition to their Premier League success, Leeds United competed in two domestic cup competitions:
- FA Cup: Reached the Fifth Round
- League Cup: Reached the Fourth Round
While their cup runs did not end in silverware, the team’s overall performance was commendable.
European Campaign
Leeds United’s European journey was a highlight of the season. They advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, showcasing their skill and determination on the continental stage. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Galatasaray, with an aggregate score of 4-2. This run was significant as it not only brought prestige to the club but also solidified their reputation in European football.
Managerial Success: David O’Leary
David O’Leary concluded his first full season as manager with a notable achievement: guiding Leeds to the UEFA Cup semi-finals and securing a spot in the Champions League for the next season. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate players were evident as the team flourished under his leadership.
Key Transfer
A significant event in the season was the sale of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Atlético Madrid for £12 million on 4 August 1999. While this was a substantial loss for the team, it allowed Leeds to reinvest in their squad and continue their push for success.
Conclusion
The 1999-2000 season stands out as a high point in Leeds United’s rich history. With a strong league finish, impressive performances in Europe, and the emergence of players like Michael Bridges, the season was a testament to the club’s potential. As they looked forward to competing in the Champions League, the excitement surrounding Leeds United was palpable, setting the stage for future success.
Premier League 1999-2000 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United (C) | 38 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 97 | 45 | +52 | 91 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 38 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 73 | 43 | +30 | 73 |
| 3 | Leeds United | 38 | 21 | 6 | 11 | 58 | 43 | +15 | 69 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 38 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 51 | 30 | +21 | 67 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 53 | 34 | +19 | 65 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 38 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 46 | 35 | +11 | 58 |
| 7 | Sunderland | 38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 57 | 56 | +1 | 58 |
| 8 | Leicester City | 38 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 55 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 9 | West Ham United | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 52 | 53 | −1 | 55 |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 57 | 49 | +8 | 53 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 63 | 54 | +9 | 52 |
| 12 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 46 | 52 | −6 | 52 |
| 13 | Everton | 38 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 59 | 49 | +10 | 50 |
| 14 | Coventry City | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 47 | 54 | −7 | 44 |
| 15 | Southampton | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 45 | 62 | −17 | 44 |
| 16 | Derby County | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 44 | 57 | −13 | 38 |
| 17 | Bradford City | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 38 | 68 | −30 | 36 |
| 18 | Wimbledon | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 46 | 74 | −28 | 33 |
| 19 | Sheffield Wednesday | 38 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 38 | 70 | −32 | 31 |
| 20 | Watford | 38 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 35 | 77 | −42 | 24 |
Leeds United 1999-00 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 07 Aug 1999 | Leeds United v Derby County | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 11 Aug 1999 | Southampton v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| Premier League | 14 Aug 1999 | Manchester United v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 21 Aug 1999 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 23 Aug 1999 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 1-2 |
| Premier League | 28 Aug 1999 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| Premier League | 11 Sep 1999 | Coventry City v Leeds United | W | 3-4 |
| UEFA Cup | 14 Sep 1999 | Partizan Belgrade v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| Premier League | 19 Sep 1999 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | W | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 25 Sep 1999 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | W | 3-2 |
| UEFA Cup | 30 Sep 1999 | Leeds United v Partizan Belgrade | W | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 03 Oct 1999 | Watford v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Cup | 13 Oct 1999 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 16 Oct 1999 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 2-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 21 Oct 1999 | Leeds United v Lokomotiv Moskva | W | 4-1 |
| Premier League | 24 Oct 1999 | Everton v Leeds United | D | 4-4 |
| Premier League | 30 Oct 1999 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 1-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 04 Nov 1999 | Lokomotiv Moskva v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| Premier League | 07 Nov 1999 | Wimbledon v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 20 Nov 1999 | Leeds United v Bradford City | W | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 28 Nov 1999 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 1-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 02 Dec 1999 | Spartak Moskva v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 05 Dec 1999 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| UEFA Cup | 09 Dec 1999 | Leeds United v Spartak Moskva | D | 1-0 |
| FA Cup | 12 Dec 1999 | Leeds United v Port Vale | W | 2-0 |
| League Cup | 15 Dec 1999 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 0-0 (4-2) |
| Premier League | 19 Dec 1999 | Chelsea v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| Premier League | 26 Dec 1999 | Leeds United v Leicester City | W | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 28 Dec 1999 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 03 Jan 2000 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | L | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | 09 Jan 2000 | Manchester City v Leeds United | W | 2-5 |
| Premier League | 23 Jan 2000 | Sunderland v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | 30 Jan 2000 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| Premier League | 05 Feb 2000 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| Premier League | 12 Feb 2000 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | W | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 20 Feb 2000 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 0-1 |
| Premier League | 26 Feb 2000 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 02 Mar 2000 | AS Roma v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 05 Mar 2000 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 3-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 09 Mar 2000 | Leeds United v AS Roma | W | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 12 Mar 2000 | Bradford City v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| UEFA Cup | 16 Mar 2000 | Leeds United v Slavia Praha | W | 3-0 |
| Premier League | 19 Mar 2000 | Leeds United v Wimbledon | W | 4-1 |
| UEFA Cup | 23 Mar 2000 | Slavia Praha v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 26 Mar 2000 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 01 Apr 2000 | Leeds United v Chelsea | L | 0-1 |
| UEFA Cup | 06 Apr 2000 | Galatasaray v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 09 Apr 2000 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 16 Apr 2000 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 0-4 |
| UEFA Cup | 20 Apr 2000 | Leeds United v Galatasaray | D | 2-2 |
| Premier League | 23 Apr 2000 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| Premier League | 30 Apr 2000 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| Premier League | 03 May 2000 | Leeds United v Watford | W | 3-1 |
| Premier League | 08 May 2000 | Leeds United v Everton | D | 1-1 |
| Premier League | 14 May 2000 | West Ham United v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
