The 2021-2022 season was a challenging period for Leeds United, culminating in a precarious 17th place finish in the Premier League. The team narrowly avoided relegation, but significant changes marked the season, including the departure of iconic manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Managerial Changes
Marcelo Bielsa, who had been instrumental in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League, was relieved of his duties on 27 February 2022. Under his leadership, Leeds had experienced thrilling highs, but the team struggled with consistency this season. Following his exit, Jesse Marsch was appointed as the new head coach on 28 February 2022, bringing fresh tactics and a renewed focus to the squad.
League Performance
Leeds United began their Premier League campaign against fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on 14 August 2021, suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat. The match highlighted the struggles Leeds faced early in the season, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick.
The team’s first point came on 21 August against Everton, drawing 2-2 in a thrilling match at Elland Road. Leeds showcased resilience, notably when Raphinha scored to equalize.
- EFL Cup: Leeds reached the Fourth Round, but their FA Cup journey ended in the Third Round.
- Top Scorer: Raphinha emerged as the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals, demonstrating his pivotal role in the squad.
Monthly Breakdown
- September: A tough month saw Leeds lose to Liverpool (0-3) and West Ham (1-2).
- October: The team managed a victory against Watford (1-0) but continued to struggle, highlighted by a 0-7 defeat against Manchester City.
- December: Leeds experienced a disheartening month, with a significant 4-1 loss to Arsenal.
- January: The New Year began positively with a 3-1 win over Burnley, with Jack Harrison scoring all three goals in a subsequent 3-2 victory against West Ham.
Survival Drama
As the season neared its conclusion, Leeds faced a relegation battle. After a string of defeats, including a 0-4 loss to Tottenham that ultimately led to Bielsa’s sacking, the club’s fate hung in the balance.
On the final day of the season, Leeds visited Brentford, needing a win to ensure survival. After scoring a penalty through Raphinha, they found themselves in a tense battle as Burnley also fought against relegation. A late goal from Jack Harrison sealed a dramatic comeback, allowing Leeds to remain in the Premier League.
Conclusion
The 2021-2022 season for Leeds United was fraught with challenges, managerial changes, and a dramatic fight for survival. As they finished 17th, the club’s ability to rebound and build upon the lessons learned will be crucial as they look ahead to the next season. With key players like Raphinha leading the charge, Leeds United aims to secure a more stable position in the league.
Premier League 2021-22 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City (C) | 38 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 99 | 26 | +73 | 93 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 38 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 94 | 26 | +68 | 92 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 76 | 33 | +43 | 74 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 22 | 5 | 11 | 69 | 40 | +29 | 71 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 38 | 22 | 3 | 13 | 61 | 48 | +13 | 69 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 58 |
| 7 | West Ham United | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 60 | 51 | +9 | 56 |
| 8 | Leicester City | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 62 | 59 | +3 | 52 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 38 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 42 | 44 | −2 | 51 |
| 10 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 38 | 15 | 6 | 17 | 38 | 43 | −5 | 51 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 44 | 62 | −18 | 49 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 38 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 50 | 46 | +4 | 48 |
| 13 | Brentford | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | 48 | 56 | −8 | 46 |
| 14 | Aston Villa | 38 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 52 | 54 | −2 | 45 |
| 15 | Southampton | 38 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 43 | 67 | −24 | 40 |
| 16 | Everton | 38 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 43 | 66 | −23 | 39 |
| 17 | Leeds United | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 42 | 79 | −37 | 38 |
| 18 | Burnley (R) | 38 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 34 | 53 | −19 | 35 |
| 19 | Watford (R) | 38 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 34 | 77 | −43 | 23 |
| 20 | Norwich City (R) | 38 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 23 | 84 | −61 | 22 |
Leeds United 2021-22 Fixtures and Results
| Date | Match | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Aug 2021 | Manchester United v Leeds United | L | 5-1 | Premier League |
| 21 Aug 2021 | Leeds United v Everton | D | 2-2 | Premier League |
| 24 Aug 2021 | Leeds United v Crewe Alexandra | W | 3-0 | League Cup |
| 29 Aug 2021 | Burnley v Leeds United | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 12 Sep 2021 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 0-3 | Premier League |
| 17 Sep 2021 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 21 Sep 2021 | Fulham v Leeds United | W | 0-0 (5-6) | League Cup |
| 25 Sep 2021 | Leeds United v West Ham United | L | 1-2 | Premier League |
| 02 Oct 2021 | Leeds United v Watford | W | 1-0 | Premier League |
| 16 Oct 2021 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | Premier League |
| 23 Oct 2021 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 26 Oct 2021 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Cup |
| 31 Oct 2021 | Norwich City v Leeds United | W | 1-2 | Premier League |
| 07 Nov 2021 | Leeds United v Leicester City | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 21 Nov 2021 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 27 Nov 2021 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | D | 0-0 | Premier League |
| 30 Nov 2021 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 1-0 | Premier League |
| 05 Dec 2021 | Leeds United v Brentford | D | 2-2 | Premier League |
| 11 Dec 2021 | Chelsea v Leeds United | L | 3-2 | Premier League |
| 14 Dec 2021 | Manchester City v Leeds United | L | 7-0 | Premier League |
| 18 Dec 2021 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 1-4 | Premier League |
| 02 Jan 2022 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 3-1 | Premier League |
| 09 Jan 2022 | West Ham United v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | FA Cup |
| 16 Jan 2022 | West Ham United v Leeds United | W | 2-3 | Premier League |
| 22 Jan 2022 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | L | 0-1 | Premier League |
| 09 Feb 2022 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | D | 3-3 | Premier League |
| 12 Feb 2022 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 3-0 | Premier League |
| 20 Feb 2022 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 2-4 | Premier League |
| 23 Feb 2022 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 6-0 | Premier League |
| 26 Feb 2022 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 0-4 | Premier League |
| 05 Mar 2022 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | Premier League |
| 10 Mar 2022 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | L | 0-3 | Premier League |
| 13 Mar 2022 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 18 Mar 2022 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 2-3 | Premier League |
| 02 Apr 2022 | Leeds United v Southampton | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 09 Apr 2022 | Watford v Leeds United | W | 0-3 | Premier League |
| 25 Apr 2022 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | D | 0-0 | Premier League |
| 30 Apr 2022 | Leeds United v Manchester City | L | 0-4 | Premier League |
| 08 May 2022 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 11 May 2022 | Leeds United v Chelsea | L | 0-3 | Premier League |
| 15 May 2022 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 22 May 2022 | Brentford v Leeds United | W | 1-2 | Premier League |
