Interviews

‘Haven’t got a clue’ – Ex-PL manager makes baffling Leeds United comparison

|
Image for ‘Haven’t got a clue’ – Ex-PL manager makes baffling Leeds United comparison

Leeds United’s start to life back in the Premier League isn’t impressing ex-Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan.

The Whites have been in inspired form of late as they have climbed above Arsenal into the top 10 in the Premier League.

It comes after an impressive run of three wins in four games including a hard-earned 2-1 win at Newcastle United.

It sees Leeds do the double over a side for the first time this season after winning and losing to Leicester City, Everton, and Crystal Palace.

A lot has been made of Leeds’ approach this season, dividing opinion between being branded outstandingly brave and completely naive.

Hammerings at the hands of Manchester United and Leicester have come equally in tandem with results of our own against Newcastle and West Brom.

However, one manager who’s had similar fortunes with a newly-promoted side is Kevin Keegan, who believes this Leeds team has nothing on his Newcastle United side of the mid 1990s.

“If you look at it now, Leeds are a poor man’s Newcastle.” He told the Athletic.

“They play like we did, but they’re not as good as we were.

“Leeds are halfway down the table and their coach is one of the best in the world!

“If I was in charge of Leeds, I would get battered because they’d say defensively I haven’t got a clue!

“They concede too many goals!”

You have to wonder how long it will take for people to understand the long-term process going on here.

We’re in mid-table just after promotion with a side largely made up of Championship players.

Anything other than mid-table is incredibly unrealistic and the expectation on us from neutrals is astounding.

There’s a huge difference between the job Keegan did at Newcastle and the job Bielsa is doing.

To get a side to the level of the top four in the ‘90s is so much easier than it is now with the disparity we see in financial clout nowadays.

Share this article

Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.