Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has thanked the club's fans for their support in a 'painful' season after Premier League survival was achieved at the 11th hour. The Whites went into the final day in the bottom three, but their late 2-1 win over Brentford, coupled with Burnley's 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United meant the it was the Clarets who dropped into the Championship.
Jack Harrison's stoppage-time winner sparked wild scenes in the Brentford away end and once they calmed down, Radrizzani issued a message to the Leeds fans, who have stood by their side throughout a testing campaign.
"We are naturally delighted to see the 2021/22 season come to a conclusion with Leeds United remaining in the Premier League," he wrote. This has been a painful season for everyone, from the board to the fans in the stands, the changing room to the ticket office, it has been a battle.
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"The campaign has been blighted by serious injuries to key players and having to make an unplanned managerial change was an incredibly tough decision."
Radrizzani acknowledged that while Premier League survival was the key priority, the club must do better moving forward and insisted that they will work with Jesse Marsch to improve the squad this summer.
"Staying in the Premier League was our objective this year and we’ve managed to obtain our top-flight status, but this is not success and improvements are needed.
"As a board we will work hard with Jesse Marsch this summer to improve the squad and find a way to deliver the kind of performances you all deserve. We believe that with time and a full pre-season, Jesse will be the man to take this club forward.
"Your support for the team at Elland Road and at the 19 top-flight away grounds you have visited has been unrivalled and we can’t thank you enough. The hard work for the 2022/23 season is already underway."
