Kalvin Phillips and Gaetano Berardi react as Leeds United seal promotion

Kalvin Phillips and Gaetano Berardi react as Leeds United seal promotion

Leeds United have secured Premier League football once again, as celebrations ensued at Elland Road following the final victory they needed for the top flight.

Daniel Farke’s men achieved promotion in stupendous style, hammering Stoke City 6-0 on Easter Monday (21 April); Burnley’s win over Sheffield United later confirmed the two automatic spots.

Some of Leeds’ famous sons from the past flocked to congratulate the Whites on their achievement, among them Erling Haaland, who was born in the city.

Kalvin Phillips and Gaetano Berardi also offered their support, having each been part of the side which last reached the Premier League in 2020 under Marcelo Bielsa.

Farke has taken Leeds back to the Premier League (Credit: Imago)

Phillips and Berardi react on Instagram to Leeds promotion

Phillips and Berardi were adored at Elland Road, with the former having become an England regular before joining Manchester City, and Berardi heading home to Switzerland, where he later retired after seven years in a Leeds shirt.

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The duo are among many to have expressed their delight at Leeds’ promotion, as the challenge now begins to attempt to buck an unwanted Premier League trend of the promoted clubs coming straight back down.

Leeds are considered by many to be the side with the best hope of doing so, given their financial arm and general pull of the club towards potential signings.

Following the Whites’ celebratory graphic posted on Instagram (21 April), Phillips commented with a hand-clapping emoji, followed by yellow and blue hearts.

Berardi posted similar emojis, alongside two flames to signify the form Leeds have shown under Farke this season.

Among others to have offered public congratulations are Barry Douglas, Liam Cooper and Matheus Klich.

Farke can prove doubters wrong in Premier League

There have been many times the Leeds United fans have been wracked with anxiety over their fate this season, most of that coming over the past few weeks when the wins were drying up.

Leeds momentarily fell out of the automatic promotion spots but took advantage when Burnley and Sheffield United dropped points – the latter having nosedived in their form and blown their last chance at salvation at Turf Moor on Monday.

The Blades will have to do it the hard way if they want to see the Premier League again – but Leeds will be over the moon not to have to contend with the play-offs next month.

POS Championship table 2024-25 PLD PTS GD (P) 1 LEEDS UNITED 44 94 +60 (P) 2 Burnley 44 94 +46 3 Sheffield United 44 86 +25 Leeds and Burnley secured promotion on Monday

Farke knows eyes will be on him and pressure on his shoulders will multiply, especially given the increased funding to further strengthen the squad, which will follow.

The German former Norwich City boss now knows there lies in wait a significant chance to prove wrong the doubters he will receive, and show his managerial acumen is of Premier League level, after all.

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