Post by Mr Leeds United on Apr 21, 2005 10:57:47 GMT -5
Leeds chairman Ken Bates feels it could take up to three years before they are back in the Premiership, according to manager Kevin Blackwell.
The club's late charge for a place in the play-offs came up just short.
But Blackwell says his chairman is realistic about their chances of making it back to the top flight.
"He feels it is going to take two to three years but we're all working as hard as we can to get the club back as soon as we can," he told BBC Sport.
Bates took control of the cash-strapped club in January and has quickly stamped his authority on the club.
Blackwell has been impressed with the former Chelsea supremo's period of office so far and is hoping he can find his way to providing some transfer funds in the summer.
"I've not been told how much I'll have to spend," he added. "The chairman is still trying to sort out the finances of the club - they are a lot healthier than they were but I'm sure they could be a lot healthier still.
"I meet with Ken regularly, I find him very straight talking and honest. He doesn't beat about the bush and so far I have to say I've enjoyed working with him.
"Everybody at Leeds had a trepidation about Ken when he came in because of his reputation but I think everybody has been quietly impressed.
"He demands loyalty and if you show him and give him everything you've got he'll back you 110%. I know that's the feeling from the football side but also the commercial side, the ticket office and all throughout the ground.
"He's not one of those chairmen that is high-profile but you never get to speak to him. He speaks to everybody from the groundsman to the kit ladies all the way through.
"He's got a human side but he is very strong-willed and determined as to where he wants to be what he wants to do and how it's going to happen.
"He knows this is a massive club and he wants the club back in the Premier League."
Blackwell took over the club last summer after their relegation from the Premiership.
It has been a steep learning curve for the former Sheffield United assistant, who in his first managerial role has had to oversee an almost complete transformation of his playing staff.
Of the team that played their final Premiership game only young Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly and Lucas Radebe, who has not played since August, have survived.
Despite their push for the play-offs coming up short, Blackwell says he is content that they are not battling at the other end of the table.
"I knew the first battle was avoiding relegation," he said.
"All the bookmakers and the press had predicted we would follow Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Bradford into League One.
"I'm quite happy to be sat here at this point of the season not having to look over my shoulder about relegation.
"Next year we feel that if we aim for the top 10 we are looking to find four places to get in the play-offs."
Leeds' slim hopes of the play-offs were ended last weekend with a draw at QPR, but Blackwell said he had already started looking to next season.
"Before the Watford game I told the players that it was our pre-season was starting then and we were going to push hard and work hard for next season," he added.
"I always felt the play-offs were going to be hopeful rather than realistic but while we had that hope we had to keep on pushing for it.
"But it would have definitely been too early. I've had 28 debuts which I think is a league record.
"That takes some doing for a Sunday morning team never mind a professional club.
"We've got better and stronger and the young kids have all now got 20-25 games under their belt.
"We're in a healthy position in the division and able to look forward with a stronger squad than we began this season with.
"We'll start pre-season next season with a full squad for the first time in nearly three years."
The club's late charge for a place in the play-offs came up just short.
But Blackwell says his chairman is realistic about their chances of making it back to the top flight.
"He feels it is going to take two to three years but we're all working as hard as we can to get the club back as soon as we can," he told BBC Sport.
Bates took control of the cash-strapped club in January and has quickly stamped his authority on the club.
Blackwell has been impressed with the former Chelsea supremo's period of office so far and is hoping he can find his way to providing some transfer funds in the summer.
"I've not been told how much I'll have to spend," he added. "The chairman is still trying to sort out the finances of the club - they are a lot healthier than they were but I'm sure they could be a lot healthier still.
"I meet with Ken regularly, I find him very straight talking and honest. He doesn't beat about the bush and so far I have to say I've enjoyed working with him.
"Everybody at Leeds had a trepidation about Ken when he came in because of his reputation but I think everybody has been quietly impressed.
"He demands loyalty and if you show him and give him everything you've got he'll back you 110%. I know that's the feeling from the football side but also the commercial side, the ticket office and all throughout the ground.
"He's not one of those chairmen that is high-profile but you never get to speak to him. He speaks to everybody from the groundsman to the kit ladies all the way through.
"He's got a human side but he is very strong-willed and determined as to where he wants to be what he wants to do and how it's going to happen.
"He knows this is a massive club and he wants the club back in the Premier League."
Blackwell took over the club last summer after their relegation from the Premiership.
It has been a steep learning curve for the former Sheffield United assistant, who in his first managerial role has had to oversee an almost complete transformation of his playing staff.
Of the team that played their final Premiership game only young Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly and Lucas Radebe, who has not played since August, have survived.
Despite their push for the play-offs coming up short, Blackwell says he is content that they are not battling at the other end of the table.
"I knew the first battle was avoiding relegation," he said.
"All the bookmakers and the press had predicted we would follow Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Bradford into League One.
"I'm quite happy to be sat here at this point of the season not having to look over my shoulder about relegation.
"Next year we feel that if we aim for the top 10 we are looking to find four places to get in the play-offs."
Leeds' slim hopes of the play-offs were ended last weekend with a draw at QPR, but Blackwell said he had already started looking to next season.
"Before the Watford game I told the players that it was our pre-season was starting then and we were going to push hard and work hard for next season," he added.
"I always felt the play-offs were going to be hopeful rather than realistic but while we had that hope we had to keep on pushing for it.
"But it would have definitely been too early. I've had 28 debuts which I think is a league record.
"That takes some doing for a Sunday morning team never mind a professional club.
"We've got better and stronger and the young kids have all now got 20-25 games under their belt.
"We're in a healthy position in the division and able to look forward with a stronger squad than we began this season with.
"We'll start pre-season next season with a full squad for the first time in nearly three years."
