From Don Revie to Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United have had some unforgettable managers. Explore the history of the men who have occupied the Elland Road hot seat since 1919, from famous victories to the occasional disappointment. Start with four managers who have left their mark on the club:
Legendary Leeds United Managers
Each left a very different mark on the club. Read their stories, or explore more familiar faces below.
More Memorable Managers
- Jimmy Armfield (1974–1978): Guided Leeds to the 1975 European Cup Final against Bayern Munich.
- Billy Bremner (1985–1988): The legendary Leeds captain returned as manager and led the club to the 1987 FA Cup semi-final.
- Eddie Gray (1982–1985; 2003–2004): A beloved former player who managed Leeds during challenging periods and helped nurture young talent.
- David O’Leary (1998–2002): Led an exciting young Leeds side to the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2001.
- Simon Grayson (2008–2012): Won promotion from League One in 2010 and masterminded a memorable FA Cup win at Manchester United.
- Brian Clough (1974): His famous 44-day spell at Elland Road remains one of the most talked-about chapters in Leeds history.
Browse the Leeds United managers timeline starting with Dick Ray in 1919, when the club was formed following the demise of Leeds City. You can also discover the Leeds United managers who won honours and browse my selection of Leeds United books. You can read more about the history of Leeds United at their official club website.
* [Caretaker]
A list of the most successful Leeds United managers can be found here.
Leeds United Managers Timeline
Daniel Farke is a figure known for his strategic acumen and commitment to the beautiful game. Born in Germany on October 30, 1976, Farke has made a name for himself in the football world with his distinctive coaching style and passion for developing young talents. Farke’s journey in football management…
Read More
Sam Allardyce, a highly respected football manager in English football, has had a long and varied career in both playing and managing. Born in 1954, Allardyce’s managerial journey has been defined by his pragmatic and organized approach to the game. Allardyce had a modest playing career as a centre-back, representing…
Read More
Javier “Javi” Gracia Carlos, born 1 May 1970, is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a defensive midfielder. He played 430 matches in a 15-year professional career. After retiring he began working as a manager, going on to coach several clubs in Spain, Greece and Russia…
Read More
Jesse Marsch was an American soccer coach and former player who had a successful career in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United States national team. He won three league titles and four U.S. Open Cup titles as a midfielder for D.C. United, Chicago Fire, and Chivas USA. He also…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Marcelo Bielsa, a football managerial icon, brought a revolution to Leeds United during his tenure from 2018 to 2021. Born in 1955 in Argentina, Bielsa is renowned for his distinct coaching philosophy and his influence on the modern game.…
Read More
Paul Heckingbottom, a former Leeds United manager, had a brief but noteworthy tenure at the club. Born in 1977, Heckingbottom’s time as manager of Leeds United came during the 2017-2018 season. Heckingbottom took over the managerial role in February 2018, succeeding Thomas Christiansen. His arrival was met with some optimism,…
Read More
Thomas Christiansen, a Danish-Spanish football manager, took the reins at Leeds United in the summer of 2017. Born in Denmark in 1973, Christiansen had previously played as a forward for several clubs, including Barcelona and Villarreal, before transitioning into a managerial career. As the manager of Leeds United, Christiansen faced…
Read More
Garry Monk, a former Leeds United manager, led the club during the 2016-2017 season. Born in 1979, Monk’s time at Leeds was marked by significant developments and improvements. Monk took the reins at Leeds United following a period of instability at the club. His appointment was met with optimism, and…
Read More
Steve Evans, a former manager of Leeds United, took charge of the club during the 2015-2016 season. Born in 1962, Evans had a managerial career marked by his enthusiasm and tactical astuteness. Evans’ appointment as Leeds United manager was a significant change for the club, as it came during a…
Read More
Uwe Rösler, a former Leeds United manager, had a brief stint at the club during the 2015-2016 season. Born in Germany in 1968, Rösler’s time as manager was a part of the club’s quest to regain stability and find success in the EFL Championship. Rösler took over the managerial role…
Read More
Darko Milanič, a former manager of Leeds United, took the helm at the club during the turbulent 2014-2015 season. The Slovenian coach faced the challenging task of stabilizing a club that had undergone numerous managerial changes and struggled to find its footing. Milanič, born in 1967, brought a wealth of…
Read More
Dave Hockaday, an English football manager, briefly managed Leeds United during the 2014-2015 season. His appointment was met with surprise and raised eyebrows, as he was relatively unknown in English football management at the time. Hockaday took over as the head coach of Leeds United in June 2014. His tenure…
Read More
Brian McDermott, a familiar figure in English football management, had a noteworthy stint as the manager of Leeds United. Born in 1961, McDermott’s managerial career saw him take the reins at Elland Road during the challenging period of 2013-2014. McDermott’s appointment brought a glimmer of hope to Leeds United fans.…
Read More
Neil Warnock, a highly experienced and respected football manager, took the reins at Leeds United during the 2012-2013 season. Born in 1948, Warnock is known for his no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to management and his lengthy career in the English football league. Warnock’s appointment at Leeds United came at a time…
Read More
Neil Redfearn: the academy coach who stepped up for Leeds United Neil Redfearn played an important role in Leeds United’s development during a turbulent period, serving as academy coach, caretaker manager on several occasions and permanent head coach during the 2014–15 Championship season. His lasting contribution was helping young players…
Read More
Simon Grayson: promotion, Old Trafford and a Leeds United revival Simon Grayson managed Leeds United from December 2008 to February 2012, guiding the club out of League One and back into the Championship. His tenure included two unforgettable moments: a famous FA Cup victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford…
Read More
Gary McAllister: a Leeds United favourite returns as manager Gary McAllister returned to Elland Road as Leeds United manager in January 2008, almost two decades after first joining the club as a player. The former Scotland international inherited a League One promotion challenge shaped by financial crisis and a 15-point…
Read More
Gwyn Williams: Leeds United’s interim manager in January 2008 Gwyn Williams was a senior member of Leeds United’s football operations team who briefly stepped into the managerial spotlight in January 2008. His caretaker appearance came between the departure of Dennis Wise and the appointment of Gary McAllister, during a season…
Read More
David Geddis: Leeds United’s one-match caretaker manager David Geddis holds an unusual place in Leeds United history: he took charge of the first team for just one competitive match in October 2006. His brief spell came between the departures of caretaker John Carver and the arrival of Dennis Wise, as…
Read More
Dennis Wise: relegation, administration and a 15-point penalty Dennis Wise managed Leeds United from October 2006 to January 2008, one of the most turbulent spells in the club’s history. He arrived with Leeds struggling in the Championship and departed with the team challenging for promotion from League One despite beginning…
Read More
John Carver: five turbulent games as Leeds United caretaker manager John Carver took temporary charge of Leeds United in September 2006, after the dismissal of Kevin Blackwell. His spell lasted little more than a month, but it captured the instability surrounding Elland Road during one of the club’s most difficult…
Read More
Kevin Blackwell: rebuilding Leeds United after relegation Kevin Blackwell became Leeds United manager in May 2004, immediately after the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The appointment came at a moment of extraordinary upheaval: debts, player departures and uncertainty over the club’s future had dismantled much of the squad that…
Read More
Peter Reid: the manager who kept Leeds up in 2003 Peter Reid arrived at Leeds United in March 2003 with the club facing a Premier League relegation battle and a worsening financial crisis. He achieved his immediate objective, securing survival that spring — most memorably with a dramatic 3–2 victory…
Read More
Terry Venables: a famous manager in a Leeds United crisis Terry Venables arrived at Leeds United in July 2002 with one of the most distinguished coaching reputations in English football. But his eight months at Elland Road were overshadowed by the club’s deepening financial crisis, major player departures and a…
Read More
David O’Leary: Leeds United’s young European dream Under David O’Leary, Leeds United produced some of the most exhilarating football in the club’s modern history. Appointed manager in October 1998, the former Arsenal defender guided a young side into the Premier League’s top four, the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-finals and the…
Read More
George Graham: rebuilding Leeds United through discipline George Graham managed Leeds United from September 1996 to October 1998, taking over after the departure of Howard Wilkinson. His approach was famously pragmatic: make the team difficult to beat, restore defensive organisation and rebuild confidence. The football was not always thrilling, but…
Read More
Howard Wilkinson: the manager who made Leeds champions again When Howard Wilkinson arrived at Elland Road in October 1988, Leeds United were a Second Division club still searching for a way back to the top. Less than four years later, they were champions of England. Wilkinson’s disciplined rebuilding programme produced…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Norman Hunter: ‘Bites Yer Legs’ and the art of defending Norman Hunter was one of the defining players of Don Revie’s Leeds United and, for a brief period in 1988, caretaker manager at Elland Road. His fearsome nickname, “Bites…
Read More
Peter Gunby: Leeds United’s trusted coach and caretaker Peter Gunby occupies a distinctive place in Leeds United history. He was never a long-serving first-team manager, but his work behind the scenes — coaching, supporting young players and helping the club through changes of leadership — made him a respected figure…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Billy Bremner: the heartbeat of Leeds United Few footballers are more closely identified with a club than Billy Bremner is with Leeds United. The fiery Scottish midfielder captained Don Revie’s side through its greatest years, combining relentless determination with…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Eddie Gray: the magician of Elland Road Few people have given as much of their lives to Leeds United as Eddie Gray. A dazzling left winger in Don Revie’s great team, he later managed the club twice and served…
Read More
David Merrington: Leeds United caretaker manager in 1980 David Merrington’s place in Leeds United history is a brief but important one. He served as caretaker manager in October 1980, during the transition between Jimmy Adamson and Allan Clarke. Although his spell in charge was short, it came at a difficult…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Allan ‘Sniffer’ Clarke: Leeds United goalscorer and manager Few Leeds United figures have experienced such contrasting fortunes at Elland Road as Allan Clarke. As a striker, “Sniffer” was a central figure in Don Revie’s outstanding team, scoring the winner…
Read More
Jimmy Adamson: Leeds United in transition, 1978–80 Jimmy Adamson managed Leeds United from October 1978 until October 1980. He arrived after the unexpected departure of Jock Stein for the Scotland national-team job, inheriting a club still trying to establish a new identity after the successes of Don Revie. His first…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Jock Stein: another 44-day Leeds United manager Jock Stein was Leeds United manager for just 44 days in 1978, from August until October. His appointment brought one of European football’s most decorated coaches to Elland Road, but his stay…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Jimmy Armfield: steadying Leeds after the Clough turmoil Jimmy Armfield managed Leeds United from October 1974 until 1978. Appointed in the aftermath of Brian Clough‘s turbulent 44-day reign, he inherited the reigning English champions and a dressing room still…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Brian Clough: 44 days at Leeds United Brian Clough’s appointment as Leeds United manager in July 1974 brought together one of English football’s most outspoken coaches and the reigning First Division champions. It seemed a remarkable opportunity. Instead, his…
Read More
Don Revie transformed Leeds United from a struggling Second Division club into one of the strongest sides in English and European football. Appointed player-manager in March 1961, he led Leeds to two First Division championships, the FA Cup, League Cup and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups before leaving to manage England…
Read More
Jack Taylor: the manager before Don Revie Jack Taylor managed Leeds United from May 1959 until March 1961, presiding over a difficult period that ended with the club fighting for its Second Division future. His tenure is often remembered chiefly because he was succeeded by Don Revie, but Taylor’s experience…
Read More
Bill Lambton: a brief appointment at Elland Road Bill Lambton’s time as Leeds United manager lasted only a few months, from December 1958 until the spring of 1959. He took over from Willis Edwards, who had returned temporarily following Raich Carter’s departure. Lambton inherited a First Division side adjusting to…
Read More
Raich Carter: the manager who took Leeds United back to the top flight Raich Carter managed Leeds United from May 1953 until 1958, leading the club back to the First Division after nine seasons outside the top flight. A celebrated former England inside-forward, Carter arrived at Elland Road with a…
Read More
Major Frank Buckley: rebuilding Leeds United after the war Major Frank Buckley arrived at Leeds United in May 1948, succeeding Willis Edwards after two difficult seasons following the Second World War. Already an experienced and sometimes unconventional manager, Buckley had made his name at clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers. His five…
Read More
Willis Edwards: Leeds United player, coach and manager Willis Edwards was a longstanding Leeds United servant whose association with the club stretched from his playing days into coaching and management. A former England international, he had been a key member of the Leeds side during the interwar years and later…
Read More
Billy Hampson: managing Leeds through war and upheaval Billy Hampson managed Leeds United from 1935 until 1947, a twelve-year period interrupted by the Second World War. He succeeded Dick Ray, taking charge of a club already established in the First Division. Leeds’ first promotion to the top flight in 1923–24…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Arthur Fairclough: Leeds United’s first promotion-winning manager Arthur Fairclough played a central role in establishing Leeds United as a Football League club. He succeeded Dick Ray in February 1920, just months after United’s formation following the demise of Leeds…
Read More
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Dick Ray: Leeds United’s first manager Dick Ray holds a unique place in Leeds United history: he was the club’s first manager when it was formed in October 1919, following the expulsion of Leeds City from the Football League.…
Read More