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: bringing Leeds United back to the Premier LeagueDaniel Farke became Leeds United manager in July 2023, following relegation from the Premier League. He led Leeds to the 2025 Championship title with 100 points, securing the club’s return to the top flight. Born in Germany on 30 October 1976,…
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Sam Allardyce: four games to save Leeds United Sam Allardyce managed Leeds United for the final four Premier League matches of 2022–23. Appointed on 3 May 2023 after Javi Gracia was dismissed, he was unable to prevent relegation. Leeds earned just one point under his leadership. Background Born in 1954,…
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Javi Gracia: a short-lived attempt to avoid relegation Javi Gracia managed Leeds United from February to May 2023, taking over during a Premier League relegation battle after the dismissal of Jesse Marsch. His tenure began with an important victory but ended after a damaging sequence of defeats. Background before Leeds…
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Jesse Marsch: survival in 2022, dismissal in 2023 Jesse Marsch managed Leeds United from February 2022 to February 2023. The American coach succeeded Marcelo Bielsa and guided Leeds to Premier League survival on the final day of the 2021–22 season, but a poor run the following campaign led to his…
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View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Marcelo Bielsa: the manager who took Leeds back to the Premier League Marcelo Bielsa managed Leeds United from June 2018 to February 2022. The Argentine transformed the team’s playing style and led Leeds to the 2019–20 Championship title, ending…
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Paul Heckingbottom: a brief spell before the Bielsa era Paul Heckingbottom managed Leeds United from February to June 2018. Appointed after Thomas Christiansen was dismissed, he took charge of the final 16 Championship matches of the 2017–18 season before making way for Marcelo Bielsa. From Barnsley to Elland Road Born…
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Thomas Christiansen: a bright start that faded Thomas Christiansen was Leeds United head coach from June 2017 to February 2018. The former Spain international arrived after successful coaching spells in Cyprus and briefly took Leeds to the top of the Championship before a prolonged slump ended his tenure. Appointment in…
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Garry Monk: a play-off challenge that faded late Garry Monk was Leeds United head coach for the 2016–17 Championship season. Appointed in June 2016, he brought a more competitive edge to a side that had endured years of mid-table finishes. Leeds spent much of the season in the play-off places…
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Steve Evans: steadying Leeds during the 2015–16 season Steve Evans managed Leeds United from October 2015 to May 2016, taking over from Uwe Rösler during another unsettled Championship campaign. His side improved sufficiently to finish comfortably clear of relegation, although promotion remained out of reach. Appointment at Elland Road Evans,…
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Uwe Rösler: another short-lived Leeds United appointment Uwe Rösler was appointed Leeds United head coach in May 2015 and took charge of the team at the start of the 2015–16 Championship season. His tenure ended in October 2015 after only 12 league matches, continuing the rapid turnover of managers under…
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Darko Milanič: 32 days and no victories at Leeds United Darko Milanič served as Leeds United head coach from 23 September to 25 October 2014. Despite an impressive record in Slovenian football, his appointment lasted only 32 days and six Championship matches, none of which Leeds won. Success in Slovenia…
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Dave Hockaday: a short and surprising appointment Dave Hockaday was Leeds United’s head coach from June to August 2014, one of the briefest permanent appointments in the club’s history. His arrival under owner Massimo Cellino attracted attention because his previous managerial experience had been with non-league Forest Green Rovers. An…
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Brian McDermott: promotion hopes amid ownership turmoil Brian McDermott managed Leeds United from April 2013 until May 2014. He arrived with a Championship title and Premier League promotion on his CV from Reading, but his spell at Elland Road became defined as much by uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership as…
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Neil Warnock: an experienced promotion specialist at Elland Road Neil Warnock managed Leeds United from February 2012 to April 2013, arriving with a reputation for winning promotion from the Football League. His appointment followed the dismissal of Simon Grayson, but his time at Elland Road ended with Leeds closer to…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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