In 2003, Leeds United have been firstly of a disaster that may take them one of the best a part of twenty years to recuperate from.
Underneath free-spending chairman Peter Ridsdale the membership reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, however their subsequent failure to qualify for Europe’s prime match meant the membership have been rapidly up in opposition to it financially when the payments began to reach.
After promoting a bunch of gamers and narrowly avoiding the drop within the 2002/03 Premier League season, Leeds have been in a full-on relegation dogfight the next yr, that means supervisor Peter Reid needed to depend on mortgage strikes and free transfers to pad out his squad.
Roque Junior opens up on Leeds transfer
Roque Junior performed simply seven instances for Leeds United
A Champions League and World Cup winner, who had simply turned 27 years previous seems like a great participant to throw into this case, however sadly for Leeds, the signing of Brazil worldwide Roque Junior didn’t pan out as anybody would have hoped.
The centre-back, who had been part of the Brazil squad that lifted the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea had gained the Champions League with AC Milan on the finish of the 2002/03 marketing campaign, so why was he heading to Elland Street simply 4 months later?
Roque Junior gained the 2003 Champions League with AC Milan
“I had a couple of affords to go away Milan then” he tells FourFourTwo . “Despite the fact that I’d performed in a Champions League last, I wasn’t getting as many minutes as I wished. I wanted a contemporary problem and England at all times intrigued me.
“I obtained affords from Bolton and Newcastle , however they didn’t progress far. Then Leeds made a suggestion and I noticed it as an opportunity to expertise a brand new league and nation, studying new kinds of play and immersing myself in new cultures. Sadly, my time at Leeds was brief, but it surely was an expertise I worth.”
Roque Junior had first-hand expertise of Leeds United when he got here up in opposition to the Whites in the course of the Champions League group stage in 2000, one thing which influenced his choice to maneuver to the Premier League.
“I believe so,” he provides. “Leeds are a historic membership with lots of custom, and in that interval they have been taking part in within the Champions League, which reveals how sturdy they have been. I bear in mind these video games being robust for Milan, at house and away. Leeds had passionate followers and that environment stayed with me, so I already had an excellent impression of the membership when the possibility to hitch them got here later.”
Peter Reid was in command of Leeds United when Roque Junior was signed (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Any pleasure that Leeds had signed a difference-maker of their battle in opposition to relegation quickly disappeared, as a disastrous debut in a 4-0 defeat at Leicester Metropolis was an indication of issues to return, as he was pink carded in his house debut in opposition to Birmingham Metropolis . The membership shipped in 25 objectives in his seven appearances, shedding six instances and he would return to Milan after simply three months. His stint was ranked at No.24 in FourFourTwo’s worst-ever Premier League spells.
By that point Peter Reid had been sacked, however Roque Junior seems to be again at his time with the previous Manchester Metropolis and Sunderland boss warmly.
“Peter was an excellent man – at all times upbeat and constructive, regardless that Leeds have been going by means of a tough interval. That’s what I bear in mind most about him: his positivity. The membership was struggling, however he tried to elevate spirits and maintain us motivated. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
