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Everton midfielder Jack Harrison shares 'behind the scenes' admission on Leeds United relegation
Jack Harrison has suggested Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League last season in part due to “a lot of stuff behind the scenes”.
The 26-year-old started 34 of Leeds’ 38 top-flight matches last time out as their three-season stay back in the division came to an end.
Harrison returned to the Premier League with Everton in the summer on an initial loan basis, but he says leaving Elland Road was not easy.
In an interview with The Athletic (20 October), Harrison said: “The last two seasons, Everton and Leeds were in similar situations, so it wasn’t easy leaving.
“I was playing through an injury I had for five weeks. I chose to delay surgery to try and help the team stay up.”
Harrison added: “It was tough with Leeds. There was a big difference with the change from Marcelo Bielsa and we just managed to stay up.
“Last year, there was a lot of stuff behind the scenes that people didn’t see and it affected things on the pitch.”
Upheaval
Exactly what “stuff behind the scenes” Harrison is referring to is unknown, but it is fair to say there was plenty of upheaval at Elland Road in 2022-23.
Four different managers took charge – Jesse Marsch, Michael Skubala, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce – as Leeds tried and failed to stem to tide.
As for his own part in United’s relegation campaign, Harrison could at least hold his head up high as he scored five goals and assisted a further seven.
Not many could begrudge him his move back to the Premier League when it arrived in August, although it is a shame there was no fee involved.
The good news is that things look much steadier at Leeds now under the 49ers Enterprises regime, with a far better atmosphere around the club.
As we saw last season, that can all soon change, but fingers crossed the Whites are on their way back on the up.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has made a “no contest” claim with regards to the Whites’ squad ahead of facing Norwich City.