Liam Cooper exit ultimatum emerges from Leeds United as behind-the-scenes outburst shared
Liam Cooper has revealed his post-match outburst to Leeds United players after their defeat to Tottenham last season confirmed their relegation, claiming that players must “give their life” to the club.
The captain claimed that he felt obligated to speak up after Championship football was confirmed and made it clear that any player not committed to Leeds should leave the club.
Cooper made the demands of the club clear after the Elland Road defeat and has claimed the squad is now filled with players committed to the goal of promotion.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Cooper said: “After the Tottenham game last year when our fate was decided I was one to speak up in the changing room and I made it clear, if you don’t want to be here next season – I won’t repeat what I said, it was one of those.
“That’s the way it’s got to be. To play for this club you’ve got to invest in it, you’ve got to give your life for it and certainly, those in the stands won’t accept anything else apart from that. That was the message and the message is still the same. We need players who are invested.
“We’ve got a group of players now committed to the goal. We know what’s expected of us, we know the expectations of the club and we’ve got to go embrace that and hit it head-on. We all know what the Championship demands of each other, how committed you need to be and how hard it’s going to be to get out of it. Anybody who thinks it’s going to be a walk in the park or stroll then they’ve got a big shock coming. So that’s the message to the boys.”
YEP journalist Graham Smyth shared on Twitter exactly what Cooper told him he’d told his teammates after relegation was confirmed.
Cooper said: “If you don’t want to be here then [expletive] off.”
Captain material
While few would question Cooper’s credentials, these comments have proved that he is the right man to wear the armband as Leeds reenter the rough and tumble of the Championship and bid to earn promotion at the first time of asking.
Many Leeds players had been accused of not performing to the expected standard of the club, including Junior Firpo and Robin Koch, with the Whites’ woeful defence cited as the main cause of relegation.
Now, Cooper has reiterated that the same standards apply despite Leeds being in the lower division. The captain clearly shares the same mindset as manager Daniel Farke and the new ownership group the 49ers Enterprises: promotion is a must.
Cooper also claimed that the squad members available are all committed, with many youngsters including Cody Drameh and new signing Ethan Ampadu bidding to impress this season and earn regular minutes.
This is the type of mentality required to get out of the Championship. The club seems to have a whole new lease on life after the tumultuous campaign last season, where managerial changes, poor performances and ownership worries proved too much.
Having a captain so committed to the cause will be music to the ears of Leeds fans, but also Daniel Farke. Coming into what looked like a broken club must be a daunting challenge, but having the backing and vocal support from the likes of Cooper will go a long way in embedding commitment in the squad and refreshing the club’s DNA.
For as long as Cooper is at Leeds United, fans can feel confident that the values of the club will not be forgotten.
In other Leeds United news, the club’s loan fee has been revealed as Max Wober looks set to depart for the Bundesliga.