Wishing Howard Wilkinson a happy 80th birthday
Legendary manager turns 80.
Leeds United would like to wish legendary manager Howard Wilkinson a very happy 80th birthday.
Joining Leeds United in 1988 from his role at Sheffield Wednesday, Wilkinson would go on to have a huge impact at the club over the next eight years.
Building a team with signings including Gordon Strachan, Vinnie Jones, Mel Sterland, Chris Fairclough and Lee Chapman and bleeding exciting young players David Batty and Gary Speed into the side, Wilkinson guided Leeds United to the Second Division title in his first full campaign in charge of the club in 1989/90.
On returning to the First Division, Wilkinson led Leeds to a fourth placed finish, before more history was created in the 1991/92 campaign.
Leeds United went on to be crowned champions of England for the third time in the club’s history, finishing four points clear of bitter rivals Manchester United, cementing Wilkinson legendary status at Elland Road, along with his assembled squad.
He took charge of the club’s first matches in the newly branded Premier League and UEFA Champions League in 1992/93 and would also go on to lead the Whites to the 1996 League Cup final at Wembley.
Today, he is the chairman League Managers Association and still remains the last English manager to win the top-flight, back in 1992.
Everybody at Leeds United wishes Howard many happy returns.
