With the curtain closing on the 2018-19 Championship season following Monday's play-off final, Leeds United fans are reflecting on what was a remarkable campaign for the club.
Under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds achieved their highest finish since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2004, playing some of the best football seen in West Yorkshire in years.
With Elland Road selling out on a regular basis and the under-23s winning a national title, Bielsa's arrival brought an uplift to the entire club, fanbase and indeed city of Leeds.
Following on from the news that Leeds United have extended Bielsa's contract for another season in West Yorkshire, here is a look at the moments that shaped what was an unforgettable season...
June 1, 2018 - Paul Heckingbottom sacked
Shortly after returning from the controversial post-season tour to Myanmar, Paul Heckingbottom was informed that he would not be needed next season. A total of four wins in his 16 games in charge at Elland Road was not enough to convince Andrea Radrizzani that he was the right man.
June 7 - Elland Road hosts England
Leeds' Elland Road stadium played host to England's final World Cup warm up. The fans provided a festival of noise and colour that reminded the rest of the footballing world of what the Leeds fans would bring to Premier League.
June 15 - Bielsa appointed
After a fortnight of speculation, the Leeds United Twitter account posted a video of white smoke emanating from a chimney and Leeds had their man. Former Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa was heading to Elland Road.
June 25 - Bielsa unveiled
Bielsa landed in Leeds and got to work straight away, with Leeds United tweeting out this brilliant picture of him at his desk, set squares and all.
| New #LUFC head coach Marcelo Bielsa settles into his office at Thorp Arch pic.twitter.com/uuCyflZ1xD
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 25, 2018
He would then meet the press for the first time that afternoon at Elland Road in a typically illuminating 90-minute press conference.
July 28 - Barry Douglas signs
Leeds make their first permanent signing of the summer, bringing in left-back Barry Douglas from Wolves for £3million.
July 31 - Patrick Bamford signs
Leeds make their biggest splash in the transfer market since being relegated from the top flight, bringing in Patrick Bamford for £7million from Middlesbrough.
August 1 - Ronaldo Vieira leaves for Sampdoria
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the summer, as the Thorp Arch product joins Serie A side Sampdoria in a £7million move.
August 2 - Adam Forshaw injury
Just 24 hours after Vieiria's departure, Leeds are handed their first major injury blow of the season as Adam Forshaw, who had impressed in pre-season, was ruled out for six-to-eight weeks. This will be a common theme...
August 5 - Leeds blow away Stoke
How about that for a start? In their first look at Bielsa's Leeds United, fans are treated to an emphatic 3-1 win over the pre-season favourites for promotion.
And it also gave Kalvin Phillips a chance to tell Potters boss Gary Rowett to eat his words:
— We Are Leeds (@weareleeds_) August 5, 2018
August 11 - Lampard's Derby hammered
Leeds show that their opening-day win was not a fluke, as they turn on the style to see off Derby County 4-1 at Pride Park. Jamie Shackleton makes his senior debut when he comes on for the final 17 minutes.
August 18 - Three in a row
Bielsa's men make it three wins out of three with a 2-0 victory over Rotherham at Elland Road. Meanwhile, one of the scarf sellers outside the group reveals Leeds' latest signing....
Jamie Bamford scarf, anyone? #LUFC pic.twitter.com/QUhmMEJy2b
— Joe Mewis (@joemewis) August 18, 2018
August 25 - Pablo outclasses Norwich
Leeds' early-season 3-0 win in Norwich looked better and better as the season when on. Pablo Hernandez dazzled, as the Canaries pink dressing room failed to placate the surging Whites.
Loving the new colour scheme @NorwichCityFC pic.twitter.com/1dLO9Bh7Pz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 25, 2018
August 30 - Izzy Brown signs
Leeds' final signing of the summer transfer window saw an injured Izzy Brown arrive from Chelsea, with Leeds only paying his wages after he made his return to the pitch. Patience would be the watchword with this one...
September 6 - Roofe and Bielsa honoured
Leeds claimed the August player and manager of the month awards in the Championship following their fast start.
September 7 - Bamford injured
Another key injury. This time it was Patrick Bamford, who hurt his knee in a 5-0 under-23s win over Bristol City.
September 13 - Roofe injured
And Pablo Hernandez. And Gaetano Berardi. And Jamie Shackleton. Surely this bad injury luck wouldn't last long, would it?
September 15 - Harrison silences
Zlatan
Morison
A late, late equaliser from Jack Harrison at The New Den made sure that Steve Morison's pre-match claim that 'I'll pull out my Zlatan Ibrahimovic kit' was made to look as stupid as it sounded.
September 18 - Roberts comes of age
A 3-0 win for an injury-hit Leeds side saw Tyler Roberts bag his first goals for the club in what was an early-season highlight.
September 22 - Monk hands Leeds their first loss
Leeds' unbeaten Championship record came to an end at the hands of former boss Garry Monk as Birmingham City claimed a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
September 28 - Kilch is scoring goals
Matuesz Klich established himself as a key man early in the season, chipping in with a number of big goals. None better than his screamer that earned a point at Hillsborough and earned him the club's goal of the season prize.
October 6 - 'Robbery'
Pontus Jansson would be slapped with a one-match ban for his immediate post-match comments following Leeds' controversial 1-1 draw with Brentford. Jack Clarke made his debut.
October 22 - Bielsa's Newell's donation
It is revealed that Marcelo Bielsa has donated around £3million to help his former side Newell's Old Boys build a new training complex. He's not your usual Leeds United manager.
October 24 - Berardi injured
A routine 2-0 win over Ipswich is marred by an injury to Gaetano Berardi that will see him miss the next four month.
Oh, and One Direction's Niall Horan was one of many individuals to feel the burn of Leeds' official Twitter account following the match...
No one likes your solo career #BringBack1D https://t.co/PLu0p216pl
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 24, 2018
October 27 -Roofe hands Leeds a point as Ayling falls victim to the injury curse
Kemar Roofe admits that his late equaliser against Nottingham Forest hit his hand. Luke Ayling is the latest injury victim, as he is ruled out for two months.
November 4 - Leeds hunt in packs
A highlight of the 2-1 win at Wigan was the sight of six Leeds players swarming on Josh Windass as the Latics tried to hit Leeds on the counter.
A team that hunts together, wins together #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/8ogYltBk7r
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 5, 2018
November 10 - Leeds humbled at The Hawthorns
A 4-1 defeat away at West Brom was one of very few lows in the first half of the season.
November 14 - Blackman injured
Another day, another injury. Loanee goalkeeper Jamal Blackman broke his leg in an under-23s clash against Birmingham City and his spell at Leeds was over. Izzy Brown made his first appearance in a Leeds shirt, completing a 45 minute outing.
November 22 - Two debuts
Yet more injuries mean that Will Huffer and Aapo Halme are handed their senior debuts in a 2-0 win over Bristol City at Elland Road.
November 27 - BPF the hero
Back from injury, Bailey Peacock-Farrell saves a last-minute penalty to earn all three points against Reading at Elland.
December 1 - Blades blunted
Leeds claim a huge 1-0 win at Bramall Lane against promotion rivals Sheffield United. Skipper Liam Cooper limps off injured.
December 8 - Leeds finally win a penalty
A 59-match wait for a penalty ended as Leeds were awarded a spot kick in a 2-1 win over QPR. Stuart Dallas breaks his foot in yet another injury.
December 15 - Bamford back with a bang
Patrick Bamford finally returned from injury and was able to fire home the winner at Bolton after coming off the bench in the second half.
December 17 - Saiz departs
After seeing his role reduced to a bit-part player in recent weeks, Leeds confirm that Samu Saiz will join Getafe in January, initially on loan, but with a view to a permanent deal.
December 23 - Christmas comeback number one
Leeds found themselves 2-0 down to Aston Villa at half-time, but a stunning second half performance saw them gift their fans an early Christmas present, with Kemar Roofe's 95th minute winner spark joyous scenes in the Villa Park away end.
December 26 - Christmas comeback number two
And the sequel was perhaps even better. Leeds fell 2-1 down at home to Blackburn in the 90th minute on Boxing Day, only for Roofe to this time net two goals in stoppage time and earn Leeds a seventh win in a row.
December 29 - Winning streak over
The seven-match winning run which followed the West Brom defeat came to an end with a defeat to Hull.
January 6, 2019 - FA Cup defeat
A young team crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, losing to QPR in the third round. All eyes were on a bigger prize, however.
January 9 - Baker departs
One of the more underwhelming loan spells in recent years ends, when Lewis Bakers swaps Elland Road for Reading.
January 10 - Spygate begins
A tweet from Derbyshire Police says they detained and then released a man outside Derby County's training ground and confirm 'he was sent on his way' after checks were made.
Officers have just attended the Training Ground for @dcfcofficial After a suspicious male was seen at the perimeter fence. Excellent searching conducted & male was located. All checks above board!
— Derby Response Unit - Derbyshire Constabulary (@DerbyResponse) January 10, 2019
Keeping the team safe to bring home a win against #LUFC on 11th! #SpyingIsCheating pic.twitter.com/a12Zj8gISX
January 11 - Bielsa's admission
Prior to Leeds' clash with Derby that evening, the Rams release a statement on the previous day's incident and all hell breaks loose.
Bielsa takes full responsibility before kick-off and Leeds proceed to thump Frank Lampard's side 2-0 that evening.
January 16 - *That* press conference
Marcelo Bielsa invites the media to an impromptu press conference at Thorp Arch. Amid fans' fears that the Spygate saga was making him call time on his spell at the club, he proceeds to treat the press to a 70-minute tactical masterclass as lifts the lid on the astonishing lengths that he and his team of backroom staff go to in order to prepare for every match. English football had never seen anything like it.
January 17 - Kiko arrives
Leeds make their first signing of the January window, bringing in goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid on a four-and-a-half year deal.
January 29 - Bogusz signs
The second arrival in January sees Matuesz Bogusz, a 17-year-old Polish prospect arrive.
January 31 - James arrives... but then goes
Swansea City winger Daniel James got as far as completing a Thorp Arch medical and arriving at Elland Road for his unveiling, before the Welsh side went quiet and eventually pulled the plug on a move for the exciting winger.
February 2 - Defeat to Norwich
A sellout crowd at Elland Road see Leeds go down to title challengers Norwich City.
February 9 - Drama at Boro
Minutes after Jack Clarke fell ill on the bench at Middlesbrough, Kalvin Phillips netted an equaliser in the 11th minute of stoppage time to earn a draw at the Riverside.
February 13 - Swans swept aside
Leeds are back to winning ways, as they brush aside Swansea 2-1 in on their better performances of the campaign.
February 16 - Roofe injured
Leeds have the weekend off, but Kemar Roofe was spotted in town with a leg brace on. Sure enough, the club soon confirm that he'll miss the next few weeks.
February 18 - Spygate punishment finally lands
Leeds are slapped with a whopping £200,000 fine regarding the Spygate saga. Marcelo Bielsa will later admit that he paid the fine out of his own pocket.
February 26 - A low at QPR
The lowest moment of the season so far sees Leeds lose 1-0 at an out-of-form QPR. A poor performance was followed by pictures of Marcelo Bielsa crouched down staring at the floor in the Loftus Road tunnel.
March 1 - Leeds bounce back
How about that for a response? Leeds' defeat at QPR is followed up by a thumping 4-0 win over West Brom under lights at Elland Road.
March 12 - Pablo dazzles
A 3-0 win at Reading saw a superlative brace from Patrick Bamford as Leeds announced their intentions going into the final weeks of the season.
March 16 - Sheffield United get their revenge
Amid huge levels of pre-match hype, Leeds fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chris Wilder's side, that saw Kiko Casilla sent off and Pontus Jansson go in goal.
March 26 - U23s win the league
Leeds' under-23s side put in an almighty campaign and would snap up the PDL-North league title before the end of March, with a 2-0 win at Colchester meaning they headed into their Premier League Cup tie against Burnley full of confidence.
March 29 - Duo honoured
Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are named in the Championship Team of the Year, a fully deserved acolade. The omission of Pablo Hernandez was a head scratcher, though.
April 6 - Blues do the double
A 1-0 loss at Birmingham was another blow to Leeds' promotion hopes, as they and Sheffield United traded places in second place again.
April 9 - Bamford answers his critics
After hearing Leeds fans sarcastically cheer him in the warm-up following a number of missed chances in recent weeks, the striker responded with a fine brace at Preston in a 3-0 win for Leeds.
April 13 - Leeds back in second
A 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, combined with a draw for the Blades against Milwall earlier that day saw Leeds head into the Easter programme knowing they had their destiny in their own hands.
April 22 - Unhappy Easter
As if a Good Friday defeat to 10-man strugglers Wigan wasn't bad enough, an Easter Monday loss at Brentford was the final nail in the coffin for Leeds' automatic promotion hopes. With Pablo Hernandez in tears, Marcelo Bielsa went to console his players on the pitch after the final whistle. The play-offs beckoned.
April 28 - The season's most controversial goal
Leeds' final home match of the regular season had little really riding on it, but the hosts turned in an improved performance and took the lead through Mateusz Klich in the second half. The only problem was that Villa believed Leeds were about to kick the ball out of play so that Jonathan Kodjia could receive treatment. But they didn't. And all hell broke loose, with a massive melee that would see Anwar El Ghazi sent off for striking Patrick Bamford (which he didn't) and Conor Hourihane escape a red card for punching Klich (which he did). Leeds would let Villa walk an equaliser in and Bamford would later be slapped with a two-match ban, while Hourihane's punch went unpunished.
Never dull at Elland Road.
May 11 - Leeds strike first
Fate inevitably handed Leeds United a play-off semi-final against Derby County and a chance for the media to revisit the Spygate sage. Leeds would strike first, recording a decent 1-0 win at Pride Park to put themselves in the driving seat for the second leg.
May 15 - Lampard gets his revenge
Football can be a cruel game sometimes and Leeds were left inconsolable when after they threw away a 2-0 aggregate lead and crashed out of the play-offs at the hand of Derby County.
The club's best season since falling out of the Premier League was over. But the preceding ten months had given the fans so much - the best league return since 2004, the most dynamic football seen since and a genuine sense of identity on and off the pitch.
May 28 - We go again
After a fortnight of uncertainly regarding Bielsa's future at the club, Leeds United confirmed that they had exercised the option in their head coach's contract to extend his deal.
"Let’s have another go," said Radrizzani. "I am delighted that Marcelo has agreed to stay for another year – we have unfinished business.
"Enjoy your summer and next year once again we all need to give more – the players, the staff and all of the fans because our goal is close."
