Former Leeds United assistant coach Steve Thompson has stated his belief that the Whites are potentially a top five club in England, while talking up the impact he had at Elland Road.

Thompson was taken to Elland Road by former Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn last season and the pair combined to help drive the Whites up the Championship table and away from the drop zone.




Leeds at one point were one of the most in-form sides in the division, but near the end of the campaign Thompson was suspended from his duties, a move which is still to be fully explained by the club.

The Whites' form nosedived and Redfearn was not offered the chance to continue in his role this summer, while Thompson has now landed as first team coach at Preston North End.
 

 

He still relishes having had the chance to work for Leeds though and told BBC West Yorkshire: "It was a fantastic opportunity to work for what could be a top five club in Britain, there's no doubt with the support."

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Thompson also admitted that the situation at Leeds was an entirely different kettle of fish to that he had been used to at other clubs, though he relished the chance to work alongside long-time friend Redfearn.

"Very complex, very different to what I was used to with the staff and the players, but it was great working with Redders.

"Our main objective was to keep them up in the Championship. They were two points off relegation and we did it comfortably.

"We were third in the form league and we had everything going there and obviously the suspension came and the wheels came off it then with five straight losses after it.

"I'm not saying that was because of me, but I don't think it helped."

Leeds appointed Uwe Rosler in succession to Redfearn and the German has now brought in his own backroom staff at Elland Road.