Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani pays tribute to Marcelo Bielsa and his players after promotion

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani paid tribute to manager Marcelo Bielsa, players and staff after the club’s 16-year wait to return to the Premier League came to an end.

The Italian joined wild celebrations at Elland Road that lasted well into the night after closest challengers West Bromwich Albion‘s defeat to Huddersfield Town sealed promotion.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the stadium – despite pleas from Radrizzani to stay away amid coronavirus fears – to mark the moment.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani took to Twitter to pay tribute to manager Marcelo Bielsa, his staff and players after their 16-year Premier League exile was ended

The Italian posted a picture of himself on the Elland Road pitch as celebrations continued long into the night once West Brom’s defeat at Huddersfield had secured Leeds’ promotion

Owner Radrizzani paid tribute to his manager and players after promotion was secured

Posting a picture of himself sitting on the Elland Road turf, Radrizzani tweeted: ‘I feel very happy and proud to be a leader of such an amazing club.

‘Our fans, our players, Marcelo and all staff, our management and everyone involved have worked very hard showing an unconditional love for @LUFC and an endless commitment to achieve our goal and dream. #WEAREBACK’

The Leeds players watched the West Brom match together at Elland Road and the Baggies’ defeat led to an outpouring of joy.

Later in the evening, they emerged from the stadium to take a bow in front of supporters who lit smoke flares and sung club songs.

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani also took to the steps outside Elland Road to celebrate

The Italian businessman filmed the outpouring of emotion after joining in with the party

Radrizzani captured some of the jubilant scenes in a video posted on Twitter, writing: ‘Unbelievable time. Thank you @LUFC for let me living such an amazing time.’

The players also went onto the Elland Road pitch to continue their celebrations, ironically singing ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ which became a popular chant among rival fans during testing times since their relegation from the top-flight in 2004.

Bielsa wasn’t part of the celebrations at the stadium but emerged from his home in Wetherby to greet fans who had gathered outside, offering them elbow bumps in accordance to Covid-19 guidelines.

The Argentine, nicknamed ‘El Loco’, waved to the fans and repeatedly said ‘thank you’ before joking ‘I don’t speak English!’ He then posed for a photo with three young fans.

Leeds United’s players have celebrated their Premier League promotion wildly at Elland Road

The squad gathered together to watch West Brom fall to a shock defeat against Huddersfield

The result sealed Leeds’ top flight return and stars were caught on video basking in the glory

Leeds players were seen celebrating their promotion at a window inside Elland Road on Friday

The victorious stars, including Pablo Hernandez (left), gathered on the steps outside the venue

Supporters arrived outside Elland Road waving flags and scarves and singing chants

Blue and yellow flares were released into the air as the party got underway in Leeds

The party stretched late into the night as thousands of fans continued to toast their team

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa elbow bumped supporters who gathered at his house to celebrate

Owner Radrizzani has pleaded with fans not to take to the streets in celebration given the coronavirus risk but his words fell on deaf ears.

Radrizzani penned an open letter to fans in the Yorkshire Evening Post, writing: ‘The love you have shown the club, the players, my family and I and all the staff who work at Thorp Arch and Elland Road has been nothing short of amazing.

‘The last four months have been incredibly difficult for everyone around the world, but I believe the way our communities have pulled together has been amazing – especially here in Yorkshire where huge progress has been made due to our values and collective spirit.

Their fans were jubilant after their promotion to the top flight had finally been confirmed

The players headed out on to the pitch to carry on with their celebrations after the promotion

They ironically sang ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ – a chant used to mock the club by rival fans

Leeds goalkeeper Elia Caprile filmed his team-mates leading the songs from a unique angle

‘Thanks to the tremendous work of healthcare teams and key workers, and the sacrifices we have all made, the situation has improved.’

With promotion secured, Leeds can now concentrate on sealing the Championship title in their two remaining games at Derby County on Sunday and at home to Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.