Leeds United defeated Norwich 4-0 on Thursday night, securing their spot in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, but it also marked the end of an era for captain Liam Cooper.
After a 0-0 tie in the first leg, another competitive game was predicted at Elland Road, but Leeds dominated and won 4-0. Ilia Gruev scored with a beautiful free kick that surprised Angus Gunn.
Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville all scored to bring the total to 4-0. Cooper came off the bench in the final few minutes as Farke’s side cruised into the final at Wembley.
The defender has been at Leeds for nearly ten years, having joined from Chesterfield during Massimo Cellino’s first summer in 2014. He went on to play 284 games for Leeds, scoring 11 goals.
Cooper stated at the Leeds awards night that he would like to sign a new deal and stay beyond the summer. However, in his captain’s column ahead of Thursday night, he essentially confirmed his departure.
He stated in the Leeds United programme that it had “been a pleasure” to captain Leeds over the years:
Liam Cooper pretty much guarantees he will leave Leeds.
Cooper’s stint at Leeds has been up and down, with the 17-time Scotland international drawing criticism and earning the nickname ‘League One Cooper’. Cooper suffered numerous injuries throughout his time at Leeds.
However, he was the man who led Leeds to promotion under Marcelo Bielsa and remained in the Premier League for three years. His performances for Leeds have earned him the opportunity to play for Scotland.
Cooper wrote before last night’s 4-0 win in Thursday night’s programme: “As I’ve already stated, not only is it an honor to play for Leeds, but also to be captain of this incredible club.
“One that I never take for granted.” It has been a pleasure guiding this group of players this season, and therefore, I want nothing more than for the campaign to end in the way that we all hope for,” Cooper added.
Who will succeed Cooper as Leeds’ captain going forward?
Cooper has been reduced to a peripheral player this season, therefore Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk have taken over as captains. Struijk wore it in the side, ahead of Ampadu, who had only joined last summer.
But Ampadu has shone for Leeds as captain at the youthful age of 23, playing with the maturity of a 32-year-old Cooper, and Daniel Farke now has a decision.
Struijk or Ampadu? Given Struijk’s injury over the last few months and Ampadu’s work as on-field captain, it must go to the Wales star ahead of next season.
