Leeds ace Pontus Jansson has told the Leeds supporters that it has been a “good year” for the club despite missing out on a play-off place.
Centre-back Jansson also feels that the Yorkshire giants have got their fans back after “many turbulent years” in the second tier of English football.
Garry Monk was appointed the manager at Elland Road at the start of the season when he signed a one-year rolling contract.
The highly-rated English coach impressed in his first season, helping the club from Championship strugglers to promotion hopefuls.
Despite missing out on a top-six finish by five points, the highly popular defender Jansson was looking at the bigger picture.
“[We have] a fairly young team and maybe it was shown when we slipped down in the final rounds,” Jansson told fotbollskanalen. “But [it is] still a good year. Leeds came back to its feet and got back the fans.
“It’s a great atmosphere around the club. There have been many turbulent years. Now we start to build on something that maybe we were not ready for this year, but hopefully next year.”
Sweden international Jansson impressed in his debut season at Elland Road which saw him become a firm fan favourite.
It has been 13 years since Leeds tasted Premier League football and it was looking highly likely that they were going to finish in the top six.
However, they recorded only one win in April which saw them drop out of the final promotion place to Fulham, who have since been beaten in the play-off semi-final by Reading.
Jaap Stam’s side will meet Huddersfield, who saw off their Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, with a thrilling play-off semi-final win via a penalty shoot-out.
Now, either Reading or David Wagner’s men will join the promoted duo of Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League next term.