Wednesday 8 April 2020 12:00, UK
Leeds posted losses of £21.4m in Marcelo Bielsa's first season, with the Sky Bet Championship club's accounts showing wages rocketed during the 2018/19 campaign.
The Argentine's arrival heralded excitement and a renewed promotion push at Elland Road, but the club fell agonisingly short in the play-off semi-finals.
The coronavirus outbreak has seen this season suspended with table-topping Leeds on course for promotion, having built on the 2018/19 campaign.
Leeds' accounts for the year ending June 30, 2019 show turnover increased from £40.7m to £48.9m, with the average home attendance rising by 2,512 fans to 34,033.
Income streams increased across the board but Leeds' operating loss was £36.1m, with a loss for the financial year and total comprehensive income of £21.4m.
Wages were a huge contributing factor in that, with the accounts showing a steep rise from £31.4m in 2017/18 to £46.2m during 2018/19.
Leeds' most expensive signing during the period was striker Patrick Bamford from Leeds, but the club's heavy reliance on loans from top-tier clubs will have also factored into their increased wage bill.
Leeds were a point clear of West Brom, who occupy the Championship's second automatic promotion spot, and seven points clear of third-placed Fulham, when matches were suspended with nine games of the season remaining.
The West Yorkshire club are looking to secure a return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
