The Undisputed Don of Elland Road

Don Revie – The Undisputed Don of Elland Road is, without a doubt, one of the greatest managers of his time. Under Revie Leeds United became one of the most feared clubs not only in England but Europe. Winning titles and cup competitions for fun they established themselves as the primo force in English football.

However, ask any non-Leeds fan what they remember Revie for and you might not hear about the successes he achieved with the Elland Road outfit. More often than not his fallings out with Brian Clough and his strained relationship with the FA will form part of their conversation.

Leeds Love-In

Revie’s love-in with Leeds began in 1958 when he was transferred from Manchester City. The previous season the club had only just avoided relegation. However, it was only a stay of execution. The following season they were eventually relegated.

In an effort to turn the tide, the club appointed Revie as player-manager. Certainly, a surprise move given his lack of managerial experience but one that would ultimately prove inspiring. He immediately began to implement changes within the club. Players were put under strict dietary requirements. A new dictatorial discipline ran throughout the club. From top-to-bottom, a new professional approach was instilled. Revie’s plan was to make the players feel they were invincible.

From Yellow to White

Revie even changed the club’s kit from the traditional blue and yellow to an all-white strip in the style of Real Madrid. It was a new beginning. Anyone not on board, was shown the door. It was Revie’s way or the highway. He placed a huge emphasis on youth and paid particular notice to those coming through the Elland Road ranks.

In short, it wasn’t long before he had developed a youth policy at the club. Notable graduates being Eddie Gray, Norman Hunter, Peter Lorimer and Paul Reaney. All of whom would go on to become Leeds United legends.

An Ageing Squad

In his first season as player-manager, Leeds finished 19th in Division Two. Meanwhile, attendances dropped to the lowest levels in the history of the club. The squad was ageing by the game with only Billy Bremner and Jackie Charlton playing anywhere near their ability across the season.

In an effort to concentrate his efforts on the job Revie hung up his playing boots to focus solely on management at the start of the 1962/63 season. The decision proved to be pivotal. Leeds finished fifth that season. The following season they won the Second Division. The Undisputed Don of Elland Road had arrived.

Bigtime Leeds

Leeds were now back in the big time. Under Revie they had become a progressive club again. It was now time to tae them to the next level. To do this Revie decided to build his team around the tenacious Billy Bremner. Bremner embodied everything Revie wanted from his team. Tenacity, grit, hard work and ability. With the formidable centre-half pairing of Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter. Add to that a front line of Gray and Lorimer. Leeds had been transformed.

They took the top-flight league by storm on their return. Finishing runners-up to Manchester United and losing the final of the FA Cup to Liverpool in what would have been the most incredible of doubles. Leeds United were well and truly back on the English footballing map.

The progression continued at pace. And following several runners-up finishes it was only a matter of time before Leeds were crowned the best team in the country. Under Revie they won their first league championship in 1969.

The Undisputed Don of Elland Road

The league title success was in place thanks to a fair bit of gamesmanship and brute force coupled with outstanding attacking play. The 67 points they clocked up that season was at the time a Division One record.

Leeds secured the title against rivals Liverpool at Anfield in front of 10,000 of their travelling fans. As a result, they received a seven-minute ovation from the Kop who had just seen their heroes pipped to the title themselves.

Title Winners Again

The English footballing world appeared to be their oyster. However, what followed was a period of frustration for Revie and Leeds players and supporters. Three consecutive runners-up league positions were hard to take. After that, in 1974 the tide changed again when Leeds won the title pipping arch-rivals Liverpool once again.

In the process of beating Shankly’s Reds Leeds played with style and confidence. Revie was now proudly positioned as the best manager in the country. The media’s portrayal of Leeds changed from that of a team of brute’s kicking their way to success to one of admiration for their fluent and flamboyant football.

The English Don

Moreover, with Leeds United under Revie being so successful it was no surprise when England came calling. Revie topped an FA list for a candidate to take on the manager’s role after Alf Ramsey’s men had failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup. Revie accepted the role.

The Leeds team he had built were beginning to look like a spent force. Players like Bremner, Lorimer, Jack Charlton and Eddie Gray were past their best.

Revie knew that the club he had rebuilt was in need of a major overhaul of players. Changes were needed if it was to continue it’s forward momentum. Above all, he was more than aware of the time needed to rebuild. So he didn’t need to ask twice when the England job became available.

Clough v Revie

On accepting the role the Don of Elland Road immediately found himself in competition with Brian Clough. Many believed Clough was the better candidate for the job. What followed was the first instalment of the Revie v Clough debate.

Clough was one of Leeds’s biggest critics. Their style of play and over-the-top aggressiveness was seen by Clough to be conducted at the bequest of Revie. it was with some surprise then that Clough took the Leeds managerial role following Revie’s departure. While Clough took over the day-to-day running of Leeds Revie found himself unable to deal with the sporadic coaching nature of the England role.

Accustomed to running a club from top-to-bottom Revie found the intricacies of International management difficult. As a result, he struggled with the position. England failed to qualify for the European Championships finals in 1976. This was followed by elimination in the 1978 World Cup qualifiers.

Revie Resigns

Revie announced to the FA his intention to resign, which was turned down. On hearing this he decided to go public to the written media with the news he no longer wanted to manage England.

“I sat down with my wife, Elsie, one night and we agreed that the England job was no longer worth the aggravation”

Don Revie

Remarkably, just days after leaving England Revie announced that he was heading to the Middle East. Accepting an offer to become the new UAE manager. The deal saw him sign a £340,000 four-year contract. As a result, the FA wasted no time in suspending Revie from football for ten years.

The Don Returns

He left the UAE coaching role in May 1980. Subsequently, spending a number of years managing sides in the Arabian Gulf League and the Egyptian Premier League.

Revie returned to English shores in 1984. Unfortunately, three years later he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He died on May 26, 1989. The same day that Michael Thomas’s last-ditch goal won the league title in dramatic fashion for Arsenal at Anfield. Ironically just as his Leeds side had done 20 years earlier.

In his prime, Revie was unlike any other manager of his time. Yes, he divided opinion. His playing and managerial style changed form flamboyant one week to brutal aggression the next. However, without him, Leeds would not have become the force they were in the ’70s. He was simply The Undisputed Don of Elland Road.