“If you don’t want to be here, make one.” This is a family-friendly version of Liam Cooper’s Farewell to the Premier League in May 2023. It’s a nice summary of the late club captain’s relationship with Leeds United.
The 33-year-old finally confirmed the end of his nearly 10-year stay at Elland Road this week. Cooper was out of contract on June 30 and has not been offered a new deal despite rumblings from Elland Road suggesting talks would materialize.
The centre-back left one of the best legacies of any player to leave Elland Road in the last 20 years or more. Cooper is one of five captains in the club’s history to lead title-winning teams.
That’s how rare Cooper’s United performances were during the Marcelo Bielsa era. It was fitting that the Scotland international scored in the first game of the Argentine’s tenure in West Yorkshire. Like many players under Bielsa, Cooper’s all-round level has improved immensely.
The former Chesterfield player has become better, faster and has found a technical level sufficient to thrive in a position under the worst spotlight in Bielsa’s system. As with any player, Cooper had his critics on the terraces, but the trust placed in him by the iconic head coach spoke volumes for his quality.
More than his quality, Cooper’s leadership was central to the legacy he built in the LS11. He set the standards on and off the pitch at Leeds. Bielsa reshaped what was needed at all levels of the club to be successful and Cooper became part of that.
Cooper ensured the cast lived up to the head coach’s expectations. It was an unforgettable moment at Thorp Arch when the young prospect parked his car on the edge of the training pitches and sat on the bonnet to watch the action unfold. This young man, who is yet to leave his mark on the member’s team, was left in no doubt by Cooper, which was unacceptable.
Beyond the confines of the arena and practice field, Cooper has been an inspirational leader in the community. Over the years, several teammates and club staff have been impressed by the work the former captain has done with people beyond the confines of the stadium and training ground.
He was someone who represented the club flawlessly and gave his time to those who looked up to him and his teammates in awe. Remember Cooper wore matching headphones when he went with the autistic mascot to Tottenham Hotspur to relax them and convince them of the noise and atmosphere around them.
Cooper himself admits he would never have predicted he would make 284 appearances when he joined for £600,000 from Chesterfield in 2014. That surpassed legends such as Nigel Martyn, Mervyn Day, John Sheridan and Lucas Radebe.
He was a true servant to the shirt and the club during some of its darkest years at the start of his time here. He grew up with the club under Bielsa and proved that he can find his way in the side’s top flight under the Argentinian.