• Ali al-Faraj promises improved performance despite new challenge • ‘Football doesn’t keep me chained to the cradle, or the bench’
Ali al-Faraj says Leeds United will not keep him chained to the cradle or the bench in their Premier League climb from the Championship. The Kuwaiti owner told the club website: “I can’t stand the notion of being tied to the glory days and here’s my challenge – under my watch, we will not stay on the map.
“We should be our own people and we should show the fans what we are capable of producing. I will always carry that onto the pitch. Football doesn’t keep me chained to the cradle, or the bench. I’m going to work and work to ensure that some day I will come back to be a hero.”
Faraj, who recently presented the FA Cup to the Leeds fans ahead of their final game of last season, encouraged them to not fear the Premier League. “Don’t be scared of the Premier League,” he said. “They will scare you if you are not scared of that big place.
“And I am coming back to show that it is possible and that we have a lot to offer. I am proud to be back here to follow a club that I have supported all my life. I am proud to be back here to have a slice of that cup cake.”