Liam Cooper doesn’t appear to have had a minute to himself since leaving Leeds United and then heading for CSKA Sofia.
The defender has been speaking repeatedly on a number of subjects since moving to the Bulgarian side and bringing an end to an 11-year stay at Elland Road, and he’s continued that today with Efbet.
He went on to make 284 appearances for Leeds United in that time, winning the Championship and playing a key role as they returned to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
It’s fair to say he’s a firm fan favourite and has been wished nothing but the best at his new club by the Leeds fanbase, who hope he shines as he did for them.
And he’s made it clear more than once, including today, that the love is reciprocal, and Leeds United will remain close to his heart.
“It’s been a great time for me to captain Leeds,” he said.
“My aim was to make my mark, and I believe I have. Now there are a lot of good players and coaches, I hope they continue the great line. I was very happy there; I hope it will be the same here.”
It’s fair to say that Cooper’s best time at Leeds was under Marcelo Bielsa, who arrived as manager in July 2018.
A glorious four-year period followed in which the Argentine turned Leeds into an attractive, high pressing attacking team that eventually took the Championship by storm.
They ended the club’s absence from the Premier League and then stayed up the following year as the love affair continued right up until Bielsa departed in February 2022.
Cooper made 118 appearances under Bielsa in that period and admits that time was the most special of his career.
“The promotion we got to the Premier League was certainly very special,” he said.
“The match in which I led the team with the captain’s armband in the first game in the elite was also great for me. I still keep the shirt. I can single out Marcelo Bielsa.
“We didn’t develop before him, and in six months he changed the understanding and culture in the club. He made the players believe and changed our way of thinking. Every day we were like a family. I am proud of what we have achieved.”
