Phil Hay has predicted that Leeds United will not redevelop Elland Road until 2026 or 2027. Elland Road is one of the most iconic stadiums in the United Kingdom, seating almost 40,000 people for a game of football, though it appears the club are slightly behind with their changes. Having predicted that those alterations will not be until at least 2026, Hay has offered examples of the different aspects of Elland Road that have led him to these conclusions.

On Friday, June 14, he made the following statement on The Square Ball podcast: “Someday, you need the Elland Road reconstruction project to be completed. However, they haven’t actually made the little, gradual improvements that would have made it better over time.

“I recall that while [Massimo] Cellino was here, someone asked if Thorp Arch could get new signs because some of the old ones were falling apart, discoloured, or had other problems.

“You wouldn’t have been talking much for a football club, but I don’t know how much that would have cost. Tiles hung off the wall and the swimming pool was closed. The items you would think would be kept haven’t, or haven’t been, maintained.

Though money was provided for Thorp Arch during the Radrizani administration because [Marcelo] Bielsa desired it to occur, Elland Road doesn’t feel as though it has been altered.

When will Leeds United begin redeveloping Elland Road?

Given the wealth of history contained within the four walls, it goes without saying that the foundations must remain intact if redevelopment work at Elland Road is to commence.

With Red Bull’s latest investment, Leeds should be able to start implementing structural changes and introducing new technology to assist the squad advance.

Although Luton Town’s elevation to the Premier League was much different—the league had to compel the team to make modifications in order to comply with certain stadium regulations—it would not be detrimental for the team to make the stadium changes.

In addition, the Whites need to make sure their stadium is as fantastic as it can be if they want to maintain their place in the top division of England, and Hay seems to have a lot of advice for the team already.

His concerns regarding Thorp Arch are understandable, especially in light of the quantity of players Leeds’ academy continues to produce year. The idea of how much better things could be with a little renovation and money is also unsettling.