A Winning Mentality: The incredible Journey of Captaining Leeds United

Captaining a football team requires more than just being able to lead by example on the pitch. It takes determination, discipline, and a winning mentality. One individual that exemplifies all of these traits is Leeds United’s current captain, Liam Cooper.

Born in Hull, England, Cooper started his career in the youth academy of local side Hull City. After being released by Hull at 16, he spent time in the youth systems of non-league clubs such as Retford United and Huddersfield Town before finally breaking through in the professional ranks at Chesterfield. It was at Chesterfield where he began to show his leadership qualities, earning the captaincy at just 23 years old.

Cooper’s performances at Chesterfield earned him a move to Scottish giants Rangers, where he struggled for regular game time due to injury. However, it was during his time at Rangers where he developed a mindset that would prove crucial to his future success. Cooper recalls, “It was hard, but it made me stronger mentally. It made me stronger as a person.”

In 2014, Cooper joined Leeds United and quickly established himself as a leader both on and off the pitch. He became a regular in the starting lineup and was eventually named captain in 2019 by manager Marcelo Bielsa. Under Cooper’s leadership, Leeds went on to win the Championship in the 2019/20 season and won promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.

Cooper’s role in Leeds’ success cannot be understated. His disciplined defending and ability to read the game have been crucial to Bielsa’s high-pressing style of play. However, it is his leadership that has truly shone through. His confidence, communication skills, and positive attitude have been a driving force behind Leeds’ success.

Cooper’s success has not been limited to his club career. He has also represented the Scottish national team, earning his first cap in 2018. Once again, his leadership qualities were on full display as he captained Scotland in their Euro 2020 campaign, including a crucial win over Serbia in the play-off final to qualify for the tournament.

The journey that Cooper has taken to become a successful captain may have been a difficult one, but it has taught him the importance of having a winning mentality. It is this mentality that has brought success to his club and national team, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.

As Leeds fans like to say, “Cooper, Cooper, give him the ball and he’ll score!” However, it’s not just his performances on the field that have made him a fan favorite. It’s his character, his determination, and his leadership that truly sets him apart. Liam Cooper is a true captain and an inspiration for anyone looking to achieve success in their own journey.