“I could have been playing in the Premier League for Leeds but they got rid of me, So I’m a little bit bitter towards them”- Micah Richards admits bitter feeling towards Leeds United after being released by club as an academy player

Micah Richards has admitted that he has a “bitter” feeling towards Leeds United after he was released from the club’s academy as a child.

Richards burst onto the scene as a Manchester City academy graduate and went on to play for Fiorentina, Aston Villa and England during his career.

But while appearing on Rob Burrow’s “Seven” podcast (27 December), Richards admitted he could’ve been playing for Leeds in the Premier League instead had they not released him when he was younger.

“Leeds, Man United, the whole rivalry, but Leeds let me go when I was 10,” he said. “So it’s a little bit their fault.

“You know what I mean? They could have played me. I could have been playing Premier League for Leeds but they got rid of me, so. I’m a little bit bitter towards them, in the right way.

“But I still want Leeds to do well.”

Leeds probably have a lot of stories about when they got some calls wrong for players, but Richards is probably not one who would fall under that category.

Richards went on to have a fine career with Man City before injuries hit him and he retired young, and now it’s fair to say that he is probably best known for his laugh while doing punditry on Sky Sports and BBC Match of the Day.

But he has earned a reputation among Leeds fans as having it out for the club during our time in the Premier League over the last few seasons, where he consistently spoke down about our players or performances.

Now it makes sense because he will most likely have some ill will towards us and he can’t shake it. But we made the right decision considering the time frame and he went on to have a fine career.

He should forget about it and just start being more honest about what he sees at Elland Road on a more regular basis, then he wouldn’t get any stick for it.