It has been a bruising few days for Burnley.
Only eight days after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, the club announced that popular head coach Scott Parker had left his position by mutual consent.
Less than 48 hours later, this defeat to high-flying Leeds United underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two sides since their return to the Premier League.
Last May, Leeds pipped Burnley to the Championship title on goal difference after both sides amassed 100 points.
But less than 12 months on, the gap between them is far more significant – now standing at five places and 23 points.
That is because Leeds, despite a stuttering start, have emerged as one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Farke's side have won 10 of their 35 games and are all but safe from relegation.
Burnley, by contrast, have managed just four wins all season and have been stuck in the relegation zone since November.
This is not just a defeat that must serve as a lesson, but the season as a whole. Since their relegation in 2022 after six consecutive years in the top flight, Burnley have yo-yoed between the first and second tiers.
It is clear that the model Burnley and working towards has it flaws and will require significant changes in the summer if they are to not only to secure another promotion, but to re-establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side.
