Johannesburg - Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe has revealed his disappointment at his former club's failure to reach the Premier League this season.

The Whites missed out on a place in the play-offs by three points after a run of just two wins in their last seven matches.

While Radebe, who spent eleven years at Elland Road between 1994 and 2005, feels for his former employers, the 42-year-old believes the club still needs to improve before returning to the top flight of English football.

The former Bafana Bafana captain told Football365.co.za: "They missed the play-offs which was very disappointing, but in a way it was good that they didn't get promotion now because I think that Leeds need to get stronger.

"I think that they need to get more quality players that can keep them in the Premier League when they go up, instead of them getting promotion and then dipping back down again and you know this is not worth it.

"Leeds is a big club and you can see that the Premier League is not the same without them.

"So, you need that passion and that spark in a club that is really proud of their tradition and culture."