"If it wasn't for our troubles last season we'd have ran away with the league," said Beijing bound Kilkenny, 22, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

Gary McAllister's side missed out on promotion after losing to Doncaster Rovers in the play-off final at Wembley. Along the way, the former Premership club lost its manager Dennis Wise and assistant Gus Poyet.

Leeds were also docked 15 points last year for reasons related to entering into a CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement).

"What a man he is and what a manager. He's come in and there's been a lot of uproar and he still got us to the playoffs. We jumped every hurdle except the last one and that was the most disappointing thing.

"I hope he stays for a long time because he's a top man and an honest man and he can get the best out of you. And he wants us to pass the ball and play good football," said Kilkenny.

"All we need is some stability at the club. And if we play like we did at the back end of last season, we should get promoted."

The former Birmingham City Premiership player and Arsenal trainee, who was loaned out by City to Oldham before being signed by Leeds in early 2008, is due this week for pre-season at Thorp Arch which began last Friday.

"I'm confident that we'll back in the Premiership in a few years' time," added the England born, Brisbane-raised midfielder.

"I want to move up the divisions with them. I think the manager did it when he was a player with them. And he did well.

"I feel as though in the last six months he's got the best out of me and hopefully he rates me as a player."

Kilkenny, who played 24 times for Leeds last season in all competitions, left Australia last Friday after spending the last few weeks in Olyroo training camps.

He will train in the UK for two weeks before hooking up with the Australian Under 23s in China for the Olympics.

"The attitude with the Aussie lads is great. There are no arrogant players – even when I was with the Socceroos in 2006 at the World Cup, the lads were so welcoming.

"We can't just focus on Argentina," he added of this Olyroo campaign.

"We have to focus on whatever game comes around, but right now all we're thinking about is Serbia [in the first game].

"Well I am anyway."