But Leeds director and former playing legend Lorimer says Leeds will challenge again next season, just as last season's relegated clubs – West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and West Ham – have done this campaign.
"Leeds going down again – it's not going to happen," he insisted in the Yorkshire Post. "Yes, players are going to have to go, but there will still be a lot of smashing players at this club, and we will also have five Under-21 internationals – James Milner, Matthew Kilgallon, Frazer Richardson, Scott Carson and Paul Keegan – ready to play a leading part.
"We're not a club that does not have anything on which to build. We've a solid base and we will be looking to hold on to all our young players. One of the ways forward is by developing your own players and Leeds can certainly do that because we've a good structure at the Academy.
"There will be a lot of experienced players staying, players who have perhaps struggled in the Premiership, but who may be good in the Football League. Beyond them are the young players, and then with one or two additions I can certainly see us challenging next season."
Bradford, Wednesday and Barnsley will all be in Division Two next season, two, four and six years after their respective relegations from the Premier League.