"We should be looking to improve on the ninth place we achieved in our first season back," Mackintosh told the Press Association. "I think that is very achievable.
"In points terms, we are only talking small margins between 16th and eighth but through a combination of reviewing the season, making adjustments and learning from what we did this year, I am very confident we will finish above ninth."
The board have invested £60million on Keegan's squad during the last 3 years but Mackintosh insists the debt is manageable.
"We have things Leeds have been yearning for, such as a new stadium and fantastic backers in John Wardle and David Makin," he said.
"While our debts are above £50million, £44million of that is a long-term liability matched against the long-term asset of the stadium. That debt is at a sensible level now and we don't want it to increase.
"We have been very public in going out and looking for new monies. While it is not essential to our well-being that we get it, it would be helpful into taking us onto the next stage."