The football world mourns the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa by Leeds as a great football story comes to an end.
Marcelo Bielsa was a truly revolutionary appointment when he joined Leeds in 2018. He guided them back to the Premier League and delivered a top ten finish in their first season back in 16 years.
As well as that, Marcelo Bielsa brought a bombastic, exciting style of football to Yorkshire. However, his legacy goes much farther than just football.
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“This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club”, said Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
Often, club statements in the wake of a managerial sacking are little more than lip service. However, Radrizzani’s regret here is real – it will have been an incredibly difficult choice to make.
Not only did Marcelo Bielsa transform the football team, he truly bought into the club, into the city of Leeds. He was a figurehead in a Premier League age of mercenaries.
He was so loved that many Leeds fans would prefer they get relegated and keep Bielsa than stay in the Premier League without him.
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Unfortunately, sentiment will only get you so far, and Leeds’ 4 – 0 defeat to Spurs over the weekend was the final nail in the coffin. Leeds are currently 16th in the league, two points above the relegation.
The Tottenham defeat was their fourth in 5 games, a period in which they conceded 20 goals. Given Bielsa’s refusal to compromise on his principles, this wasn’t going to improve anytime soon.
Thus, a Premier League love story comes to an end. The Leeds hierarchy will have to hope that new manager Jesse Marsch keeps them up, or it will all have been for nothing.
