Just over seven years ago, Leeds United shocked English football by landing Marcelo Bielsa. A new approach to finally take Leeds from the doldrums of the Championship back to the Premier League.
It was a scalp for Leeds. A former Argentina, Marseille and Athletic Bilbao manager, renowned as El Loco in his home country, making his first foray into English football as Victor Orta secured his dream boss.
Of course, Bielsa would go on to become a Leeds legend. The manager to mastermind the end to Leeds’ 16-year wait for Premier League football, guiding The Whites to ninth in the Premier League in 2020-21.
He got the best out of players considered mid-table Championship options. The likes of Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, and of course, Stuart Dallas. Dallas has been announced as a club ambassador.
Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Leeds.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Stuart Dallas recalls his first moments with Marcelo Bielsa
The story has been told by many. But Bielsa’s first meeting is said to have blown the Leeds squad away, a complete change in tactic, approach, and behind-the-scenes, day-to-day life to make Leeds successful.
Speaking to The Square Ball, Elland Road icon Dallas shares how he knew Bielsa meant business, having cancelled his holiday early to be involved. He remembers how Bielsa’s first meeting left him in awe.
“I’ll be honest, there were a number of players who hadn’t heard of him before. I had obviously heard a bit about him. I was away because of the international games – you get a bit more time off,” Dallas said.
Stuart Dallas of Leeds United before Premier League match vs Newcastle United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“When Marcelo was announced, I cut my holiday short to come back. I remember he walked in and knew everybody by name or by number. You sort of just knew then that he meant business,” Dallas added.
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“His training methods were very different from what we were used to. You get a bit of success and it spirals from there, really,” the Leeds icon told Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton of The Square Ball.
What Marcelo Bielsa did for the Leeds players off the pitch
It was a whirlwind of a time. It felt like Leeds had finally appointed a manager who understood the club, one who would transform things. He made the players pick up rubbish to show them how lucky they are.
Being spotted doing his shopping in Asda, his trademark press conferences, that unerring smile, the fist pump when Leeds scored and the determination to make Leeds the fittest squad. It all contributed.
Dallas shares who Bielsa not only transformed the Leeds squad on the pitch, but also off it. How a late-night snack went amiss, how his training was different to anything he had ever experienced in his career.
Marcelo Bielsa during a game between Leeds and West Ham.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
“He transformed the club. He helped me live my life better, to be in the best possible condition not only for matchdays, but for training as well,” Dallas said, paying homage to the Leeds legend that is Bielsa.
“A little nighttime snack had to be put aside, we all know the weight targets. That was just for Marcelo to get us to the position he wanted us to be in. A method to his madness. He got the best out of us.”
Dallas’ comments come after another moment in which Leeds fans are adoring Bielsa on social media, with the Leeds icon spotted sitting on a wall, watching Liverpool vs Penarol in Uruguay.