Marcelo Bielsa is still beloved at Leeds United despite being sacked amid a poor final season.
The legendary Argentinian manager won The Whites the Championship title in 2020 and did so in style, his ‘murderball’ style allowing them to run over the top of opponents and very much enjoyed by supporters.
Their momentum continued for their first season back up in the Premier League as they managed a finish of ninth under the guidance of Bielsa.
But there was a lot of pain the following campaign and after four straight defeats left them sitting 16th with teams below having games in hand, he was sacked.
This was long before the 49ers Enterprises became involved at Elland Road, but could something that happened later suggest that they are fans?
We already looked at two managers the 49ers considered for Leeds who are already on Rangers’ radar too – Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard.
While the group were involved in the English side’s appointments of Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce before their takeover had actually gone through, suggesting it could have been the same with Barry Ferguson at Gers.
But something else they did could make Bielsa an option for Rangers.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
MORE RANGERS STORIES
49ers Enterprises held Leeds talks with Marcelo Bielsa
That’s because it’s claimed 49ers Enterprises considered taking the wily old manager back.
After Allardyce missed out on keeping Leeds in the Premier League, he opted not to stick around to see if he would be asked to stay on.
So Leeds were looking for a new boss and considered many names, including Gerrard and Parker.
But another one was Bielsa with The Athletic’s Phil Hay reporting at the time that talks were held.
He said: “49ers Enterprises has itself been active in browsing the market.
“It discussed the possibility of going back to former head coach Marcelo Bielsa, sacked by Leeds in February last year, a few weeks ago and held at least one Zoom call with him, shortly before the Argentinian decided to take the job of managing Uruguay’s national team.”
Pep Guardiola has previously declared his admiration for the hugely experienced 69-year-old.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “I love him as a human being. He trained me when I was young in a incredible way and I feel his success like my success. I’m not involved in any way but I like the people I like doing well.
“I think he’s the best because I always try to listen to what the players say about their manager. It’s the real truth. “For the guys in charge of the big clubs it’s easier than the other ones.
“We win because we are in the big clubs with the big players. But everyone who works with him is a better player and the teams are better. That’s why he’s a special manager and special person.
“I think he’s the best because I always try to listen to what the players say about their manager. It’s the real truth. “For the guys in charge of the big clubs it’s easier than the other ones. We win because we are in the big clubs with the big players. But everyone who works with him is a better player and the teams are better. That’s why he’s a special manager and special person.
“I’m a supporter of Leeds and hopefully next season they can be in the Premier League. It would be good for the Premier League.”
Bielsa is a fan of Ryan Kent and Joe Gelhardt
Bielsa is actually the current Uruguay national team boss so that could make things difficult, but you never know.
Two players he could look to sign are names that will be familiar to Rangers fans.
Joe Gelhardt has often been linked with a move to Ibrox, including in the most recent window before he moved on loan to Hull from Leeds.
Bielsa had him as part of his team while manager at Elland Road and described him as a “human wrecking ball.”
He said in 2021, via Sky Sports: “He’s like a human wrecking ball. I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, he takes people on.
“Once he gets into the box, he loves it. That’s where he can do most of his damage.”
Bielsa is also a fan of Ryan Kent and was seriously interested in taking him to Leeds when the winger was still a Rangers player.
Gers turned down two bids at the time and the English side considered returning with a £15million offer (The Scottish Sun).
Kent remains a free agent after his Fenerbahce exit last summer.