Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United. Credit: Imago
Leeds United fans still remember Marcelo Bielsa’s time at Elland Road fondly. The club took a huge risk bringing the Argentine to England, knowing how particular he was about some things in the game.
Bielsa was a big part of Leeds and their culture during his four year stay. He brought the club back to the Premier League for the first time in over a decade. Fans at Elland Road got to experience Premier League football under the Argentine.
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His time at the club was a huge rollercoaster, full of highs and lows, but one thing he showed at Leeds was commitment. Bielsa loved the team, the fans and the players and never spoke ill of the club during his time in England.
Marcelo Bielsa makes honest Leeds United admission ahead of England return
This week, Uruguay will face England in a friendly match. The game marks Bielsa’s return to the country since he parted ways with Leeds in 2022. In the press conference ahead of the game, the 70-year old had nothing but good things to say about his time in West Yorkshire.
“I haven’t returned to Leeds mainly because the feeling of nostalgia is a feeling that sometimes one is resistant to address. And, I experience everything related to my time at that club with nostalgia, I see it as one of the most beautiful memories that football gave me,”
When asked about the Leeds United fans, he also added: “What truly makes it great is that there is no commercial structure that can overshadow such a strong feeling as the one the fans feel for the badge.”
England host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in a friendly on Friday night.
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Daniel Farke has the chance to build his own legacy
Bielsa’s time was cut short as the club wanted to keep their Premier League status and not get relegated. Daniel Farke is now in charge at Elland Road, and his stint of the club has followed a very similar path to the Argentine’s. Farke may lack the charisma and effect on the fanbase Bielsa did, but he is doing a solid job so far. He has been a very good coach since he took over, and has achieved a lot with this group of players.
The German was given the job that was a difficult one from the onset, and managed to help them win promotion to the top flight. Now, he has a chance to make history, if the team are able to survive this season. These final eight league games will matter a lot in the grand scheme of things.