Marcelo Bielsa has claimed “feelings of nostalgia” have stopped him returning to visit his former club Leeds United.
Four years on from his sacking, the 70-year-old is still revered by the Elland Road faithful.
His reign may have ended with the Whites struggling in the Premier League, but the Argentine had transformed the club in a manner that had already cememted his place in the history books.
He was the manager who ended Leeds’ 16-year absence from the top flight and brought a refreshingly swashbuckling style of play to LS11.
Leeds fans have been keen to give Bielsa the send-off he did not get back in February 2022, but he has never returned to Elland Road.
His Uruguay side will face England at Wembley tonight (March 27) and Leeds fans are travelling down in their numbers to pay tribute to him, wity viewing of the friendly somewhat secondary.
Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa has discussed his time as head coach of Leeds United.placeholder image
Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa has discussed his time as head coach of Leeds United. | Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
Marcelo Bielsa’s reason
In his pre-match press conference, Bielsa said: "I have not been back [to Leeds] because of the feelings of nostalgia. Sometimes we have to resist the feeling of going back and I want to keep those feelings of nostalgia.
"Being at Leeds gave me the most beautiful memories and one of the best gifts football has given me. The power that English football really has is based on the fans and the unconditional love of the supporters to build a great league.
“This English league would not be what it is if it were not for how their fans feel. For me, I was at Leeds for four years.
“But in three games, my team conceded 14 goals and it would be very difficult to survive that. I always understood it (getting the sack) as justified."
Marcelo Bielsa led Leeds United between 2018 and 2022.placeholder image
Marcelo Bielsa led Leeds United between 2018 and 2022. | GettAlex Pantling/Getty Images
Hope for Leeds United
Leeds struggled to get it right in the post-Bielsa era and the appointments of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce proved unsuccessful.
Daniel Farke was installed as manager in the summer of 2023 and emulated Bielsa by leading Leeds to the Championship title at the second attempt.
The club are battling to retain their Premier League status - and Bielsa hopes they do.
He said: “I wish that Leeds will be able to stay up because that is where they should be. The club is an institution with resources and footballers good enough to keep them up.”