Bielsa’s on auto pilot ‘PLAY-OFFS WON’T DO’
BARNSLEY v LEEDS UTD
LEEDS UNITED owner Andrea Radrizzani knows the club’s centenary celebrations will fall flat if Marcelo Bielsa’s side miss out on the Premier League again.
Managing director Angus Kinnear emphatically set the bar at a top-two finish in the conclusion to the documentary ‘ Take Us Home’, Amazon’s portrayal of last season at Elland Road.
After being dumped out of the Championship promotion race in the play- off semi- final against Derby, Kinnear stated: “The goal next season is automatic promotion. We’re not dicking around with the play-offs any more.”
It took all of Radrizzani’s powers of persuasion to stop Bielsa – by far the
EFL’s best-paid manager – walking away, gutted at the failure to end a 15-year exile from the big time.
One of Bielsa’s conditions was that the club held on to key player Kalvin Phillips – not easy when Premier League clubs including Aston Villa and Burnley made bids in the region of £20million.
But Radrizzani (above), who has also had to deny stories that he is ready to sell up, stood firm – and last week Phillips, who is also on England boss Gareth Southgate’s radar, signed a new and improved Leeds contract.
Two other vital components of Bielsa’s squad – Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper – have followed suit, and put pen to fresh deals.
Leeds’ Italian owner is also ready to commit £25m for a new training complex, which would be situated close to Elland Road.
Radrizzani said: “This club belongs in the Premier League. That was my goal when I arrived and it’s still my goal now.
“Originally I gave myself five years to reach this target, but I believe it can happen quicker. Everything is in place.”
Phillips agrees, and added: “This season we have got to get back into the Premier League. With the manager and the team we’ve got it would be a big opportunity missed if we don’t get promotion.
“We came so close last season. In a way it’s done us good because we know how much work it takes to get there. Hopefully this time we can finish it off.”
Northern Ireland international Dallas said: “There’s nowhere else where I want to play. Marcelo Bielsa has been massive in helping my game.
“Since Andrea Radrizzani has come in the changes at the club have been incredible.”
Next month will see Leeds complete 100 years as a football club club. A special kit will be w worn for the league game on October 19 against Birmingham City.
There will be other e events to acknowledge a h history which includes th three English top-flight titles, in 1969, 1974 and 1992.
But today it’s the short trip to Barnsley as Leeds look to bounce back from defeat against Swansea.
The popular Bielsa has even had to turn down a request from a Leeds fan to attend his wedding.
“Sorry, I have to work,” the Argentine replied. The Premier League awaits.