Songs of praise hit right note
MARCELO BIELSA says the support he’s had during his most testing period as Leeds boss makes management all worthwhile.
The Yorkshire club’s difficult second season back in the Premier League has featured just three wins thus far, and they have lost four of their last five outings in all competitions.
However, Bielsa’s team have continued to receive vocal support from the stands – a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the Argentine.
And he has compared the faith shown in him to some of the uplifting moments of a 30-year managerial career.
“To be supported in adversity is very difficult,” he said. “There are some things that I will never forget.
“When I coached Newells after we were champions, in the following tournament we lost and I felt the support for myself and the team from the fans and remember in detail this time.
“Those times we were together with the players and decided to dedicate ourselves until we were not at the bottom of the table.
“We stayed together in an aviation centre (Rosario’s Military Aviation College), nothing like the hotels here.
“We stayed together for a month until we moved off the bottom of the table. I remember we used to pull a name out of a hat to see who could go home at night.
“The last game I managed with Bilbao was a friendly game at the new stadium when the lights were turned off because the spectacle had finished.
“It was already known that the directors had decided I wouldn’t continue and the stadium without lights, in the dark, was the sign for me to stay.
“I haven’t had a lot of success in my career but there are some memories that can be referenced. Those I hang onto to realise it was worth it.”
Speaking ahead of a second meeting with West Ham in seven days, Bielsa also took time to praise his opposite number, David Moyes.
He added: “There are a lot of valued coaches – like the coach of Southampton and Brighton – also Leicester’s and West Ham’s.
“There are big coaches, great coaches, whose prestige isn’t necessarily based on titles.”