FLIRTY LEEDS
MARCELO BIELSA claims he will cherish Leeds United’s “beautiful” Championship triumph for the rest of his life.
The Elland Road manager says he will always treasure winning the title because of the bond he has formed with players, club and fans.
The passion of Leeds fans for their club was one of the reasons Bielsa became head coach in June 2018 and he says he has since grown to “love” his players. “I
coexist with professionals,” he said in the Amazon Prime documentary Take Us Home. “I have grown to love them, respect them, and admire them. And because they are human beings with integrity, they are good people.
“This is going to be a lovely memory for all my life, and it was beautiful . Everything that happened was so beautiful. Unforgettable.”
Bielsa, 65, is adored by the Leeds fans, who have painted murals of him around the city ( far right).
They turned up outside his rented flat in Wetherby the night the club sealed promotion in July.
The former Argentina and Chile boss, who has been coaching for 40
years, was delighted to end their 16- year exile from the Premier League. “What I observe most is the dream of Leeds supporters,” said Bielsa. “The only thing for them is their love for their club.
“The only thing they receive in exchange is emotion. For this
reason, the supporter thing in football.
“To be able to take in a club with such a r an honour.”
Bielsa has particula for his captain Liam will return from a calf Leeds against fell League new boys Elland Road today. “He is a natural lea “He’s very well res his team-mates, wit tion. The captain everyone in the team
“He is closer to so like all human bein certain preferences, tain should be conc
ar admiration Cooper, who f strain to lead ow Premier Fulham at
ader,” he said. spected by all thout excepmust bring m together. ome players, ngs who have , but the capcerned about
everyone and bring everyone together. He is a leader like that.”
Leeds beat Fulham 3-0 at Elland Road in June. One of the scorers in that Championship clash was Patrick Bamford, and Bielsa insists the 27-year-old will score goals in the Premier League. The striker
marked his first top-flight appearance for Leeds by scoring in their 4-3 defeat at Liverpool last Saturday ( left), capitalising on a rare mistake from Liverpool centreback Virgil van Dijk.
Bamford managed just one goal in his two previous campaigns in t the Premier League, with Crystal P Palace and Middlesbrough, but B Bielsa is confident he can deliver f for Leeds.
He will start Bamford ahead of £26million record signing Rodrigo against Fulham.
“I think he has the required l level to play in the Premier L League,” Bielsa said of Bamford. “But you have to show these t things rather than declare them.”