Bielsa Lucs like a winner

THE heart wants what it wants.

And Lucas Radebe’s greatest desire is to see this Leeds United vintage eclipse anything that he was part of during a decade at Elland Road.

“They have already won a title, the Championship, so that’s a start,” said Radebe with a booming laugh that travels all the way down the phone line from his home in South Africa.

The inspirational former skipper never did manage to lift a trophy during his time at the club but he was part of an exciting era under David O’Leary, one which also led to the downfall of one of English football’s great institutions after financial mismanagement off the field.

Leeds gained a UEFA Cup spot the same year Manchester United won the Treble in 1999 and the following campaign a third-place finish saw them join their bitter rivals in the Champions League.

Knee and ankle injuries wrecked the latter part of Radebe’s time at the club, causing him to miss the latter stages of their run to the semi-finals of the competition in 2001.

But for Radebe, Leeds means something more than glory and gold.

“To have a connection with deep emotions to a football club and the people, that is special,” he said. “My career had looked bleak so to be part of the history and tradition of a club like Leeds, to make friends with people I never thought possible and never thought I would be able to meet in my life, that is special. That means a lot.”

Radebe is still revered by the club and its fans today. Fifteen years after retiring and 16 since Leeds were in the top flight, the defender dubbed the ‘The Chief’ cannot wait to see what Marcelo Bielsa can achieve among the elite. “He’s crazy as well so he has come to a club that suits him – this is a club for special people,” he said. “That is what I believe. If you are associated with Leeds United you become part of the club, the tradition, part of the culture of the club and the city. “Bielsa and the chairman have a vision that they share. They both deserve credit. They understand what Leeds is.

“It is a club that has an ELL OF A PLAYER: Leeds legend Lucas Radebe impact on every i individual di id li in the h city, i on the people who love it. The right person is in charge.

“Bielsa has been very impressive in what he has done with the players and how he has transformed them.

“I spoke to Liam Cooper recently and it seems these players now feel something for the club and the fans. It shows how passionate and determined the boss is.

“To see his success at the club so far, this is no fluke. This is a man taking Leeds back to the time of Don Revie, George Graham and David O’Leary. I hope to see them achieving better than what we did during our time. I believe it’s possible.”

Leeds’ opening game of the Premier League season away to champions Liverpool on Saturday will be a barometer for the levels which they must reach if Radebe’s dream is to be realised.

“I think they can go and consistently be a top-five team in the Premier League. So long as we keep Bielsa where he is, anything is possible,” added Radebe.

“Ke ep the support for him and believe in what he does, he will bring the glory that we had before and maybe even better.

“But I have to say my heart is actually bleeding that I won’t be there for the first game. It is a really big game at Anfield.

“I will be with a few of my friends glued to the television with the barbecue going.

“It will be a thriller, a fantastic game. This is where they belong. This is what the club and the city deserve.”