Bielsa’s great entertainers are a breath of fresh air... and long may it continue
LEEDS UNITED under Marcelo Bielsa have been a breath of fresh air in their first season back in the Premier League.
My old club face Manchester United today with their players ready to run through a brick wall for their manager.
I always felt that, under Bielsa, they would do well in the Premier League this season. The energy and the drive they showed in finishing top of the Championship was always going to stand them in good stead for what lay ahead.
No one is saying the players are technically better than those in other Premier League clubs, but Bielsa believes that, if you can’t be better, then be fitter.
His players have to be fit because what they are doing for 90 minutes every match is very demanding.
There might be games in which they come unstuck, but Leeds, for me, will be fine this season because, in their Argentinian leader, they have a very, very good manager.
I remember him years ago managing Chile and then he went over to Spain, Italy and France. I started delving into his career because big names in the game were talking in glowing terms about him and he was obviously bringing something different to the table.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola (right) always talked about Bielsa as though he was a coaching god. Former Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino also speaks highly of him.
It says it all when two fantastic managers admit they have learnt so much from him. It tells you everything you want to know about his influence.
There are probably so many things that we don’t know about that contribute to him being a phenomenal coach. He might appear fairly placid in front of the cameras, but, behind the scenes at the training ground, he will be demonstrating in true South American style what is expected of his Leeds men.
His players will go the extra mile for him – they probably already do if you look at their running stats.
He has got them fit and firing. They will lose games, but they will score goals and win a lot more games than they lose.
I predicted at the start of the season that they would be a top-10 side and I’ve got no reason to change my mind.
Having played for Leeds, I know what the place is like, I know what the club is all about. I know what is expected, but right now under Bielsa the fans are receiving something extra.
It’s a fantastic football club. I’ve been a long-time advocate of them getting back into the Premier League.
Leeds are a big club who deserve to be there and now they are there on merit under a fantastic manager.
If they keep on doing what they are doing, then they should be in the Premier League for many more years to come.
They have come in with a real bang and have been great to watch.
The 5-2 win over Newcastle in midweek was important because it illustrated what they are all about and has taken them well away from any problems near the bottom of the league.
They had been playing far better than their league position was showing, but, against Newcastl e , everything clicked and, at times, some of the football took your breath away.
It’s great to watch – long may it continue.