Hope for life after Bielsa

BACK in December when the question of Marcelo Bielsa’s future was raised at his press conference, there was widespread scorn.

Among the fan base, some journalists and even a club official with head in his hands in dismay.

Afterwards, the theme was how could anyone have the temerity to ask Bielsa The Untouchable if he feared the sack or was in some way responsible for the disaster that was starting to unfold on the pitch?

But clear-headed observers could see, before Christmas, that it was unravelling. Eleven goals leaked in two games, holes in the team’s tactical shape and an injury crisis that many predicted.

Bielsa (below) admitted he wasn’t immune from the sack, even raising the prospect himself, unprompted. Like he sensed ruthless action might be needed.

Unfortunately for Leeds, it may have come too late to save their Premier League status.

There was a complacency, sentimentality and cosiness about keeping Bielsa on back in December when everything was coming off the rails.

If he’d gone then, new boss Jesse Marsch would have had a far better chance of turning the season around.

It takes six to eight games before a new boss can have a real impact – just look at Eddie Howe’s tough start with Newcastle United.

So it’s no surprise Marsch lost his first two games and talks of feeling “stress and fear” in his players.

Relegation rivals Everton and Burnley have games in hand and one of those three will likely drop.

It’s been a long winter at Elland Road, made harder by the persistence with Bielsa.

But today there is a lifeline.

Bottom club Norwich visit Elland Road. It is the point of no return for Marsch and his side. Win it, get Patrick Bamford, back from injury, scoring again and they can scrape home and look to a brighter future.