Latest News

Marcelo Bielsa pinpoints what went wrong before his Leeds United sacking

|
Image for Marcelo Bielsa pinpoints what went wrong before his Leeds United sacking

Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has given detailed insight into the team’s shortcomings as he was sacked back in February.

Leeds are enjoying looking forward to a third season in the Premier League after surviving on the final day.

Many fans would argue that while Jesse Marsch achieved it, Marcelo Bielsa could have done likewise, had he not been sacked in February.

After an emotional departure, it’s not been too long a wait for Bielsa to be seemingly back in the managerial hot seat, as a return to Athletic Club looks imminent.

As the club’s presidential election nears a conclusion, Bielsa is a leading candidate to be appointed as manager of the club, and in the buildup to those results, he took time on Monday to analyse the club in typical forensic fashion.

Should Leeds lower their Raphinha asking price?

Yes

Yes

No

No

In that review, he alluded to plenty of similarities between this Bilbao side and Leeds under his guidance.

Not only that, but he also pinpointed what went wrong for his side between an immensely successful 2020/21 term, and the following one where he was dismissed midway through the season.

He stated (translated quotes via the YEP):

“They sacked me in February because the team had quite a prolonged series of negative results but there are two important things here: one important thing and one very important thing,” he stated.

“In the 20/21 season we were the team that ran the most in the Premier League and in Europe, in all of the values that are looked at. And in the next season, when we were in the bottom third of the table, we were also the team that ran the most in all measurements except one. But in all measurements related to intensity we were the team that ran the most. We had a high number of players available and a high number of debuts. I mention these performances to certify that physical preparation and control of workload make creating objectives less difficult.”

Bielsa went on to highlight how those immense running figures from 20/21 were only with around 16 regular players in the side, suggesting that disruptions to that core squad did not help the following season.

He’s not wrong, in that you can’t get this system to succeed without the intensity and effectiveness of the pressing from each individual.

You could see how easy it was to pick the team apart when individuals were losing their battles, and when one gap emerges, the team unravels.

That said, what we can look at is the undoubted success of Bielsa’s method when it is implemented well.

We were unbelievable to watch for three seasons and that has to be the main take from his time here, and no fans will ever forget that.

1 of 20

Where did Roca start his senior career?

Share this article

Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.