OFFICIAL: Marcelo Bielsa leaves Leeds United

Marcelo Bielsa has ended his tenure as Leeds United manager. The English club announced on Sunday 27th February 2022 that the Argentine has left his position as manager.

The 66 year old coach spent three and a half years on the sideline at Leeds, a position that he took up in June 2018. However, the bad run of form and results attained this season have resulted in his dismissal.

The Argentine instantly wrote his name in the history books at the club after he became the first manager ever to win their first four games in charge.

The mastermind behind Leeds' return to the Premier League after a 16 year absence

Bielsa took charge of Leeds when they were in the championship and he guided them back to the top flight. They made their return on 17th July 2020, something the club had not been able to achieve in 16 long years.

That season, the team won the Championship for the fourth time in its history, with two games to spare. Leeds finished 9th after their first season back in the Premier League. In this season, they ammounted a higher points tally than any newly promoted since the 2000/01 campaign.

However, this season the Whites are not enjoying the same fate. Five wins and 13 defeats have resulted in the club slipping down the table to 16th postition, only two points above the drop zone. 

 

February 27, 2022

“This has been the toughest decision I have had to make"

Because of the service Bielsa has provided to the club in recent years, the decision to part company with him was not taken lightly. In the words of Leeds' president, Andrea Radrizzani: "This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club".

“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included", he added.   

 

February 27, 2022