Marcelo Bielsa’s greatness lives on at Leeds United. Now, Daniel Farke is trying to emulate some of his achievements.
Earning promotion to the Premier League was just one of the many impressive things Marcelo Bielsa did during his time managing Leeds United, along with stabilising the club in the Premier League
Daniel Farke currently has Leeds on track to earn promotion to the Premier League, five years after Bielsa did so with the Whites, and it’d be at a second time of asking for Farke.
Leeds United lost the Championship play-off final to Southampton last season. But the two teams now look set to trade places with the Saints sitting dead last in the Premier League table.
Last time out, Leeds came from behind to beat Sheffield United and the Whites next go up against West Brom at Elland Road on Saturday.
And ahead of the weekend, former Leeds United man Ian Harte has revealed some incredible stuff about Bielsa, that he’s heard from Stuart Dallas.
Ian Harte shares brilliant Marcelo Bielsa story at Leeds United
Speaking on The View Podcast, Harte revealed how he’d spoken recently with Dallas, who regularly works as a pundit covering Leeds United games, and how the Northern Irishman had revealed to him how Bielsa used to keep the Leeds players grounded.
Harte explained: “I think it’s important for these young kids to kind of realise, and obviously under Bielsa when Stuart was there the other night, and he mentioned that he made them go out and pick all the rubbish up, and fill it up with bags… These are grown men and all of a sudden they’re out there and, he says ‘lots of people have to do this, it’s their job and they want to be able to come and watch a Leeds United’.
“It’s a great kind of grounding for these young lads, cleaning boots and balls. But obviously with times it’s changed and you you can’t really shout at anyone nowadays because everyone classes it as bullying.”
Marcelo Bielsa’s record as Leeds United manager
Now manager of the Uruguay national team, Bielsa is best known on British shoes for his time with Leeds United which goes down s a hugely successful stint.
In 170 games as Leeds United manager, Bielsa won 81, eventually leaving with a win rate of 47.65%. During his managerial career, he’s only topped that percentage during stints Argentinian side Vélez Sársfield, the Argentina and Chile national teams, and Marseille.
And Biela boasted the best win rate of any Leeds United manager since Simon Grayson who left in 2012, whilst Farke currently holds a record of 58.7%, albeit without having managed a Leeds United game in the Premier League.
A true legend of Leeds United, Bielsa will be remembered for many years to come.
