OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa is known as a boisterous, fiery character, so it was somewhat surprising to see him make a slightly subdued start to the transfer window in charge of new side Leeds United.
However the Argentinian’s recruitment drive has clicked into full gear this past week, with the widely respected manager using his high level contacts to get players into Elland Road.
Championship winning left back Barry Douglas was signed from Wolves last week for an undisclosed fee, while Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford joined joined in what was reported to be a £7million deal.
But it was the latest anticipated arrival, Manchester City winger Jack Harrison on a loan deal, that really showcased Bielsa’s value in the transfer window.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s report, the Leeds boss made a personal request to his friend Pep Guardiola to take the 21-year-old on a season long loan.
this one has come down to talks between Guardiola and Bielsa. Bielsa has persuaded Guardiola to let him come to Leeds. Harrison was part of City's pre-season tour of the USA.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 30, 2018
Guardiola is thought to rate Harrison highly, having signed the Englishman from City’s sister club New York City in January. Harrison scored 14 goals in 59 games for New York and will look to continue his exciting development at Leeds this campaign.
Bielsa’s ability to coax a deal out of Guardiola should be encouraging for Leeds supporters. Bielsa is well regarded in the footballing world, and the Argentine may be able to use those links to bring more top class players to Elland Road.
As well as having Guardiola’s admiration, Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has referred to the Leeds manager as his ‘football father’. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Athletic Bilbao chief Eduardo Berizzo are also self-confessed Bielsa acolytes.
Only time will tell whether Bielsa is able to use these contacts to sign players for Leeds, but if the Harrison deal is anything to go by, he’s definitely going to try.