OPINION
Fans at Leeds United have been waiting years for success to come their way, and with Marcelo Bielsa now at the helm, there will be as much optimism as there ever has been over the Whites ending their slump and reestablishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
The Argentine manager is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches out there and the early signs are looking promising, with the club sitting second in the Championship after two impressive wins over Stoke City and Derby County.
His high pressing tactics lend themselves well to the qualities of the players at his disposal and he has brought the best out of those in what is a paper thin squad.
However, the club’s future success looks not to ride on his shoulders but those of one of his backroom staff – under-23 coach Carlos Corberan.
Having been with the reserve side since the summer of 2017, the 35-year-old has overseen the development and emergence of some bright young talents such as Baile Peacock-Farrell, Tom Pearce and most recently Jamie Shackleton, who came off the bench against the Rams.
Bielsa has been raving over his coach’s talents, and the manager’s verdict suggests it could be his staff member who really ensures the club are set for success in the future.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “He is a very important person for us because he brings to the team players we need and players who come from the academy.
“(Stuart) Dallas when he got in, resolved a situation we had at that moment of the game. And in the last game against Derby, a player who was much younger (Jamie Shackleton) had the responsibility to resolve the same situation we had, or a similar one.
“So this readiness to adapt to necessities has been seriously developed by Carlos. He’s very important. This information is supported by reality.”
Having a squad full of talent comes down to a mix of bringing players in through the transfer market but also having homegrown talents ready and able to step in when needed, especially when the window is shut for business.
After a year Corberan is already proving his worth with some brilliant young starlets making a name for themselves, and by preparing them for first team action, he is crucial in ensuring the club’s success both in the near and long-term future.