Kemar Roofe has spoken of the palpable excitement at Leeds United during the first few months of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.
Speaking on a Leeds documentary on BBC Radio Five Live (13:10), the United striker explained how the atmosphere at the club’s Thorp Arch training headquarters was “amazing” after the Argentine arrived to take over the team.
Roofe said: “It was amazing. It was like something at the movies. He was like a celebrity and I haven’t experienced anything like that before.”
OPINION
This is great insight from Roofe, and demonstrates not only the standing of the 63-year-old manager but also his legend and reputation that has spawned so many admirers from the most decorated and admired in his reputation. A huge element of that allure was surely the commendations from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone, as well as the stories that follow Bielsa from his transformation of so many teams, clubs and nations across the globe. In an era of increasing player power, when the biggest names at most clubs are usually those who help put the ball in the back of the net, it is notable that Bielsa is comfortably the most recognised man at Leeds, as well as the biggest earner. A report this week stated that the Argentine’s salary is £65,ooo-a-week, treble that of any other Championship manager. The wage ceiling at Leeds is said to be around £30,000-a-week for the players. It would be a shock if top earners like Kiko Casilla and Patrick Bamford raked in more than that.